Puget Sound Orca Whales Are Being Driven to Extinction

Without Major Interventions, the Orca’s Days Are Numbered

By Dahr Jamail | Truthout

November 30, 2016

No one is certain of the total number of orcas (otherwise known as “killer whales”) that exist in the wild. However, estimates are now around 100,000, and populations are dwindling. In Washington State’s Puget Sound and San Juan Islands, the once-large population of orcas has declined to around 80 whales, and the Puget Sound orcas are on the US government’s endangered species list.

Why are the orcas disappearing? A variety of factors are in play: Loss of food supply (such as salmon), warming waters, habitat loss, pollution, Naval sonar and war gaming, and ocean acidification are some of the many factors now constellating to make life much more challenging for these iconic whales.

Some reports warn that it could already be too late to save wild orcas.

Experts Truthout spoke with on the matter warned that, without significant intervention to address these and other issues, the orcas’ days may well be numbered.

Read the full article on Truthout

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Standing Against the Coming Climate Nightmare

Trump’s election has sabotaged any prospect of reigning in the global warming crisis

by Max Wilbert / Deep Green Resistance

On Tuesday night, the American people decided to elect Donald J. Trump, a billionaire business mogul and reality TV star who has been accused of raping or otherwise sexually assaulting twenty-three women, who has called for banning immigration to the United States, and who has built a campaign on virulent racism.

He received more than 60 million votes.

There is a lot to process. Those conversations, about the growing tide of white supremacy, about Trump’s pending sexual assault cases, about the fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, about the left’s failure to engage with the white community on issues of race, and about the gerrymandering and voter disenfranchisement that characterizes the American system, are already taking place.

I want to focus here on one specific issue: global warming. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the sun outside my home. It’s November, and temperatures are more than 20 degrees above the typical average here. This year, 2016, is predicted to be the hottest year on record, beating out last year, which beat out the previous year, which beat out the previous year, each of the last five setting a new mark.

Records are being smashed aside like bowling pins. We are in the midst of a global catastrophe, and it is even worse than previously thought. On the day after the election, news broke that the climate is more sensitive to global warming than most calculations had suspected.

The study in question predicted nearly double the warming that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had previously expected. The new data predicts between 9 and 14 °F warming by 2100, enough to potentially lead to the extinction of the human species and flip the Earth into a completely new regime more similar to Venus than Earth. Michael Mann, one of the most well-known climate scientists in the world, says these findings and the changing political situation may mean “game over for the climate.”

Into this mess strides Donald Trump, who has said that if elected, he would “immediately approve” the Keystone XL pipeline, roll back environmental regulations, further subsidize the fossil fuel industry, and back out of the Paris climate agreement. Coal and oil stocks, as well as shares of equipment companies and railroads, jumped in price after news of his victory hit.

max-stop-pipelinesRight now, thousands of native people and allies are gathering on the cold plains of North Dakota in an attempt to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Under President Obama, such popular movements had a chance—a small chance, but a chance—of success. Under Trump, there won’t be so much leniency, and the road to victory will be much harder.

History is clear; social movements have generally flourished under slightly more progressive administrations, and waned under right wing leadership. What does this mean for our strategy?

I would like to have a peaceful transition to a sane and sustainable world, but it seems increasingly impossible. The American people have shown themselves to be a reactionary force, clinging to their privilege as if it can shield them against the arrows that originate in American foreign policy. Immigrants come here because their lands have been destroyed for American capitalism, and groups like ISIS have emerged from a slurry of war, oil, racism, and fundamentalism.

Perhaps, then, we need a different type of change. When it comes to protecting the planet, stopping pipelines needs to be one of our first priorities. And like other Earth-destroying machinery, pipelines are very vulnerable. They stretch on for miles with no guards, no fences, and no protection.

