June 18, 2018 — The Northwest Forest Plan, the landmark 1994 compromise designed in large part to protect northern spotted owls, will not alone be sufficient to save the deep-forest bird, according to a new scientific report. Last … More
Ground Truth
Agency Must Decide on Nestlé Permit
June 12, 2018 — Forest Service officials in California must decide within a month whether to reissue a permit to Nestlé to withdraw water from the San Bernardino National Forest, according to a settlement agreement reached last week. … More
Trump Administration May Waive Roadless Rule on Tongass
June 7, 2018 — The Trump administration is working with Alaska state government officials on plans to exempt the Tongass National Forest from a rule that forbids new road construction in wild areas. Forest Service interim Chief Vicki … More
Tahoe Snowmobile Proposal Sparks Hostile Response
June 5, 2018 — A Forest Service plan to regulate snowmobile use on California’s Tahoe National Forest is generating heated responses from those who want free rein to ride the machines where they wish. Some of those who … More
Bill Would Allow Mountain Bikes in Wilderness Areas
June 1, 2018 — Utah Sen. Mike Lee has introduced a bill that would open wilderness areas to mountain bikes, matching similar legislation making its way through the House of Representatives. Lee’s bill would give federal land managers … More
Shoot Somewhere Else
May 30, 2018 — Every now and then, the Forest Service does the right thing when it comes to reining in irresponsible target shooting. Kudos to staff with the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon for listening to local … More
“Mud Boggers” Damage Fragile Meadow
May 25, 2018 — What’s some people’s idea of a good time? Taking that four-wheel drive and tearing through a wild meadow! The latest incident of illegal “mud bogging” on national forests has done extensive damage to a … More
Can Cities Be Saved from Wildfires?
May 22, 2018 — On June 20, 2010, someone (authorities never found the culprit) left a campfire unattended in the forested mountains just north of Flagstaff, Arizona. The day was sunny and warm, with a stiff afternoon wind … More
Groups Sue Forest Service Over Tongass Logging Plan
May 16, 2018 — Conservationists are challenging a proposed old-growth timber sale on Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, saying it would harm wildlife, curtail tourism and cost taxpayers millions. The project calls for logging more than 500 acres of … More
Survey Says: Montanans Want More Wilderness
May 11, 2018 — A new survey shows that voters in Montana increasingly favor protecting public lands and are largely opposed to efforts by their congressional representatives to rescind protections for wild stretches in the state. The survey … More