The inventory identified all roadless lands 1,000 acres or larger and revealed that Forest Service inventories ignored 860,000 acres of National Forest roadless areas. These lands are roadless blocks over 5,000 acres in size that meet official roadless area criteria. A March 29 article by Eric Gorski of The Oregonian reports a growing awareness among local communities that logging is threatening their water supplies. More than 50 percent of Oregonians get their water from sources that flow from federal forests. During big storms, streams fill with dirt, making it harder to filter water for drinking.
Studies show more dirt flows into streams in areas that are logged or are crisscrossed with roads.
In 1996, the 30,000 acre Fish Creek drainage, home to 140 miles of road and a timber program that cut 60 percent of the drainage's old growth forest, was washed out by 236 landslides. Steve Holmer Campaign Coordinator Western Ancient Forest Campaign 1025 Vermont Ave.