SIZE
12 mmbf; 530 acres of regeneration harvest (clearcut); 930 acres of thinning; 1.5 miles of new logging road; 7.1 miles renovation of roads; 7.4 miles reestablishing old roadbeds.

CONTRACT HOLDER
Not auctioned yet

MEDFORD BLM CONTACT
Tim Reuwsaat, District Manager: 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504, 541-618-2411

LOCATION
Lower Rogue River

STATUS
Decision signed. Auction was scheduled for summer 2004, but it has continually been postponed.

BACKGROUND
The Record of Decision for the Kelsey-Whisky Timber Sale was signed in late November 2003, calling for the logging of old-growth groves and road building in the largest, forested BLM roadless area in the Nation: the 46,464 acre Zane Grey roadless area, named after the famed adventure author who held a cabin in the area.

The Medford BLM continues its voracious activity of converting old-growth and native forests into tree plantations, despite the public's overwhelming opinion to protect such forests. In addition to public support for this area's protection, Representative Peter DeFazio wrote a letter to the Director of the BLM supporting the old-growth and roadless values of Kelsey-Whisky. Unfortunately, the BLM is ignoring public opinion and instead pursuing an outdated method of heavy extraction and roadless area incursions.

Of the 144 comments received on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), only 4 logging organizations supported the proposed action. One hundred and forty (140) individuals and organizations, including the Native Plant Society, local landowners, and concerned citizens wrote to the BLM requesting protection of the Zane Grey as a Wilderness Area. Almost all the letters contained pleas that the BLM spare the older forests in the project area.

Despite widespread support for the protection of ancient forests in and around the Zane Grey roadless area, the BLM increased its logging plans in the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The Draft EIS for the project identified a preferred course of action: 8 million board feet (about 750 log trucks) out of the area, while establishing an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), for a unique watershed in the project area. However, the Medford District chose the maximum old-growth logging alternative of 12 million board feet (about 1000 log trucks) and decided not to pursue the ACEC.

Click here for a Kelsey-Whisky photo gallery.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Call and write the BLM Supervisor, Oregon's Governor and elected officials and ask that they cancel the Kelsey-Whisky timber sale. Remind them that you, along with the majority of Americans, do not support old-growth and roadless area logging.  Click here for a sample letter and talking points.

TIM REUWSAAT, BLM District Manager
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, OR 97504
(541) 618-2411

GOVERNOR KULONGOSKI
160 State Capitol, 900 Court Street
Salem, OR 97301-4047
(503) 378-4582

SENATOR RON WYDEN
Federal Courthouse
310 West 6th St, Room 118
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 858-5122

REP. PETER DEFAZIO
2134 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington D.C.
(202)225-6416

Write Letters to the Editor advocating for the protection of roadless areas and old-growth forests, especially the forests in the Zane Grey!

Grants Pass Daily Courier
Address your letters of 250 words or less to: P.O. Box 1468
Grants Pass, OR 97528-0330
541-474-3700
letters@thedailycourier.com

Medford Mail Tribune
Address your letters of 200 words or less to:
Letters to the editor
Box 1108
Medford, OR 97501
Fax 541-776--4376
letters@mailtribune.com

Oregonian
1320 SW Broadway
Portland, Oregon, 97201
letters@news.oregonian.com