From: cls@truffula.sj.ca.us (Cameron L. Spitzer)
Subject: Biologists in danger at USFS, please write
Organization: Save the Humans!
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 92 20:03:19 GMT


Here's a letter writing request from the Association of Forest Service
Employees for Environmental Ethics (AFSEEE).  This organization is working to
reform the US Forest Service from the inside, by supporting its biologists who
face political pressure to approve unsustainable (therefore illegal) logging.
Roughly half AFSEEE's members are USFS employees.

-begin-
                Mumma-Cide II--The Purge Continues ...?

    Disturbing events are evolving on the Clearwater National Forest (Idaho)
that are reminiscent or the actions taken against former Region 1 Forester
[Dr.] John Mumma only a year ago.  A recent management review (Oct 8, '92)
scapegoats two exemplary biologists for the failure of the Forest to meet
inflated timber targets.  The review, which was headed by regional timber
director David Spores, cites warring factions within the Supervisor's Office
and a lack of commitment to the Forest Plan as principal causes for a 1992
harvest that was one-fourth the previous year's total.

    The problems on the Clearwater have been mounting for years.  In early
1990, then-Supervisor Fred Trevey wrote John Mumma about ecosystem factors
limiting the Clearwater's timber yield.  Trevey documented that "watershed and
wildlife habitat conditions have been pushed to the limit by past [logging]
activities," "The 'front country' is exhausted," and "private land
activities... are limiting national forest opportunities because... watersheds
are approaching or have already exceeded State water quality thresholds."
Trevey was convinced that the choice was between either meeting timber targets
or saving the watersheds and wildlife of the Forest.  Trevey's successor, Win
Green, has so far continued the Forest's commitment to credible,
science-based decision-making.

    Trevey's conclusions were based upon the scientific work of two resource
specialists in the Forest Supervisor's office.  These highly respected
biologists have earned numerous citations and awards for their work and are
widely regarded as among the best "combat biologists" in the Forest Service.
Their work establishes that the Clearwater is, perhaps, the most important
fisheries Forest in the West, and that it abounds with sensitive species and
old growth stands.  They also document how imperiled these resources already
are due to timber activities.

    But the recent management review casts these biologists as obstacles to
the task of getting the cut out because they have insisted that federal laws
protecting the native ecosystems take precedence over the ambitions of the
timber program.  The report accuses them of having a "lack of commitment" to
implement the forest plan, especially the portion that opens the Clearwater's
unroaded areas and some of the country's most valuable watersheds to timber
harvest.  Finally, the report recommends that these scientists be held
personally accountable for the timber target assessed by the Regional
Forester.

    John Mumma was axed by the Chief because he insisted that the biological
limits of the forests in Region 1 be respected by the timber-oriented managers
who dominate the Forest Service.  Now, the Chief's hand-picked replacement,
Dave Jolly, is leveling a gun at dedicated "ologists" who are fulfilling the
letter and spirit of our environmental laws.

-box-
    What YOU Can Do to Prevent Another "Mumma-cide" on the Clearwater NF!

Write to Win Green, Clearwater Forest Supervisor, to encourage him to
1)  support his award-winning biologists
2)  maintain his Forest's commitment to environmental ethics and law, and
3)  resist the timber-interests who want to plunder our national treasures.
Mail to:
   Win Green
   Forest Supervisor
   Clearwater NF
   12730 Hwy. 12
   Orofino, ID 83544
(And mail a copy of your letter to AFSEE so we can document your concern.)
-end-

You can support AFSEEE by subscribing to _The AFSEE Activist_, from which
this notice was reprinted, or _The Inner Voice_, their general newsletter, at
   AFSEEE
   POB 11615
   Eugene OR 97440
   (503) 484-2692
for $20.00 per year.

If you oppose biologically sound management of public resources, send a
check to
   Abundant Wildlife Society of North America
   POB 639
   Gillette WY 82717-0639
or the "wise use" group of your choice.

I reprint action alerts from environmental organizations regularly, in
alt.save.the.earth and talk.environment.  If your site doesn't carry these
newsgroups and you want the alerts, drop me a line and I'll add you to my
mailing list.

Cameron Spitzer in San Jose', Ca., cls@truffula.sj.ca.us
Newsgroups: alt.save.the.earth