Help Restore Pelican Butte Forests

Pelican Butte is a sheild volcano that offers a 180 degree panorama of Cascade
Peaks from just south of Crater Lake past Mt. McLoughlin and onto the
volcanoes in the Mountain Lakes Wilderness.


The Fremont-Winema National Forest is currently planning a fuels reduction project to “enhance old-growth forest characteristics” on the slopes of one of Oregon’s most beautiful mountains. Long prized by recreationalists, Pelican Butte is a haven for Northern spotted owls, bald eagles, and a key watershed for recovery of at-risk fish populations.

Decades of Abuse

For years the Forest Service has constructed logging roads, removed old-growth trees and suppressed fires on and around Pelican Butte. Large Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees made the easiest pickings and the largest profits. Less than half of the once-plentiful “late-successional” old-growth trees in the area remain. Dense second-growth white fir stands have benefited from the combination of logging and fire suppression and now present a dangerous fuel hazard.

Time for a Helping Hand

The forests and watersheds of Pelican Butte could greatly benefit from a restoration proposal that (1) thins small-diameter white fir stands; (2) retains existing large-diameter old-growth trees; (3) avoids the excessive use of tractors and bulldozers; and (4) decommissions unnecessary logging roads.

Now or Never

The Forest Service is in the process of developing its “proposed action” for Pelican Butte. Now, before the agency has committed to a specific restoration plan, is the time when your letters can make the most difference. Please submit a letter prior to the April 21st deadline.

Sample Letter

Comments-pacificnorthwest-winema-klamath@fs.fed.us

Margaret David Bailey
District Ranger
Klamath Ranger District
2819 Dahlia Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601

RE: Westside Fuels Reduction Project

Dear Margaret,

Thank you for taking steps to address the impacts of past logging and fire suppression via the Westside Fuels Project. The forests and watersheds of Pelican Butte are important to me. I support your efforts to thin dense white fir stands and conduct underburning in this fire-dependent ecosystem.

While planning the project I urge you to:

1.    Retain all remaining large diameter trees greater than 30” diameter breast height;
2.    Avoid the use of bulldozers and tractors to perform slashbusting activities;
3.    Retain (rather than amend) the protections in your Forest Plan for Northern spotted owls and bald eagles; and
4.    Avoid new logging road construction and decommission unnecessary existing roads.

I very much appreciate that your agency is undertaking this restoration fuels project and I would like to be kept informed as to your efforts.

Best regards,

YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS

Click here to download a printable PDF alert to share with friends and family (2-up, double-sided).