A view of the Calapooya Mountains in the Umpqua National Forest. Photo from U.S. Forest Service.
If you’re not happy with what’s going on in our National Forests, then this is the year to do something about it.
The Obama Administration is working on a new planning rule that will guide the future of all 155 National Forests and Grasslands across the country. What’s at stake? Big issues such as logging, mining, old growth, stream and river quality, wildlife and recreation.
On Tuesday, the Forest Service holds a series of public meetings in Portland to hear from Oregonians.
The Forest Service hasn’t had much luck with planning rules lately. Versions written in 2000, 2002 were dropped, 2005 and 2008 updates were blocked by courts. The result? National Forests are still working under the 1982 rule – written almost three decades ago. An update is long overdue.
Bark, the watchdog group for the Mt. Hood National Forest, recently sent a message to members urging them to attend Tuesday’s public meetings. It’s asking members to show up and support clean water, protecting wildlife habitat and quiet recreation over timber harvests and other corporate uses of the forest. Bark says dealing with climate change should become a priority for the Forest Service. A recent study by the Wilderness Society found that National Forests in Western Oregon are the best in the nation for carbon storage.
The Wilderness Society has its own list of priorities for the a new forest planning rule. They include:
- Using sound science to guide forest planning decisions
- Protect habitat for fish and wildlife
- Address climate change by preserving large areas of old growth forest for carbon storage
- Preserve water and watersheds for safe drinking water
- Protect America’s outdoor legacy by making sure recreational uses of the forests are sustainable
- Protect more areas as Wilderness
This month, the Forest Service is holding a series of public meetings called roundtables. Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s event in Portland.
- Where: In the Multnomah Room of the Doubletree Hotel near Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland.
- When: There will be three discussion sessions, starting at 9:00am, 1:00pm and 6:00pm. There will also be two open houses from Noon to 1:00pm and 5:00pm to 6:00pm.
The Forest Service is asking you to e-mail ForestServiceMtg@LSAResults.com if want to attend, and to include your name, address and any affiliation if you have one. But this is not mandatory.
For more information:
Bark: Forest Service Planning Rule
Wilderness Society: Our Forests Our Future
U.S. Forest Service: Forest Planning Rule
U.S. Forest Service: Planning Rule Blog
Natural Oregon: They’re Not Forests, Think Of Them As Lungs For The Earth
