There are some important issues raised in this post (though not
specifically ecofem material). I suspect it will be of interest, both
in terms of an action you may wish to take and because of some of the
ideas in it. Let me know--preferably off list, to save bandwidth--if
you'd rather not have seen it, so I'll know, list cruiser that I am,
whether or not to forward such items in the future.
John A
--------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------
/* Written 9:24 PM Sep 26, 1994 by dyurman in igc:idaho.forests */
/* ---------- "Grizzly Bear Habitat Issues" ---------- */
From: Dan Yurman <dyurman>
TITLE: Grizzly Bear Habitat Threatened--Act Now!
**********************************************************************
* Give the Bear a Break: *
* Tell the Flathead National Forest to protect grizzly habitat *
**********************************************************************
Federal agencies have been delaying road closures for years, despite
scientific consensus that closing roads is the best thing humans can
do to protect grizzly bears and their habitat. Now, because of past
foot-dragging, the Flathead National Forest, "the grizzliest forest in
the lower 48," is being forced by the courts to consider closing some
roads. This will set a major precedent for how our forests are managed
for the grizzly bear and other wide-ranging wildlife. The Forest
Service needs to hear from you as they amend their Forest Plan: tell
them you support road closures and other measures to protect
grizzlies, elk, native trout, and water quality.
----THE PROBLEM: Massive road-building has destroyed
habitat and killed grizzlies.----
Considerable research has proven that roads bring bears into conflict
with people. This leads to dead bears, through direct killings or
forcing bears into marginal habitat. Yet most non-wilderness lands in
northwest Montana, outside Glacier National Park, have far more roads
than bears can tolerate. Existing protections under the Endangered
Species Act have done little to change this: in fact, an additional
10% of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem has been roaded since
bears were listed as "threatened" in 1975.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, unless we reduce the
amount of roads, habitat will be degraded leading to "a resultant
long-term declining population," and eventually even extinction. We
must act now to restore bear habitat.
----THE SOLUTION: Close and reclaim roads to benefit
bears and other natural values.----
Last year's Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan acknowledged the importance of
road closures, but failed to do anything about it. Now the Flathead
National Forest is under a court order to reset timber harvest levels
while protecting grizzly bears. But without strong public support,
they may fail to order the road reclamation that bears desperately
need for recovery.
Road closures and reclamation benefit many aspects of the natural
environment besides grizzlies. They would protect habitat for elk,
white-tailed deer, moose, lynx, wolverine, and would improve water
quality for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout, both species in
trouble. People would benefit as well: 90% of outdoor recreation is
non-motorized and most forest users much prefer quiet trails. In sum,
road reclamation is a strong step towards restoring wildlands and
people's enjoyment of the forest.
----THE URGENCY: "Wise Use" opposition is
jeopardizing an important precedent.----
Well-organized opposition from the so-called "Wise Use" movement
threatens to weaken the amendment. As the Forest Service writes its
plan it could easily be swayed by protests from industry-funded
motorized recre ation groups. The Flathead must hear from citizens who
realize that responsible stewardship requires us to weigh grizzlies'
needs along with people, and that the forest will continue to be
accessible to non-motorized users. Furthermore, if the Flathead
completes a strong plan, other forests have little excuse not to
follow suit.
----WHAT YOU CAN DO: Urge the Forest Service to
go ahead with road reclamation.----
Write to the Forest Service today, while they are writing the plan.
**The deadline is Oct. 15.**
1) Tell them they must act now to benefit grizzlies, other wildlife,
water quality, and non-motorized recreation.
2) Urge them to apply "updated Lost Silver" standards across the
entire forest. These standards, which have been applied to the
proposed Lost Silver Timber Sale, limit the amount of roads to protect
grizzlies. They are based on the best scientific information and have
already been endorsed by the Fish & Wildlife Service.
3) Tell the Forest Service that simply putting up gates and earth
mounds won't do the trick (they estimate gates only keep vehicles out
60% of the time). Non-essential roads should be returned to their
natural state .
4) Demand that they include a strict timetable to actually implement
the road reclamation within one year.
The Forest must hear from you before Oct. 15, so write TODAY to:
Joel Holtrop, Forest Supervisor, Flathead National Forest, 1935 Third
Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.
If you'd like to stay involved in this issue, or for more information,
call Adam Ruben, Wild Forever, 406-549-1656; Steve Thompson, Montana
Wilderness Assoc. 406-755-6304; or Keith Hammer, Swan View Coalition,
406-755-1379. Wild Forever includes Sierra Club, The Wilderness
Society, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, & National Audubon Society.
You can also e-mail us at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/ Myths and Facts about Road Closures /
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MYTH: I won't be able to get where I want on the forest; it will be
locked up.
FACT: The Flathead Forest today has nearly 4,000 miles of roads,
enough to go to New York and back. Even with many road closures, there
will still be access to nearly every place on the forest.
MYTH: This is bad for recreation .
FACT: For decades, road mileage has been growing and trail mileage
has been shrinking. It's time to reverse that trend to benefit hikers,
bird-watchers, horsepackers, mountain bikers where appropriate, and
other folks. In a Montana state poll, seventy percent of adults
disagreed that more areas should be available for motorized
recreation.
MYTH: Grizzly protection is the only reason to take these steps.
FACT: Road reclamation benefits wildlife, fisheries, and water
quality. One elk study found, "Without reducing hunter days of
opportunity, we can improve the quality of the herd...by closing
roads." It also costs taxpayers $65 per year to maintain every mile of
unnecessary road, even those behind locked gates. Grizzlies live on
less than 2% of their original range, with less than 1% of their
original numbers. The real question is, can people share at all, or
will we destroy all our remaining wildness?
