Klamath-Siskiyou eNews, Issue 119 March 31st
Liisa, 05.04.2008 07:07
Klamath-Siskiyou eNews, Issue 119
March 31, 2008
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In this Issue:
Scientists Sharply Criticize BLM's Whopper
Protecting the Oregon Spotted Frog from Livestock Grazing
Smith River Watershed: A Haven for Salmon & Wildlands
Fire Recovery Field Trip along the Klamath
Enjoy the Outdoors: Wild Rogue and "Whopper" Hike Series
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Scientists Sharply Criticize BLM's Whopper
On March 28, the Associated Press reported that the Bush administration's plan to dramatically increase logging in western Oregon has come under sharp criticism from the government's own scientists. A federal science team stated in a recent report that the Western Oregon Plan Revisions is flawed for several reasons, including an underestimation of the environmental impacts of increased logging, and an overestimation of the habitat that would be left for fish and other species. Among other shortcomings, the report said that the BLM used models without verifying accuracy and failed to utilize the best available science in its analysis. In response to the report, Congressman Peter DeFazio stated, "If WOPR cannot stand under its own weight, it is time for Congress to step in and provide clear direction for these forests."
Click here to read the AP article, "Government scientists critical of BLM logging increase in Oregon."
The scientists' comments are available online at: www.blm.gov/or/plans/wopr/files/Science_Team_Review_DEIS.pdf
See below for hikes into public lands threatened by the BLM's whopper. Also, now is a good time to send in a Letter to the Editor!
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Protecting the Oregon Spotted Frog from Livestock Grazing
In March, KS Wild and conservation partners* filed suit against the Fremont-Winema National Forest for driving the Oregon spotted frog to the brink of extinction, failing to conduct proper environmental analyses, and violating their own Forest Plan and the Clean Water Act. The suit challenges the Forest Service’s decision to allow continued livestock grazing on the Antelope Allotment, where a population of the spotted frog resides in Jack Creek.
The spotted frog has been precipitously declining in recent years, and has been a candidate for federal Endangered Species Act protection since 1991. Based on its small remaining population, and the severe threat to its survival, it has been assigned the highest possible listing priority. Overall, the frog is gone from 90% of its range. Under the Bush administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been notoriously slow at protecting candidate species. There are currently 280 species on the candidate species list. Since passage of the Endangered Species Act, at least 24 candidate species have gone extinct.
*Thanks to the Center for Biological Diversity and Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics!
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Smith River Watershed: A Haven for Salmon & Wildlands...
...or an OHV playground? Let the Forest Service know which you prefer!
The Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) was established by Congress to protect the spectacular botanical, fisheries, and recreational values of the Smith River Watershed. From the high-alpine beauty of the Siskiyou Wilderness to the iconic splendor of the coastal redwoods, the Smith River NRA provides some of the best recreational opportunities on the West Coast. The Smith River NRA is famous for its world-class salmon, steelhead and trout fisheries, as well as its spectacular kayaking and white-water rafting opportunities. The Smith River NRA is also home to numerous plant species that grow nowhere else in the world and the rare Port-Orford cedar. Unfortunately, the watersheds of the Recreation Area have been significantly degraded by past logging, mining and road building activities.
Currently the Forest Service does not have an adequate budget to maintain the bloated network of logging roads and mining routes that fragment wildlife habitat and harm water quality, so the agency is in the process of determining which roads to keep, and which roads to decommission.
While most Americans desire a forest road system that provides reasonable access while protecting the unique values of the Smith River Watershed, a few irresponsible off-road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts are politically pressuring the Forest Service to allow ORV use in some of the most sensitive and fragile portions of the Recreation Area. While the Forest Service intends to maintain over 265 miles of road for motorized use, and designate over 28 miles of back-country trails specifically for ORV enthusiasts, this evidently isn’t enough for some who believe that they should be able to ride wherever they want, regardless of the impacts on the watershed or on other forest users.
Please take a moment to write to the Smith River District Ranger to let her know that you value the few remaining roadless areas in the Recreation Area for their wild character, clean water and biological diversity. A letter to the Forest Service can make a difference.
