the loss of wildlife habitat;
severe alterations in riparian and
fisheries habitat due to loss of shade
along streams; and
What's going to happen?...some realistic expectations.,
the decay of large numbers of
dead trees before they can be
harvested and utilized.
These concerns are In
cluded In various projects
we are currently working on
or proposing for preventing
more damage and for restor
ing the already-damaged
forest ecosystem through
better management of our
National Forests. The quarterly
newsletter will highlight these
projects along with other impor
tant up-to-date information
concerning Forest issues in
general.
The forest health problem has
affected an entire ecosystem and has
raised the concerns of a diverse
group of Interested citizens. Truly,
everyone Is concerned Including
affected. Large numbers of trees are
dead and dying from the combined
effects of prolonged drought along
with Infestation by Insects and
disease.
"...we stand to lose everything we are trying to preserve (if we do
nothing)... This is not like the spotted owl-old growth issue. We
cannot walk away and leave these forests. We are going to have
to do some things to restore their health". Tom Quigiey, Blue
Mountain Natural Resources Institute
.v
vJ
hikers, ranchers, anglers, campers,
sightseers, managers, forest resi
dents, fire fighters, and even city
dwellers and others who visit the
region for its relaxing recreational
potential and scenery.
The question everyone is asking is
"What's going to happen? What are
you going to do?" Forest Supervisor
Tom Schmidt acknowledges that
there are many different opinions
about what ought to be done to
combat the problem. "Some people
think we ought to cut down every tree
and start over again," he said. "Others
believe we should leave it (the forest)
alone and let nature take its course.
There's going to be a lot of dialogue
between our resource managers and
the public," Schmidt says. "What's
important at this point.Js that people
begin to set some realistic expecta
tions for what will and will not happen
on the Ochoco National Forest during
the next few years."
Here, in the opinion of Schmidt and
other resource managers on the
Ochoco, are some Important basic
truths about forest health on the
Ochoco National Forest:
ITS REAL Nearly 50 of forested
lands on the Ochoco are already
THERE'S NO QUICK FIX It has
taken nearly a century for this situation
to become obvious through its
gradual evolution. It will probablly take
decades of planning, treatments, and
monitoring before we can say whether
our plan is working...it just takes that
long for trees and forest ecosystems
to grow.
WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL We
already have on-the-ground proof that
we can plan and execute successful
treatments, both preventative and
restorative, through various actions
including timber sale contracts. Re
solving the forest health issue is likely
to be the most important challenge we
face in the 1990's on the Ochoco
National Forest. It's critical that YOU,
our local public, be well informed and
participate in the decision making
process. I encourage you to fill out the
response form on the next page and
mail it in. We really need your help!
Sincerely,
THOMAS A. SCHMIDT
Ochoco National Forest Supervisor
Forest Chronicles, Insert USOA, Forest Service
Stay tuned for more to come in June!
Ochoco National Forest . Spring 1992