| Due to the quality of the land and the close proximity of facilities owned by Allegheny Wood Products, the Blackwater Canyon was purchased in 1997. AWP buys forested land to keep the land in trees thereby protecting the future of the forest, the company and its 500+ employees, as well as providing wood products we all need. The Canyon property has always been in private ownership.
Allegheny Wood Products employs 20 professional foresters who all share a love of the forest. Following a timber cruise of the Canyon by AWP’s foresters, it was determined that the majority of the property did have, and was suitable for growing, quality hardwood trees. All of the timber that has been harvested from this land has been selectively marked to encourage growth of trees which were not mature and also encourage regeneration of this hardwood forest. The Blackwater Canyon, which has been harvested numerous times during the past century, is being managed in a sustainable and scientifically responsible manner.
Allegheny Wood Products has a strong commitment to the future health of our forests through our participation in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) through the American Forest and Paper Association. After consulting with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and hiring wildlife biologists to survey the property, a management plan has been written to protect the endangered and threatened species. Helicopter logging was utilized on the most recent harvest within the Canyon to minimize road building and avoid potential habitat for the endangered and threatened species.
Since the purchase of this property, numerous tactics by various organizations have been employed to seize this property from its private ownership. As a result of these threats, Allegheny Wood Products developed an appraisal to determine the worth of the Canyon. Even though adversaries have criticized our efforts, AWP recently sold and donated a total of 177 acres within the Canyon to the State of West Virginia which includes the popular Lindy Point and Pase Point. These two areas of the Canyon are prime development lands which would not have been relinquished if the company planned to develop the Canyon. The State of West Virginia has an option for five years for an additional 130 acres of prime development land. By working together and focusing on innovative strategies to meet the goals of both the landowner and the public, these agreements were possible.
Environmental groups have filed lawsuits against Allegheny Wood Products and are now trying to gain control of this land by advocating for this property, as well as other private and public property surrounding the Canyon, to be made into a national park against the wishes of the owner. The right to own and manage private property is a great part of the freedom we have in America. It is extremely important that private property rights are respected and forest health is considered on the Blackwater Canyon and other lands throughout the United States.
For information please contact:
Donna Reckart dreckart@alleghenywoodproducts.com |