Published: October 30, 2009 10:29 am      

NEW: State lawmakers don't back block to logging plans

INDIANAPOLIS — A legislative committee has declined to back a proposal that would prevent any logging in a portion of two Indiana state forests.

The 3,000-acre tract of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood state forests near Bloomington was set aside nearly 30 years ago as wilderness. The state Department of Natural Resources has proposed allowing some trees to be cut down in that area, drawing objections from environmentalists.

A legislative committee heard four hours of testimony Thursday on the debate.

Democratic Rep. Matt Pierce of Bloomington says he’ll try during the legislative session that starts in January to protect the area from logging, but believes the timber rights might be sold before then.

State forestry director John Seifert says no decision has been made on whether to allow the logging.