TWRA Postpones Deforestation Project After Receiving Letter from Ortale Kelley Attorney, Austin Warehime

TWRA Executive Director Bobby Wilson said Wednesday morning the Agency “will be suspending any plans to do any cutting until this situation is resolved.” Earlier this month, Attorney Warehime sent a 60-day intent to sue letter to TWRA and other parties indicating potential violations of the Endangered Species Act. The action sought to prevent the parties from pushing forward with a plan to clearcut 2,000 acres of hardwood trees in the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area. The restrictive covenants associated with the property describe that at least 11 endangered species called the Wilderness home at the time the land was gifted to the State.

Attorney Warehime and his client are ecstatic that the trees will remain in the ground for the time being, no Endangered Species will be harmed, and hope that TWRA will announce a permanent decision to scrap the clearcutting plan.

Austin Warehime
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