The January 2021 newsletter includes a Washington, DC update; New NSO Rule Is a Step to Restoring the Promise of the Northwest Forest Plan; Forest Service Signs Final Decision on Eastside Screens Amendment; and more.
News
NSO Critical Habitat: Myths and Facts
On January 13, 2021 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a rule designating more than 6.1 million acres of critical habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl (NSO). Anti-forestry groups are making false claims about what the rule means for owls and our forests. Learn the truth. MYTH: This rule reduces protections for the Northern […]
Northern Spotted Owl “Critical Habitat” Rule Aligns Policy with Law and Science
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today said a new rule finalized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) will better align Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) critical habitat with federal law and modern forest science at a time when unprecedented and severe wildfires threaten both owls and people from Northern California to Washington State. […]
December 2020 Newsletter
Save the Date: AFRC Annual Meeting Set for August 2-4 Washington DC Update How the Biden Administration Could Influence Federal Forest Policy Scientific Rebuttal on Spotted Owls and Wildfire Published Mission Restoration Project on the Okanogan-Wenatchee Gets the Greenlight Kootenai Wildland Urban Interface Shared Stewardship Collaboratives Creating Momentum for Management on the Caribou-Targhee AFRC is […]
AFRC Supports New BLM Rule to Reduce Wildfire Risks, End ‘Paperwork Protests’
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today applauded the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for finalizing a new rule streamlining the process for active forest management on BLM-managed lands. The new rule closes a loophole in the public engagement process that has significantly delayed, and in some cases stopped, timber harvests and fuel reduction projects […]
New BLM Policy Supports Post-Fire Forest Recovery and Reforestation
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today applauded the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for finalizing a new rule expediting post-fire recovery and reforestation efforts on federal lands. Specifically, the rule creates a new 3,000-acre categorical exclusion (CX) under the National Environmental Policy Act to help expedite the removal and sale of dead and dying […]
Tree Removal Necessary to Ensure Public Safety at Walton Lake
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) and Crook County today applauded the Ochoco National Forest’s decision to move forward once again with the Walton Lake Restoration Project, an effort to improve forest health, ensure public safety and mitigate wildfire danger immediately surrounding Walton Lake, the national forest’s most heavily-used developed recreation site. The Ochoco National […]
November 2020 Newsletter
Washington, DC Update Forest Service Final NEPA Rule Published in Federal Register New Data Illustrates Wildfire Impacts to BLM Lands Federal Timber Purchasers Committee Meeting The Middle May Timber Sale and Reiter Foothills Saga Continues Washington State Political Updates AFRC’s Forest Products and Carbon Committee Custer-Gallatin Conducts Forest Plan Resolution Meetings Advocates Press for Government […]
October 2020 Newsletter
Washington, DC Update Forest Service Proposes Updates to its Handbook and Manual AFRC Submits Data and Exclusion Request on Critical Habitat for the Spotted Owl Legal Victory: Challenge to DNR’s Management of State Trust Lands Dismissed Montana Forest Action Plan Seeks to Increase Pace, Scale of Management Washington State Releases New Forest Action Plan Roadside […]
Replace Clinton-Era Rule to Accelerate Science-based Eastside Forest Restoration
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today submitted comments in support of amending the Clinton-era “Wildlife Standard of the Eastside Screens,” also known as the “Eastside Screens” governing the management of national forests in Eastern and Central Oregon. AFRC joins diverse organizations- ranging from counties to hunting and recreation groups to forestry groups- urging the […]