BiG Cherry to be Gutted

**imported_JustaFan** · July 29th, 2005, 04:08 PM

Seems as if the majority of town council members will support town manager George Polly's plans to cut all the timber on Big Cherry watershed. Well it makes a lot of sense, build a new dam to increase water capacity, then cut the trees all around it to silt it in, right back where you started. Ninety percent of the watershed is on steep slopes. By cutting the timber, the rain, just like yesterday, will absolutely erode any topsoil. For some reason the simple fact that a canopy of leaves from trees slows down rain drop velocity and therefore will keep erosion down escapes the general thinking of those in charge. Why? That is the question, why is the town of Big Stone Gap so much in a hurry to cut down the forest. Is it just simple math, money...Do we have to put a dollar sign on every thing. You cant just leave the place alone and let nature take care of itself. I heard Mr. Polly state that the town had to manage the forest. Wonder what the forest did before Mr. Polly came along. Rip it up and tear it down, thats what we do best.

**Jason** · July 29th, 2005, 05:16 PM

I thought they was trying to make a great recreation area there? Cutting the trees down will make for an ugly recreation area. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

**imported_JustaFan** · July 29th, 2005, 05:21 PM

Bingo.

**PVVikeFan** · July 29th, 2005, 09:08 PM

Well hunter, George Polly has UGLY ideas. That makes a good match.

**DukeFan** · July 29th, 2005, 09:12 PM

Pure ignorance. Thats all I can say. The council members have been hoodwinked on this one. When they get done up there, it will be nothing but a briar patch. All the talk about the forest being managed, yeah it will be managed alright. They signed it over to a timber company. Do you really think a timber company has the best interest of the town, no, they have dollar signs in their eyes. Its like letting the fox loose in the hen house. They shall get what they voted for.

**PVVikeFan** · July 29th, 2005, 09:18 PM

Now now. This idea makes just as much since as the lawsuit against the county. Oh, I forgot. Polly lost that along with thousands of dollars didn't he [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Oh well

**DukeFan** · July 29th, 2005, 09:21 PM

Now you understand why they want to cut the timber, they might need, say, close to $1 million to pay for the failed annexation. If they do cut it, they better put the rest of the money into the water plant for upgrades, because it isnt designed to handle the mud that will come down the creek. Oh well, I guess ignorance is bliss.

**PVVikeFan** · July 29th, 2005, 09:38 PM

Ignorance is alive and doing very well in the Town Hall [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I hope the Town Council does not fall for another STUPID plan.

**retiredteach** · July 29th, 2005, 10:24 PM

Don't know where you got your info, but Big Cherry will not be gutted. Actually these posts and two Council Members and their friends are the only negative comments I have heard about the matter. They will not be allowed to cut anything any closer than 200 feet of the lake and maybe even more. There are all kinds of rules and regulations that must be adhered to, before anything can be cut. I would assume that most folks would like some recreation areas in this area.