Sold Growth: Ancient Forests At Risk |
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Contrary to what some people might think,
National Forests are not exempt from being sold
for timber. In fact, one million acres of
mature and old-growth forest are available for
logging on federal public land in the Pacific
Northwest alone. The following are just a few
of many examples of what we have to lose, due to the Bush
Administration's "Healthy Forests" Initiative. You may also view the
Forests at Risk photo gallery. Watch this compelling video (dial-up or broadband connection) of old-growth forests in Oregon being logged in May as a result of Bush Administration policies. (Requires Real Player). |
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Kelsey Whisky Timber Sale, Medford BLM, Oregon |
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The Kelsey-Whisky Timber Sale, being prepared by
the Medford Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
would allow clearcutting and commercial thinning
of beautiful old-growth forests above the "Wild"
portion of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River and
within the Zane Grey Roadless Area. Thousands
float the river every year and even more use the
area for recreation and relaxation. The Medford
BLM has planned a massive timber sale in one of
the largest wild areas along the Rogue River.
The Kelsey Whisky Timber Sale proposes to log
over a thousand acres of mature and old-growth
forest designated as critical habitat for
threatened and endangered species. |
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Lemolo Timber Sale, Umpqua National Forest, Oregon |
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The Forest Service is proposing to log 594 acres
of high elevation native and old-growth forests,
and build over 7 miles of new roads in the upper
North Umpqua watershed. These high elevation
Douglas fir forests, living dormant under heavy
snows most of the year with a short growing
season, are likely more than twice as old as
trees the same size in the Coastal mountains. In
fact, if the Lemolo timber sale is approved,
it could log the oldest trees in any timber sale
in the United States. |
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Knob, Meteor, and Glassups Timber Sales,
Klamath National Forest,
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The Klamath National Forest Service is proposing
to log 744 acres in the spectacular Salmon River
watershed, threatening ancient forests, riparian
reserves, and wild and scenic river corridors.
The Salmon River is a key migration route between
the Marble Mountain, Trinity Alps, Russian, and
Siskiyou Wilderness Areas. This is one of the
wildest places in the lower 48 states and is
currently threatened with thousands of acres of
logging. Through the Knob and Glassups Timber
Sales - and now the Meteor - the Klamath National
Forest Service aims to liquidate much of the
remaining low elevation ancient forest on both
forks of the Salmon River. |
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Biscuit Salvage Timber Sale, Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon |
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The 2002 Biscuit fire was a weather-driven event which affected fire-adapted forests in the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area along the Illinois River. While natural rejuvenation thrives, the Bush Forest Service has unleashed a massive post-fire logging scheme - the most extreme, unbalanced logging plan in the modern history of our National Forests. This unprecedented timber grab threatens to drive chainsaws into the heart of the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area. The plans include logging sensitive, botanically-rich areas and giant tracts of roadless forests. Learn more about this loss of ancient forest on the Oxygen Collective's web site. Also, find out how much it's costing us on the Taxpayers for Common Sense web site. | |
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