1994 RESOLUTIONS
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| 2 | |
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FOREST PLAN |
| Decades of logging of old
growth forest in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California have
severely fragmented these mature forest ecosystems, and only scattered
remnants of these once-magnificent forests are left: |
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| In 1993, the Federation of
Western Outdoor Clubs supported the publicized efforts of the Clinton
administration to develop a Forest plan; a plan that was to be
scientifically-based and ecologically credible. This was to
provide a legally responsible solution to the bruising conflicts over
forest mismanagement and the cutting of ancient, old-growth forests. |
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| |
As presented, the Clinton
Administration Forest Plan (designated Option 9) allows some thirty
percent of these scattered, remnant, old-growth, forests to be
logged. The best available scientific evidence indicates that
further logging of these remaining stands of old-growth timber is
likely to cause the loss of forest-dependent plant and animal species,
extinction of already-threatened salmon runs and significant decline in
the genetic diversity of all native species. |
|
| The flaws in Option 9 also
include: |
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| o Although it provides for
some reserves (from logging), it does not provide for permanent ancient
forest preserves that are protected from logging, thinning, or salvage. |
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| o "Salvage" is permitted by
Option 9 in all timbered areas where there has been fire or blown down
timber. Blown down timber provides natural wildlife habitats for
a variety of species, and (in time) will rejuvenate the soils.
Fire-affected timber, too, is a natural element of mature forest, and
should not be disturbed. |
||
| o "Thinning" operations permit
cutting of trees up to 80 years in age. Experience indicates that
unless a "thinning" operation is carefully controlled and supervised,
such activities can easily be abused into outright logging. |
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| o Old growth protection for
the Ponderosa pines on the east side of the Cascades is just as
critical as for the Douglas fir stand on the Cascades' west
slopes. This fact is not adequately considered in Option 9. |
||
| |
The Federation of
Western
Outdoor Clubs opposes that portion of the Administration's Forest Plan
for the Pacific Northwest, Oregon, and Northern California which would
allow further logging of old growth timber that would destroy native
species of plants and animals, and cause further damage the salmon
populations. FWOC Members and Member Clubs are urged to tell
their federal legislators of their opposition to Option 9. |
|
| The Clinton Administration
is also urged to establish an Ancient Forest System in the Pacific
Northwest and Northern California, consisting of all existing old
growth on federal lands that would remain inviolate from all thinning,
salvage, and logging in the region. |
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