RoyalIndependence500

RoyalIndependence500 t1_j4rh782 wrote

I would think the Adirondacks would be the best place in the east for reintroduction, especially the western Dacks, like the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. I’ve lived in cougar country in New Mexico and California when I worked for the US Forest Service. I think it would take a lot of education for folks to be comfortable with them in Vermont, honestly.

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RoyalIndependence500 t1_j38t03v wrote

I was born in Vermont, lived all around the US working for the IS Forest Service, and am now back home in the state I love. Vermont is unique. We have a small population that is based on citizen democratic participation. We have annual town meeting days, where, depending on where you live, everything closes down and we decide on budget and other community items. Many of us are outdoor enthusiasts. We like our privacy, but are good neighbors, in general. We DO lack racial diversity, and racism is here, but no more than in any other place I have lived. About 30 % of voters voted for Trump. 70% vote Democratic/ Progressive. I’m an out gay progressive, but my Trump flag flying neighbor and I are cordial to one another. I’ve lived in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, New Mexico, Montana, California, Oregon, Washington and New York. Vermont is 100% the best state I have ever been in. The sense of community here is amazing. We are a long way from perfect. But you can definitely find your true home here. I hope you make the leap.

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RoyalIndependence500 t1_j07calq wrote

Here in Vermont the Town would have to agree to buy the land after it was appraised. VLT or another land trust would agree to help fund the acquisition of the land for the town and they would get a conservation easement that would protect the property in perpetuity, even if the Town one day decided to sell the land, it would never be developed. The land trust may ask the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to fund part of the cost as well, and they would co-own the conservation easement. This all takes time, but it is how dozens of town forests have been established in this state and the process is very well established. It would surprise me if this hasn’t been looked into at this point.

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RoyalIndependence500 t1_iyv5nzl wrote

I worked for the US Forest Service for over 20 years (not as a forester, although I learned a LOT from foresters). The federal rule at the time ( and this would address the GMNF), was no clearcut over 20 acres. And so people know, this claim that thousands of acres are to be cut is total bullshit. The project area may be thousands of acres, but the treatment units total acres is much smaller. And for every inch cut, the FS conducted biological, hydrological, soil science, archaeological, botanical as well as forestry surveys to determine where, when and what type of treatment will meet the long term management objectives. I have a very hard time with Standing Trees and any organization that intentionally misleads the public. These folks claim they want “Wilderness”, which is a racist concept that ignores thousands of years of environmental manipulation by indigenous people. I am an environmentalist. We need to address climate change, water quality and a host of issues by protecting our lands. But that doesn’t mean we can’t manipulate and help restore balance through human intervention.

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