George Wuerthner: Manage federal forest lands with all Americans in mind

Commentary, Environmental Issues, ,

In a Missoulian op-ed, George Wuerthner expresses misgivings about the impact of the forest restoration provisions in the new farm bill . . .

Recently the Bullock administration convened a committee to designate federal forest lands that could be logged under a special categorical exclusion provision of the recently passed Farm Bill.

This section of the Farm Bill repeals the National Environmental Policy Act to allow an unlimited number of commercial logging projects – up to 3,000 acres in size each – to be implemented on U.S. national forests without any environmental analysis of harmful effects to threatened/endangered or sensitive species. It would also eliminate administrative appeals, severely reducing public participation in forest management decisions.

Under the proposal, any lands outside of special set asides like wilderness areas and proposed wilderness deemed “threatened” by insects, disease or wildfire could be logged. Since insects, disease and wildfire are the major ecological processes that rejuvenate and restore forest ecosystems, and are found in all forested ecosystems, this means just about any federal forest lands could potentially be logged.

Read more . . .

See also: “Gov. Bullock lists 5.1 million acres of forest lands for restoration“

Inbred wolves struggle, moose thrive at Isle Royale NP

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

An interesting interplay between genetic diversity and climate change . . .

During their annual Winter Study at Isle Royale National Park, scientists from Michigan Technological University counted nine wolves organized into one breeding pack and a second small group that is a remnant of a formerly breeding pack.

In the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Study’s annual report released today, the researchers say that over the past three years, they have tallied the lowest numbers of wolves ever: nine in 2011-12, eight in 2012-13 and nine in 2013-14. During the same period, predation rates — the proportion of the moose population killed by wolves — also dropped to the lowest ever recorded, while the number of moose doubled, to approximately 1,050 moose.

Wolves are the only predators of moose on the remote island national park in northwestern Lake Superior. The moose population has been increasing because wolf predation has been so low.

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Wildfires could cost $400M more than budgeted

Fire Information and Status, News, ,

As in the last several years, the Interior Department is likely to come up short on funds to fight wildfires . . .

This year’s wildfires could cost almost half a billion dollars more than what the U.S. Forest Service has budgeted, according to Department of Interior estimates.

In a report to Congress released Thursday, DOI officials said they may need $1.8 billion for firefighting this season. But they have only $1.4 billion budgeted for the work.

“While our agencies will spend the necessary resources to protect people, homes and our forests, the high levels of wildfire this report predicts would force us to borrow funds from forest restoration, recreation and other areas,” Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie said in a news release. Both President Barack Obama’s proposed budget and legislation currently before Congress would allow the Forest Service to pay for fire expenses the same way the federal government assists natural disasters like hurricanes and floods.

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Judge won’t force protection of whitebark pine

Environmental Issues, News,

A federal judge turned down a suit to force protection of whitebark pine . . .

A federal judge has ruled against conservationists who sought to force the government to protect a high-elevation pine tree whose nuts are a food source for threatened grizzly bears.

The Wildwest Institute and Alliance for the Wild Rockies sued after the government designated in 2011 that protections for the whitebark pine tree were warranted, but precluded by other priorities.

U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen ruled on April 25 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designation leaves species such as the pine tree in limbo. But he declined to overturn the government finding, saying it’s up to Congress to allocate enough money to pay for protections.

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Flathead National Forest campgrounds start opening

News, ,

All the Flathead National Forest campgrounds should open this month.

Read the official press release for the details . . .

Flathead National Forest (FNF) campgrounds start opening in early May and all campgrounds, weather permitting, are scheduled to be open for your enjoyment by the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. Holland Lake, Swan Lake and Tally Lake Campgrounds will open to the public Friday, May 9, 2014. Big Creek Campground is scheduled to open May 15. Emery Bay, Murray Bay, Doris Creek, Lost Johnny, Devil Creek, Lid Creek and Riverside Campgrounds and associated boat launches are all scheduled to open Friday, May 23. All openings are dependent on weather conditions.

These campgrounds and recreation areas are operated by the forest concessionaire Barta Enterprises Inc., known locally as Flathead Valley Campgrounds. There are a few changes this year that recreationists will want to be aware of. Campground fees will be charged per camping unit such as an RV, a vehicle with tent, a camper or a trailer. A five dollar fee will be charged for each additional vehicle. Starting July 1, 2014, there will be a five dollar fee at the Holland Lake Day Use Area consistent with day use fees across the forest. The day use area at the Swan Lake Campground can no longer be reserved and will be available on a first come, first served basis.

