From: cls@truffula.sj.ca.us (Cameron L. Spitzer)
Subject: Forest Biologists need your help, please write!
Organization: Save the Humans!
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 93 21:05:41 GMT


The conflict over how to run the Clearwater National Forest offers a snapshot
of the problems at the US Forest Service.  The new administration cannot be
trusted to do anything constructive about the problems at USFS without a lot
of prodding.  Clinton's record in AK is not one of responsible resource
management: he stacked his state forest board with timber operators, who went
wild with clearcutting and stream filling.
You can help.  Please write.



Association of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics
January 1993

            Update on the Clarwater: Round 1 goes to AFSEEE activists

Letter Campaign a Great Success!

    Congratulations to the *one percent* of you [paid subscribers]
who wrote letters supporting the award-winning resource specialists on the
Clearwater National Forest!  [Thanks to you Internet kibbitzers too!]
    Our sources on the inside say, "without a doubt, those letters saved at
least one biologist!"  Your letters let the "powers that be" know that the
public was closely watching what they did.
    Still, our success only amounts to  a temporary reprieve.  The crisis on
the Clearwater is worsening and we need your help again!


What We Have Done

    On Nov. 22, AFSEEE released the report "Crisis on the Clearwater: The
Mismanagement of a National Resource" with press conferences in Spokane and
Missoula.  Our report details much of the scientific work of the Clearwater's
resource specialists, including:

o   71% of Clearwater NF streams are currently in violation of Forest Plan
    water quality standards.

o   11% of streams are suffeing such huge loads of sediments that channels
    may be permanently altered.

o   of 102 streams on the Clearwater--
    -    63 are at or below 50% of their biological potential
    -    40 are at or below 30% of their biological potential
    -    12 are at or below 10% of their biological potential

o   Chinook salmon populations on the Forest are "on the threshold of
    extinction."

o   old-growth stands are below the 10% forestwide minimum standard

    In December, a production team from NBC Nightly News spent three days on
the Clearwater.  The Associated Press is also preparing a national wire story
as we write this [bulletin].  Our report has also been circulated to key
Congressional committees.


What They Have Been Doing

    The events are unfolding quickly, but as of this writing Win Green [what a
name!] is actively searching for other forests to send two of the three
research specialists.  The third resource specialist has voluntarily elected
to retire early to get away from all this nonsense.
    The pressure from Regional Forester Dave Jolly has resulted in the
Clearwater abandoning the scientific work (Changed Conditions Analysis) needed
to get the Forest back on a biologically-based decision-making track.
    Finally, Win Green has announced a timber target of 90 million board-feet
for 1993.  That number has been pulled right out of the timber industry's hat
and cannot be achieved without further destruction of the resources.


What YOU Can DO!

    *You can take this issue directly to the new administration.*
The Clearwater is a clear example of the conflict w
between politically-driven timber targets and the needs of other forest
values, such as clean water, fisheries, wildlife, biodiversity, and native
ecosystems.  *We need 10 times more letters than last time!  If you wrote
before, write again.  If you haven't written yet, the Forest needs your
help!*

    PLEASE take a minute to write VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE.  Ask him to stop the
Clearwater Forest backslide from ecosystem-based management to
politically-driven timber targets.  Ask him to protect conscientious,
committed Forest Service employees who are trying to steward our natural
resources for future generations.  Write today:
       Vice President Al Gore
       Office of the Vice President
       1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
       Washington, DC 20500

--
Transcribed with permission by Cameron Spitzer.  You can help AFSEEE defend
that endangered species, the dedicated scientific staff of the US Forest
Service.  You can write the letter called for above.  (If you write on your
computer, please send me a copy.  Nobody will get your name or send you
mail.)  You can also send a check to AFSEEE, POB 11615, Eugene OR 97440.
Newsgroups: alt.save.the.earth