The U.S. Forest Service is moving to implement two logging plans that would destroy thousands of acres of ancient forests, harm imperiled wildlife and degrade water quality in the Salmon River watershed, one of the crown jewels of California. If executed, the two plans would remove more than 25 million board feet (MMBF) of timber.

Flowing from the pristine Trinity Alps, Marble Mountain and Russian Wilderness Areas, the cold, clear water of the Salmon River supports some the last remaining wild spring Chinook salmon, summer steelhead and coho salmon runs in the region, and provides world-famous whitewater recreational opportunities. The rich mixed-conifer forests that cover the hillsides leading to the Salmon provide critical refuge for a diverse assemblage of plant and animal species, including bald eagles, goshawks, fishers, martens, northern spotted owls, wild orchids, and salamanders.

The Klamath National Forest recently approved a plan to log the "Knob Timber Sale," which would destroy almost 600 acres of ancient forest in the watershed, including 125 acres of Critical Habitat intended to provide for the recovery of the northern spotted owl. Several logging units are located within the North Fork Salmon River corridor, an incredible stretch of the Salmon that is designated as a Wild and Scenic River for its "outstandingly remarkable values."

The Forest Service also recently issued a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the "Comet Administrative Study." This "study" would log an additional 1,890 acres of older forest habitat in the Salmon River watershed, ostensibly to analyze the resulting impacts on rare and sensitive mollusks. These species are protected under the Klamath National Forest Management Plan, and the Forest Service intends to amend the Management Plan to allow the logging sale to proceed.

EPIC is working to protect the Salmon River from these harmful logging plans. We submitted an extensive administrative appeal on the Forest Service's approval of the Knob Timber Sale, stressing that the proposed logging would harm fish, wildlife and the outstanding values of this Wild and Scenic River. EPIC is working with the Klamath Forest Alliance in this effort, and we intend to challenge the sale if our appeal is denied.

A Draft EIS for the Comet Administrative Study is due out for public comment during the summer of 2002, with a decision later in the year. EPIC will be submitting detailed comments and appeals, and will go to court if necessary to stop this ill-conceived proposal from being implemented. To receive further information about the proposed logging or to receive the DEIS when it is available, contact Lynda Karns at the Klamath National Forest, 1312 Fairlane Road, Yreka, CA 96097; (530) 842-6131.