Tuesday, April 28, 2009
ELPC and Habitat Education Center (HEC) have agreed to a settlement with the US Forest Service on the Cayuga Project timber sale, which approved logging of more than 5,200 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake, Wisconsin. The settlement will defer logging and road building for four years on 2,000 acres that scientists have identified as critically important for wildlife habitat, clean water, at-risk species protection and the overall health of the forest.
Read ELPC’s press release.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Remember summers at the family cabin? Did you learn to catch trout in a clear, cold forest stream? What does it feel like to ski silently under towering pines?
Wisconsin’s Northwoods mean something different to all of us, and every story from these woods is another reason they should be protected.
Please use the comments on this page to share your story of what the Northwoods mean to you. Your stories will help us protect Wisconsin’s threatened forests. You can contact us to share photos or other information.
5 Comments »
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Forest Service Withdraws Cayuga Logging Project
On January 23, 2009, the U.S. Forest Service announced that it is withdrawing and reconsidering its Cayuga timber sale for logging 5,220 acres tract of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake, Wisconsin.
Scientists and conservationists filed extensive comments expressing concern that the Forest Service was allowing too much logging in the proposed Cayuga Project, which is next to other large timber sales and contains old growth forests and high quality trout streams. In addition, more than 300 citizens submitted letters urging the Forest Service to more fully consider the combined impact of the timber sales on the environment.
ELPC’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction Granted on Fishel Timber Sale Near Eagle River, Wisconsin
On December 31st, Federal Magistrate Aaron Goodstein granted ELPC’s emergency motion for a preliminary injunction against the Fishel timber sale, which is located just east of Eagle River. This can lead to more protection for 5,517 acres of hardwood forest ecosystem and at-risk species. The protected area includes some of the best quality habitat for Northern goshawks in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, two cold-water trout streams, and the neighboring Blackjack Springs Wilderness Area.
The Forest Service has repeatedly attempted to shut ELPC and our scientist colleagues out of the appeal process for the Fishel timber sale. The Forest Service tried to award the logging contracts before the Court resolved our case on the merits. The preliminary injunction preserves the status quo.
New Timber Sale - Twin Ghost
In November 2008, the Forest Service announced a new timber sale, the Twin Ghost Project, which proposes nearly 12,000 acres of logging immediately adjacent to the enjoined Cayuga Project and the proposed Twentymile Project. ELPC and our clients will be traveling to Glidden, Wisconsin, to meet with Forest Service representatives to discuss modifications that would improve wildlife habitat, protect clean water, and maintain good recreational opportunities in the project area.
Temporary Success & Continued Litigation – Cayuga, McCaslin and Northwest Howell
ELPC succeeded in three related lawsuits against these timber sales in March and Au
gust 2005, when the federal court held that the Forest Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act, granted injunctions and remanded to the agency to go back and do it right. Unfortunately, the Forest Service papered over the record and issued “same old, same old” supplemental environmental impact statements on the McCaslin and Northwest Howell timber sales. We are back before the federal court on those two cases. On the Cayuga timber sale, based on ELPC’s written comments and new scientific information, the Forest Service is considering changes.
Favorable Negotiated Settlements – Boulder and Long Rail
In March and May 2007, we negotiated favorable settlements with the Forest Service to protect key waterways, biodiversity and wildlife habitat that were prioritized by our scientists in the Long Rail and Boulder timber sales. The Forest Service agreed to: (a) not cut designated large old northern hardwood and aspen stands in areas important for threatened species protection and clean water; (b) create experimental 124-acre buffer areas to protect northern goshawk nests; and (c) discuss ways of improving the overall process of evaluating cumulative environmental impacts. ELPC must now help implement and monitor the settlements.
New Federal Court Lawsuits – Twentymile and Fishbone
Following ELPC’s extensive written legal and scientific comments and negotiations, the Forest Service nonetheless approved these two destructive timber sales. ELPC has filed new lawsuits in federal district court in Milwaukee challenging these timber sales as violating federal environmental laws.
Administrative Proceedings – Medford Aspen and Camp Four
ELPC is filing detailed legal and scientific comments in the administrative proceedings on these timber sales. ELPC hopes to persuade the Forest Service to proceed differently on these new sales, but we are prepared to challenge them in court if necessary.
Click here to view a map of the area.
New Activist Tools to Protect the Northwoods
Learn more about the history of ELPC’s work on preserving the CNNF.
