Winter 2008 Forestwatch the Quarterly Membership Publication of Los Padres Forestwatch

Winter 2008 ForestWatch The Quarterly Membership Publication of Los Padres ForestWatch

FORESTWATCH is the only organization working to protect the entire Los Padres National Lawsuit Filed to Protect Forest from Salvage Logging Forest — from the Big Sur coast to the Sespe wildlands — The Day Fire of 2006 burned more from damage caused by oil than 162,000 acres of the Los Padres drilling, off-road vehicle abuse, backcountry. The fire swept through unmanaged livestock grazing, parts of the Sespe Wilderness, leaving and other resource extraction. a patchwork of burned and partially burned trees while leaving other trees untouched or only lightly burned. Inside this issue: After the fire, these forests began Director’s Message 2 their process of regeneration. The burned trees now provide habitat for A Season of New Support 3 cavity-nesting birds; when they eventu- ally fall, the trees will release nutrients back into the soil and help maintain soil moisture. It’s all part of the cycle of recovery Condor: Wilderness Icon 4 following a fire, and it’s important to allow this process to unfold in this fragile area with as little disruption as possible. Volunteers Protect Condors 5 But logging companies have other plans. They’ve pressured the Forest Service to Looking Across the Forest 6-7 open up Alamo Mountain and Grade Valley to commercial logging, arguing that more than 1,430 trees must be logged without delay because the trees are a safety hazard to

(Continued on page 10) Plans, Postmarks & Politics 9

Upcoming Events 11 ForestWatch Puts Oil Companies on Notice Field Notes: Winter in LP 12 Last year’s disastrous spill of oil and wastewater in the Los Padres National Forest demonstrated the need to step up our oversight of the oil industry, especially where it does business in ecologically sensitive areas of the forest. The spill also highlighted the importance of preventing the unchecked expansion of oil drilling into new areas of the forest. Unfortunately, these lessons were learned the hard way — the oil slick tarred three miles of stream in the Sespe Creek watershed, taking workers nearly a month to clean it up.

After a year-long investigation, ForestWatch uncovered numerous records indicating that last year’s spill was not an isolated incident. In fact, several spills of oil and wastewater have occurred in this area, with serious consequences to clean water and wildlife.

Last month, ForestWatch demanded that these oil companies clean up their act or face a lawsuit under the federal Clean Water Act. We delivered this message in a

(Continued on page 8)

printed using vegetable-based inks on 100% recycled paper produced with renewable wind power Page 2 ForestWatch

orestWatch is entering its fourth year of providing cutting-edge protection for some of our region’s most spectacular wild places. In this relatively short amount of time, we’ve accomplished many victories on behalf of your public lands, victories that we wouldn't have achieved without you and the rest of our circleF of supporters, who have been with us every step of the way.

The need for a local, independent, and effective advocate for our region’s wild places is stronger today than ever before. We’re standing firm against one of the largest Jeff Kuyper is the Executive oil companies in the world — a real-life David vs. Goliath story that will hopefully prevent Director of ForestWatch. more disastrous oil spills in our forest. We’re also standing up against pressures to open our wild lands to a precedent-setting commercial logging operation. On these issues and many others, we’re serving as the last (and often the only) line of defense for our region’s BOARD OF backcountry wilderness. DIRECTORS In 2008 we’ll also be expanding our habitat restoration projects and inviting you to exciting membership events. Our members and volunteers serve as the lifeblood of our BRAD organization. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events, lending a hand, support- MONSMA President ing our work, enjoying the outdoors, and sharing stories and strategies about how we can Camarillo increase our effectiveness in this new year and beyond.

