Oregon senator calls for end to old-growth logging

Wyden's plan draws criticism from Idaho counterpart Craig

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published October 3, 2001

WASHINGTON -- Congress must find ways to protect the nation's oldest forests by ending logging in them and doing more for their preservation, Sen. Ron Wyden said Tuesday.

Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Senate forests and public lands subcommittee, said at a hearing that he wants to use his new position as the panel's head to craft solutions that actively manage forests to ensure the country has ancient ones.

Absent compelling forest health concerns, Wyden said it's time to stop logging on ancient forests.

"The challenge is to come up with a creative path," he said. "This is going to be an effort to end the bickering."

Old-growth debate

The debate over old-growth forest protection has lingered for decades. Environmentalists have pushed for more protections, while the timber industry complained that it was unfairly being driven out of business.

Wyden criticized government agencies for not working quickly enough -- with all available technology -- to inventory old-growth forests.

"At the pace we are going this could be the longest running battle since the Trojan War," Wyden said.

But even defining old-growth characteristics is no easy task.

They are generally found in areas with extended structural development and can consist of trees that are more than 80 years to hundreds of years old, depending on the species and its location.

Sally Collins, the agency's associate chief, told the senators the Forest Service has 114 different definitions for old growth, though some common elements do exist.

Wyden said any package to help old-growth forests will have to include watershed restoration as well as programs that remove unnaturally dense trees from forests, called thinning projects.

Possible resistance

However, if Wyden wants to rope off more public lands to preserve old-growth, he could meet resistance from some Western Republicans. Among them is Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho.

"When I look at your state and my state and the number of acres already set off-limits," Craig told Wyden, "I find it difficult for me to find a reason to set aside more acres."

Jerry Franklin, University of Washington ecosystem analysis professor, assured senators that government agencies are making a contribution to old-growth preservation with restoration programs and other efforts. However, more can be done.

He pointed out that forests don't suddenly have old-growth characteristics. Instead, there is a gradient, as with people.

"Are you young or are you old?" he asked. "We know this comes on gradually."

Tom Bonnicksen, forest science professor at Texas A&M University, said the government shouldn't protect old-growth forests specifically and overlook forests at other ages.

"Not if you really care about forests; maybe if you are concerned about politics," he said.

Bonnicksen added: "I suggest we purge the words old growth from our vocabulary."

Environmental groups, including the National Wildlife Federation and the Cascadia Wildlands Project, lined up to support old-growth protection.

Eric Palola, northeast natural resources director for National Wildlife Federation, said in his testimony that old-growth forests enrich biodiversity and wildlife habitat, as well as provide recreational, spiritual and aesthetic values.

But Bruce Daucsavage, president of Ochoco Lumber in Prineville, Ore., said the ongoing old-growth debate has led to decisions that shut down mills and put forests at risk for catastrophic wildfires.

He blamed the federal government for establishing policies that have made it impossible to operate a viable business.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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