March 7, 2002
Testimony before the Environmental Matters Committee supporting the Wildlands Bill (HB 617)
I'm Bob DeGroot, President of the Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation (MAGIC), an alliance of 41 environmental organizations in Maryland. Our Alliance supports the designation of the two proposed areas in the Savage River State Forest in Western Maryland as Wildlands.
The proposed areas contain many old growth trees that are documented to be 300-400 years old. Trees of this age are rare in Maryland as most trees were logged 85-100 years ago. These ancient trees are mixed with trees of a mature forest and contains a number of rare, threatened and endangered animals and plants. The Oak Fern, American Yew, Smoky Shrew, Cerulean Warbler, Porter's Reedgrass, Forest Disc Snail, and Allegheny Woodrat have all been found in these forests. The proposed Wildlands are rare habitat and should be preserved.
Oak trees and beech trees are some of the best food producing trees for wildlife in the forests, but they often don't produce seeds and nuts until they are 40 years of age and don't reach their maximum output until they are 150 years old. These old oak forests make ideal habitat for bears, wild turkey and other wildlife that needs forest interior habitat. They are essential to providing a food source for animals that will be hibernating during the winter months. Logging of these forest on a 50 year rotational cycle destroys much of the food supply needed by wildlife.
Not only are ancient trees critical to providing food for wildlife, but many trees that die in old growth forests remain upright, and provide nest sites for scarlet tanagers, cerulean warblers and other songbirds that are now becoming rare because they depend on old growth trees. Trees can actually create more habitats for various species after they die than when they are alive. For decades, scientists have recognized the importance of standing dead trees, or snags, as habitat for a variety of birds, small mammals, and insects. Fungi and bacteria first colonize these dead trees, followed by insects and other organisms. The pileated woodpecker digs holes into these trees in search of carpenter ants to eat. In the process, it creates homes for other creatures, such as chickadees, bluebirds, and bats, who cannot dig holes themselves. Old growth forests are important habitat for many varied species.
Public Opinion Surveys show 78% of Maryland voters support additional Wildlands versus only 15% who would oppose it. These numbers vary only slightly between rural voters in Maryland as compared to Metro area voters.
Robert DeGroot
President, MAGIC