Aftermath of the Rattle Fire along Highway 138
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wilderness Report #221: September 19, 2008
Background:
To date, nearly 30 wilderness bills have been introduced in the 110th Congress. It is hoped that a large number of these pending wilderness bills will finish making their way through the legislative process and to the President’s desk for his signature before the end of this year. It is estimated that the 110th Congress could designate wilderness in as many as 10 states adding between one and two million acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Update:
On Thursday, September 11, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on nine bills. Two of these bills would designate new Wilderness areas in California and Oregon. More specifically, the Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), heard testimony on:
H.R. 6156 - the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act is sponsored by Representatives Buck McKeon (R-CA),Howard Berman (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA). From the White Mountains, America's highest desert mountain range, to the Amargosa River in Death Valley, this bill would conserve some of the region's most treasured natural wonders. These include the proposed Owens River Headwaters Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River which would protect the headwaters of the Eastern Sierra's most important river system, the proposed White Mountains Wilderness and the specially-designated Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which contains the world's oldest living trees. The proposed legislation preserves over 470,000 acres of spectacular lands as wilderness, adds 52 miles to the National Wild and Scenic River System, and creates a winter recreation area outside Bridgeport in Mono County. In addition to preserving wilderness areas and wild rivers, the bill will enhance other recreational opportunities and serve as a boost to the region's tourism-based economy. Leading conservation groups joined business owners, sportsmen and community leaders in their support of McKeon's legislation.
H.R. 6290 - the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2008 is sponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Darlene Hooley (D-OR), and David Wu (D-OR). Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge symbolize the natural beauty of Oregon. The proposed legislation would give wilderness protection to over 130,000 acres and designate approximately 79 miles of rivers around Mount Hood and in the Columbia Gorge as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Some of the areas included in the Mount Hood bill are recreation favorites like Mirror Lake and Columbia River Gorge. Additional protections would also be extended to prime elk habitat found in the Big Bottom area of the Clackamas River watershed. The new designations would also protect the cleanest sources of drinking water for many communities such as Oregon City, West Linn, and Lake Oswego. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of local organizations including the Oregon Nordic Club, the Friends of Tilly Jane (historic preservation group), local jurisdictions and residents, and environmental groups (e.g Portland Audubon, Oregon Wild and the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club).
Representatives Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) testified in support of their respective bills.
Testifying on behalf of the Bush Administration were Daniel Wenk, Deputy Director National Park Service and Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief of the Forest Service. Deputy Director Wenk expressed support for H.R. 6156 and said the agency would like the opportunity to work with the bill’s sponsor and the Committee on possible minor boundary adjustments to ensure efficient manageability.
Deputy Chief Holtrop stated, “The Department supports the many aspects of H.R. 6156 that are consistent with relevant Forest Plans. We would like to work with the subcommittee and the bill’s sponsors on our many specific concerns.” In addition, Deputy Chief Holtrop spoke about H.R. 6290. He stated, “the Department has significant concerns with H.R. 6290 as presently written. We believe we can accomplish the bill’s objectives using existing authorities as well as some of the provisions outlined in the bill. We strongly support negotiated agreements on land management and we are committed to continuing to work on the sections where we have concerns.”
While written testimony was submitted on behalf of both wilderness bills, there was only one non governmental witness who testified at the hearing. Mr. Ralph Bloemers, representing the Hood River Valley Residents’ Committee, testified in support of H.R. 6290. He stated, “HR 6290 offers the promise of a visionary solution to community concerns by creating Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River protection, supporting the thriving agricultural and recreational economies of Oregon.”
Read the witness testimony.
Contacts:
Sally Miller, The Wilderness Society: California Office, 415.398.1111, sally_miller@tws.org Bob Freimark, The Wilderness Society: Pacific Northwest Office, 206.624.6430, bob_freimark@tws.org
Mt. Hood, Oregon
Background:
To date, nearly 30 wilderness bills have been introduced in the 110th Congress. It is hoped that a large number of these pending wilderness bills will finish making their way through the legislative process and to the President’s desk for his signature before the end of this year. It is estimated that the 110th Congress could designate wilderness in as many as 10 states adding between one and two million acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Update:
On Thursday, September 11, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on nine bills. Two of these bills would designate new Wilderness areas in California and Oregon. More specifically, the Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), heard testimony on:
H.R. 6156 - the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act is sponsored by Representatives Buck McKeon (R-CA),Howard Berman (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA). From the White Mountains, America's highest desert mountain range, to the Amargosa River in Death Valley, this bill would conserve some of the region's most treasured natural wonders. These include the proposed Owens River Headwaters Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River which would protect the headwaters of the Eastern Sierra's most important river system, the proposed White Mountains Wilderness and the specially-designated Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which contains the world's oldest living trees. The proposed legislation preserves over 470,000 acres of spectacular lands as wilderness, adds 52 miles to the National Wild and Scenic River System, and creates a winter recreation area outside Bridgeport in Mono County. In addition to preserving wilderness areas and wild rivers, the bill will enhance other recreational opportunities and serve as a boost to the region's tourism-based economy. Leading conservation groups joined business owners, sportsmen and community leaders in their support of McKeon's legislation.
