The latest in a batch of old-growth logging projects from the Medford BLM, the Five Rogues timber sale would log over 400 acres of ancient forest in the Wolf Creek watershed, just east of the town of Wolf Creek. The timber sale is in the Glendale Resource Area where thousands of acres of old-growth forest are currently at risk of destruction. The forests are home to northern spotted owls, and the BLM admits that the project would adversely affect spotted owls and the rest of the old-growth ecosystem.

The remaining ancient forests in this area are important as they provide the highest quality water and are a recreational asset. The area is important habitat for rare old-growth dependant species. The BLM admits that, "...prior harvest of both public and private land has resulted in a highly fragmented landscape with isolated pieces of [mature and old-growth forest]....the proposed action (Five Rogues timber sale) would increase this situation through proposed regeneration harvest." - BLM Five Rogues Environmental Assessment, page 58.

Please send a letter to the BLM and ask them to refrain from logging any more of the public's remaining ancient forest. The public comment period ended in summer 2004, but its still a good idea to let the BLM know you don't approve of old-growth logging on public lands!  There are activities outlined in the Five Rogues Environmental Assessment that deserve support, such as thinning second growth forests. Ask that they move forward with the fuels reduction and the thinning of small diameter trees as an alternative.

You can write them at:
Glendale Manager Joan Resnick
Medford BLM
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, Oregon 97544

The Five Rogues Environmental Assessment proposes to log a total of 1,273 acres and 9-13 million board feet in mostly mature and old-growth forests. The project area is east and west of I-5, about 15 miles north of Grants Pass. The proposed action includes 346 acres of clearcutting, 821 acres of commercial thinning, 90 acres of selective harvest, 281 acres of fuels treatment, and almost a mile of new “temporary” roads.

Part of the timber sale is within the 1,809 acre Wolf Creek roadless area, which contains two Northern Spotted Owl activity centers. This roadless area is surrounded by miles of publicly managed timber and privately owned lands. It’s the only oasis of old, unfragmented forest in a sea of clearcuts and plantations.
 
Owls regularly leave their old-growth buffers to hunt, but without the Survey & Manage rules mandated by the Northwest Forest Plan (which the Bush administration dismantled this spring), the owls main food source the red tree vole could easily disappear from surrounding forests.
 
Tell the BLM not to log trees larger than 17” diameter, to drop all units in the Wolf Creek roadless area (13-2, 13-3, 18-1, 18-2, 18-4, 18-5, 18-7, 18-8, part of 18-9, and 19-3), and to protect red tree voles.