The Spotted Bear Campground is operated by the Forest Service and will open for primitive camping starting May 15 if road conditions permit access. Water and services will be available May 23. In addition to campgrounds, boat launches and day-use areas, the forest also has 14 rental cabins. To rent a cabin or to reserve select campground sites please go to http://www.recreation.gov.

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Steven Gnam releases new photo book on Crown of the Continent

News, Photos & Images, ,

Steven Gnam, who does really nice photography work, has just released a new book on the Crown of the Continent . . .

Through the lens of his camera, Steven Gnam has captured the kind of fleeting, untamed moments that might otherwise elude the human eye, disappearing like a puff of vapor in a sprawling chunk of country called the Crown of the Continent – the ecologically diverse landscape spanning the U.S.-Canada border between Missoula and Banff, Alberta.

In his new book, “The Crown of the Continent: The Wildest Rockies,” Gnam not only preserves the wild, ephemeral beauty of those moments, but through them attaches value to the region, defending its role and depicting why it’s critical to pay attention, lest we fritter away the landscape that defines us.

Meant to promote stewardship, “The Wildest Rockies” showcases images that span the boundaries of Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park, tracking along the spine of the Rocky Mountains as the Whitefish native reanimates a landscape brimming with life.

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Outdoor burning permits now required

Fire Information and Status, News,

As of May 1, if you want to burn that slash pile, you’ll need a permit . . .

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reminds residents that as of Thursday, May 1, a permit will be required for burning any natural yard, wildland or agricultural debris in Flathead County and northern Lake County.

Burn permits are free and available at www.firesafekalispell.com, at several locations including department offices and Flathead Environmental Health, or, for those without Internet access, by calling 752-7376 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Plan ahead because debris burning will be prohibited during July, August and September due to Montana’s fire season.

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Heavy snowpack may bring flooding but reduce fire intensity

Fire Information and Status, News,

This is a little like discussing the World Series after the first few games, but forecasters are hoping for reduced fire danger to go with the above average snowpack and flooding danger this year . . .

A wet Montana doesn’t burn very well.

That’s the mixed message from the Montana Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Committee forecast presented Wednesday in Missoula. A much-above-average snowpack in the mountains may produce flooding in many river drainages across western Montana. But the moisture should also keep the 2014 fire season below average in intensity.

“Usually the long-range forecast for July and August in the Intermountain West has a big drought bull’s-eye over the area,” said Northern Rockies Predictive Services meteorologist Bryan Henry. “This is one of the first years in a long time I don’t have a major concern for moisture.”

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Northwest Montana grizzlies could be delisted by late 2016

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is still projecting the delisting of grizzly bears in this corner of Montana within the next couple of years . . .

Wildlife managers could propose the delisting of the major grizzly bear population in Northwest Montana by late 2016.

A collective of federal, state and tribal officials gathered in Hungry Horse last week for the spring meeting of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem subcommittee. The group discussed updates on local grizzly conservation and management issues, including the ongoing problem of bear attractants like chicken coops.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing nearly 3,000 public comments on a post delisting management strategy for grizzly bears in the NCDE that was proposed a year ago. Chris Servheen, FWS grizzly bear recovery coordinator, said the plan would incorporate the comments and be completed in the coming months. After that, a threat analysis will be conducted to identify several characteristics of the NCDE, including the bear population’s status and the status of its habitat and regulatory mechanisms that would be in place to protect grizzlies if they were delisted. This analysis is expected to start in 2015, according to federal officials.

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Chickens ‘like crack’ to bears

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

Here’s another article discussing the growing problem of bears being attracted to chickens and chicken feed . . .

For years now, bear managers have been preaching the same sermon — residents in bear country need to secure their garbage, take in their bird feeders each spring, clean up fruit trees in the fall and feed their pets indoors.

But now there’s a growing new problem — chickens.

“Chickens are the new garbage,” Chris Servheen, grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said last week during a meeting of bear managers from across the state.

More and more people are now raising chickens as the move to small agricultural operations in both rural areas and in towns continues to grow.

Read more . . .