The Six Rivers National Forest has planned another logging project disguised as fuels treatment within an old growth habitat reserve in the Mad River Ranger District, called the Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuels Management Project. The project proposes to commercially log 613 acres of natural forest stands up to 130 years old, construct and reconstruct up to 6 miles of “temporary” roads, log in riparian reserves (stream sides) and in Nesting habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl.
The project also proposes over 1,000 acres of fuels reduction. EPIC supports small-diameter thinning of fire-suppressed forests, particularly tree plantations and forests prone to uncharacteristic wildfire near homes and communities; however, we do not support old growth logging masquerading as fire-risk reduction. We know that you also value these irreplaceable resources on our National Forests and will do what it takes to protect them.
Please take a moment to email the Mad River Ranger District to let them know that they must remove elements of the project that threaten mature, large trees near streams, especially in areas reserved for old growth forest structure and regeneration. To take action now, click here.
The proposed project:
If approved, the Buck Mountain project would commercially harvest over 600 acres of natural forest stands up to 130 years old, construct over two miles of new temporary roads, reconstruct nearly four miles of existing roads, log near streams and in Nesting habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl. Potential harvest is approximated at about five million board feet. The Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuel Management Project includes activities within the Eel River Late Successional Reserve (LSR), just south of Dinsmore, California. LSRs were set aside to provide habitat for animals that depend on old growth forest structure.
The project also proposes thinning almost 400 acres of plantations (past clearcuts), 44 acres of oak restoration, almost 800 acres of non-commercial activity and over 1200 acres of non-commercial fuels treatment. EPIC supports small-diameter thinning of fire-suppressed forests, particularly tree plantations and forests prone to uncharacteristic wildfire near homes and communities. So, while we stand firmly against the destructive elements of this proposed project, we do support the aspects that will accomplish the goal of fire risk reduction. In addition, we are deeply concerned about the Forest Service’s continued reliance on misleading rhetoric, including logging mature large trees in the name of “fuels reduction” and forest health.
Too often the Forest Service plans proposals that threaten old growth trees but are disguised as fire risk reduction projects. The business as usual attitude to “get the volume out” and reach timber targets by calling commercial timber sales “fuels reduction projects” and “restoration projects” must end. Only a tiny percentage of irreplaceable, old growth forests remain standing. Please let the Six Rivers National Forest know that you do not support logging older forests, especially near streams and in nesting habitat for Threatened species.
Take Action Now! CLICK HERE to send a letter to protect Buck Mountain.