Recently, a number of activists, including some who I know, were able to approach and shut down all five pipelines that carry tar sands oil into the United States in a coordinated act of non-violent civil disobedience. Their action was brave, but its long-term efficacy depends on whether courts will agree with them that their action was necessary and create a precedent to normalize actions of this type. With another Antonin Scalia on the way to the Supreme Court, a positive outcome is in doubt.

max-small-scale-sabotageCoordinated action of another type could be more effective in protecting the planet. In plain language, I speak of sabotage. Individuals or networks of people conducting coordinated, small-scale sabotage over a widespread area could cripple the fossil fuel system with a minimum of expense, technical expertise, personnel, and risk. It is simple to disappear into the night, and with proper security culture the possibility of capture is remote. We’ve seen how vulnerable this network is; anyone could do this.

It isn’t idle speculation that such attacks would have a substantial impact. Its actually been done before, most notably in Nigeria, where indigenous people in the Niger River Delta have risen against polluting oil companies many times over the past several decades. Most recently, attacks on oil pipelines earlier this year shut down some 40 percent of Nigeria’s oil processing. Months later, the oil industry still hasn’t recovered.

To many people, this plan will sound insane. Modern life is dependent upon oil in so many ways. But when oil is killing the planet and those in power will not respond to rational argumentation or peaceful protest, and when sixty million people are willing to vote a climate-denying sexual abuser into office, what options are we left with? It is time for serious escalation.

Max Wilbert is a writer, activist, and organizer with the group Deep Green Resistance. He lives on occupied Kalapuya Territory in Oregon.

This article was originally published on the Deep Green Resistance News Service.

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Charges Dropped in August Coal Train Blockade Case!

charges dropped for coal train blockaders

Yesterday, Deep Green Resistance members Kyle Lee and Dave Hyde had their charges dropped in Whatcom County District Court.

They were originally charged with trespassing, resisting arrest, and obstructing a train in connection with a 12-hour coal train blockade that took place on August 27th. The blockade was an attempt to directly interfere with and halt the extraction, transportation, and burning of coal, and utilized knowledge of the land, terrain, and other tactical advantages to be as effective as possible.

Last week, another Deep Green Resistance member, Spencer Morgan, who was charged in  Bellingham municipal court, also had his charges dropped.

To learn more about the action, view the video below and read the original press release:

The case is closed… but not over

In both cases, the charges were dropped “without prejudice,” which means that the case could be refiled by the State of Washington or Federal prosecutors within the next several years. Prosecutors referred the cases to higher courts in the hopes they will pick them up.

“According to what we heard in court, BNSF was uncooperative with the prosecutors because they didn’t want to reveal details of what the train was carrying,” said Lee after the ruling. “We think this is because they are covering something up about their coal exports.”

Coal is among the dirtiest fuels on the planet, and is the largest single contributor to global warming which threatens life on the planet. Scientists warn that the climate is approaching multiple “tipping points” that, if surpassed, threaten to make climate change self-sustaining despite any efforts to reduce emissions in the future.

Powder River Basin coal

The coal in the train that was stopped in Bellingham in August is believed to be from the Powder River Basin, a complex of mines in Montana and Wyoming that supplies nearly half of all the coal mined in the United States. The Powder River Basin is traditional Cheyenne and Arapaho land.

Members of the Northern Cheyenne nation stand over a totem pole crafted by Lummi master carver Jewell James as part of a protest against Powder River Basin coal extraction. Photo by Paul K Anderson.

Members of the Northern Cheyenne nation stand over a totem pole crafted by Lummi master carver and lifelong land protector Jewell James as part of a multi-nation protest against Powder River Basin coal extraction and fossil fuels in general. Photo by Paul K Anderson.

Sign the letter demanding that BNSF cease and desist transporting coal

Whatcom County coal resistance

Whatcom County has long been a thorn in the foot of fossil fuel companies. Earlier this year, the Army Corp of Engineers denied a permit to construct a massive coal export terminal just outside of Bellingham after years of opposition from the community.

The permit denial referenced the treaty fishing rights of the Lummi nation, which has inhabited the area since time immemorial. Many Lummi people still fish and gather shellfish and other food from the land. The Lummi led the fight against the Cherry Point terminal, and the Bellingham community packed the house at every public meeting related to the project.

