Wilderness gems recognized
Jun 30, 2011
Jun 30 - Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests released their proposed actions for forest plan revision today, including draft wilderness, travel, and other management recommendations. Public comment is invited through August 29th, and Conservation Northwest encourages comments in support of wilderness recommendations as part of a balanced plan for wilderness, restoration, and recreation.
Thirteenmile Canyon, near the San Poil River, is one of the deserving areas let out of the Forest Service's wilderness recommendations for the Colville.
In what conservation groups are calling a step in the right direction, the Colville National Forest today released a summary of its draft forest plan for the Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests. Release of the proposed action - including wilderness recommendations and other features - initiates a 60-day comment period that ends on August 29, 2011.
Read full "mixed feelings" press statement
The Forest Service's proposed action helps secure a firmer future for these eastside Washington national forests and settle issues of wilderness, old growth, and off-road and wilderness travel.
The Colville National Forest proposed action includes recommended wilderness for some of the “Crown Jewels” of the Colville, including the Kettle Crest (Profanity and Bald-Snow roadless areas), Hoodoo Canyon, Abercrombie Mountain, and the additions to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. It's a good start, but the recommendations notably leave out several important wilderness quality areas that should be considered in the final plan: Thirteenmile, Cougar Mountain, Twin Sisters, Hall Mountain, Grassy Top Mountain, Quartzite, Bunchgrass Meadows, and the Kettle Crest along Sherman Pass, which is currently listed as backcountry in the proposed action.
Public open houses - have your say!
Conservation Northwest encourages people in Washington to speak up for wilderness recommendations on the proposed action. Public comments help in the development of alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement for the each of the forests, which should be released in June 2012. A final environmental impact statement and record of decision is planned for fall 2013.
Take action online, speak up for balance
While national forest plan recommendations for wilderness provides special places some level of protection from future development, designation of wilderness by Congress is the only way to permanently protect deserving wild land for future generations. Congress generally pays close attention to agency recommendations.
With the Columbia Highlands Initiative, Conservation Northwest and partners continue to work with local stakeholders and communities to build the support necessary for Senator Cantwell and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers to introduce legislation for a balanced plan that protects wilderness, recreation, and conservation areas on the Colville National Forest.
“Wilderness is a necessary and important component of a balanced forest plan for the Colville. But the proposed plan also includes areas where restoration and timber harvest would occur, areas for motorized and backcountry recreation, and other things the local community has asked for,” said Derrick Knowles with Conservation Northwest. “It’s nobody’s perfect plan, but it’s got a little of something for everybody,” added Knowles.
