The Trump administration has approved logging in Ohio's sole national forest, the Wayne National Forest, raising concerns among local residents and environmental groups. The forest, located in the Appalachian foothills near Athens, Ohio, was established in the 1930s to restore land degraded by coal mining. Over 80% of its 240,000 acres are now classified as suitable for timber production.
The move follows an executive order from President Trump targeting 100 million acres of national forests for logging, and a subsequent memo from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins declaring an emergency situation at Wayne National Forest. The memo also seeks to bypass environmental protections under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Local advocates warn that large-scale logging could destabilize the forest floor, which contains coal waste known as gob piles. The roots of trees currently hold this material in place, preventing pollutants from leaching into waterways. The Ohio River, a major water source for millions, flows near the forest.
Molly Jo Stanley of the Ohio Environmental Council, who lives near the forest, stated that clear-cutting is not an appropriate method for fire prevention in Ohio. She noted that logging roads cost taxpayers more than the revenue generated from timber sales. The forest attracts 250,000 visitors annually for activities such as hiking, cycling, and fishing.
Experts also warn of increased wildfire and landslide risks. Will Harlan of the Center for Biological Diversity cited examples from North Carolina, where logging projects exacerbated landslides after Hurricane Helene. The Wayne National Forest is home to the eastern hellbender salamander, a species proposed for endangered listing.