H.R. 6290 - the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2008 is sponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Darlene Hooley (D-OR), and David Wu (D-OR). Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge symbolize the natural beauty of Oregon. The proposed legislation would give wilderness protection to over 130,000 acres and designate approximately 79 miles of rivers around Mount Hood and in the Columbia Gorge as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Some of the areas included in the Mount Hood bill are recreation favorites like Mirror Lake and Columbia River Gorge. Additional protections would also be extended to prime elk habitat found in the Big Bottom area of the Clackamas River watershed. The new designations would also protect the cleanest sources of drinking water for many communities such as Oregon City, West Linn, and Lake Oswego. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of local organizations including the Oregon Nordic Club, the Friends of Tilly Jane (historic preservation group), local jurisdictions and residents, and environmental groups (e.g Portland Audubon, Oregon Wild and the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club).
Representatives Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) testified in support of their respective bills.
Testifying on behalf of the Bush Administration were Daniel Wenk, Deputy Director National Park Service and Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief of the Forest Service. Deputy Director Wenk expressed support for H.R. 6156 and said the agency would like the opportunity to work with the bill’s sponsor and the Committee on possible minor boundary adjustments to ensure efficient manageability.
Deputy Chief Holtrop stated, “The Department supports the many aspects of H.R. 6156 that are consistent with relevant Forest Plans. We would like to work with the subcommittee and the bill’s sponsors on our many specific concerns.” In addition, Deputy Chief Holtrop spoke about H.R. 6290. He stated, “the Department has significant concerns with H.R. 6290 as presently written. We believe we can accomplish the bill’s objectives using existing authorities as well as some of the provisions outlined in the bill. We strongly support negotiated agreements on land management and we are committed to continuing to work on the sections where we have concerns.”
While written testimony was submitted on behalf of both wilderness bills, there was only one non governmental witness who testified at the hearing. Mr. Ralph Bloemers, representing the Hood River Valley Residents’ Committee, testified in support of H.R. 6290. He stated, “HR 6290 offers the promise of a visionary solution to community concerns by creating Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River protection, supporting the thriving agricultural and recreational economies of Oregon.”
Read the witness testimony.
Contacts:
Sally Miller, The Wilderness Society: California Office, 415.398.1111, sally_miller@tws.org Bob Freimark, The Wilderness Society: Pacific Northwest Office, 206.624.6430, bob_freimark@tws.org
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Deforestation in the US from 1620 to 1992
Source of 1620, 1850, and 1920 maps: William B. Greeley, The Relation of Geography to Timber Supply, Economic Geography, 1925, vol. 1, p. 1-11. Source of TODAY map: compiled by George Draffan from roadless area map in The Big Outside: A Descriptive Inventory of the Big Wilderness Areas of the United States, by Dave Foreman and Howie Wolke (Harmony Books, 1992). Source from the English Wikipedia.
Any comments??
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Rattler Fire Update for Monday, September 15, 2008
Idleyld Park, OR --- Fire crews continued to hold and secure fire lines under difficult weather conditions yesterday. Record high temperatures and low humidities created good burning conditions especially in the afternoon when the inversion layer lifted. A large column of smoke was visible for most of the afternoon when the fire became active in the northern part near Onion and Spring Creeks in the Boulder Creek Wilderness. Air tankers and helicopters cooled down hot spots and the head of the main fire, where possible. Fire managers were monitoring the fire activity and were channeling the spread towards the higher and wetter vegetation which is away from populated areas.
Today, conditions are expected to be slightly hotter and drier with a Red Flag Warning from 6:00 a.m. until midnight on Tuesday. Isolated thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday with a slight chance of thunderstorms and unstable air on Wednesday.
Timber falling crews were busy at the east end of the Highway 138 closure felling danger trees so that road crews could safely clean fallen debris on the highway and make the road safe for public travel. All efforts are being made to re-open Highway 138 as quickly as possible.
Highway 138 remains closed to all traffic on a four-mile stretch between the Copeland Creek road junction and the confluence of Slide Creek with the North Umpqua River due to large rocks and logs falling off the steep embankment along the highway. For further information on road closures motorists are advised to check the Oregon Department of Transportation website (www.trip check.com) for current conditions on the status of Highway 138. To contact ODOT within Oregon, dial 511, or toll-free at (800) 977-ODOT, or (503) 588-2941.