PAT For the forest, VEESART Vice President San Luis Obispo

PHILIP TSENG Secretary/ Treasurer Santa Barbara

RUTH LASELL Ojai Comings and Goings... MICHAEL SUMMERS Join us in welcoming Louis Andaloro to ForestWatch is pleased to announce Santa Barbara our Board of Directors. Louis graduated new officers for 2008. Brad Monsma, au- from UC Santa Cruz with degrees in Natu- thor of The Sespe Wild and professor of LOUIS ANDALORO ral History and Biology, where he studied English at CSUCI who has served on the Santa Barbara peregrine falcons and Sierra Nevada big- ForestWatch board for nearly three years, horn sheep. In the 1980s he worked as a was recently elected President. Michael wildlife biologist for the California Condor Summers, who previously held that post as Recovery Program on the Los Padres Na- one of the original ForestWatch board tional Forest. He later went on to become members, remains on the board. And Pat one of the first volunteers for the Los Pa- Veesart, caretaker of a historic ranch prop- dres Site Steward program, surveying and erty on the Carrizo Plain National Monu- monitoring archaeological sites throughout ment and also an original board member, the forest. For the past twelve years he’s was recently elected Vice President. served as the caretaker of Jameson Lake in the headwaters of the Santa Ynez River. And finally, we graciously thank board Louis enjoys bicycling, mountaineering, ski member Michelle Tollett for her two years touring, backpacking, and hiking. Wel- of service. Michelle looks forward to volun- come, Louis! teering for ForestWatch from time to time. Page 3

Thank You to Our Recent Supporters! We’d like to thank these new and existing members for your generous contributions since our last newsletter through the end of 2007. Your support allows us to continue our important work to protect our region’s natural treasures.

