Behind the Times

Rather than convert more native forests into tree plantations, federal managers should thin the hundreds of thousands of acres of existing plantations on public lands.  Likewise, we should invest in restoration activities that benefit water, wildlife and salmon. Social consensus for old-growth protection and restoring our Pacific salmon has never been stronger. 21st century forestry is shifting toward small diameter thinning, but the BLM is behind the times.

Unique Watershed and Wildlife Values At-Risk

The Medford BLM released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for logging old-growth forests in the Althouse and Sucker Creek watersheds near Cave Junction, Oregon. Towering just above the Illinois River Valley “wine country,” en route to  Oregon Caves National Monument, these forests are prized for their recreational values. The creeks are a haven for Coho salmon, winter steelhead and fall Chinook. The area provides habitat for old-growth species such as the spotted owl and the red tree vole. Botanically, the area is famous for rare plants such as Howell’s mariposa lily and the slender meadow-foam.

Mortgaging the Future

Our wild rivers and ancient forests on public land are economic, social and ecological assets. They are put in our trust to hand down to future generations. Unfortunately, the BLM sees potential tree plantations where we now have old forests and salmon streams. In the Althouse Sucker EA, the BLM plans aggressive logging on approximately 600 acres of old-growth forest. The BLM also plans to build new logging roads, some over streams, threatening the important fisheries in the area. Is this the best way to manage our prized public resources?

A Better Way of Doing Business

The BLM’s history of logging and fire suppression has resulted in many forest stands that have far more young, dense, small-diameter trees in them than occurred historically. Most everyone would like to see the agency focus on reducing the fire hazard presented by these dense young stands through careful thinning operations that produce timber while retaining our old forests. We can have the foresight to save our remaining old-growth forests and protect clean water and salmon in the Althouse and Sucker creek watersheds.

Please encourage the BLM to work collaboratively with the public and develop non-controversial small-diameter thinning projects as opposed to dividing communities and harming ecosystems through old-growth logging and business as usual.

Please click here for a sample letter and mail in comments to the BLM before the March 12th deadline. Please send a copy of your letter to Representative Peter DeFazio (addresses on backside).

Click here to download a printable alert (with the sample letter included) to share with your friends and family (2.2MB).

Comments due March 12th, and should be mailed:

To: Abbie Jossie, Grants Pass Resource Area Manager, BLM
Grants Pass Interagency Office
2164 NE Spalding Avenue, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526

CC: Representative Peter Defazio
405 East 8th Ave. #2030, Eugene, OR 97401

21st Century Ecosystem Economics

“As older forests have become increasingly scarce, the recreational and passive-use values [i.e. flood control, the protection of water quality, and the maintenance of salmon runs] of these forests have increased relative to the value of extractive use.  In light of the economic considerations discussed [in this paper], we conclude that there is insufficient economic justification to warrant further logging of the region’s late-successional and old-growth forests. We urge you to protect all remaining late-successional and old-growth forests throughout the Pacific Northwest region.”

Excerpt from a 2002 letter written by economists and sent to the Regional Directors from the various land management, regulatory, research, and other relevant agencies in the Federal government located in the Pacific Northwest.