November 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

I have been a member of the Riverkeeper for many years and feel you do an excellent job on many fronts.

I have a concern about the proposed "forest management" of Mount Nimham which is an area near me and part of an almost continuos forest from Rt. 84 to the Hudson River. The proposed reconstruction of an existing road and selective logging on hilly terrain is counterproductive on numerous fronts. It will disturb the terrain, cost the taxpayers money that could be better used in other areas, disturb well used hiking areas, the experiment has been done in other areas and been studied, possibly pollute the watershed. The trees marked include some beautiful old growth. I feel the Riverkeeper should work to change the DEC's mind about this "experiment." Why don't they just observe the forest slowly evolving into an old growth forest? I know you need to work with the DEC whenever possible, but not in this case.

Sincerely

JL
Kent