1999 RESOLUTIONS
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Resolution
#31: Checkerboard Lands of the Central Cascades of Washington State
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| The FWOC supports the preservation and restoration of the forest ecosystem of the central Cascades of Washington. A key element is public acquisition and protection of importance ecological and recreational lands in "Checkerboard Country" (intermingled sections of land within National Forest boundaries of alternate private and public ownership -- the checkerboard lands are a legacy of the 19th Century, when the federal government paid for the construction of railroads in the West by offering the companies alternate sections of land along the proposed route of the railroad). | |
| The highest priorities are
the roadless lands, late successional forests and salmon streams in the
I-90 corridor. These lands contain critical habitat for spotted
owls and other endangered species. In its rivers spawn salmon and
other aquatic life. The lands provide a critical connection
between the north and south Cascades that has been severely stressed by
logging and urban development. These lands are threaded by
popular and historic trails and contain significant cultural
resources. They provide clean water, including domestic supplies
for several municipalities. |
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| FWOC supports the I-90
Land Exchange, amended such that the Forest Service acquires 50,000
acres of Plum Creek land in the I-90 corridor, and does not either
relinquish marbled murrelet nesting habitat in the Green River valley
and or classic old-growth forests near Randle. Congress should
appropriate sufficient funds to accomplish this important acquisition
by providing cash for equalizing trade values or outright purchase. |
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| FWOC opposed the Forest
Service issuance of new casements for timber company roads across
public lands, especially roadless areas. When no other means of
access is available, a company should provide full compensation for use
of the public's lands and mitigation that includes replacing any lost
habitat with similar habitat, but a higher ration to account for
fragmentation. |
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| The Forest Service should
move quickly to acquire additional private lands, with the focus on
late-successional forests, salmon rivers and roadless areas and should
be accomplished primarily by purchase or donation. At least
50,000 additional acres should be acquired in and adjacent to the Mt.
Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests, with priority focused
on lands along the Carbon, Tieton and Yakima Rivers and roadless areas
near Skykomish and Cle Elum. The remaining corporate lands along
the corridor of the Pacific Crest Trail between Snoqualmie and Naches
passes should also be acquired. |
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| Any expansion of
Interstate 90 must be accompanied by full mitigation for any impacts to
forest and other natural resources. This m ust include
replacement in kind of any lost habitat. Such expansion must also
include modifying bridges and construction of under or over crossings
of the freeway to provide effective crossings for all species of native
wildlife that inhabit the area. |
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| The FWOC supports the
restoration of the upper end of Keechelus Lake to a forested corridor
connecting with Gold Creek. |
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| ACTION: Contact: Send this
Resolution, with a supporting letter to your Senators and
Congresspersons. |
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