In October 2004, KS Wild filed suit against the Bureau of Land Management regarding the Granite Horse Timber Sale. This sale would log over 1,000 acres of late-successional forest within the heavily degraded Jumpoff Joe and Grants Pass watersheds. A portion of the Jumpoff Joe watershed is currently deferred from timber harvest due to the cumulative effects of past timber harvest. This project would log up to the border of the deferred area exacerbating problems for fish and wildlife within the watershed.  The BLM admits that post-harvest only 11% of BLM lands within the Grants Pass watershed would remain in late-successional condition. This is directly contrary to standards set in the Northwest Forest Plan requiring the BLM to protect all remaining late-successional forest when less than 15% of federal forest lands within a watershed remain in a late-successional condition. KS Wild is also concerned about the effects of the project on Bureau Sensitive plant species, including Howell’s camas (Camassia Howellii) and Clustered Ladyslipper (Cypripedium Fasciculatum), and threatened species, including northern spotted owls, which call the project area home.  The BLM acknowledges that this project will result in take (harm or death) of four spotted owl pairs. The BLM has agreed not to waive seasonal restrictions that preclude activity on this sale until May 15, 2005. Due to an expedited briefing schedule, we expect a decision in late spring or early summer.