NEW MEMBERS RENEWED SUPPORT Rick & Joan Grue Ken & Jo Rogers Jonna Engel OJAI HOUSE PARTY Ken Haggard & Polly Cooper Kenneth & Monyque Rose Tony Ferguson Patty Behringer & Scott Abbott Jan Hamber Joyce Sattler Ted Fowler Don Anderson & Nita Whaley Patrick McKenna Geoff & Sondra Aggeler Brian Hamilton John & Thelma Schmidhauser Sue Francis Nancy & David Babbott Shelley & Mark Bookspan Dolli Alexander John Hankins Richard Schmidt Doug & Nancy Garrison Bruce & Marie Botnick Bernard Borderre Lesley Alexander James Harrison Fred & Phyllis Schoen Angie Grove John & Kathy Broesamle Lamar Bushnell Louis Andaloro Richard & Sue Harvey Arent & Jean Schuyler Sandra Guerrero Sue Broidy Peter & Marilyn Cambier George Appel Neil & Ann Havlik Jeannete Scott Linda Haque John & Allie Bueti Mark Condon Brooke & Everard Ashworth Matt Hayden Andrew & Carmen Seligman Andrew & Rebecca Haystead Alice Chesley Beth Currier Robert Auric & Anna Jacobs John Heinsius Susan & James Shields Elizabeth Herring Patti & Steve Goldman Matthew Curtis Michael Avenali Kelly & Mark Hildner Iain Shigeoka Lana Hester Rae Hanstad Timothy Doheny Sam Babcock James Hill Carol Sinsheimer Mark Hibberd Gerry & Barbro Huth Sylvelin Edgerton John Ballantine Benjamin Hitz, Jr. Jim Sinton Cindy Hood Margo Kelly Environmental Coalition Bettina Barrett Sharyn Main & Jim Hodgson Michael & Irma Sixbey John Hotchkin Ruth Lasell of Ventura County Beatrice Battier Tom & Julie Anne Hopkins Jane Slama & John Jim Huddleston & Jean & Tom MacCalla Marilyn Essick Wayne Beckman Donn Howell MacKenzie Kathleen Hull Pam Melone Garold Faber Susan Bee Anna Huber Madeline Sone Nancy Karnoski Joy & Michael Mulligan Kim Fox June & Shed Behar David Jacobs Pete & Susan St. John Kasey Kersnowski Thomas & Judith Munzig Terry Frewin Robert & Joan Benedetti Robert Kelly Lynne Stark Betsy Kirkegaard Nancy Pepper Marguerite Gamo Bill & Shirley Bianchi Ray King & Kale Starbird Nancy & Brett Stearns Terri Laine Rain Perry & Bill Slaughter Watson Gooch Jim Blakley Martha Lynn Kirby & Martin Stevenson Ruth Lasell Linda & Ron Phillips Neil Greenleaves Thomas Bliss & James Millington Martin Stevenson Madeleine Lindvall & Jan & Alan Rains Willa & Charles Irwin Merrily Weiss Penny Knowles Allison Stillman & Bengt Johansson Joan Roberts Karin & Blake Jamison James Bloch Noel Korten Michael Reidinger Danielle Lipski Holly Roberts & Rachel & Tony Johansen Cynthia Boche Dan & Joan Kuyper David Swanson Jim Little Badaoui Mouderres Scott & Julia Jorgenson Pam & Wes Bradford Ruth Lasell Rosemary & Michael Takeda Rick Lyons Amy Schneider Matthew Kelly Peter Brown Don & Carol Lauer Tassajara Zen Mountain Desa Mandarino Rex Shrout Sally & Brent Kitson Tara Brown Mark Lefko Center Bruce Markovich Craig & Linda Thomas Elisabeth Linn Janet Bruman Claudia Leidecker The Thacher School Michelle Martinez Marty Weiner Charlene Little Michael Brundage Hollis Lenderking Don Tidwell Heather Mathes Elizabeth & J.B. White Julie & Boyd Manson Doug & Lee Buckmaster Susan & Andy Lentz Brian Trautwein Marian McKenzie Sue & Herb Yager Stuart Meiklejohn & Tom Budlong Valerie Levulett Helene & John Vachet Ian & Steve Miley Mary Ann O'Connor Steven & Carla Cabanatuan Barbara & Albert Lindemann Jeff Van Bueren Traci Miller GIFT MEMBERSHIPS George & Peggy Melton John Campilio Patricia Lomax Charles & Candia Varni Rich Miskiewicz Elizabeth & Lawrence Memel Lois Capps Suzanne & Tom Londo Pat Veesart Dominique Monié & Douglas Becker, from Stephen & Anne Morris Ayn Cates Sullivan Jim Malone Richard & Audrey Vincent Thomas Smith Norene Charnofsky Tony & Pamela Naish Robin Cederlof Justin Massey Stephen & Judy Walker Christie Moore Benjamin Benedetti, from Vie Obern Frances & Thomas Terry Lee Maul Marty Weiner Lisa Myers Bob Benedetti Jean & Michael Parcher Chadwick Wally McCall Judy Weisman Beth Nansen David Braun & Kathryn Keller, Gena Pennington Norm Channell Janice & Thomas McCormick Lornie White Michael Nickel from Cynthia Boche Scott Renger Norene Charnofsky James McGrew Priscilla & Roy Whittaker Matt Norris Tom Carr, from Ken & Kay Conger Michael Rifkind Paul & Anne Chesnut Robert McLaughlin & Theresa Diane & Thomas Wolf Erin O'Day Keith Cotton, from John Cotton Judith Rissenberg Andrew Christie Rumjahn Alan Woodbury Shannon Prentice Meg Fraser, from Bettina Barrett Kalia Rork Alan Church Ed Mercurio Terry Yandell Amy Ramos Tom & Lydia Grant, from Larry Rose & Lisa Larramendy Alan Coles Karen Merriam Charles Rogers Laura Grant Philip James, from Elisabeth Linn Melvin & Patricia Sargeant Ken & Kay Conger Carol & Barton Millar SALMON RUN MEMBERS Tom Rooney Robin Satnick Sonia & Kevin Connors John Monsen Jason Rowley Holly Keifer, from MIRA Christiane Schlumberger Mary Copperud Monterey Institute for Steve & Rochelle Ahl Lisa Rowley Mike Mallen, from Rick Skillin Dr. Ian & Patricia Coster Research in Astronomy Heather Allen William Ruwe Barbara Lindemann Leslie Steinmetz John Cotton Deborah Morillo Nathan Alley Alison Ryan Jaime Morrow, from Carlos Varni Richard Still Mark Davis Tamara Napier Mike Armenta Andy Sassen Bill & Dona Nye, from Donna Timlin Arden Day Nikki Nedeff & Kevin Dummer Cecil Baumgartner Michael Shaffer Norm Channell Klaus & Anna Tritschler Nan Deal Yarrow Nelson Russ Bishop Mark Shimahara Mel & Gail Piestrup, from Brian Van Degrift Amy Dozier & Michael David Nesmith Nick Bobroff Ron Spiker Terry Lee Maul Katherine Warner Crooke New Camaldoli Hermitage Emily Boyes Rebecca Stuebing Nancy Rohrer, from Jeanette Webber Peter Dullea Paul Niedringhaus Kirsten Bradford Jim Swierkocki Nan Deal & Anonymous Wilco David & Ann Dwelley Judy Oberlander Chipper Bro Mike Takeuchi Carla Saunders, from Thomas & Janet Wolf Jeri Edwards Joan O'Keefe Nancy & Phil Busching Richard Tanner Richard Schmidt Elyn Zimmerman Neil & Barbara Elliott Helen Olson Kirsten Carlson Ron Thompson Andrew Still, from Richard Still Robert Failing MD William Otto DVM Catarina Castaneda Jason Toohey Nilufer Torun, from Pam Foley FOUNDATION SUPPORT Ken Falstrom Jack & Sheri Overall Elisabeth Chaplin Cindy Tung The Wagner Family, from Hyla Fetler & Tracy Fernandez Timothy Owens Yvon & Malinda Chouinard Derek & Brent Turner Dorothy Geisler Environment Now Deborah Filipelli Dennis Palm Bryan Conant Amber Tysor Google, Inc. Pam Foley Farion & Kent Pearce Ted Cotti Asher Vandevort MEMORIAL GIFTS Patagonia’s Great Pacific Peter Ford Lyn & James Pett Nicolette Dallas Debbie Ward Mark Neely, in memory of Iron Works Nick Fotheringham Ron & Linda Phillips Patti Danner Ed Wehan Timothy Neely Rose Foundation Judith Friend Rich Popchak Scott Deardorff Donald Welch Santa Barbara Foundation Greg Frugoli, Ecotones David & Valerie Powdrell Carolyn Dolen Adam & Jennifer Wilson David & Sandra Garth Mel Price Kathleen Driscoll Joan Winton-Arneson Steve & Kristy Giddings Jacquelyn Druffin Page 4 ForestWatch

