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Protecting the National Forest of Texas
from the Bush forest initinititive :
During the fiery summer of 2002, President Bush announced his plan
to manage our national forests. The President called for thinning
projects in forests where Forest Service fire suppression policies
have caused an excess of brush and small trees, called forest fuels.
He also called for prescribed fires to replace the natural fire
regime. In Eastern forests, Bushıs new forest plan calls for projects
that would help stop insect infestations. President Bush has touted
the use of these projects to "restore" forest "health." While Sierra
Club agrees that something must be done to restore our forests to
a natural state, the Bush plan contains hidden costs. Learn
more>>
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Fire Prevention
"[Fire] is not a good thing or a bad thing. It's part of the
system. It's just like sunshine and rain."
— Jim Brenner, Fire Management Administrator for the Florida
Department of Agriculture.
When timber companies cut down the largest, most fire-resistant
trees, all that's left are smaller trees and debris—perfect
fuel for large, out-of-control fires. Responsible management of
our national forests, rooted in protection rather than exploitation,
is the best method of fire prevention. Learn
more at the Sierra Club national site.
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Logging Injunction
Coming soon... if you have comments or suggestions about what you'd
like to see here, let
us know!
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National Forest Management Act
The Bush administration is trying to weaken NFMA regulations to
make compliance voluntary and to eliminate public participation
from the regulatory process. More coming soon... if you have comments or suggestions about what you'd
like to see here, let
us know!
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National Forests by Chapter
- Arkansas National Forests: Coming soon...
- Oklahoma National Forests: The eastern part of Oklahoma
contains a portion of the Ouachita National Forest. Over the years,
the Chapter has gotten several areas protected in the forest but
there are many new threats to the forest, including proposed logging
to "help" restore the forest habitat. The Chapter is
actively participating in the forest planning process which is
under way and has paid particular attention to land that was recently
acquired in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, in a land exchange with
Weyerhauser. One area that was acquired surrounds the Glover River,
the last free-flowing river in the state. The Chapter would like
to get the Glover River and other appropriate rivers in Oklahoma
designated as scenic rivers. Learn
more at the Oklahoma Chapter website.
- Texas National Forests: Coming soon...
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Roadless Rule
- Oklahoma: In Oklahoma, the USFS claims that there are
no remaining "inventoried lands" that fall within the
roadless rule, so even if that rule is upheld Oklahoma will not
receive any benefit. The Chapter is monitoring activities in the
Ouachita NF in Oklahoma and has filed written comments proposing
that several areas be protected from further roadbuilding. Learn
more at the Oklahoma Chapter website.
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Texas N.F. Economic Report
Read the "Hidden Costs of Logging on National Forests in Texas 1987-1999" report at the Forest Conservation Council site. More coming soon... if you have comments or suggestions about what you'd
like to see here, let
us know!
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