FSEEE: Press Release

June 6, 2001

P R E S S R E L E A S E

For more information -
Bill Worf, Wilderness Watch (406) 251-6210
Lea Mitchell, Washington PEER (360) 528-2110
Bob Dale, Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (541) 484-2692

RECREATIONAL USE IS DAMAGING LARGE WILDERNESS AREA IN WASHINGTON STATE; EMPLOYEE-CITIZEN COALITION CALLS FOR IMPROVED FOREST SERVICE MANAGEMENT

According to a coalition of citizens, conservation organizations, and public employee groups, the U.S. Forest Service is failing to protect the wilderness values of the Pasayten — a 500,000-acre Wilderness designated in 1968. Through letters and meetings with the Forest Service, citizens and public employees have expressed concern about significant and unacceptable damage to sensitive plants, wetlands, and soil and water resources in the Wilderness, including entire campsite areas.

By allowing the damage, the Forest Service is violating the requirements of the Wilderness Act, the Okanogan National Forest's own Forest Plan, and existing Forest Service policies and regulations.

Located in the Okanogan National Forest, adjacent to the Canadian border, the Pasayten includes habitats for endangered species including grizzly bear, lynx, wolf, and wolverine, along with unique hummocks and boreal ecosystems.

The degradation of the Pasayten's wilderness values stems primarily from the Forest Service's failure to adequately regulate recreational uses, particularly large groups of commercial outfitters who operate under special use permits. Impacts include:

- Destruction of wetlands and hummock-bogs that support inky gentian and other plants;
- Improper disposal of human wastes and refuse in or near waterways;
- Grazing of stock animals in areas where it is prohibited;
- Illegal use of pesticides and poison bait stations;
- Illegal cutting of trees and destruction of vegetation in and around stock camps;
- Excessive trampling of soil in wetlands, and along streams and riparian areas;
- Overuse at popular destinations, such as certain lake basins;
- Harassment towards citizens who raise concerns about the problems;
- Other practices that violate Forest Service standards and the Wilderness Act.

Wilderness rangers and citizens have been compiling information about user violations for many years, but the Forest Service has failed to pursue the violations or take steps to improve how it manages the Pasayten.

"As another recreational season approaches, we are concerned that the Forest Service will once again fail to increase enforcement of existing regulations designed to protect the Wilderness from degradation," stated Bill Worf, president of Wilderness Watch.

This year's action plan for the Pasayten—prepared by the Forest Service in response to citizens' concerns—is focused mostly on data collection and assessment of the problems. It proposes very little in the way of actual actions to remedy the damage being done.

In April, citizens met with Regional Forester Harv Forsgren in Portland to discuss their concerns. At that meeting, Mr. Forsgren instructed Sonny O'Neal, Forest Supervisor of the Okanogan National Forest, to investigate the violations documented in Forest Service files. Remarkably and inexplicably, the Okanogan National Forest has not previously investigated most violations, even those reported by its own rangers.

"The Pasayten Wilderness is a gem that deserves better management," stated Bob Dale, field director with Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics. "The documented problems point to the need for a stronger commitment on the Forest Service's part to protect the Pasayten's outstanding wilderness values."

Concerned citizens and groups include: Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, Kettle Range Conservation Group, North Cascades Conservation Council, Washington Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Wilderness Watch, hikers, and commercial outfitters and guides with a vested interest in preserving the wilderness values of the Pasayten.