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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2012)
Applegater Winter 2012 19 OPINION LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Model BLM collaboration process tested by Pilot by lUke RUeDiGeR The Pilot Joe timber sale above Cantrall-Buckley Park has been proposed as a model of forest management and community collaboration for the public lands of southwest Oregon. The goals of this project as defined by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) include fuel reduction, the restoration of complex forest conditions, the retention of old-growth trees, and the accelerated development of old-growth characteristics. The timber sale was touted as a restorative approach where timber production was a by-product of ecologically based treatments. Unfortunately, the recent logging of large, old-growth trees has threatened to unravel the delicate collaborative process. Controversy revolves around the marking and removal of old-growth trees—some over 150 years old, as well as other large, dominant trees. The trees were cut despite the appeals of many collaborative members that they be retained. The removal of these trees is clearly inconsistent with dry forest restoration principals, the project’s stated goals, the Environmental Assessment (EA), and the prescription as outlined by BLM staff at stakeholder meetings and public field trips. Many of the trees removed had the structural conditions and fire resilience stated to be a part of the “desired future condition.” Identified in the EA as “Ecosystem Restoration Goals,” the retention of large, old trees would have helped to “increase the average diameter of the residual stand,” and served to “accelerate the development of structural complexity such as large tree structures.” Unfortunately, BLM’s treatments have done otherwise and bring into question the agency’s commitment to dry forest restoration principals, the first of which is to “protect and conserve all older trees (trees greater than 150 years of age).” BLM will tell you that they cut only two old-growth trees, documented to be 182 and over 200 years old, and that these are only a small percentage of the project. They do admit, however, that other large trees should not have been cut and were inconsistent with project prescriptions. Why is this important? Because so little of Oregon’s old-growth remains, and old-growth trees are key components of healthy and fire resilient forests. Large old trees are important for spotted owl, Pacific fisher, and many other species. Also because BLM is proposing these pilots in older forests while claiming that old trees will be saved. BLM pilots are seen as a solution for forests in western Oregon and beyond. With the goal of “maintenance of older trees,” the pilot is sold as forest restoration, but it appears to be driven by industrial timber interests. Old trees have high ecological and social value, and have been the point of contention in federal land management for decades. In fact, BLM claims that the pilot projects were proposed to address “the gridlock and conflicts” that have “stymied” federal land management. Much of this conflict is directly related to the removal of old-growth trees. According to the EA, the ability of the agency to move forward “depends in part, on the social acceptability of restoration techniques.” The protection of old-growth trees was proposed as a way to avoid this controversy while maintaining important ecological values. Unfortunately, with the removal of many large, old trees, BLM has welcomed conflict and gridlock back into the debate. The agency has further inflamed the long- standing lack of trust between the BLM, local citizens, and the environmental community, by implementing treatments that lack environmental integrity and contradict statements made throughout the collaborative process. This lack of accountability does not foster a collaborative environment, nor does it help the collaborative move forward in a positive way. The entire point of collaboration is to move past long-standing issues, including a lack of accountability, responsibility, and trust. Luke Ruediger Community representative for BLM Pilot Interdisciplinary Team 541-890-8974 ED. NOTE: See photos provided by Luke Ruediger online at www.applegater.org. Like us on Facebook! Just go to our website at www.applegater.org and click on “Find us on Facebook”...or search “Applegater Newspaper on Facebook.” Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author, not that of the Applegater or the Applegate Valley Community Newspaper. We are a community-based newspaper that receives diverse opinions on different topics. Letters should be no longer than 450 words, and may be edited for grammar and length. Opinion Pieces should be no longer than 600 words. All Letters and Opinion Pieces must be signed, with a full street address or P.O. Box and phone number. Individual Letters may or may not be published in consecutive issues. Address Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor to: The Applegater c/o Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. P.O. Box 14 Jacksonville, OR 97530 Email: gater@applegater.org Warm thanks To the Editor: Over on the four-mile mark of Carberry Creek Road, with workers and construction projects all summer, I got an up-close experience of the Complex Fire. Most of it was just over the border into California five to seven miles away. There were several mountains between us so I actually never really feared for direct fire at my location, though you never know. But the smoke, traffic and other effects were quite apparent. Sandy Shaffer’s missive and daily updates were a constant companion each day along with watching the weather for hints of possibilities. It colored my sunsets, took out the stars, and made breathing unpleasant many times. I made a video that spun a 360º from clear sky to red and back to clear in one evening. It really gave a flavor to the summer for me. And the most important thing to say is that it made me aware of and grateful for the very large number of good folks who kept me, the community and much of the forest safe. Thank you to all: the firefighters at the front lines, those behind them in planning and strategizing and mapping, in medical prep and help, in vehicles of all sorts from helicopters and airplanes to trucks and busses, for the food and other creature “comforts” that must be provided, the citizenry and volunteers who provided all sorts of needed unknowns, too much in all to be remembered and thought of. There were too many unsung heroes, undocumented moments and gifts to remember and record. Please, from all of us in the Applegate, southern Oregon in general, and northern California, please accept this late note of deep thanks and remembrance. Greeley Wells, Applegate Check these out — only on our website www.applegater.org • Opinion piece photos related to the Pilot Joe timber sale • Full-length version of J.D. Rogers’ “Graduation gown or SF party” • List of Advertisers Let our advertisers know that you saw their ad in the Applegater. Support our local businesses!
