BLM Prepares to Clearcut Oregon's Coast Range- Ask the Governor and Obama to Stop it!

A Big Step Backwards for Oregon Forests.

Whether you are a tree-hugger or a logger, just about everyone agrees that the best way to manage our public lands is to focus on thinning the millions of acres of second-growth plantations to reduce fire hazard and increase forest health.

Unfortunately, rather than embrace the emerging social and scientific consensus that small-diameter thinning, as opposed to large-scale clearcutting, is the best way to responsibly manage our forests, the Coos Bay BLM is planning to turn-back the clock and clearcut over 1,400 acres of forests in the salmon-bearing Sixes and New River Watersheds.

Click here to send automatic letters to Governor Kulongoski and President Obama asking them to oppose this egregious project and scrap the WOPR logging plan that allows it.

Clearcutting Forests and Trashing Watersheds.

Currently the canopy of these mature forests help protect water quality by moderating the timing and quantity of “peak flows” and by filtering sediment that would otherwise reach the salmon and steelhead habitat in the Sixes and New Rivers. In addition to the massive clearcuts, the BLM is also proposing to build 10 more miles of logging roads on steep slopes and across creeks in these already severely degraded watersheds. The combination of road construction and clearcutting is a death sentence for watersheds that are already on the brink of collapse.

Why is this Happening?

In the waning days of the Bush Administration, the BLM signed a decision to drastically increase the amount of clearcutting on public lands. This decision (know as the Western Oregon Plan Revisions or “WOPR”) was opposed by over 25,000 Americans who asked the BLM to manage these lands for the benefit of all, not just for the profits of a few. Now the BLM contends that despite the wishes of the public, that large-scale clearcutting will be their primary forest “management” tool.

Please Make Your Voice Heard.

Oregon Governor Kulongoski has already stated his opposition to the BLM’s intent to return to a clearcutting regime. While these are Federal lands, his leadership on this issue is crucial. President Obama has the power to direct the BLM to scrap the WOPR plan entirely and start over with a plan that aims to protect Oregon's old growth forests, imperiled species, clean rivers and rural economies.

Please take a moment to send an automatic letter to the Governor and Predident Obama. The letter to the governor thanks him for taking a stand against the Western Oregon Plan Revisions and asks him to oppose the “Edson Regen” timber sale that will clearcut 1,400 acres of mature forests. The letter to Obama asks him to stop the implementation of the WOPR and scrap the inherently flawed plan entirely.

http://kswild.org/get-involved/blm-prepares-to-clearcut-coast-range-ask-the-governor-and-obama-to-stop-it