🚀 go-pugleaf

 
May 22, 1996
 
For more information call:
Connie Stewart (707)822-6918
Jim Jontz (202)789-2844x288
 
 
 
TIMBER RIDER SIDESTEPS WATER, FISH PROTECTION
 
     Over 200 "salvage" sales are proposed for California under the
Rescissions Act Timber rider, says the Western Ancient Forest
Campaign, and their impact will "violate water quality and fisheries
protections."
 
     Connie Stewart, WAFC Board president from the Northcoast
Environmental Center in Arcata CA, says that the Rescissions Act is
a "time bomb" waiting to go off in California this summer.
 
     "We have only begun to see the way the suspension of
environmental safeguards will harm the interests of clean water,
healthy fisheries, and the use of our national forests by average
citizens," said Stewart.
 
     WAFC says that allegation that suspending environmental
laws is necessary to protect the forest from fire is "unfounded."  
 
     "Salvage sales often increase the danger of fire because slash
is not properly disposed of," said Stewart.  "Violating environmental
laws is not the way to limit fire damage."  
 
      A recent inspection of units of the proposed Dillon Sale on
the Klamath NF by Stewart and WAFC director Jim Jontz showed
that the trees marked for cutting were big trees that could
withstand fire, not smaller trees that are the greater fire danger.
 
     A guide to California wild areas threatened by the rider
prepared by the California Wilderness Coalition shows numerous
roadless areas, old growth, fisheries, and high quality streams are at
risk.
 
 
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