WVEC Action Memo- March 8, 2006

The controversy surrounding the Walden-Baird logging bill continues to grow, as does the understanding by the media, public and Congress that logging forests following fires and other natural disturbances damages forests, water, wildlife and watersheds. Contrary to the claims made by Rep. Walden (R-OR) and Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA), logging does not “restore” or “recover” forests following natural disturbances.

TAKE ACTION: Please sign the letter below that will be sent to Members of Congress opposing the Walden-Baird logging bill, H.R. 4200. The last thing an area recovering from a forest fire or other natural event needs is the help of bulldozers and chainsaws. The deadline for sign ons is March 17th.

The legislation is at the center of a national scandal over efforts by the logging industry to punish scientists who say forests recover faster without bulldozers. The bill perpetuates false assumptions that are not supported by science. The bill would fast track logging after natural disturbances, cast aside meaningful public input, agency accountability and transparency in federal decision-making, side-step the Endangered Species Act and does not provide protections for clean water, old growth forests, roadless areas, rivers and streams and wildlife. The Walden-Baird logging bill would apply to all national forests and would transform natural landscapes into industrial forestry for the logging industry. It defines catastrophes so broadly that virtually any natural disturbance would qualify as a “catastrophe” including: fire, snow, rainstorms, drought or insects and explosions.

The Walden-Baird bill is an extreme example of what happens when money from the logging industry influences the politicians that are entrusted with protecting America’s natural heritage. Like the multi-million dollar "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, this legislation aims to reward special interests while leaving the American public stuck with the bill.

To sign on, please contact Jennifer Sawada at JKSawada@americanlands.org and provide her with the contact name, organizational name and address. The deadline for sign ons is March 17th.

On behalf of millions of Americans the undersigned organizations urge you to oppose the deceptively titled "Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act" (HR 4200) introduced by Representatives Greg Walden (R-OR) and Brian Baird (D-WA).

H.R. 4200 threatens America’s public forests and endangered species, ignores science and distorts priorities for managing national forests. The bill eliminates or undercuts key environmental safeguards for forests, clean water, fish and wildlife and would transform natural landscapes into industrial forests for the logging industry. The bill purports to recover and restore forests by expediting logging, but a large body of scientific studies concludes just the opposite: logging in forests recovering from fire and other natural disturbances can be extremely damaging and sets back natural recovery processes.

Bulldozers and logging equipment can destroy naturally regenerating fragile seedlings. Logs left in place following fires or other natural disturbances are crucial building blocks for the reemerging forest. They keep the soil in place, provide shade and shelter for fish and wildlife and help speed forest recovery. Logging after fires often leaves behind piles of limbs and debris that can actually increase fire risk. The last thing a fragile area recovering from a forest fire or other natural event needs is the help of bulldozers and chainsaws.

1. Meaningful public input, agency accountability and transparency in federal decision-making would be cast aside. Projects including logging of trees, both living and dead, conducted under the bill’s authorities would be permanently exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA is the most important law the public has to provide meaningful and informed input on federal projects. The law provides government accountability, requires consideration of sound science and ensures that agencies cannot move forward with projects that will damage the environment without first letting the public know about the project and its impacts. Logging after natural disturbances accounted for 34% of total timber volume logged nationwide from 2000-2005 and approximately 50% in some regions.[1] If the Walden bill passes as written, approximately one third or more of all logging sales could be exempt from NEPA.

2. The Endangered Species Act could be shortcut. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) serves as a safety net for threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plants. The Walden logging bill would give the government a license to kill or harm threatened or endangered species in order to rush through logging projects. The ESA already allows for emergency exemptions in matters of national security and threat to human lives. The bill would manipulate the emergency exemption to let logging proceed in situations that are clearly not emergencies.

3. Independent science could be completely ignored. A large body of scientific research undermines the bill’s claim that fast track logging is needed to recover forests after natural disturbances. Of the more than 30 science studies and government reports on logging after fires, not a single one indicates that logging provides benefits to ecosystems regenerating after disturbance.“…[N]atural disturbances are key ecosystem processes rather than ecological disasters that require human repair…salvage harvesting activities undermine many of the ecosystem benefits of major disturbances…”[2] By exempting projects from NEPA, the requirement that the best science be used will be lost.

4. Forest regeneration and recovery could be significantly impeded. It has become clear from two decades of disturbance ecology research from the Mt. St. Helens 1980 eruption and the 1988 Yellowstone fires to recent fires in California, Oregon and Montana that nature is very resilient and has powerful recuperative capacity that is characteristic of natural forests. Logging after natural disturbances sets back recovery for decades, if not longer. A January 2006 Oregon State University study published in the highly respected journal Science[3], concluded that logging after fire in the Biscuit area in Oregon impeded natural forest regeneration and increased fire risk. Many scientist-reviewed studies come to the same conclusion. Logging these recovering forests crushes tree seedlings, degrades rivers and streams by increasing soil erosion, spreads invasive weeds, causes the loss of biological legacies, which include large live and dead trees that are vital in the regeneration process, and turns branches and small trees into fuel for future fires.

