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August 1, 2007
Forest Service Releases Additional Details
About Salvage Logging Proposal in Piru Creek Watershed
Public Comments Due August 8
Alamo Mountain,
Calif. - Commercial logging companies want to cut down at least
1,430 mature trees from an area affected by last year's Day Fire
in the Los Padres National Forest. The tree volume
- which translates into 774,000
board feet of lumber - would require 300 truck trips along the
edge of the Sespe Wilderness, across the
ecologically sensitive Piru Creek,
and nearly up to the summit of
Alamo Mountain. An unknown
additional number of trees would be removed by Forest Service
crews and collected as fuel wood, piled and burned, or left on
site.
If approved, it
would be the first commercial timber sale held on the Los Padres
National Forest in recent
memory. The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the
proposal through August 8. Officials will
also consider any comments
received until the
 agency
issues a final decision,
expected in mid-August.
The purpose of the project,
according to Forest Service officials, is to reestablish safe
public access to this area of the forest. However, on a recent
visit to the project area, ForestWatch discovered that many of
the trees marked for commercial logging do not meet the official
criteria for classification as a "hazard tree," including the
one featured in the photo on the right. Many trees in the area
are showing new signs of life as the area regenerates and
recovers from the effects of the wildfire.
Trees like
this one are marked with blue
spray paint for removal, even though
they do not qualify as hazard trees.
Under pressure from logging
companies, the Forest Service is trying to fast-track approval
of this logging plan without first preparing an Environmental
Assessment.
Recently, ForestWatch
submitted a detailed letter to Los Padres National Forest
officials, urging them to prohibit commercial logging companies
from removing any trees. Instead, trained Forest Service crews
should cut down a “hazard” tree only if it presents an imminent
threat to public safety in an area where people congregate, such
as at trailheads, parking areas, turnouts, and campsites. Trees
that are cut down should be left on-site for wildlife habitat
and soil nutrients, or placed along the roadside to prevent
illegal trespass into fragile areas by off-road vehicles.
Trees affected by fire still
provide valuable habitat for wildlife.
"We appreciate the Forest
Service’s desire to provide and maintain safe recreation
opportunities in areas affected by last year’s wildfires, but we
also have concerns about large-scale tree removal in this remote
area, particularly when conducted by commercial logging
companies," said the ForestWatch letter. "Wildfire is a natural
component of this landscape, and burned trees, snags, and downed
woody debris fulfill important ecosystem processes. To preserve
the visual and recreational values of this area, we believe that
only the most dangerous hazard trees posing an imminent threat
to public safety where people congregate – such as at trailheads
and campgrounds – should be cut. We believe that it is not
appropriate to offer any trees through a commercial timber
sale," said the letter.
The roads in this area were not
designed for heavy logging trucks, and Forest Service officials
estimate that road reconstruction would be required due to
damage and wear caused by the trucks. Officials recently
predicted in an Economic Assessment that "the cost of planning,
preparing, and administering the project along with the
reconstruction of the Gold Hill Road will exceed the
potential revenues from the project."
More than 200 logging trucks
would rumble over this concrete crossing through Piru Creek. The
U.S. Forest Service has recommended this stretch of river for
protection under the federal Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.
The salvage logging is proposed in
the Grade Valley and Alamo Mountain areas of the Mt. Pinos
Ranger District, in northern Ventura County. Most of the logging would take place in the
Alamo Mountain area, including Gold Hill Road from Piru Creek to
Alamo Mountain Road; Alamo Mountain Road, including Dutchman and
Twin Pines Campground; and Little Mutau Road to Buck Creek
Trailhead. Other tree removal is planned for Grade Valley Road,
from Lockwood Valley Road to Thorn Meadows, including the
popular Fishbowls trailhead.
At 7,367 feet, Alamo Mountain
is one of the highest peaks in the Los Padres National Forest,
providing visitors with commanding views of the surrounding
wilderness. Trees and shrubs affected by the fire are already
showing signs of regrowth.
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