Klamath-Siskiyou eNews, Issue 121 May 9
KSWild, 10.05.2008 08:10
Klamath-Siskiyou eNews, Issue 121
May 9, 2008
In this Issue:
KS Wild Helps Steer Klamath Forest in a Restoration Direction
Speak Up for Non-Motorized Recreation on the Siskiyou Crest
Thrillcraft Book Release in Jacksonville - Next Week!
Wild Rogue Hike Series Starts May 31
Cougar Forum and Panel Discussion
KS Wild Helps Steer Klamath Forest in a Restoration Direction
Thanks to folks like you and the eagle eye of KS Wild, the Klamath National Forest has amended their original proposal and developed a project that will have restorative benefits to forests on the southside of Mt. Ashland.
The southside Mt. Ashland Late-Successional Reserve project was first proposed in 2005. While much of the project was thinning dense second-growth fir stands that were the result of previous logging and fire suppression, it also included nine (9) miles of new road construction along Beaver Creek. A tributary of the ailing Klamath River, Beaver Creek already has far too many logging roads that fragment wildlife habitat while bleeding sediment into the creeks and streams.
In response to this proposal, KS Wild and many of our supporters wrote the Klamath National Forest to applaud the proposed understory thinning of trees in fire-suppressed forests as a good first step towards restoring old-growth conditions on these logged over lands. However, we also heavily discouraged any new road construction. Over the next year, KS Wild staff spent many hours in the field with the Forest Service and we are pleased to see that the public process contributed to a better proposal.
The amended project was released last month and will thin nearly 4,000 acres of dense forests. The new temporary road construction was reduced from 9 miles to 1.7 miles (less than a 1/3 of their draft proposal), while they close 9.3 miles of road and decommission an additional 9 miles of existing road. The project also proposes to reintroduce fire to 3,747 acres in the planning area (more than a two-fold increase from their original proposal), which is an extremely valuable effort in restoring these forests to a more natural condition.
Thanks to those of you who submitted comments on this project. Your voice made a difference! We are pleased with the process and look forward to future collaborative efforts that result in restorative activities on public lands in the Klamath-Siskiyou.
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Speak Up for Non-Motorized Recreation on the Siskiyou Crest
The Rogue River/Siskiyou National Forest’s Boundary Trail offers an epic ridgeline experience in a botanically wondrous roadless area. Unfortunately, this unique backcountry trail is threatened by Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) use and the noise and ecological damage that follow suit.
The 15-mile Boundary Trail connects Tannen Mountain, just west of the Red Buttes Wilderness, to Grayback Mountain, a defining peak of the northern arm of the Siskiyou Crest. The trail criss-crosses the ridge between the Illinois and Applegate Valleys, offering spectacular views of the maze of jumbled mountains that define southern Oregon and northern California. The Boundary Trail is a recreational paradise within the 100,000-acre Kangaroo Roadless Area, and full of glorious wildflower meadows, monumental peaks, complex geology, and mountain lakes tucked into forested folds. From anywhere on the trail one can discover rare plants and climb peaks that are mostly unseen from any road to soak in expansive views of the Illinois, Applegate and Klamath River drainages.
ORVs on The Boundary Trail?
Currently all National Forests are undergoing a “Travel Management Planning” process whereby each forest determines which roads remain open to motorized recreation and which will be closed. The Boundary Trail is currently being considered as a designated route for ORV use. While thousands of acres of existing roads are appropriate for motorized recreation, high elevation hiking trails with exceptional botanical diversity are not. In addition, motorized recreation can cause conflicts with non-motorized recreationalists and can create safety hazards for hikers and horseback riders.
This is an important time for the Forest Service to hear from you that the Boundary Trail should be closed to motorized recreation. Please take a few moments to write a letter advocating for non-motorized recreation on the popular Boundary Trail.
Click here for addresses, emails and talking points: www.kswild.org/GetInvolved/boundaryalert
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Book Release Celebration
Thrillcraft: The Environmental Consequences of Motorized Recreation
May 14th at 7pm - Bella Union Restaurant and Saloon, 170 West California Street, Jacksonville
Join editor George Wuerthner and KS Wild for a reading from his recently published book Thrillcraft. With over 100 stirring color photographs and powerful essays from policy experts, scientists, and environmental activists, Thrillcraft bears witness to the impacts of motorized recreation on our country’s natural world. George Wuerthner is a professional photographer and the author of more than two dozen books on natural history and other environmental topics.
As the Bureau of Land Management considers 13 OHV “emphasis areas” in southwest Oregon and the U.S. Forest Service is undertaking a Travel Management Plan process, Thrillcraft could not be more timely and relevant. The event is free and will include a raffle for Thrillcraft books.
Support KS Wild and get a copy of Thrillcraft!
Join KS Wild with a $50 membership, or sign up for our automatic monthly program at $5/month, and receive a copy of Thrillcraft. A great gift idea! Email 
lesley@kswild.org.
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Wild Rogue Hike Series Starts May 31
Beginning May 31st, 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. We will discuss Wilderness and Wild & Scenic proposals for the area as well as the Bureau of Land Management's logging plans.
Mark your calendars: May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25
Carpools leave the Gooseberries Natural Foods parking lot (1533 NE F St.) in Grants Pass at 10am and will meet at the Graves Creek Boat Ramp at 11am. Bring hiking shoes, clothing layers, food and water. Hikes are moderate and approximately 5-7 miles. Learn more about the campaign to Save the Wild Rogue at www.savethewildrogue.org.
Bring good hiking shoes, water, food and clothing layers. For more information, call 488-5789 or email lesley@kswild.org
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Cougar Forum and Panel Discussion
Thursday, May 22, 7 pm
Hannon Library, Meese Room, Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland
KS Wild, Big Wildlife, and the Psychology Club of SOU present a public forum to discuss the management of cougars in Oregon. This event will focus on the ecological role of cougars and other top carnivores, controversial wildlife management policy, and tips for living with these animals. The panel, moderated by KS Wild, will include State Senator Alan Bates, State Representative Peter Buckley, Don Tipping of Seven Seeds Farm, and Brian Vincent of Big Wildlife.
Contact stephanie@kswild.org for more information.
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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.
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Lesley Adams
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
PO Box 102
Ashland OR 97520
541.488.5789
www.kswild.org
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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.