5. Loss to taxpayers. According to a new report by scientists, former Forest Service employees, and conservation groups, the Forest Service loses taxpayer money, on post- fire logging. Logging on the 2002 Southern Oregon Biscuit fire area alone, is estimated to have cost taxpayers approximately $14 million as of 2006. [4]

6. Community protection priorities would be misplaced. The bill creates strong incentives for federal agencies to divert scare resources away from hazardous fuel reduction projects intended to protect communities before wildfires may occur, and toward destructive logging projects that could damage ecosystems, increase fire risks and delay recovery from natural disturbances.

7. The most basic protections are missing. There are no protections in the bill for old growth forests, roadless areas, streams or riparian areas, critical wildlife habitat, fragile soils, or other essential natural resources.

In conclusion, the Walden-Baird logging bill ignores the large body of scientific research that concludes that logging after natural disturbances harms, not helps forest recovery. The bill threatens old growth and roadless forests, clean water and wildlife that depend on them. Moreover, the bill would exempt projects from meaningful and informed public involvement, and sacrifices government accountability and transparency. The Walden-Baird bill is an extreme example of what happens when money from the logging industry influences the politicians that are entrusted with protecting America’s natural heritage. Like the multi-million dollar "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, this legislation aims to reward special interests while leaving the American public stuck with the bill.

National Forests and Grasslands Up for Grabs
The Bush Administration’s plan to sell public lands to raise over $800 million to fund rural schools and maintain roads has drawn strong opposition from the public and lawmakers nationwide. The 30-day comment period has begun and all comments are due by March 30 [now extended to May 1]. To learn more or to speak out against this proposal: TAKE ACTION! or Public Comment

“Newspaper editorials in affected states are declaring what a dumb idea this is. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says it's ‘a mistake economically and environmentally and philosophically’ to sell 22,000 acres of the Mark Twain National Forest in the Ozarks. Even the Portland Oregonian, in the state that stands the most to gain, editorially calls it ‘a one-time grab of cash ... to throw at rural counties.’ – The Bismarck Tribune [ND], February 24, 2006

“Congress should reject this ‘fire sale’ of public lands to make a token down payment on what has been a contrived deficit emergency. The wealthiest nation in the world doesn't have to auction off its heritage in order to atone for foolish fiscal policy decisions.” - Gainesville Sun [FL], February 24, 2006

"’Not only is this a bad idea, but we have to be vigilant,’ [Sen. Max Baucus] told nearly 200 people Thursday morning at Missoula Children's Theater. ‘My experience in D.C. is that it's never over 'till it's over and even then it's not over.’” - New West [MT], February 23, 2006

[1] USDA Forest Service. FY 2000-2005 Stars Report 37-2 Periodic Timber Sale Accomplishment Report
Servicewide Detail By Region and Cut & Sold Reports.

[2] Lindenmayer, Franklin, Hunter, Noss, et al., ECOLOGY: Salvage harvesting Policies After Natural Disturbance, Science 2004 303:1301

[3] Donato, D.C., J.B. Fontaine, J.L. Campbell, W.D. Robinson, J.B. Kauffman, and B.E. Law. Post-wildfire logging hinders regeneration and increases fire risk. Science January 20, Vol. 311:352

[4] DellaSala, D.A., G. Nagle, R. Fairbanks, D. Odion, J. Williams, J.R. Karr, C. Frissell, and T. Ingalsbee. 2006. The facts and myths of post-fire management: a case study of the Biscuit fire, southwest Oregon. Unpublished Report, World Wildlife Fund, Klamath-Siskiyou Program, 116 Lithia Way, Ashland Oregon.

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Roadless Area Conservation - From West Virginia Highlands Conservancy wvhighlands.org

In May of 2005, the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, eliminating protections for 58.5 million acres of National Forest lands, includes over 200,000 acres in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. Senator Cantwell (D-Washington) is introducing the Roadless Area Conservation over Act which would permanently protect our National Forest roadless areas codifying the 2001 Rule. Although less than two percent of our National Forest lands remain wild and pristine, they are some of the most valuable areas in our country for clean drinking water, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and irreplaceable hunting and fishing, camping and hiking opportunities. Like the original Roadless Rule, Senator Cantwell's bill will ensure protections for roadless areas, while at the same time retain flexibility for economic utilization and limited road constriction (e.g., resource protection and public safety).

We ask your help in contacting Senator Rockefeller ASAP to encourage him to sign on to Senator Cantwell's Roadless bill as an original cosponsor or as a sponsor after the bill is introduced today, March 2, 2006.