Lummi tribal leaders burn a check and reject coal exports

In 2012, the Lummi Nation formally announced their opposition to the proposed Cherry Point coal export terminal by burning a symbolic check, stating that no amount of money could buy their support.

Following this example, the Bellingham community has been largely supportive of the blockade that took place in August. Many community members, including families with children, climbed into kayaks and other small boats and visited the protestors on the Chuckanut Bay rail trestle in August. Spencer and Kyle were interviewed on local radio soon after the action, and a spokesperson was interviewed on an Idaho-based climate radio program shortly thereafter.

In regards to the charges dropped against the three activists, the fight is not over. It’s possible that the opposition is gathering resources for a broader case.

“This is just a small, possibly temporary victory,” said Lee. “The movement needs to escalate until the global system of fossil fuels is dismantled.”

For now, the three activists will remain free.

Join the Deep Green Resistance email list to stay up to date on the latest  news from the forefront of the environmental movement

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Letter to the Bellingham Herald

Good-Coal-Train-John-ColtraneOctober 19th, 2016

The burning of coal is warming the climate and contributing to a major planetary emergency.  On August 27th, activists in Bellingham used non-violent action to delay a mile-long coal train headed to Vancouver for 12 hours.  I, along with two other members of Deep Green Resistance, was arrested.

We are very concerned that nothing is being done to keep coal in the ground.  Unfortunately, with laws written by legislators who are beholden to corporate money, what options do we have?

The people of Bellingham have been actively saying no to coal trains for a long time.  Most recently, the city supported the Lummi Nation to keep the coal terminal off Cherry Point.

Now, at Standing Rock, the Sioux Nation is demanding that an oil pipeline not be allowed on their land.  Native people are rising up to protect their land, and we must rise up beside them.  I feel that it is our duty to protect all our land for future generations.  It is sad when the laws which our courts are sworn to protect do not represent we the people.

Next Tuesday, Oct. 25th, we will be in Whatcom County District Court for a pretrial hearing on our charges of defending the planet.  If you support our action, attending our court hearing would be greatly appreciated.

For freedom and Justice,

Dave Hyde

Ashland, OR

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Interview with Sakej Ward, Mi’kmaw Warrior

Sakej (James Ward) belongs to the wolf clan. He is Mi’kmaw (Mi’kmaq Nation) from the community of Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church First Nation, New Brunswick). He is the father of nine children, four grandchildren. He resides in Shxw’owhamel First Nation, B.C. with his wife Melody Andrews and their children.

He is a veteran of both the Canadian and American militaries. He finished his military career at the rank of Sergeant in an elite Airborne unit. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations and a Master’s of Arts Degree in Indigenous Governance.

Sakej has a long history of advocating and protecting First Nations inherent responsibilities and freedoms, having spent the last 24 years fighting the government and industry. Having taught, organized, advised and led various warrior societies from all over Turtle Island down into Guatemala and Borike (Puerto Rico) Sakej has made warrior-hood his way of life. He has been on over a dozen warrior operations and countless protest actions. He dedicates all his time to developing warrior teachings and instructing warrior societies from all over.

Download mp3

Browse all of Derrick Jensen’s Resistance Radio episodes.

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Ecological Special Forces: A Proposal

The planet needs commandos

It wasn’t until the 1940’s that what we think of as the “commando” or special forces units were standardized by the British Army. With the goal of disrupting German forces in western France and later in the Mediterranean and North Africa, the first commando units were modeled on small groups of Arab fighters who had great success pinning down much larger British Army units during the uprisings in Palestine in the 1930’s.

These units proved to be very effective during World War II and have since become a staple of modern warfare. Today, the U.S. empire largely projects military force through targeted special forces operations and bombing campaigns, rather than outright warfare and traditional military maneuvers.