Protecting the California Condor — A Wilderness Icon

The condor, admittedly, is not the tion’s first list of endangered species. Ten most charismatic of species. It grunts and years later, protected habitat was formally hisses, feeds on dead carcasses, and has established in these sanctuaries and a hairless red head. But when you see a other areas of the Los Padres, including Hi condor spread its 9-foot wingspan and Mountain and Castle Crags in San Luis soar across Obispo County. the horizon, you come to Despite these protections, condor realize that populations continued to decline, and by the condor is a 1986 the wild population was so low that truly majestic the controversial decision was made to creature, an catch the remaining 9 condors and breed icon of our them in captivity. The last wild condor was region’s back- captured in the Los Padres in 1987. country wilderness. Five years later, wildlife biologists began to release condors back into the wild. During prehistoric times, the condor Now, after two decades, more than 150 was found throughout the western and condors command the skies in the wild, southern parts of North America, from including more than 75 flying free in Cali- British Columbia to Baja California, soar- fornia. Most condor habitat in California is ing over the heads of mastodons, giant in the Los Padres National Forest, high- sloths, and other large mammals. By lighting the importance of protecting the 1900 the condor’s range became almost forest’s wide open spaces. exclusively restricted to California, a victim The condor was reintroduced With the ability to fly more than 150 to the Big Sur coast starting of shooting, habitat depletion, lead poi- in 1997, where it has been soning from bullet fragments in animal miles in a single day, and a penchant for observed feeding on whale carcasses, and egg shell thinning from the curiosity, the California condor is particu- carcasses and nesting in pesticide DDT. larly susceptible to human development. redwoods (below). To date, The condor continues to face a number of 24 condors have been re- Recognizing these threats, in 1937 threats, including lead poisoning, micro- leased here. Photo credits: trash, oil development, collisions with Daniel Bianchetta (above); the U.S. Forest Service established the Joseph Brandt/Ventana first protected area for the condor, near power lines, and urban sprawl. Wildlife Society (below). the headwaters of the Sisquoc River. In 1947 a ForestWatch is dedicated to protect- second ing the California condor and the wild sanctuary – habitat of this giant bird. Thanks to the the Sespe support of our members, we’re the only Condor local organization working to stop the ex- Sanctuary pansion of oil drilling in condor habitat. – was es- Last year, we filed a lawsuit challenging a tablished in plan to expand oil drilling dangerously the forest. close to condor habitat in the Los Padres, In 1967, a case that is pending in federal court. We the condor also successfully halted a proposal to drill was added two new oil wells in condor habitat. to the na- Page 5

Volunteer Cleanups for the Condor

A team of dedicated ForestWatch volunteers is mobilizing across the Los Padres to eliminate one of the biggest threats to the survival of the California condor — “microtrash.”

Microtrash is small bits of debris like bottle caps, rags, screws, bullet shells, glass, and other materials found in condor habitat. Condors, curious by nature, are attracted to microtrash and bring it back to their nests, where their chicks swallow the small pieces. Several condors have died or required surgery because they’re unable to digest microtrash.

