Tyler Martin, a representative from Allegheny Forest Alliance, spoke during the COG meeting Wednesday pertaining to the impending decline in the oil, gas and timber industries (which Warren was founded on) due to new laws being considered in the federal government.

A large portion of this is due to “timber management and harvesting on national forests being severely curtailed, decreasing by over 50% from the timber harvests regularly accomplished from the 1960s until the 1980s,” according to a resolution published by the Allegheny Forest Alliance.

The Allegheny Forest Alliance is a non-profit group which works closely with the Allegheny National Forest and surrounding areas, as a “local watchdog,” said Martin. “Our issues are changing from the top (Washington, D.C.) down. We are doing our best to advocate for timber harvesting — however it needs management and we could use assistance with jobs and more natural resources.”

Without the local governments and community individuals, Martin stated the issue would already be much worse.

“Our big priority is to keep the logging industry viable in Warren County and surrounding areas,” said Martin.

According to Martin, the Allegheny Forest Alliance has plans to push back against the possibility of the loss of local jobs, transportation of materials and more. For more information about the Allegheny Forest Alliance, and what individuals could do to assist their cause, visit AlleghenyForestAlliance.org.