South Fork Timber Sale
Bark was able to negotiate with the Forest Service to add 50-foot stream buffers where previously they had proposed only 25 feet. Elbow and Spoon are moving forward as Stewardship Contracts ‘ meaning that the money from the logging will go to restoration projects in the area. Bark is working to direct that money toward addressing one of the biggest ecological threats in the Clackamas River watershed…roads. ‘
Resources for Comment-Writing
Roads
From the South Fork Thinning Preliminary Assessment Approximately 2000 feet of overgrown roads would be reopened to access several of the units. In addition, approximately 10,950 feet of bermed roads would be opened. There would be no increase in the permanent system ‘ of roads open to the public. The closure of currently open system roads in not part of the South Fork proposed action.There are potential haul routes that go through deer and elk winter range. The logging and re-opening activities could potentially disturb animals that happen to be in the area at the time of implementation. The project area is summer range and disturbance that occurs during the spring/summer/fall could potentially displace animals
Habitats & Species
S&M Species: 38755
T&E Species: Northern Spotted Owl
Other Species: Deer Elk30 species of migratory birds4 sensitive salamander and frog species
Additional Species Info: Because of the recent ruling by Judge Pechman of the U.S. District Court (see the feature story at www.bark-out.org) that declared the 2004 Bush removal of protections for rare plants and animals illegal, South Fork Thinning may be illegally moving forward without providing protections for rare species required by the court ruling.
Associated Files