Conservationists Laud On-the-Ground Protections for Bitterroot Burned Area

MISSOULA, MT - The entire controversial Bitterroot logging plan was settled early Thursday morning after two long days of court-ordered mediation by conservation groups, the Forest Service, and the logging industry.

The settlement results in elimination of 27,000 acres of uninventoried roadless areas and sensitive native fish habitat — two-thirds of the proposed timber sales — while allowing approximately one-third of the timber sales to go ahead. It also preserves citizens' rights to appeal Forest Service decisions.

"The significance of this settlement cannot be overstated," said Larry Campbell of the Friends of the Bitterroot. "We have saved literally 27,000 acres of important watersheds and roadless wildlands on the Bitterroot from the negative impacts of commercial logging. In return, loggers in our valley will be on the ground this winter."

Jennifer Ferenstein, President of the Sierra Club commented: "The original plan was a transparent attempt by the Bush Administration to increase commercial logging on our national forests, skirt public scrutiny, and circumvent important environmental regulations. The Forest Service now must minimize the damage to the soil, water, and wildlife."

"This agreement demonstrates that when the public is provided with an opportunity to express its concerns to the Forest Service we can find a solution that's good for the forest," said Tim Preso of Earthjustice, the attorney who represented American Wildlands, Pacific Rivers Council and The Wilderness Society. "That's why the appeal right at issue in this case is so important."

"We've protected thousands acres of prime roadless wildlands from roads and commercial logging. Favorite hunting and fishing haunts will be around for all Montanans to enjoy because of this settlement. In the places where logging will go forward, the Forest Service must tread lightly. The people of Montana and the nation will be watching," said Mary Anne Peine, of the Ecology Center.

"The agreement is a huge step forward for native fish conservation in the West. It establishes a new standard for watershed protection, the kind that will be necessary to guarantee the future of bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout as part of our natural heritage," said Chris Frissell of the Pacific Rivers Council.

The final agreement addresses one of the major concerns of conservationists: the size and scope of the original Bitterroot Burned Area Recovery Project.

"This does not zero-out damage from salvage logging to the forest. We have crafted a project that is lighter on the land, more sensitive to fragile burned forests, and allows larger portions of the landscape to recover on their own," said Rob Ament of American Wildands.

"At least we spared the most important unroaded areas and important trout streams, for now," said Jon Rhodes of the Center for Biological Diversity.

"We have protected a citizen's right to appeal Forest Service decisions by fighting back a Bush Administration scheme to keep citizens out," said Bob Ekey of The Wilderness Society. "Judge Malloy was wise to pull us together and allow us the opportunity to discuss how to settle our differences. We thank him for this opportunity"

The conservation groups involved the mediation were the Friends of the Bitterroot, Ecology Center, American Wildlands, Pacific Rivers Council, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and The Wilderness Society.