Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For more information contact Jim Doran at (509)997-2295

Post fire salvage logging on the Tripod Fire in north Okanogan County, Washington, has crossed its first hurdle. A Collaborative Action Team (CAT) made up of regional and local environmental organizations, industry representatives and local community members have come to an initial agreement about what should be logged as salvage on the Tripod complex. (Attached is the CAT Report dated October 27, 2006.)

This approach has followed in the footsteps of other regional collaboration efforts on National Forest lands. The basic premise is that if the Forest Service gets all of the stakeholders involved up-front, prior to the formal NEPA process, then problems will be worked out through discussions rather than through litigation. This approach is a direct response to some of the failures experienced on the Biscuit Fire in southern Oregon four years ago.

This is just a first step in the process of this collaborative salvage plan. The small trees will “spoil” where they stand if not removed before April, 2007. That means an expedited process needs to be used to analyze, layout and permit the salvage project. An emergency situation determination from the Forest Service Chief can result in a contract award date in late January, 2007. This would give the loggers a cushion of snow that would protect soils during the harvest.

Legal notices of the permitting process will appear shortly. The CAT asks that anyone who intends to formally comment on the Tripod Salvage Project contact the CAT first through Jim Doran at (509) 997-2295 or email at jimdoran@mymethow.com.