The Case for Ecological Commandos

Our planet is on the verge of total ecological collapse. Nothing is getting better. Governments and corporations continue business as usual while every day, carbon dioxide levels rise, forests are cut down, and 200 species are driven extinct. Forty percent of all human deaths can be attributed to pollution. Ocean fish may not exist by 2050.

Even in ecological preserves, life is suffering; there has been an 85% decline in mammals in West Africa’s parks. Major dams continue to be built. Environmentalists being are murdered around the world. African lions are in precipitous decline, as are tigers, leopards, elephants, polar bears, rhino, and countless other species. Most of the species who are driven extinct haven’t even ever been described by western science; they slip into extinction with barely a ripple.

Our few, hard-won victories are temporary. Protections can be (and are) revoked. Ground can be lost. Despite all we have done, life on this planet is slipping away.

Small forces of ecological commandos could reverse this trend by targeting the fundamental sources of power that are destroying the planet. We have seen examples of this. In Nigeria, commando forces have been fighting a guerrilla war of sabotage against Shell Oil Corporation for decades. At times, they have reduced oil output by more than 60%.

No environmental group has ever had that level of success. Not even close.

In the U.S., clandestine ecological resistance has been relatively minimal. However, isolated incidents have taken place. A 2013 attack on an electrical station in central California inflicted millions of dollars in damage to difficult-to-replace components used simple hunting rifles. The action took a total of 19 minutes, displaying the sort of discipline, speed, and tactical acumen required for special forces operations.

Characteristics of Special Forces Units

Physical Fitness

Mobility and secrecy are critical to the success of special forces. Therefore, physical fitness, as well as the use of appropriate aids, such as helicopters, bicycles, or pack animals, is essential. Commandos must be prepared to climb barriers, crawl, swim, carry heavy objects, endure long distance travel, maintain stillness, and so on.

Training in Infantry Weapons

Competency in firearms, knives, explosives, unarmed combat, and other handheld weapons are essential to these types of missions.

Focused on Stealth

Commandos must be capable of evading superior forces. This means they must have the ability to move silently and swiftly, and to hide in a variety of terrain. They should also be capable of killing or capturing opponents quickly and silently. However, stealth—the ability to avoid enemies—is more important than combat; fighting should only occur as a last resort. According to the book Deep Green Resistance, thus far the definitive resource on environmental sabotage, ecological commandos should seek to avoid causing casualties to avoid alienating the public further.

Comfortable Operating in Darkness and All Weather Conditions

Darkness is the element of choice for special forces units. Adverse weather can provide additional cover and opportunity. Therefore, units should train to operate in such conditions.

Capable of Operating on Water

Objectives often will be more accessible via water.

Flexible and Self-Directed

Communications during operations may be impossible, and comms equipment is always subject to failure. Special forces must be prepared with a plan. However, they should have a good understanding of mission objectives and be prepared to improvise.

Small Units

Unlike traditional military forces, commando units typically form small squads of 2-12 individuals. Multiple squads may come together for some operations, but small unit size allows faster reaction time and greater operational flexibility—critical in asymmetrical conflict. Special forces engaged in sabotage often split into two forces: one focused on demolitions, the second on covering the demolition force. Units in the field are supported by medical teams, researchers, supply officers, and other support staff at secure positions.

Proper Target Selection

Traditional military units operate by seizing and holding territory. Since special forces rely on tactical rather than strategic advantages, a different approach is needed. Commandos generally focus on high-value targets like supply lines, fuel depots, communications hubs, important propaganda targets, unprepared foes, and so on. Attacking such targets can destroy the enemy’s ability to fight. Clandestine units are always focused on attack, and not defense.

Intelligence Driven

The success of special forces operations depends largely on good intelligence. Gathering information about target locations, defenses, surveillance, cover, enemy reinforcements, escape routes, transportation options, weather, and so on is essential.

Doing What it Takes to Halt Empire

Our situation is desperate. Things continue to get worse. False solutions, greenwashing, corporate co-optation, and rollbacks of previous victories are relentless. Resistance communities are fractured, isolated, and disempowered. However, the centralized, industrialized, and computerized nature of global empire means that the system is vulnerable. Power is mostly concentrated and projected via a few systems that are vulnerable.

