‘Serious threats’ have prompted the partial closure of Franklin State Forest, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Effective immediately, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is partially closing access to the Franklin State Forest in Franklin and Marion counties, citing “serious threats against the safety of visitors to and professionals working within the forest.”
According to TDF, officials became aware of claims that areas of the forest where loggers are conducting a harvest operation had been spiked this week. If those areas have been spiked, it poses a “very serious threat” to the safety of forest visitors, state forest management staff and logging crews, as well as local sawmill employees, the TDF said.
Spiking is a form of forest industry sabotage, according to TDF. The practice seeks a metal rod or other material hammered into a tree truck either near the base of a tree where a logger or firefighter might cut, or higher up where it would affect a sawmill. Contact with the spike would damage saw blades and could cause flying metal and wood pieces; it could also make chainsaws kickback, which can result in serious injuries or death to workers or wildland firefighters.
Spiking also negatively impacts tree health by creating a pathway for pests and infections to enter the tree, per TDF.
“Due to these dangerous criminal activities, we must once again restrict access to Franklin State Forest to protect visitors and professionals on the forest,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “Tree spiking poses a serious risk of injury or death during both harvesting and processing. If those responsible for the threats have placed spikes, they are endangering lives, which is absolutely unacceptable.”
The Tennessee Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU) and the FBI are conducting a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible, according to TDF.
“We believe these threats to be connected to opposition to active management practices on Franklin State Forest,” State Forest Unit Leader Andy McBride said. “The state forest system exists, first and foremost, to demonstrate sustainable forest resource management. We take that responsibility seriously and will continue to implement appropriate forest management strategies that promote the regeneration and maturation of healthy and sustainable forests and support local economies in the forest industry.”
While the investigation is ongoing — and until the area is determined to be safe for all visitors — the section of the forest to the east of State Highway 156 is closed to all public access, including foot traffic, horseback riding, bicycles, ATVs and other motorized vehicles, officials said.
Closed areas will be marked by locked gates or signs, according to TDF officials. Law enforcement officers are monitoring the area. Trespassing in the closed areas may lead to civil penalties and/or criminal charges, TDF said.
The partial closure will not impact to state forest land west of the highway. The public is still welcome to recreate on the western side of the forest, in accordance with existing usage rules.
This partial closure comes after previous criminal activity reported in the forest this summer. Back in July, equipment was stolen, and five TDF dozers and one dozer transport were vandalized. The vandals spray painted “threatening” messages on them, slash tires, cut wires and hoses in engine compartments, broke windows, and tampered with fuel tanks, rendering them inoperable. The equipment was largely used for wildfire suppression, according to TDF, and cost an estimated $1 million in damage.
The forest was partially closed immediately after the vandalism incident in order to allow law enforcement to collect evidence. During that closure, three individuals reportedly trespassed onto the forest and attempted to evade law enforcement, according to TDF.
ACU Special Agents apprehended the three trespassers, charging them with felonies and misdemeanors for evading arrest.
A $10,000 reward is currently offered for information leading to the apprehension, arrest, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the original vandalism. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact ACI at 844-AG-CRIME (844-242-7463) or send them an email.