To the Editor:

In the recent guest column "North Adams Is Leading on Climate Response," Dicken Crane and Henry Art argue that one of the key objections to the proposed Notch forest management plan is that "Mother Nature can best manage the forest." They go on to say that is not the case.

The Crane and Art argument badly misstates the concerns of North Adams citizens who are opposed to the project. These concerns as summarized in a recent letter to the editor by Justin Wagg ("Halt the Notch Reservoir Logging Project," Oct. 4, 2024) include:
 
The risk of contamination to our drinking water from the use of heavy machinery that combined with soil erosion could cause siltation and ultimately the need to dredge the reservoir, the cost of which is likely to be passed on to all those who use this water source, not only residents of North Adams, but also residents of Williamstown and Clarksburg. 
 
Further, we are concerned that because not all wetlands and vernal pools have been properly mapped out, and buffer zones have not been marked out on the ground, it will apparently be up to the discretion of the people operating machinery to make these identifications on the fly.
 
Additionally, Wagg's letter pointed out the lack of a necessary hydrological study of the area, as Audubon representative, Andrew Randazzo, acknowledged in the town hall meeting on Sept. 12, 2024. 
 
Audubon has admitted that logging in the area will result in soil erosion. Homeowners in this area are already suffering the ill effects of previous logging projects, and have legitimate concerns about how their roads and homes will be adversely affected by further erosion.
 
Bellows Pipe Trail is an iconic hiking trail that connects our community to Mount Greylock. This celebrated trail draws tourists and locals and contributes to the city's appeal and economy. The proposed plan would turn a large portion of this trail into a logging road.