The Sierra Forest Voice
Web Edition
Vol. 2, No. 2, May 20, 2008
Forest Conservation Update: Legal Victory! 9th Circuit Rules that 2004 Framework Revisions Violate NEPA
On May 14th, 2008 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a previous district court opinion and called for three logging projects -- Slapjack, Basin, and Empire -- to be stopped due to the fact that they are inconsistent with the 2001 Framework. In a suit brought on by Sierra Forest Legacy the Ninth Circuit ruled that the 2004 Framework Revisions violate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) because the Forest Service failed to consider reasonable alternatives to their increased logging plans. Read this ruling here.... Learn more about this important decision and what it means for the forests of the Sierra Nevada here... Read the latest media reports on the decision here...
Community Forestry Update: SFL Working in Diverse Coalitions
As part of our ongoing effort to extend our reach beyond our traditional base of support to increase our effectiveness, our Community Forestry Coordinator, Warren Alford, is actively involved with the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition (RVCC). The RVCC is comprised of western rural and local, regional, and national organizations that have joined together to promote balanced conservation-based approaches to the ecological and economic problems facing the West. Learn more about this exciting program here...
Seasonal Firewise Practices: Important Steps to Take This Spring
Well we made it through another glorious winter. The days are getting longer and warmer, the trees are budding out, streams are surging, birds are singing, and the wildflowers are turning the hills into colors that only nature is capable of producing. What a great time of year! But remember that we have some essential work to get done. Thankfully we got some essential work done in the winter months which will make our workload less during this season. Read more about what you can do to help fire safe your home and read Dave's tips for protecting your home and community...
Lessons Not Learned - Bush Administration Releases Latest Forest Planning Rule
On April 21st, 2008 The Bush Administration issue the Record of Decision for their 2008 Forest Planning Rule. After the 2005 Planning Rule was successfully defeated in court in 2007, the Bush Adminstration went back to work and sadly issued a planning rule that was a mirror image of the 2005 Rule that was rejected by the courts. While this will thankfully be the last forest planning rule proposed by this administration, their refussal to remove the provisions that significantly limit the public's ability to participate in public lands management and also greatly reduces protections for wildlife populations speaks to their inability and refussal to acknowledge the lessons gained from court decisions. Learn more about this planning rule here...
Upcoming Forest Service Projects Report
Every three months the each national forest within the U.S. Forest Service releases it Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). These quarterly SOPA reports are what we use to identify projects which are especially detrimental to the ecological health of Sierra Nevada forests. Tracking these projects through the NEPA process allows our scientific and legal experts to engage the forest service throughout the planning process and submit substantive comments explaining our opposition to proposals which either violate NEPA or threaten the forests and wildlife species of the Sierra. Read more about the projects that Sierra Forest Legacy has decided to monitor this winter here...and Learn more about what role you can play in monitoring your local forest here...
Species Profile: American marten
Slightly larger than a typical house cat the American marten (Martes americana) is a rare member of the weasel family. Its core habitat is made up of mature conifer and mixed-conifer forests which have been greatly reduced in the Sierra Nevada. An opportunistic hunter, the marten has a diet ranging from fruits and berries to small birds and mammals.Read more about the American marten here...