The purpose of CORL is to improve logging techniques through strengthening the state’s Logging Sediment Control Act.

Currently, mandatory Best Management Practices (BMPs) are only nominally enforceable. CORL would improve the Act by a bill that would make by requiring inspections of logging sites if control measures are not in place, and providing for enforcement BEFORE erosion and sediment runoff occur.

It would move enforcement from the state Division of Forestry to the Division of Environmental Protection, and mandate that the Division of Environmental Protection develop a system of civil and administrative penalties for violations.

The legislation would also create a better logging registration system. Under current law, a timber site must register, but no permit is required. Under the proposed bill, the Division of Forestry would have to actually look at the site and approve planned roads and sediment control before logging begins.

The CORL legislation would require logging operators to post a performance bond. If the site is reclaimed, the logger gets the bond back. If not, the Division of Forestry keeps the bond and has the site reclaimed.

The bill would provide for criminal penalties for violations of the Act, including for failure to implement Best Management Practices, not registering, and not informing adjoining landowners.

And finally, the bill requires the logging operator to notify adjoining landowners that timber is being cut. Landowner claims of stolen timber are very common.

In summary, the bill doesn’t do much at all to change what operators are supposed to be doing on the ground. It just makes it more likely that it will actually happen.

The CORL organization is composed of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the WV Sierra Club, the WV Rivers Coalition, the Religious Campaign for Forest Restoration, the WV Environmental Council, the Catholic Committee of Appalachia, Trout Unlimited and the West Virginia Organizing Project.