Rare Maryland Forests Remain Unprotected

Our western Maryland state lands hold some of Maryland's most special remaining forests. A few large tracts of mature forest harbor scattered old growth stands with many big, old trees, as well as rare, threatened and endangered flora and fauna. Two outstanding areas are located within the Savage River State Forest:

Savage Ravines -- the core watershed of the Little Savage River and Swamp Run, and a remote stretch of the Savage River. This area was previously identified as a Wildland candidate by the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources.

South Savage -- encompassing the southern end and east side of Big Savage Mountain, from High Rock to the Savage River Dam.

Although partly roaded and logged in the distant past, these areas were never completely disrupted by European settlement activities. Patches of ancient trees and rare species survived at rock outcrops and remote corners of tracts exceeding 1,000 acres. Large parts of these forests remain complex in their structure and species composition, and are dominated by natural disturbance cycles.

Science has shown us that many characteristics of old growth forest, such as giant logs and deep forest plants, are infrequent in woods managed by people. Very few eastern U.S. forests exhibit old growth qualities, especially in Maryland. It is estimated that less than one percent of the forested areas east of the Mississippi currently qualify as old growth. Biologists are also learning that it is critical to protect significant patches of wild forest, not just postage-stamp preserves.

Presently, both Savage Ravines and South Savage lie within a management zone open to roading, logging and other projects. Parts have already been impacted by logging activities. Given the rarity of large forest tracts and the sensitive nature of old growth stands, it is perplexing that these areas are not protected collectively, perhaps as "endangered communities." It is time to re-think our approach to forest management as the current Savage River State Forest 10-year Management Plan comes up for renewal in 2002.

A Forest Usage Primer

Historically, the state forests were focused on conservation of trees for sustained timber harvesting. As our population and standard of living increased, recreational demands were accommodated through the creation of a state park system. More recently, an educated public's desire to preserve natural habitat has further increased the demands on the forest. These demands have also been accommodated by the designation of Wildlands and other natural areas within the state forest system. A variety of interest groups increasingly compete for limited forest resources. As our population increases, these pressures will only intensify.

The Savage River State Forest's Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) gets a first-hand look at the diverse pressures on the forest "resources". Meeting each spring and fall to review the annual work plan (i.e., timber harvest) and to discuss general forest issues, the CAC contains representation from interests ranging from:

• Forest Consumers (timbering, forest products industry, firewood and stone gathering)
• Forest Users (hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, wildlife observation, XC-skiers, ORV trail users)
• Forest Conservationists (students and teachers as well as members of the Forest Users group who want to see the special areas of the forest preserved)

The need to preserve these remaining special areas within the forest has been stated. However, the CAC has no real voting power - we are afforded the opportunity to render our varied opinions, which are in turn taken into overall consideration by the forest management staff. Ultimately, it is a political process at a higher level that will determine whether or not these lands are preserved.

The Savage Ravines, encompassing 3,200 acres of the Big and Little Savage River watersheds, were removed from Wildlands designation during last minute political negotiations during the previous Wildlands initiative a few years ago. This area obviously has already been identified as being worthy of protection. "South Savage" is the approximately 1,500 acre area adjacent to the existing Savage Mountain and High Rock Wildlands, north of Savage River dam. Combined, the South Savage, Savage Mountain and High Rock areas would represent the largest contiguous protected state forest area in Maryland! This is a very important opportunity to preserve a forest that is largely un-fragmented.

Most of the Savage River State forest has been extensively logged. Aside from the areas that are now designated as Wildlands (about one-sixth of the forest's 56,000 acres), there remain these few areas that deserve protection. These opportunities are not readily available on our state's private lands. It is a fact that the long-term timber harvest volume has not been adversely impacted by the creation of Wildlands. It will require determination and foresight to set aside the remaining special forest areas from the grasp of human consumption. This will not be easy because of the significant value of the timber sales to the DNR and to Garrett County, who receives twenty-five (25) percent of all timber sales. Current harvest objectives have been established at two million board feet per year.

Why Protect Additional Forest?

Undisturbed and unfragmented forest provides:

1. Rich diversity of flora and fauna (preservation of genetic material, species interactions)
2. Research area (baseline for study of managed forests)
3. Watershed protection (clean water source) and other ecological services (clean air, pollinators)
4. Habitat for sensitive species, such as forest interior birds, bats, rare plants and animals
5. Ecological refuge against human pressure
6. Carbon sequestration (old forests store carbon in soil)
7. Intrinsic value. Wildness for wildness' sake!

S.O.S. ! - Save Our Savages

To attain full protection status of the Savage Ravines and South Savage, the Western Maryland Group of the Sierra Club and other interested locals have begun the "Save Our Savages" campaign. Nothing short of ardent public support will save these areas. The timing of this campaign is coincident with the upcoming renewal of the DNR's 10-year plan for the state forests. To lay the groundwork for our campaign, a detailed map of the special features of South Savage has been developed through a contract with an independent consultant, Appalachian Conservation Biology, and the Frostburg State University Geospatial Research Group. All Western Maryland Group members are encouraged to become familiar with this wonderful map. A side benefit of this project is a GPS-based (accurate) map of the Savage Mountain hiking trail from the Savage River Dam to High Rock.