the Globe

[Joseph Zorzin]

I'm sure you've all seen by now the article in today's Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2010/03/04/a_clear_cut_controversy/

 

another part of the Globe online has the story with extra photos: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/gallery/030410_Clear_Cut_Controversy/

 

In the several dozen comments posted to the Globe about that article is the following most interesting comment.

 

DanielShaysWmass wrote:

I've worked at Quabbin for the DCR over the last few years GIS mapping invasive plant populations. I've observed forestry practices first hand. The real danger to this, and all state forests, is a lack of committment on the part of DCR's top level managers. I submitted reports these last two summers, with solid data, that invasive plant populations were out of control and in some areas have completely replaced the native ecosystem. I supplied examples of this work to Beth Daley and Chris Matera, but I see no mention in this article. I attended the "visioning" process meetings and submitted my evidence, and it has remained unheard. I shot my potential career down and wasted three years of my life working towards a goal that DCR, specifically Dan Clark, Jonathan Yeo, and Rick Sullivan don't care to hear. Bad logging practices can set a forest's health back for years, and Mr.Yeo is correct when he states that many of the openings created will quickly revegetate. But they will regrow with dominant stands of invasives! No one is listening to me! I have directly proven that in some areas, Japanese Barberry at Enfield lookout in Quabbin Park for example, whole understory ecosystems have vanished. Coupled with clearcut openings there is a likely explosion of invasive plants throughout Quabbin in the near future. I asked my supervisors at DCR to create a position that would allow me to actively manage these outbreaks. It never happened. My job ended and I've been layed off again this winter, and the duties of my "temp" job were handed over to a new person who will never understand my work. The real problem Beth and Chris is what happens now, after the logging.

Unemployed and without hope,
Don Wakoluk
Ast. Forester, DCR Quabbin 2007-2009

[Joseph Zorzin]

I have had an exchange of emails with Don Wakoluk. He is very upset that his findings of invasive plants at the Quabbin have been ignored. He sent me the 2 reports he and his team prepared. But he said those reports would not be comprehensible without viewing the GIS model.

 

Though the Quabbin is "off the table" for this vision process, since the vision is by design myopic - people should be aware of this issue. I think in particular, Rick Sullivan should inquire further what this is all about. Mr. Wakoluk suggested that the person who could explain it further is Tom Kyker-Snowman.

 

Joe