Even powerful empires can be defeated. But those victories won’t happen if we engage on their terms. Ecological special forces provide a method and means for decisive operations that deal significant damage to the functioning of global capitalism and industrialism. With enough coordination, these sorts of attacks could deal death blows to entire industrial economies, and perhaps (with the help of aboveground movements, ecological limits, and so on) to industrialism as a whole.

Implementation of this strategy will require highly motivated, dedicated, and skilled individuals. Serious consideration of security, anonymity, and tactics will be required. But this system was built by human beings; we can take it apart as well.

Good luck.

Posted in Property & Material Destruction, Strategy & Analysis | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Bellingham Coal Train Blockade Update: Death Threats and Legal Limbo

coal versus the planet

One week ago, three activists from Deep Green Resistance blocked a coal train in Bellingham, Washington. One climbed a tripod on the tracks, and when he was taken down two others locked onto the train further down the line.

All told, the blockade held for 12 hours. With only three arrests, this is one of the most strategic and longest-lasting train blockades we’ve ever heard of.

One week later, all three have gone through their initial court appearances and have pled not guilty. The legal situation continues to evolve, and the case will take a long time to conclude. But one thing is for sure: they could use some legal support.

We’ve started a fundraiser to help these activists pay for legal support and other costs associated with their brave action. Thus far, we’ve raised about 25% of the funds we set out to gather. Can you help us by donating or sharing?

Donate Here

In other news…

Media Coverage and Death Threats

Despite the blockade, media coverage has been scant. The Associated Press wrote one halfhearted article, and another (moderately better) piece appeared in the Bellingham Herald. The Cascadia Weekly made a lackadaisical attempt to cover the story that consisted of a small photo caption.

The one truly positive story came from an AM radio station in Bellingham.

We’d expected better, but being a revolutionary isn’t about being popular, or getting in the media. It’s about results.

As usual, results and protest in general bring out reactionaries. Just look at some of these comments made on Facebook, news stories, and on YouTube.

The blatant disregard for human life… the glee at the thought of inflicting death on protesters… these attitudes are consistent with sociopathy. As these people feel about protesters, so many people (and, more importantly, the institutions of power) feel about the planet; make it into hamburger. Run it over. The faster the better. Pedal to the metal. Notch 8.

We assume many of these comments come from railroad employees and families, given the obvious familiarity with rail terminology.

These comments are not a joke. Environmentalists are regularly murdered all around the world. At least 185 environmental activists were murdered in 2015—and probably many more. This rate has been rising in recent years. Here in the U.S., private security sicked attack dogs on indigenous protesters in North Dakota just yesterday.

Violence against those defending the planet is common, accepted, and rarely punished.

Here at Deep Green Resistance, we’ve been saying for years that this culture is insane. We believe in self defense, radical opposition to industrial civilization and the dominant culture, and an uncompromising stance.

Learn more or join the movement.

industrial civilization is killing the planet

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Activists stage coal-train blockade in Bellingham; train stopped for 12 hours

Coal train blockade in Bellingham - DGROn Saturday August 27th, activists for ecological defense blocked a northbound BNSF coal train for twelve hours at the Chuckanut Bay railroad bridge south of Bellingham, Wash. in an effort to directly halt the transportation of coal on-route for shipment overseas.

The activists, many who represent the organization Deep Green Resistance, initially blocked the open-faced train with a tripod set up on a rail trestle beginning at around 4pm Saturday. When the activist in the tripod was finally extracted by law enforcement eight hours later, a second group of activists locked themselves in an undisclosed location somewhere along the halted mile-and-a-half long train. It was around 3am when the two additional locked-down activists were finally discovered and cut out of their devices. All three activists were charged with trespassing, resisting arrest and obstruction of a train.


With the coal train unable to move for almost twelve hours and only three individuals charged, this blockade is one of the longest sustained disruptions of the fossil fuel industry with the least number of arrests in recent activist history.

