And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 16:18:28 -0600 To: "Wild Rockies Alerts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: Wild Rockies InfoNet <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: LOGGING FAVORED OVER BULL TROUT From: Liz Allen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> June 9, 1999 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: Liz Allen, Kettle Range Conservation Group, (509) 775-2667 Mike Petersen, The Lands Council, (509) 775-2590 Mark Sprengel, Selkirk Priest Basin Association, (208) 448-2971 Mike Wood, Attorney, Alliance for the Wild Rockies (406) 542-0050 LOGGING TAKES PRIORITY OVER BULL TROUT RECOVERY Sullivan Lake, WA. Robert Vaught, Supervisor of the Colville National Forest, recently announced his decision to log in a bull trout watershed on the Sullivan Lake Ranger District. The Z Slumber Timber Sale, located west of the Salmo Priest Wilderness Area and south of the Canadian border, includes logging the steep riparian slopes of Slate Creek and removal of approximately 24 million board feet. “The Colville National Forest has so far failed to meet all of the time lines for commitments they made to conserve the bull trout,” stated Liz Allen, Kettle Range Conservation Group. “Instead they are proposing to aggressively log and build eight miles of new road - supposedly to help seclusion-dependent wildlife.” “We met with the Forest Service last July, to emphasize our concern for the recovery of the bull trout,” said Mike Petersen, The Lands Council. “Logging originally proposed along Slate Creek was supposed to be removed from consideration, but now we see it back in the proposed timber sale.” Since the Forest Service has completed extremely limited bull trout surveys, they claim no bull trout are within Slate Creek. “We requested stream surveys from the Colville National Forest for this timber sale,” stated Allen. “Apparently some surveys were lost, and the ones we received showed a lack of adequate surveys. The fish are already officially listed as threatened - it’s like the Forest Service is saying ‘We looked once, didn’t find any bull trout and so we conclude there aren’t any.’” Of the alternatives the Forest Service considered, the most aggressive logging and the maximum new miles of road construction was chosen. The Kettle Range Conservation Group and other conservation groups had asked that a restoration-only alternative be incorporated and studied in the Environmental Analysis; this was not done. “New road building is an irresponsible management decision,” stated Mark Sprengel, Selkirk Priest Basin Association. “The proposal is inconsistent with Chief Dombeck's restoration agenda for wildlife habitat and the spread of noxious weeds.” This area is also home to other sensitive wildlife species like the gray wolf, woodland caribou, and the grizzly bear. All logging alternatives considered by the Forest Service reduce existing grizzly habitat; the alternative selected will reduce grizzly seclusion habitat by 3,800 acres and core habitat by 260 acres. A federal judge recently ruled that the Selkirk grizzly population by description alone should be considered “endangered,” as there are only approximately 25 to 35 grizzlies left. Additional habitat destruction goes against the recovery of the Selkirk grizzly. “The Forest Service has only given lip service to their requirements under the ESA with regard to bull trout,” stated Mike Wood, attorney. “This is a slap in the face to the Fish and Wildlife Service for the recent listing of the bull trout.” -30- -- Elizabeth Allen Ecosystem Defense Coordinator Kettle Range Conservation Group Box 150 Republic, WA 99166 (509) 775-2667 Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