Please write a quick letter today on behalf of the botanical, recreational, ecological and fisheries resources in the Smith River NRA! Click here for more information, addresses and a sample letter. www.kswild.org/KSNews/smithnra
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Fire Ecology and Management
Fire Recovery Field Trip along the Klamath
Saturday, April 12th - 11am rendezvous in Happy Camp
The Happy Camp Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest boasts some of the most spectacular backcountry recreation on Earth. Located along the Klamath River near the renowned Marble Mountain and High Siskiyou Wilderness Areas, Happy Camp more than lives up to its name. The mixed conifer old-growth forests that grow around Happy Camp have evolved with fire for centuries. Prior to Smokey the Bear’s anti-fire propaganda, local Native American tribes would ignite fires in these mountains to ensure the benefits to forest health and species diversity that fire encouraged.
Following the 2007 lightning-ignited fires in northern California, the Forest Service immediately started planning “salvage” timber sales on steep slopes located above salmon-bearing streams in the Little Grider and Independence watersheds. The healthy forests proposed for logging in the Happy Camp salvage sales are easily accessible from the Forest Service road system, and are nearby spectacular wilderness and river hiking opportunities. Join KS Wild, EPIC, Klamath Forest Alliance, Klamath Riverkeeper, Northcoast Environmental Center and Cascadia Wildlands Project for a hike into the burn and proposed logging units.
Field trip meets at 11am in the parking lot of Indian Creek River Access on Highway 96 (from I-5, drive east and then south on Highway 96 until you reach Happy Camp. The parking lot is on the south end of town, just past the Indian Creek Bridge, you will see bathrooms). For more information, contact KS Wild at 
lesley@kswild.org or 541-488-5789
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Enjoy the Outdoors: Wild Rogue and "Whopper" Hike Series
Hike the Wild Rogue. Beginning in May, join KS Wild and Siskiyou Project on the last Saturday of every month for a hike into proposed Wilderness along the Lower Rogue River. Enjoy diverse wild forests, extraordinary wildlife viewing and clear creeks tumbling into the mighty Rogue. Carpools leave the Gooseberries Natural Foods parking lot in Grants Pass at 10am. Bring hiking shoes, clothing layers, food and water. Moderate, approximately 5-7 miles. Learn how you can help to Save the Wild Rogue at www.savethewildrogue.org. Mark your calendars: May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, Sept. 27, Oct. 25
"Whopper” Hike Series
In 2007, the Bureau of Land Management released a draft proposal called the Western Oregon Plan Revisions, also known as WOPR, which would guide the management of 2.5 million acres of public forests in western Oregon. The WOPR would remove these forests from the scientific framework of the Northwest Forest Plan. The agency’s preferred alternative calls for widespread clearcutting, reduced stream and salmon buffers and a sevenfold increase in logging old-growth trees. In addition, the plan proposes 13 OHV “emphasis areas” for southwest Oregon where motorized recreation would take priority over other uses. Join KS Wild for a hike to Medford District BLM public lands that would be affected by this whopper of a plan.
May 3: Illinois Valley: Lone Pine Prospect trail, west of Selma. This historic trail offers an overlook of the Squaw Creek drainage, old-growth trees, wildflowers and rare serpentine plant communities. We will walk through part of the Medford BLM’s Anderson West Timber Sale. Easy-moderate, 3 mile roundtrip. Meet at the Ray’s Market in Selma at 10am.
June 21: Little Applegate Valley; August 16: Moon Prairie, Indian Plateau; September 20: Long Gulch, Applegate Valley.
Bring good hiking shoes, water, food and clothing layers. For more information, call 488-5789 or email lesley@kswild.org
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Click here to become a member of KS Wild today! By sending a minimum annual membership of $35 to KS Wild you receive e-mail alerts, our quarterly print newsletter and protection for the outstanding Klamath-Siskiyou wildlands.
The Klamath-Siskiyou (KS) Region of southwest Oregon and northwest California is a world-renowned hub of biological diversity. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, this region houses more conifer species than any other region in the world. From ancient old-growth forests to dry desert climate - and everything in between - the KS is a refuge for wild nature.
KS Wild is an advocate for the forests and wildlife of the Klamath and Rogue watersheds of northwest California and southwest Oregon. We use environmental law, science, collaboration and education to defend healthy ecosystems and help build sustainable communities.
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Lesley Adams
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
PO Box 102
Ashland OR 97520
541.488.5789
www.kswild.org
