forestry

While activists say the state cuts down too many trees in state forests, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources says its foresters are following good management practices.

House Democrats tried to pass two amendments this week that could have changed the way Indiana manages its forests.

Instead of exporting lumber, officials want more of it to be used to make products in Indiana.

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.

Efforts to limit logging in Indiana's state forests have once again failed to advance out of committee at the statehouse.

The legislators plan to introduce a bill that would force the Division of Forestry to set aside 10 percent of each state forest, with no logging allowed in those areas.