Donate to the fundraiser for blockaders: CLICK HERE

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Open-faced coal trains, mostly coming from extraction sites in the Powder River Basin, pass through Bellingham on a daily basis, leaving toxic coal dust that pollutes the air, water and soil in their wake. In the current context of accelerating climate change, increased resistance to coal transportation in the region means a fighting chance for survival of salmon, foxes, blue heron, Peregrine falcon, harbor seals, Orca whales, shellfish and so many more precious creatures.

#StopTheTrains rail blockade fossil fuel stoppage

During the action, the person in the tripod held a sign that said “Fight for What You Love,” and was kept company by his fellow activists and a large group of community members who came out in kayaks to show their support.

This blockade and lockdown contributed to a summer of resistance to fossil fuels in the Pacific Northwest led by a variety of environmental groups and individuals who have become disillusioned with more bureaucratic change-making processes. As one of the Deep Green Resistance supporters on the site of the action said, “as a movement we have been trying every legally-sanctioned tactic for generations, and with climate change accelerating faster than we can seemingly stop it, it’s time for last resort tactics.”

Sign the letter demanding that BNSF stop transporting fossil fuels

Those who have spent any time trying to protect wild places are familiar with the struggle to enact change within the cumbersome legal system and can articulate the disappointing measure of bureaucracy. Many have been organizing for decades and have seen few victories. A survey of the activists at the site of yesterday’s action revealed a history of lobbying, policy making, publishing, educating, and participating in symbolic protests, but the failure of those actions to lead to measurable change lead the activists to turn to civil disobedience. These activists, like many others, consider direct action as the only means left for survival.

Defend the Land - Fight for What You Love

The wave of direct actions this summer, from the mass occupation of train tracks in Anacortes, Washington to the blockade of a clear cut lead by Karuk activists in the Klamath National forest and the lockdown to train tracks in Mosier, Oregon is testimony to the growing mass of activists ready to amp up the struggle for ecological health.

Yesterday’s blockade was a major success in halting the cogs of the fossil fuel industry and sending a clear message that those who care for the living planet are willing to fight for it.

Join the movement

It is estimated that this train carried more than 22 million pounds of coal. Burning this material would release approximately 62.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Other media coverage:

Bellingham Herald

Komo News

KGMI AM 790

Joe Show Radio Interview

KIRO 7 News

Northwest Citizen


Original Article and Updates from the Day of the Action:

Update #1 (12:06 am): a second team has blockaded the train, extending the stoppage further!

Update #2 (2:59 am): the second team has been removed and the action is now complete. Team is exhausted but we did our best. Lots to learn from this.

Meme-1

A coal train entering Bellingham, Washington has been blockaded by a fossil fuel resistance group, including members of Deep Green Resistance. This blockade, part of an ongoing regional campaign against fossil fuels, has been standing strong for eight hours – with no end in sight.

Beginning at four PM this afternoon, protestors erected a portable tripod structure in the middle of a rail bridge crossing Mud Bay south of Bellingham. One protester has climbed to the top and will stay until removed by police.

The organizers of the blockade say that fossil fuels must be stopped to save the planet from global warming.

When asked about her motivation for joining the resistance movement, one Deep Green Resistance member responded, “We won’t be complicit in a global catastrophe. The government and the capitalists are working together to kill the planet. We’re going to work together to stop them.”

Donate to the fundraiser for blockaders: CLICK HERE

With two refineries sitting north of town and a tar sands pipeline running underneath, Bellingham has been in the sights of the fossil fuel industry for decades. The struggle to keep fossil fuel transportation out of the small city has been ongoing. The Lummi Nation and other local resisters recently defeated plans for a major coal export terminal. However, coal merchants continue to push for the project.

The protest also delayed passenger trains, but organizers aren’t overly concerned. When asked about possible inconveniences to travelers, a protestor responded, “What’s inconvenient is losing your island to rising sea levels, or having your home flooded in Baton Rouge, or digging mass graves in Pakistan in anticipation of heat waves.”

