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March 26, 2004
And the Winner is...
Allegheny National Forest Supervisor Kevin Elliott is the Load of Crap Award Winner for this bit from the Allegheny website:
ANF Forest Supervisor Kevin Elliott said "The public has expressed considerable interest in seeing us salvage this highly valued material in addition to the need to regenerate the damaged areas." He added, "We thank the Administration and Congress for these new tools."
You know, over 2,000 people wrote letters, attended meetings, and voiced protest over the East Side Timber Sale and that didn't convince Kevin Elliott that the public "expressed considerable interest" in having the Allegheny protected. Two-thirds of the American public opposes commercial logging and hundreds of thousands of Americans wrote in protest of the "new tools" Elliott brags about above. But, don't worry, we know what Kevin Elliott means by the "public" when he talks - for Supervisor Elliott the public doesn't refer to Americans - only timber industry interests.
Update: This is worse than I thought. It is pretty clear from this article that the Forest Service is using ategorical exclusions to break up the wind-storm damage from 2003 into segmented projets in order to avoid more detailed environmental review. This is illegal and relates directly to the Martin Run CE as well I think. Click on the extended view to read the press release.
Six months after a violent summer storm ravaged Northwestern Pennsylvania and the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) in July 2003, the Forest Service has begun to use a variety of new streamlined process tools to salvage downed trees that otherwise might have gone untouched for more months or years before sawyers moved in. The timely action preserves the wood's value.ANF Forest Supervisor Kevin Elliott said "The public has expressed considerable interest in seeing us salvage this highly valued material in addition to the need to regenerate the damaged areas." He added, "We thank the Administration and Congress for these new tools."
To move the recovery process ahead as quickly as possible, the ANF included salvage timber in some existing sales where feasible. Through February 2004, more than 900M board feet of various species have been salvaged from the storm. This wood had a contract value of $668,090.
Utilizing "limited timber harvest categorical exclusion", a new analysis tool that allows harvesting of wind-thrown trees in small plots of less than 250 acres and where environmental impact is negligible, the Forest Service plans to move forward in line with the new regulations before the downed trees deteriorate in value.
The first of the salvage harvests using categorical exclusion is near the Timberline ATV Trailhead on State Route 948 in Elk County. Kane Hardwood was awarded this timber sale, six acres in size, formally known as the Timberline ATV Trailhead Windthrow Salvage.
The ANF was particularly anxious to complete the Timberline ATV Trailhead salvage since the winds downed valuable black cherry trees immediately beside well-traveled State Route 948. The public has expressed concern over the wood decaying if not moved from the site prior to insects and decay ruining the wood. "The possibility of theft also makes it a good practice to harvest these logs as soon as possible," said Marienville District Ranger Leon Blashock, whose office has responsibility at the Timberline ATV Trailhead.
Because of the sale area's proximity to the highway, no access road was required and as part of the sale, Kane Hardwood was required to return blown down root wads into an upright position to improve visual quality .
Posted by jkleissler at March 26, 2004 05:45 PM
Comments
I agree. The only public pushing for salvage is Heglund and ilk. However, with Representative Peterson in cahoots with the timber industry, and with Supervisor Elliott making such foolish statements, it is hard to believe the assault can be checked.
I visited the Painter Run WSP site today. I haven't been there for awhile and I wanted to see just what was going on. I intended to take 'after' pictures to compare with my presalvage pictures.
For the first time I've been there, the gate on FR 383 was open. Many windthrown trees throughout the project area were cut through to check for value. For the most part though, the area remains untouched. The roads have not been traveled or improved. The stone pit has not been reopened. I know the decision was made to salvage, but I can't believe that they would go in after this many years. Wishful thinking, I guess.
Posted by: RJ at March 27, 2004 07:55 PM
RJ, unfortunately, I wish I had better news. I'm planning to post info tomorrow but the timber sale for Painter Run is to be awarded on the 31st, which I think is Wednesday. So, it appears that it hasn't been awarded which is why it hasn't been cut yet. I'll post the info tomorrow so you can check it out. Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.
Posted by: jim k at March 27, 2004 10:18 PM
So how does that work? Is there a bidding process? The USFS estimates gross revenues from Painter Run of $149,520, this in order to get a net after expenses of $47,287. What if noone will pay that much for the salvage?
Does the USFS keep books on these projects. They estimate road maintenance costs of only $19,377. Do they track the costs assiciated with this road work? At the end of this project, will there be an accounting of all the income and expenses from this project?
After the obvious folly of this project is exposed, will they, like their president, reply "It was done for all the right reasons."?
Posted by: RJ at March 28, 2004 11:47 AM
I wonder what time Monday morning they will be reading this post.
Posted by: RJ at March 28, 2004 11:49 AM
Well, I'd bet they've read it by now.. :) And heck looking at the time you only posted that 30 minutes ago. The FS are frequent visitors here.
We can find out on Wednesday about the bids. And we can certainly track down the spending on it though we've never followed through in that way. It is a good idea. And we can also attend the bid opening if we please - it is open to the public.
Posted by: jim k at March 28, 2004 12:24 PM
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