We were barely cutting at all before Mitch. I think there were 2 forest plans during Mitch's tenure. Both were significant increases over 20+ years of Democrat rule of DNR (upper level staff are appointed by the Governor).

All the science is on the side of the Forestry Division. Now I disagree with parts of the current plan calling for upgraded campgrounds and RV parks and rental cabins. But I leave the science to the scientists. In other states (Michigan and Wisconsin) 100 acre clear cuts are welcomed. We don't have that kind of ground and smaller 5-10 selective cuts work fine here in Indiana. The current proposed forest plan can be reviewed here:

http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-State_Forest_Strategic_Plan_2015_2019.pdf

The bottomline is that 10% (or more) of the state forests are already preserved and protected from logging. This fight has been going on for a long time and I don't expect it will go away.I also disagree with funding the Division from the logging but Pence has pushed them in that direction. Lots of good info on the forestry home page:

http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/

Jack

There's a reason I like dogs better'n people... .