On January 12th, ForestWatch volunteers trav- eled through red rock canyons and maneuvered washed-out roads on their way to Cuyama Peak, where they removed virtually all microtrash from the area. With more than 351 pounds of microtrash cleaned up, the site no longer poses a serious threat to endangered California condors.

Cuyama Peak is in the backcountry of the Cu- yama Valley in Santa Barbara County, on the north side of the Dick Smith Wilderness in the Los Padres Pound for pound this was by far the most suc- National Forest. It's prime condor habitat, nestled cessful of ForestWatch's microtrash efforts, building between the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, on previous cleanups last year in other areas where the primary release site for condors, and the Sierra condors are known to visit. After initial efforts on Madre Ridge, an important condor flyway. The peak Whitaker Peak near the Sespe Wilderness, we have is also the site of a historical 1930s fire lookout expanded our reach to include more remote back- tower, which has fallen into disarray, scattering bro- country sites throughout the Los Padres. One peak at ken glass across the top of the peak. With clear and a time, we’re ensuring the condor’s continued sur- sunny skies, the peak offered commanding vistas vival in the Los Padres National Forest. from the southern Sierra to the Channel Islands. But while the views were grand, the site was, in a word, a mess.

The Condor Needs Your Help!

Do you want to help protect our local wildlife? Looking for an ex- cuse to spend a day outdoors? And possibly see a condor in the wild? ForestWatch is looking for dedicated volunteers to help with microtrash cleanups. Call Zack, our volunteer coordinator, at (805) 617-4610 or email [email protected] to help save the condor!

An x-ray of a condor shows a harm- ful accumulation of microtrash. Page 6 ForestWatch

NORTHERN LOS PADRES

Santa Margarita Ranch: Forest- Watch is working to protect the Santa Lucia Wilderness from an adjacent mega-development. Last year, we submitted com- ments on the draft Environ- mental Impact Report. The County will release a revised EIR later this year.

Upper Lopez Canyon: Forest- Watch continues to work with rural landowners to prevent the expansion of oil drilling in this ecologically rich canyon.

Re-Wilding the Sisquoc River ForestWatch is working to bri steelhead back to this river. Silver Peak Wilderness: Forest- Watch and other groups recently appealed our case to the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Ap- peals, challenging the Forest Service’s approval of a commercial livestock grazing operation in Big Sur coastal wilderness. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Wilderness Act of 1964.

LOOKING an update on how ACROSS we’re protecting THE FOREST your region... Page 7

SOUTHERN LOS PADRES

Carrizo Plain Management Plan: The U.S. Bureau of Land Man- agement is scheduled to release a draft management plan for this area soon. ForestWatch is preparing to submit com- ments on the plan to ensure it protects the fragile ecology of this unique area.

Cuyama Peak: Last month, ForestWatch Day Fire Hazard Tree Removal: volunteers removed ForestWatch conducted field 351 pounds of mi- monitoring, commented, ap- crotrash from here, pealed, and now, has filed a protecting the en- lawsuit to protect Alamo Moun- dangered California tain and Grade Valley from condor. damage caused by commercial logging.

: ing Oil Spill: We’re hold- ing the oil industry accountable for last year’s major oil spill.

Investigating Renegade Off-Roaders: ForestWatch is completing its study of trails illegally created by off-road vehicles. Wildfire Management: Forest- Watch is working to ensure that rare wildlife like arroyo Highway 33 Trucks: Forest- Piru Creek Land Exchange: toads, red-legged frogs, south- Watch is preparing for upcom- ForestWatch continues to ern steelhead, and San Joa- ing hearings on new mines monitor proposed legisla- quin kit foxes are better pro- that could send hundreds of tion that would give away a tected from wildfire suppres- gravel trucks through the heart one-mile stretch of Piru sion equipment. of the Los Padres. We’re work- Creek to a water district, ing behind the scenes to ban jeopardizing efforts to re- additional gravel truck traffic store steelhead. on Scenic Highway 33. Page 8 ForestWatch

From the first page (oil drilling)

