Jeff Wiegert
Supervising Forester
NYS DEC
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561-1696

Dear Mr. Wiegert,

As a resident and homeowner in the Town of Carmel in Putnam County, I write to express my opposition to the DEC plan to create a so-called "model forest" in the Ninham Mountain Multiple Use Area in Kent, NY.

The DEC's stated purpose - to use this area to demonstrate how forest management can help protect forested lands threatened by rampant development - sounds laudable on the surface. As a resident of the most populace town in one of the fastest growing counties in New York, I can attest that we have been victims of predatory development. However, it could be said that the DEC and the supporters of this project are not seeing the forest for the trees.

Logging an emerging Old Growth forest to create an artificial model will provide no benefits to the people of Putnam, Westchester and New York City who visit and enjoy this local treasure. There are few if any large tracts of privately owned land in Putnam that could follow the "model" created at Nimham Mountain. On the contrary, the DEC's plan will leave us with fewer unspoilt natural assets to enjoy with our children. In addition, the logging required for this project will bring further degradation to our environment and our overall quality of life.

If the Ninham Mountain Multiple Use Area is to serve as a showcase, let it be one that reveals to current and future generations the splendor and beauty of unmolested Old Growth forests.

If the DEC proceeds with this project on protected land, it will in effect be contributing to the damage already caused by poorly planned development in Putnam County.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

JH
Carmel