USFS must reduce roads network while preserving key public and emergency access routes This week, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released travel analysis reports that assess existing road systems and identify opportunities to achieve a more sustainable system of roads for each national forest in the Pacific Northwest. As part of a national travel management process, the Forest … Continued
WILD NW Action Alert #258: Comment on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest’s Greenwater Access Travel Management Plan Located on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBSNF) around Highway 410 between Enumclaw and Chinook Pass, the watersheds of the Greenwater River and Upper White River provide popular hiking, skiing and other recreation access as well as important … Continued
Proposed “salvage” sale undermines forest recovery and restoration The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing to log over 1,200 acres of state forest lands burned during the 2015 Okanogan Complex Fire. The West Fork Fire Salvage timber sale would clear forests with ground-based machinery on exposed, erosive soils. Research has shown this … Continued
WILD NW action alert #248: Tell the Army that sensitive ecosystems and cherished wilderness aren’t appropriate for helicopter training plan. The U.S. Army has proposed extensive helicopter training in the North Cascades to practice low-elevation flyovers and high altitude landings, including at sites in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, near cherished backcountry camping spots and within … Continued
We look forward to working with Senator Cantwell and other congressional officials on this important legislation. By Mitch Friedman, Executive Director Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), the highest ranking minority member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, just released a white paperforecasting her Wildfire Management Act of 2015, which she intends to introduce soon. Based on … Continued
WILD NW #240: OWNF Motorized Travel Management Plan UPDATE: The comment period on this proposed plan has been extended through Friday, January 30th, 2015. After nearly a decade of work, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (OWNF) has proposed a Motorized Travel Management Plan to address the use of Off Road Vehicles (ORVs) in the forest, including … Continued
WILD NW #243: Northwest Forest Plan revisions listening sessions For over 20 years, old-growth and other forests on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands (excluding wilderness and other protected areas) in western Washington, western Oregon and northwestern California have been governed by the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP), a Clinton-era agreement … Continued