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Commission asks NHDES to review planned logging after concerns about soil disturbance and reservoir risk
Summary
Members raised concerns that planned logging on the Barry property could require multiple landings, remove apple trees, displace topsoil and risk soil contamination affecting a stream that leads to Wilton's backup drinking-water reservoir; the commission voted to contact NHDES and Cathy Joly will notify town boards.
At its March 11, 2026 meeting, the Temple Conservation Commission discussed proposed logging on the Barry property and voted to ask the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to review potential soil contamination and disturbance.
Members said neighbors reported a logger scouting the Barry tract in preparation for timbering. Concerns recorded in the minutes included the likely need for more than one landing, removal of apple trees and topsoil on orchard land, construction of a temporary bridge to cross a stream that flows into Wilton’s backup drinking-water reservoir, and potential impacts to wildlife and plants in the adjoining Town Forest.
Eric Foley, a meeting guest, told members that multiple landings would probably be required and that landings would be placed on orchard land, requiring removal of some apple trees and topsoil displacement. The minutes say logging would affect Town Forest wildlife and plants because the Barry land borders the Town Forest on two sides.
Beth Preston moved that the commission contact NHDES about soil contamination and disturbance concerns; Clay Lennartz seconded and the motion carried with all in favor. The minutes record that Cathy Joly will contact NHDES and then update the Wilton Conservation Commission, the Temple and Wilton Planning Boards, and the Temple Select Board with NHDES's findings.
Commissioners also discussed the Skladaney property. Clay Lennartz said Allan Oxman recommended a roughly 20-year logging cycle for forest health and suggested coordinating with a logger in advance to lay out walking trails. Eric Foley said that the Skladaney property had been logged about 40–45 years earlier, contains extensive ledge and rock, includes valuable white pine, and harbors invasive species such as Oriental bittersweet and Japanese barberry that could flourish if the canopy is opened.
The minutes record no formal decision on logging operations themselves; the documented follow-up is the referral to NHDES and the subsequent notifications to neighboring town bodies.
