Environmentalists, government argue over Tahoe fire-ravaged trees

Sac Bee ^ | 2/11/03 | David Kravets - AP San Francisco

[NormsRevenge]

Rachel Fazio, an attorney with the John Muir Project, measures a tree on June 3, 2002, that burned during a 2001 wildfire in the Tahoe National Forest near Emigrant Gap. Fazio argued a case in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday in an effort to block salvage logging in the Sierra's Eldorado National Forest about 20 miles west of Lake Tahoe. The John Muir Project is also challenging salvage logging projects in the Tahoe National Forest.

[EggsAckley]

I was in that area a number of times last summer, and that forest sure looks dead to ME.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[speekinout]

I've seen "dead forests" in my travels. When too many of the trees die, or are dying, it affects ground water levels. When the ground water is depleted through run-off, then no new trees take root.
I really don't know why these econuts don't get more educated about the environment. They're looking at the trees and forgetting the forest. That cliche really does apply to them.

[farmfriend]

Ping me or madfly on these things and weI will spread the word.

[farmfriend]

word spreading

[NormsRevenge]

You got it. Thanks!

[madfly]

This judge needs freeping!

[B4Ranch]

and so will the wood eating bugs when it warms up a bit. That's when those trees will be worth squat to the lunber industry.

[forester]

The dispute centers on what is a dead tree.....the San Francisco-based appeals court in November issued a temporary injunction that no trees in the Star fire project with any green needles in the area should be cut before the appeals court resolves the dispute....Judge John T. Noonan, a President Reagan appointee, said he was concerned that the Forest Service derives revenues from logging projects it allows. "If the decision maker is taking money, isn't the decision maker corrupt?" he asked.

This is the essence of the problem -- the judge feels that the USFS is corrupt because they are selling trees. As far as the judge is concerned, the USFS cannot be trusted to determine which trees are dying...which is the essence of what foresters do. This like saying plumbers cannot be trusted to hook up to the city water supply because their greedy clients may try to steal the citys water!

The lower part of the large tree in the photo looks good ...but what about the foilage that is out of view of the camara? There is a good chance that the crown was scorched and killed by the radiant heat from a fire burning below it.

On the other hand; and this is the part that is really discouraging, there is also 50/50 chance that this tree may actually be healthy and does not need to be cut. From what I have seen in my career, the USFS uses poorly trained seasonal workers to actually mark the trees. Where are the foresters? In the office doing Environmental Impact Studies and giving testimony in court rooms.

IMHO, this article tells me that the profession of forestry has been severely damaged and has no credibility with the general public. Further, I lay the blame directly on NEPA and NFMA for turning our country's best foresters into pencil pushers.

[Carry_Okie]

put foresters back in the forest ... abolish environmental paperwork!!!

Lol! Not all of it please. We all need the benefit of what you learn from what you do.

[farmfriend]

That's when those trees will be worth squat to the lunber industry.

Just what those enviros had in mind. You should have heard the exchange I had with one at the capitol. He asked me if I was for the lumber companies making huge profits at the public expense. My response was, if it saves the forest, sure. I told him he seemed more conserned with a socialist agenda than saving the forest.

[farmfriend]

In the office doing Environmental Impact Studies and giving testimony in court rooms.

Not all of them. Some good ones just retire because they can no longer stand the crap. One did try to fight the NH2020 that was going on in Nevada County.

[E.G.C.]

bTTT!!!!!!