EPIC, together with the Klamath Forest Alliance, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, and Conservation Congress have filed suit against against the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service for violations of the Endangered Species Act stemming from the South Fork Sacramento Project, a proposed timber sale issued by the Forest Service in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The project would log over 8,000 acres of owl habitat near Lake Siskiyou, approximately three miles west of Mount Shasta City, California, and result in the “taking” of 12 spotted owls from two currently active nest sites.
In June, we provided formal notice to the agencies of our intent to sue for the violations, after which the agencies had 60 days to correct the aggrieved actions before we filed suit.
You can read our complaint here:
The northern spotted owl is in persistent and steepening decline. Scientists have warned that if these trends continue, the northern spotted owl may go extinct across large swaths of its historic range within the next decade. Despite the alarming conditions of the owl, the Forest Service continues to log spotted owl habitat, resulting in the taking of owls.
Removing forest canopy not only impacts mature and old-growth species, like the northern spotted owl and Pacific fisher, it also can exacerbate fire risk issues. Studies have shown that open forests become drier and have stronger winds, intensifying wildfire activity. Trees are often thought of as fuel for fire, but they also hold water. Closed canopy forests hold onto moisture and provide cooler microclimates, providing refuge for wildlife and often lowering fire intensity.
Comments