Forest
Service Mission:
"Caring for the Land and Serving People." The USDA Forest Service, has
managed public lands for over 100 years. The National Forests were established in
1891 to ensure the proper care, protection, and management of public forests and
watersheds. Later the mission was broadened to include outdoor recreation, range, timber,
watershed, minerals, and wildlife and fish habitat. Public participation is a cornerstone
of the agency's management.
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Forest Facts
Geology:
The Mount Carmel Fault runs through the Forest area. Limestone and gypsum is mined
extensively on private lands in the forest area, as well as some coal. Geodes are common
in some areas and people pan for gold and gems in area streams. Limestone bluffs along
area roads are rich in fossils.
Some of the most special features on the forest are largely hidden from view and
unrecognized by many of our visitors. The Hoosier National Forest partially overlays a
land area rich in caves and karst features. Cave locations are protected by federal law
and the Forest Service is not allowed to give out information on visiting caves on the
Forest, but many of the karst features are easily seen visiting the Forest area. Sinkholes
and losing rivers funnel water underground into underground rivers in the limestone, to
reappear in our many springs and riseholes. Wesley Chapel
Gulf is one example on the Forest of a unique karst feature.
Mining is not permitted on national forest system lands however some
lands have been mined prior to acquisition by the Hoosier and are being
reclaimed. One example of this is the
Lacy Abandoned Coal Mine Site Project.
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Forest Resources:
Central hardwoods, primarily oak and hickory, are predominant in southern Indiana. The
pine on the Forest was mostly planted as a way to restore eroding land and is not native
to the area. The barren communities on the Forest have many rare species and are a
fire-dependent ecosystem which are burned periodically by prescription. [For
information on the Forest Service fire program go to www.fireplan.gov]
Timber and Vegetative Management:
Timber harvest and vegetative management are used to perpetuate and enhance biological
diversity. The Hoosier has inventoried 41 different forest types. A sustainable yield of
high-quality hardwood products is also a priority in some areas. Management is a balance
of uneven-aged and even-aged systems. The allowable sale quantity on the Hoosier has a
ceiling of 5.77 million board feet per year. The average amount sold since 1990 has been
about 1 million board feet per year.
For information on current or proposed management projects see the Forest Project section of this website.
Nonnative Invasive species are a growing problem on the Hoosier National
Forest. More information on the
Hoosier's nonnative species can be found at this link.
Watershed Protection:
Provides key protection for Lake Monroe and Patoka Lake watersheds. Lake
Monroe is the sole source of water for the city of Bloomington and eight
other water companies. Patoka Lake provides water for 22 cities, towns and
water companies.
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Indiana Department of Natural
Resources
People frequently confuse the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Hoosier National Forest since both agencies deal with
natural resources, forest land, and outdoor recreation.
There are several significant differences. The IDNR
is a state-run agency. Within the IDNR are several divisions with
responsibilities ranging from reservoirs to nature preserves.
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One role of the IDNR is to provide
tree seedlings
to people to assist in reforestation. The Department of Natural
Resources has nurseries at Vallonia (near Brownstown), and at
Jasper-Pulaski State Forest to raise native tree species and package
them for sell. The Hoosier National Forest normally acquires any
seedlings planted on the forest from IDNR. For information on ordering
tree seedlings go to the IDNR website at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/nurseries/nurs.htm |
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The Forest Service has a program for planting trees on the
Forest in memory or honor of someone. Click here for information on the
Plant-a-Tree Program.
The Hoosier National Forest is managed
by the U.S. Forest Service. We are a federal agency, part of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, with a specific mandate of "caring for the land
and serving people."
The Hoosier National Forest is one of 154 National
Forests located throughout the United States of America, as well as in Puerto Rico.
National Forest system lands are subject to federal laws and regulations which may differ
from those on State Forests or State Park ownership. More information on the two agencies
can be obtained at the following sites:
r9_hoosier_website@fs.fed.us
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