Logging protests shut $8 Road to public
U.S. Forest Service cites continuing security, health and safety issues
Eight Dollar Road is
closed until July 1 because
of continuing logging pro-
tests that have tied up law
enforcement and emergency
rescue personnel during four
separate incidents.
The latest incident, in a
series that began Monday,
March 7, occurred Monday,
March 14 when approxi-
mately 19 persons protesting
the Fiddler Biscuit Fire Sal-
vage Sale blocked log trucks
at Eight Dollar Bridge, and
some, including at least one
pregnant woman, suspended
themselves from a platform
under the bridge.
The support rope ap-
peared to be placed in such a
way that driving across the
Numerous emergency services personnel work at
Eight Dollar Bridge Monday, March 14 in connection
with logging protestors. (Photos by Dale Sandberg)
Lack of color
linked to ills
at print shop
Last week’s “Illinois
Valley News” lacked color
because of illness at Apple
Press in Grants Pass.
One Apple Press em-
ployee, plus members of
the pressroom crew, were
out with what was de-
scribed as strep throat. An-
other Apple Press staffer
was out because of knee
surgery.
Due to the lack of
available experienced per-
sonnel, last week’s
“Noose” only had color on
page 8. Color was planned
for pages 1, 8, 9 and 16.
Word is that the crews have
regained their health and
are back at work this week.
Apple Press has apolo-
gized for the situation.
bridge would have caused
the platform to drop.
There also was a report
that one man suspended
himself from the middle of
the bridge over the road.
Illinois Valley Fire Dis-
trict firefighters, including
its rope rescue team, re-
sponded, along with an
American Medical Re-
sponse (AMR) ambulance
and an AMR Reach-and-
Treat Team, and members
of Josephine County Search
and Rescue.
Indications were that all
19 protesters would be ar-
rested by Josephine County
Sheriff’s Office, which is
working with the U.S. For-
est Service. Eleven persons
each were arrested March 7
and Wednesday, March 9.
“We respect the rights
of free speech,” said U.S.
Forest Service spokesman
Tom Lavagnino, “but we’ve
heard all the same argu-
ments over and over.
“These people are mis-
informed and misled.
“We are talking about
harvesting 7/10 of 1 percent
of what was burned in the
Biscuit Fire in 2002. That’s
what this is about. It doesn’t
seem excessive. Old-growth
is not being cut; and it’s not
the largest timber sale in
forest service history.”
Lavignino said that be-
cause of protesters commit-
ting illegal acts by blocking
‘Don’t be fooled by Conflict Industry’
By SCOTT CONROY
Supervisor, Rogue River/
Siskiyou National Forest
The Conflict Industry is
working hard to earn your
support and money.
Don’t be fooled.
When the facts don’t
support its cause, the Con-
flict Industry resorts to un-
substantiated accusations
buttressed by incomplete or
inaccurate facts. Take, for
example, its current attempt
to create conflict by discred-
iting the hard and honest
work of U.S. Forest Service
professionals and scientists,
who designed the Biscuit
Fire Recovery Project.
This cadre of employees
has decades of training, edu-
cation and experience work-
ing in the Siskiyou land-
scape. They carefully evalu-
ated opinions; analyzed en-
vironmental, economic and
social effects; and recom-
mended a course of action
that provides for harvest of
dead trees on less than 4
percent of the burned area.
Funds generated by this
very modest plan will be
reinvested in planting tree
seedlings; reducing the risk
to communities and re-
sources from future wild-
fires; and fixing existing
roads.
But take a close look at
the rhetoric from environ-
mentalists.
They claim that the for-
est service is cutting old-
growth. False. Only dead
trees are being harvested.
Dead trees, by definition,
cannot be old-growth.
Areas consumed by the
wildfire no longer have old-
growth characteristics. In
fact, the largest dead trees
on the acres being harvested
are being left standing for
wildlife and soil protection.
And all trees are being
left on the 96 percent of
acres with no harvesting.
(Continued on page 5)
Business loan program process more convenient
A significant change in
a business loan program --
eliminating application
deadlines -- is announced
by Illinois Valley Commu-
nity Development Organiza-
tion (IVCDO).
“This is an effort to re-
spond more quickly and
with more support services
to local business and entre-
preneurial needs,” said Bill
Moore, IVCDO business
consultant.
He said that the change
is authorized by directors of
the IVCDO Micro Business
Revolving Loan Program.
“The loan fund,” said
Moore, “no longer will set
deadline dates for applica-
tions. Applications can be
submitted whenever ready
to the IVCDO office at 139
S. Redwood Hwy. during
normal business hours.
“The loan fund adviser
will review applications
with applicants prior to sub-
mitting them to the board.
“The adviser,” Moore
said, “will make recommen-
dations regarding the appli-
Community College’s Small
Business Development Cen-
ter, SOWAC Microenter-
prise Development Center,
Southern Oregon Regional
Economic Development
Inc., and local volunteer
‘We are here to help people succeed.’
Bill Moore, business consultant,
Illinois Valley
Community Development Organization.
cant’s business and market-
ing plans, and cash flow
projections in an effort o
improve the potential for
success.
“Business counseling
and training resources are
available to applicants
through IVCDO, Rogue
counselors and mentors.”
Moore added that the
loan fund board will review
applications based on the
completeness and feasibility
of business plans; ability to
succeed; and availability of
acceptable collateral.
“In essence, the better
the application is prepared,
the sooner the board can
meet to discuss the submit-
tal,” said Moore. “These
changes offer our local en-
trepreneurs more substantial
business support -- before
and after loan requests.”
He added that the goal
of the revolving loan fund
remains unchanged:
“To make low-interest
loans to local entrepreneurs
and businesses unable to
obtain capital through con-
ventional sources; help
those that do qualify to get
loans through other sources;
and help with selected busi-
ness training or technical
assistance.
“We are here to help
people succeed,” he said.
For more information
about the program phone
Moore at 592-4440.
a legal timber sale, and be-
cause of health-and-safety
issues, the road was closed
as of noon March 14. It
could be reopened before
July 1 depending on circum-
stances, he indicated.
A gate was to be erected
approximately a mile east-
erly of Eight Dollar Bridge.
In addition, staffing details
were to be worked out.
Lavignino also noted
that on Saturday, March 12,
actions by protesters de-
layed two injured forestry
workers from obtaining
prompt medical attention.
The road was blocked by a
car placed there by protes-
tors, preventing an AMR
ambulance from reaching
the scene, said Lavignino.
Rescue personnel were
able to use a sheriff’s office
vehicle to winch the car out
(Continued on page 5)
Following are high and
low temperatures as recorded
by O’Brien residents Cheryl &
Harry Johnson.
Fri., March 4: 58-39
Sat. March 5: 61-34
Sun., March 6: 67-33
Mon., March 7: 69-37
Tues., March 8: 72-38
Wed., March 9: 72-39
Thurs., March 10: 72-36
Cave Junction
Wednesday, March 16
Partly sunny,
Evening cooling
High--62, Low--28.
Thursday, March 17
Mostly sunny,
Cold, clear evening
High--63, Low--26.
Friday, March 18
Variable sunshine,
Rain possible late
High--59, Low--37.
Saturday, March 19
Scattered showers,
Overcast evening
High--57, Low--36.
Sunday, March 20
Mostly cloudy,
Chance of rain late
High--60, Low--35.
Monday, March 21
Showers increasing,
More rain in evening
High--57, Low--40.
Tuesday, March 22
Chance of showers,
Ice possible late
High--57, Low--27.