Environmental advocates are raising red flags over the future of Finger Lakes National Forest following an executive order by President Trump aimed at boosting timber production, according to Spectrum News. The forest is the only one of its kind in New York state.
Seneca Lake Guardian fears the order could trigger logging that harms biodiversity and increases erosion into the Finger Lakes, potentially fueling harmful algal blooms. The group is calling on lawmakers to intervene, as they did during past threats of oil and gas drilling.
Though officials say no active logging plans exist, advocates argue the forest’s timber value makes it vulnerable. They warn that environmental damage could outweigh any economic gain.
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