Update 12:07 AM, Sunday August 28th

BLOCKADE OF COAL TRAIN IN WASHINGTON STATE EXTENDED

A non-violent disruption of coal train traffic in Bellingham, Washington has been extended after a second group of activists locked themselves to a halted coal train. The train was initially stopped by a blockade consisting of a 30-foot tall metal tripod on a rail trestle, which was dismantled by police around 11:45 pm after 8 hours.

“Our resistance to fossil fuels has got to be relentless,” said one protestor from the group Deep Green Resistance. “These industries won’t stop destroying the planet unless we force them to.”

Environmental activists across the region have blocked trains several times this summer, including a mas action in May where 52 earth defenders were arrested while blockading train tracks in Anacortes, Washington. This action is just the latest in a long string of blockades.

Good-Coal-Train-John-Coltrane

//

Posted in Obstruction & Occupation | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Forest Service Ignores Environmental Law, Logs Old Growth Forest and Critical Habitat

 

Sick to the stomach. That’s how I felt after reading this story.

But surprised? No. The USFS and other government agencies commonly ignore regulations and prioritize the economy over the natural world. That’s been their way for more than 150 years.

The insanity is clear. Mick Lamar, chief of the local fire crew, defended the line as ‘less damaging to the forest’ than a fire would have been. “Nobody wants a vacation home on a blacked-out hillside,” he said.

Does he not understand that fire is natural and essential to many forests? That vacation homes are less important than endangered species? That burned forests contain more biodiversity than logged forests?

Of the cut, one biologist said that “trees larger than allowed were cut, streamside buffers ignored, and operating just ran all over the place compacting soils.” Another said, “Why don’t we STOP and THINK and PLAN?!”

That wasn’t going to happen.

We invite you to read this Seattle Times article and come to your own conclusions about the effectiveness of forest policy and the priorities of this culture when it comes to destroying the planet vs. protecting the economy.


Rushing to stop a fire that never came, Forest Service logged miles of big trees, critical habitat

As the fall rains finally began, Janet Millard hoped it would calm fear of the fire burning miles away in north central Washington during last year’s historic fire season. But Millard, a spotted owl specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, was mistaken.

Managers on the Wolverine fire still opted to cut one of the largest firelines ever in Washington, logging 114 acres of critical spotted owl habitat and felling big trees — including a giant that had stood for centuries, so large, it was a one-log load on a semi truck. Steel-tracked heavy equipment tore up fragile ground along streams. Erosive soils unique to the area were bulldozed.

Cut by the U.S. Forest Service with none of the usual environmental review, the firebreak was up to 300 feet wide and stretched more than 50 miles, from the Entiat drainage on the east, to Twin Lakes to the west. Loggers cut enough trees to fill more than 930 logging trucks.

Yet the fire never came anywhere near.

The Wolverine fire looked threatening when the decision to cut the line was first made last August. By then, the fire was moving fast, and making runs of as much as three miles a day during Washington’s historic and deadly fire season. firelines are intended to slow the advance of a blaze, and give crews time and safer space to work.

But field notes, emails and documents released by the Forest Service under a Freedom of Information Act request by The Seattle Times show Forest Service employees working on the firebreak believed there was no emergency by the time the logging began about two weeks later.

Some tried to stop the cutting, but they were overruled.

As work on the line progressed, Cindy Raekes, a fisheries biologist then working at the district, wrote her supervisors about the damage she was witnessing.

Most controversial was more than 10 linear miles and 237 acres cut mainly through heavy forest on the western side of Sugarloaf Mountain in the Wenatchee River Ranger District. That portion of the line was farthest from the fire risk — and did the most environmental damage, with about half of it logged in nesting, roosting and foraging habitat in one of the last best stands for the spotted owl in all of Eastern Washington.

Read the full article (with images and interactive elements) at SeattleTimes.com

Posted in Biodiversity & Habitat Destruction | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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