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Forest Service Releases Management Plan for Sierra Nevada

Conservationists Call the Plan a Welcome Shift

Paul Spitler at (530) 758-0380

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2001

SACRAMENTO - After nearly a decade of study, the Forest Service today released its management plan for the 11 National Forests of the Sierra Nevada and Modoc region. The plan covers more than ten million acres.

Conservationists applauded the plan, which will significantly reduce logging of ancient forests and instead shifts emphasis to restoration and reduction of fire risk. "If John Muir were alive today, he would be dancing a jig," said Paul Spitler of the California Wilderness Coalition. "At long last, the Forest Service is beginning the arduous task of preserving and restoring Muir's legacy."

The management spans over ten million acres, from the Modoc National Forest in far northern California to the Sequoia National Forest near Bakersfield. The plan will increase protection for millions of acres of ancient forest, while focusing restoration and wildfire prevention efforts in areas adjacent to human residences.

"Scientists have told us for years that Muir's Range of Light is losing its glow: ancient forests have been decimated, wildlife has vanished, and water quality throughout the range has declined. This new plan is a welcome shift from the timber-driven policies of the past to a brighter future for the Sierra Nevada.

"A new dawn has risen over the Sierra. Finally, the Range of Light will begin to glow again," Spitler said.

During a lengthy public comment process, the Forest Service held dozens of hearings and received thousands of public comments--most calling for increased protection of ancient forests, wilderness and wildlife. "We hope the Bush Administration does not turn its back on the eight years of study that produced this plan, and the thousands of Californians that asked for stronger protection for the Sierra. This is as close to a public and scientific mandate as you can get," said Spitler.

Two previous drafts were withdrawn by the Forest Service due to environmental concerns. A 1997 review by a federal advisory committee concluded that the agency's draft plan had "critical shortcomings," including "inadequate protection for the spotted owl" and "a high probability" that the Pacific fisher would continue toward extinction.

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