Environmental Law & Policy Center » Wisconsin’s Northwoods

Important Congressional Hearing on Wisconsin’s Northwoods – Take Action July 20!

Kcoleman — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:38:08 +0000

Are you interested in making a big difference to protect Wisconsin’s Northwoods? On Monday, July 20th the House Agriculture Committee will be holding a public hearing in Appleton, WI to discuss forest resources in Northern Wisconsin.

What: House Agriculture Committee Field Hearing on forest resource management in Northern Wisconsin

When: Monday, July 20th, 9:00am

Where: Radisson Paper Valley, 333 W. College Avenue, Appleton WI 54911

Details are also available on the House Agriculture Committee schedule.

This is an exciting and rare opportunity, and you can make sure conservationists have a seat at the table!

Here five easy ways you can help:

1. This hearing is open to the public, and anyone can attend. Share this information with interested friends in the Appleton area. RSVP by email or phone to ahorn@elpc.org or 608.204.9735.

2. Do you have a blog or a mailing list? Inform other conservationists about this hearing!

3. Can’t attend? Show your support for preserving the CNNF by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Contact ahorn@elpc.org if you would like guidance or a template letter that you can personalize and send.

4. Send a letter to Congressman Kagen, thanking him for drawing attention to this important issue and urging him to protect important natural resource values in the Northwoods. Personalizing your letter helps you make more of an impact.

5. Submit written testimony. Anyone is free to submit written testimony to the following mailing address:

Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Agriculture
1301 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

ELPC, HEC and Forest Service Settle Cayuga Timber Sale in Wisconsin’s Northwoods

jgeiger — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:05:49 +0000

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.

Forest Service Withdraws Cayuga Logging Project

Kcoleman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:45:54 +0000

Today, 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.

Thanks to all the advocates who wrote asking the Forest Service to reconsider its decision!

ELPC’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction Granted on Fishel Timber Sale Near Eagle River, Wisconsin

jgeiger — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:08:26 +0000

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.

ELPC is working hard to protect clean water, threatened species and important wildlife habitat, biodiversity and other important natural resources in Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The Forest Service is proposing too much logging, too fast and in too many of the wrong places. Let’s preserve this special place!

Take Action on another timber sale: Please ask the Forest Service to reconsider its proposal for the Cayuga timber sale near Clam Lake in Northern Wisconsin. Click here to send a letter to Regional Forester Kent Connaughton.

Take Action: Help Protect the Northwoods

HLearner — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:40:29 +0000

Take Action: Help Protect Wisconsin’s Northwoods

Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been identified as one of the “10 most endangered national forests” in the nation. It is one of the most heavily-logged national forests in the Eastern region. ELPC has launched an online Activist Toollkit that will make it easier for you to voice your opinion on how our forests are managed. Click here to learn more.

Wausau City Pages Highlights ELPC/HEC Forest Work

jgeiger — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:42:32 +0000

On September 18th, the Wausau City Pages ran a cover story called, “Forest Watchers” about ELPC and Habitat Education Center’s work to protect the Northwoods. Wausau reporter Pat Peckham accompanied ELPC staff and our scientist clients when we toured the Northwoods, and conducted fly-overs and on-the-ground tours of the forests, in August. ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner and scientists Dave Zaber and Don Waller were interviewed for the article. Read Pat’s story here.

ELPC’s Northwoods Preservation Work Discussed on Air America

jgeiger — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:43:02 +0000

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) is a very special place that covers approximately 1.5 million acres in the northern part of Wisconsin, including numerous rivers and more than 300 species of animals. Its habitat include several endangered and threatened species, such as the Northern goshawk, Red-shouldered hawk and American pine marten. Over the past five years, ELPC has been working in the federal courts to protect the CNNF from excessive logging. Our client, Dr. Dave Zaber, an ecologist at the Habitat Education Center recently joined Air America’s Lee Rayburn to discuss the latest developments of our work there.

Tune in. Learn how you can help.

ELPC’s Work Protecting the Northwoods Highlighted on Wisconsin Public Radio

HLearner — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:55:46 +0000

ELPC’s work to protect the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest was the topic of discussion when Executive Director Howard Learner talked with Mitch Teich on Wisconsin Public Radio.

Tell a Friend!

HLearner — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:52:24 +0000

Let your friends and colleagues know about the important work of preserving Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Click here to invite friends to sign up for ELPC’s e-advocate alerts.

HLearner — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:33:06 +0000

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been identified as one of the “10 most endangered national forests” in the nation. It is one of the most heavily-logged national forests in the Eastern region (which stretches from Minnesota to Maine). At the cutting rate employed over the last 10 years, every single log-able acre would be cut in 45 years. The harmful impacts of such extensive logging on waterways, habitat and related natural resources and conservation goals are significant. ELPC is working through federal courts to protect this treasured resource.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet is a very special place. It covers approximately 1.5 million acres in the northern part of Wisconsin, including numerous rivers and more than 300 species of animals. The area consists primarily of northern hardwood, mixed conifer, and aspen trees, along with numerous rivers, lakes and other waterways. Its habitat include several endangered and threatened species, such as the Northern goshawk, Red-shouldered hawk and American pine marten.

We need to restore ecological balance to this very special place in the Midwest.

ELPC doesn’t want logging to stop—just to be more balanced with environmental considerations. In so doing, we can continue logging employment where it makes sense, while also preserving the outdoor environment for the growing tourism industry and for the ecosystem services provided by this significant natural area.