Rally Against Upper Cheat Logging Project

The Upper Cheat River is a treasure within the Monongahela National Forest. The forest provides clean drinking water and flood protection for communities, wildlife habitat for endangered species, and miles of trails to explore the outdoors. Despite that, the Forest Service is pushing forward a poorly-planned project that would clear cut large swaths of this critical area.

The project would log forests on very steep slopes, leading to increased risk of flooding and sediment deposition in the rivers and streams. In addition, opening the canopy will increase temperatures in cold-water streams that native brook trout require for their survival. It would also adversely impact important habitat for other species like long-eared bats and hellbender salamanders.

Now is the time to preserve mature and old-growth trees – which store much higher amounts of carbon and help fight climate change. These mature forests are worth more standing. Join us at the U.S. Forest Service Office in Elkins.