The Forest Service’s Panther Salvage Project is located within the steep slopes of the Elk Creek Watershed, which is listed as impaired under the Clean Water Act. It is also a key watershed, which is critical habitat for salmon recovery. Despite the impaired nature, the creek is home to Coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead, resident trout and the Pacific lamprey. All of these species rely on the streams within Elk Creek for all life stages (migration, spawning, incubation, rearing, and holding). The Elk Creek Watershed is extremely sensitive to disturbance and has been affected by too many roads and intensive timber harvest.

Logging is proposed in late successional reserves, areas set aside to protect and enhance old growth forest structure and species; in riparian reserves, waterways and unstable areas; and within recreational river boundaries.

The Panther Salvage Project is within critical habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl, a species listed as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that Northern Spotted Owls roost and forage in post-fire habitats. Thus, owl territories with severely burned stands in the Panther Fire area may continue to be occupied by owls. Fire-killed trees provide perch sites and future nest sites. Recent scientific evidence found that survival and reproduction depended upon significant patches of high severity post-fire habitat because it is suitable for a key prey species, the Dusky-footed wood rat. This habitat is not mimicked by logging as proposed by the Panther Salvage Project, which would remove snags and prevent recruitment of large downed logs.

Human forest visitors regularly use the area for many reasons including the Sulphur Springs and Norcross Campgrounds and to access the Bear Lake and Bear Creek Trailheads, the Kelsey National Recreational Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, which lead to the Marble Mountain Wilderness.

Currently, the District is developing its draft environmental analysis. Once completed, there will be an opportunity for public comment on the analysis.

The responsible official for this action is Patricia Grantham, the Forest Supervisor.
Questions and comments about this project should be directed to Nicholas Larson (District Timber Management Officer) or Ken Harris (District Ranger) at the Happy Camp Ranger District at 530-493-2243 or at the Yreka office at 530-842-6131.