Information on closures around the fire area can be found on the Umpqua National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua.-- Tom Lavagnino ORCA Public Information Officer (866) 534-9681
Sunday, September 14, 2008
FOREST CONSERVATION NEWS TODAY - Untouched Natural Forests Store Three Times More Carbon!
Forests.org and Climate Ark projects of Ecological Internet, Inc. http://www.climateark.org/ -- Climate Ark, Climate Change Portal http://forests.org/ -- Forests.org August 4, 2008
OVERVIEW & COMMENTARY by Dr. Glen Barry, Ecological Internet.
"An important new Australian study finds that "untouched natural forests store three times more carbon dioxide than previously estimated and 60 percent more than plantation forests" and that first-time "logging resulted in more than a 40 percent reduction in long-term carbon compared with unlogged forests." They conclude that "in Australia and probably globally the carbon carrying capacity of natural forests is underestimated and therefore misrepresented in economic valuations and in policy options."This resoundingly confirms Ecological Internet's forest campaign's key principle: sustaining intact ancient primary forests, by virtue of their holding of carbon and species, is a requirement for global ecological sustainability. This Earth Action Network's shared commitment to ending ancient primary and old-growth forest logging has been validated by the emerging ecological science. And we hope this motivates you to continue taking action at http://www.ecoearth.info/alerts/ and to participate regularly in future email protest campaigns."
Thanks for the information Wendy!Meanwhile in Douglas County
BLM proposes first old-growth clearcut sale in years.
Believing they can once again clearcut the nesting habitat for the northern spotted owl, Roseburg BLM is now targeting the Days Creek watershed for 236 acres of clearcutting in mature and old growth forests on public BLM lands.
Write or call the BLM to tell them what you think of this project on your public lands.
Believing they can once again clearcut the nesting habitat for the northern spotted owl, Roseburg BLM is now targeting the Days Creek watershed for 236 acres of clearcutting in mature and old growth forests on public BLM lands.
Write or call the BLM to tell them what you think of this project on your public lands.
Ralph Thomas Field Manager, South River Field Office Roseburg District, BLM 777 N.W. Garden Valley Blvd Roseburg, Oregon 97471 Call them up 541.440.4930.
Or, Email your comments to: OR100MB@or.blm.gov
Or, Email your comments to: OR100MB@or.blm.gov
Tell the BLM to leave the old growth alone.
Above: Unit 25G, on the edge of Coffee Creek roadless area. BLM wants to clearcut this public forest!
Written on grave: “Carmella. 5-5-06 to 7-6-07. Little One”
Tell the BLM to leave the old growth alone. There's not much left and all the critters that depend on the diverse, old forests need it. Public forests is all they have left. Tell the BLM to just log in the forests that have already been clearcut (40 to 60 years ago), and replanted to be thick, fiber farms.
Information and Photos thanks to our dedicated Conservation Director, Francis Eatherington
We'd love to have your comments. Check back on Mondays for updates.
Friday, September 12, 2008
North Umpqua RiverPhoto by Francis Eatherington
WELCOME TO Umpqua Watersheds first blog site ever!
We intend this blogsite to be a place you can get updated information on environmental issues in Douglas County, Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and beyond. In addition it is a place for you to comment and carry on a dialog with us and others who are interested in participating in protecting our local environment.
Umpqua Watersheds is a grassroots, community based non-profit organization, dedicated to the protection and restoration of the ecosystems of the Umpqua Watershed and beyond.
Our goals are to:
1. Promote sound stewardship practices that sustain biodiversity and restore degraded lands and waterways.
2. Create permanent wilderness protection for the backcountry areas of southwestern Oregon.
3. Educate the public on ecosystem management issues in the interest of informed consent and increased participation in decision making,
4. Celebrate the natural beauty and majesty of the native forests and free flowing waters of the Umpqua and beyond,
5. Create a stable organizational structure to achieve our mission,
6. Continue to nurture a stable and growing base of support in our local communities.
Check us starting this Monday for weekly updates.
Thanks, it's for the trees.
- Deborah D Michel, Interim Executive Director, deborah@umpqua-watersheds.org
- Betsy Dean, Office Coordinator, uw@umpqua-watersheds.org
- Seth Kirby, Outreach/Education Coordinator, seth@umpqua-watersheds.org
- Francis Eatherington, Conservation Director/Consultant, francis@umpqua-watersheds.org
for more information http://www.umpqua-watersheds.org/
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