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June 01, 2004
Salvage Logging Projects Approved
The word hit today as three logging projects that are part of the massive 6,000-acre salvage windthrow plan in the Allegheny National Forest were approved. There is a lot to say about this but our briefest take is in our press release:
Clarion, PA – Three logging projects were approved yesterday as part of a large 6,000-acre salvage logging project in the Allegheny National Forest that has brought two top Bush Administration officials to Pennsylvania and has drawn repeated criticism from conservation groups.The Forest Road 191 Salvage was approved on May 21, 2004, but was not announced by the Forest Service until today. The Forest Road 395 and Forest Road 468 Salvage Logging Projects were approved by US Forest Service officials on May 27 and 28, 2004.
US Forest Service Chief Bosworth toured the Allegheny National Forest to promote these controversial logging projects on May 10th after having an exclusive breakfast with the local timber industry. These projects were highlighted during a controversial Earth Day visit by Secretary of Agriculture Anne Veneman who used the day traditionally meant to celebrate the environment to support these commercial logging projects in the Allegheny National Forest.
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Conservationists also challenged the accuracy of original documentation on the project. They pointed to areas approved for logging outside of the “project area” identified in the original public notice.
“When we tried to compare the proposed logging areas in the public notice with the on the ground survey work they didn’t appear to match,” explained Jim Kleissler, Forest Watch Director with the Allegheny Defense Project. “It appears that the public notices for these logging projects were out of date before they were ever released to the public. Public participation and forest conservation are being undermined by government officials who believe that national forests should be logged at any cost.”
Posted by jkleissler at June 1, 2004 06:14 PM
Comments
Dear Ranger Blashock,
I am commenting on your Windy City Salvage Project proposal. My site specific comments will show you that no salvage harvest should occur on this 182 acres. Also, categorical exclusion does not apply to this project for the reasons stated below.
The Purpose and Need incorrectly states that this project falls within MA 3.0. In fact, salvage units F4-60, F4-67, F4-63, F4-64, F4-58, F4-59, F4-61, F4-62, F4-65, and E4-69 fall within MA 6.1. E4-06 may also have a MA 6.1 designation. While salvage harvest is allowed in MA 6.1, the management goals and objectives for this management prescription are far different than those of MA 3.0 which are identified in the project proposal. This omission reflects a bias in the preparer of this document meant to minimize the impact of this salvage project. This proposal should not proceed until this error is corrected, and the proposal reissued.
The claim of limited harvest categorical exclusion cannot be supported for this project for the following reasons.
1. A project qualifying for categorical exclusion may not have potential significant effect on designated critical habitat. Portions of this project fall within a quarter mile of the southern border of the endangered Tionesta Scenic and Natural area. The United States Forest Service continues to fail to protect this unique and nationally recognized climax forest.
2. A project qualifying for categorical exclusion may not have potential significant effect on designated critical habitat. Crane Run is designated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as a Wilderness Trout Stream. Units of this project abut within 200 yards of this critical trout habitat.
3. A project qualifying for categorical exclusion may not have potential significant effect on designated critical habitat. Finally, and most importantly, most or all of this project area falls within areas which are being considered for wilderness designation. Most of this project falls within even the modest boundaries proposed by the Citizens’s Wilderness Proposal of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness. Other wilderness proposals, notably that of the Allegheny Defense Project, include the entire project area.
For these reasons, inaccuracy in the Purpose and Need and failure to meet the requirements of categorical exclusion, this project must be reevaluated. A non-salvage alternative is the only legal alternative.
Sincerely,
Rick Mauk
Posted by: RJ at June 6, 2004 10:25 PM
Nice comments RJ. Look for a post later today on the Painter Run bids. Have you been out there lately? I never got out there last month but expect to soon.
Posted by: Jim Kleissler at June 7, 2004 01:46 PM
I was there early in May and all seemed to be well. The gate was locked. We only did a drive by to check on the project status. There were several cars in the parking lot. This is not unusual. This area is popular with hunters.
I might be able to get out there this coming weekend. I'm attending a graduation party in Clarington. I dread the day they begin this ludicrous salvage project.
Like the Windy City project proposal, the scoping letter for this project was filled with errors, none of which the USFS would rectify. It was obvious from the start that this project was a money loser.
Posted by: RJ at June 7, 2004 09:08 PM
Yes, I know how you feel. I actually go through phases of avoiding certain areas solely because I dread what may have become. I did that recently with the Salmon Creek area along Greely Farm Rd. When I finally I got out there I was at first very angry at what I saw. But by the end of the day I was just sad. I feel like a part of me has been lost. Now I am both angry and sad about it. We are losing important pieces of this forest before our own eyes.
Posted by: Jim Kleissler at June 7, 2004 10:11 PM
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