BARK for Mt. Hood February 2008: Butte Creek Timber Sale & Botany HikeWelcome!Join us on our monthly Bark hike!Learn about the threats facing our ecosystems and what you can do to protect our National Forests.http://www.bark-out.orgBARK for Mt. Hood download and podcast available at:http://barkformthood.blip.tvBARK hike leader: Gradey ProctorFebruary 10th, 2008Hike leader Gradey Proctor is a botanist who studies the flora of Oregon's forests and wildcrafts medicinal and edible plants for his community. He is co-founder of Arctos School of Herbal and Botanical Studies and also teaches at the Northwest School of Herbalism.Butte Creek Timber SaleThe BLM's Environmental Assessment concluded a Finding of No Significant Impact despite the fact that the entire project comprises dispersal habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl and alters habitat for two threatened fish species. The BLM issued a Decision Notice finalizing the project on 11/2/2005. Bark's appeal of the decision was rejected on 1/19/2006. This project encompasses late seral stands and fragmented old growth and is not suitable for thinning. Additionally, the Butte Creek Timber Sale may be illegally moving forward without providing protections for rare animal and plant species required by the ruling of Judge Pechman of the U.S. District Court.In the southern portion of Unit B there are 5 feet DBH Doug Firs that are marked to be logged despite their claim that they are not logging old growth! As these units are amongst a sea of clearcuts it is vital that these trees be retained for the birds and wildlife who come down from the mountain to winter here.
Welcome! Bark is a grassroots network of volunteers dedicated to protecting Oregon's public forests. Our immediate goal is to preserve Mt. Hood National Forest in Northwest Oregon.Forests provide our community with clean air, pure water, habitat for endangered species, refuge and recreation, but they are not being protected by the current environmental laws. Logging is frequently allowed in sensitive areas, even in watersheds that provide our drinking water, and taxpayers are footing the bill for forest destruction to the tune of millions of dollars every year.Bark watchdogs federal land agencies to make sure they manage the forest in the public interest. Bark aims to halt all logging and forest destruction until permanent protection of public forests is achieved. We are doing this through:GROUNDTRUTHING:Bark visits areas proposed for logging to gather information about important natural characteristics that would be destroyed by logging, and to monitor compliance with existing forest practices laws.PUBLIC EDUCATION:Bark leads field trips to proposed timber sales to show the public the unique characteristics and to teach others to groundtruth. We also have a monthly cable access TV show to discuss threats to the Mt. Hood ecosystem and strategies to preserve it.MEDIA CAMPAIGNS:Bark conducts local and national media outings to threatened areas and informs the media about urgent forest issues.CHALLENGING TIMBER SALES:Bark challenges timber sales by submitting formal comments and appeals, and by suing when necessary. We also publish regular alerts to assist others in tracking and challenging timber sales in the Mt. Hood ecosystem.COLLABORATION:Bark works with local municipalities and other non-profits to ensure permanent protection of drinking watersheds on Mt. Hood.The BARK email newsletter is sent out approximately twice a month, updating you on Bark events, the state of Mt. Hood National Forest, and a variety of issues affecting our public lands.www.bark-out.org
