A measure that would stop local governments from regulating logging and mineral extraction on private property received new life this week.

A Republican lawmaker says a bill that would stop local governments from regulating logging and mineral extraction on private property could create thousands of jobs.

DNR representatives say timber harvest is a tool used to keep the forest healthy by maintaining a balance of old-growth and young-growth trees.

While the DNR released no official start date for the logging, the agency specifies it must be complete no later than March 31, 2018.

A person looking to preserve the trees bid $150,000 but was turned down because they didn't have a timber license.

Members of Save Yellowwood are camping out in tents on private property, near the area where logging is planned.

A letter signed by 228 scientists tells Governor Holcomb increased logging rates hurt forest biodiversity.

The request comes as the Indiana Forest Alliance has opposed a planned Nov. 9 auction of timber rights on 300 acres in the Yellowwood and Morgan-Monroe forests.

Tourism officials in Brown and Monroe Counties are urging the state to cut back on timber harvests in the back country area of Yellowwood State Forest because of the potential negative impact on tourism.

Groups like the Indiana Forest Alliance have advocated for years for a law requiring some of the state forests be preserved from logging.