FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS

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ELIMINATING USE OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS FOR TIMBER SALES

Background:

The Mazamas, established on the summit of Mt Hood on July 19, 1894, has a mission to provide a comprehensive climbing program with allied activities that enhance and protect the participants and the environment. One of our stated goals is to encourage the preservation of forests and other features of mountain scenery, as far as possible in their natural beauty.

Timber sale proposals in the name of healthy forests have been chipping away at the last remaining stands of old growth in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Many new timber sales are being approved by categorically excluding the cutting from receiving environmental review through either an environmental assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS).

Currently, there are more than 2500 clear-cut timber lots in the Mt. Hood National Forest, with more in the offing. There are 4355 miles of roads constructed to harvest timber. Clearcuts and logging roads destroy old growth forests, degrade water quality, fragment wildlife habitats and waste taxpayers' dollars.


Resolution:

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs urges the USFS to stop the practice of using categorical exclusions to sidestep the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act when approving timber sales and requests the USFS to prepare either an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement for each timber sale.




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