“Notice of Intent to Sue” delivered to Vin- workers more than three weeks to clean tage Production California LLC and its par- up the spill. During cleanup operations, a ent company, Occidental Petroleum. The second spill occurred on the same pipe- notice gives the companies sixty days to line, releasing even more oil. implement sufficient safeguards to prevent future spills, including increasing Vintage has caused nine spills in the maintenance and inspections, preparing Sespe Oil Field during the past four years, adequate spill containment plans, and including four that entered waterways. In repairing and replacing pipelines near 2006, Vintage reported discharging 200 environmentally sensitive waterways. barrels (8,400 gallons) of wastewater and an unknown amount of crude oil into Four Our notice also seeks to impose Forks Creek. In 2005, Vintage reported meaningful penalties to ensure that spills spilling 15 barrels (630 gallons) of crude like this don’t happen again. Last month, oil and wastewater into Maple Creek. And Thousands of oiled water bugs were found dead on rocks after the companies were fined more than in 2004, Vintage reported spilling 35 bar- the spill, along with a dead $350,000 in connection with 16 spills in rels (1,470 gallons) of crude oil into Four oiled songbird and a dead oiled Ventura County, including three in the Los Forks Creek. All three streams flow into snake. Large pools of oil also Padres National Forest, since 2005. This Sespe Creek, a federally protected Wild & came within 1.7 miles of water amounted to little more than “pocket Scenic River that provides critical habitat holes frequented by endan- change” to a company that reaped record for endangered steelhead. gered California condors. profits of $5.4 billion last year. The consequences of oil spills are The most recent spill was reported on widespread and long term. An investiga- January 30, 2007. The spill was initially tion by state biologists concluded that the reported at five barrels (210 gallons) of 2007 spill caused “significant” impacts, crude oil and 80 barrels (3,360 gallons) of and that much of the sludge will remain wastewater, though officials later esti- for an extended period of time. mated that the spill was several times larger than initially reported. It took 80 Causing the spill was bad enough, but the investigation also found that a spill containment structure was “non- functional.” Had it been functioning, it would have protected nearly two miles of streambed from the spill.

These spills will continue to occur un- til the oil industry takes significant steps to clean up its act. Our notice will serve as a wake-up call, sending a message to these companies that enough is enough.

Crews worked for nearly a month to clean up last year’s spill in the Los Padres, but much of the spill was not recovered and will remain in the environment for some time. Page 9

Plans, Postmarks, and Politics: A How-To Guide for Quashing Public Input

How do you stop the public from pro- prove a new plan that included vague stan- viding input on a new management plan dards, less accountability, and weaker envi- for the Los Padres National Forest? Well, ronmental safeguards. if you’re the Secretary of Agriculture, then you might consider denying a citizens’ Because the Forest Service approved appeal signed by more than a dozen local, such a deficient plan, ForestWatch and the regional, and national organizations. coalition filed an appeal to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service in Washington D.C., ask- That’s exactly what happened last ing him to improve the plans. The agency’s year as ForestWatch and a coalition of own regulations gave us the right to file this conservation organizations fell victim to appeal, and we had hoped that it would ulti- dirty politics. mately lead to much-needed changes.

It all began in 2001, when forest offi- Instead, the Chief of the Forest Service cials announced that they were in the tossed out our appeal without even responding to Undersecretary Mark process of completely revising the man- it. The Chief claimed that our appeal was filed Rey of the USDA is a former timber industry agement plan for the Los Padres National one day too late, and was sent to the wrong ad- lobbyist who oversees Forest and three other forests in southern dress, so he didn’t have to consider it. the Forest Service . California. During the public comment process, a coalition of conservation On the contrary, we had taken the utmost groups presented a “Conservation Alterna- care to ensure that our appeal was postmarked tive,” demanding strong protections for by the deadline (which is all that the agency’s wildlife and wilderness based on sound regulations require) and that it was sent to the science. address specified in the public notice (which is also all that the regulations require). As it turns But officials did not adopt the Conser- out, the agency printed an incorrect address in vation Alternative, opting instead to ap- this public notice, then blamed us for mailing it to an incorrect address!

We formally asked the Secretary of Agricul- ture, who oversees the Forest Service, to recon- sider this denial, but he too refused our request. At that point, our only option remaining was to file a lawsuit, asking a judge to order the Forest Service to simply accept our appeal and consider it on the merits. Late last year, the judge did just that, concluding that the Chief had unfairly sin- gled us out.

The judge’s ruling was clear, but rather than abide by the ruling, the Chief has appealed the judge’s ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Ap- peals. While the appeal is pending, we’re doing everything we can to ensure that our voice — and the voices of the thousands of members of For- estWatch and other organizations — are heard.

Page 10 ForestWatch

Salvage logging challenged (from the front page)

those of us who travel along dirt roads safety goals. and trails on our way to popular sites like Fishbowls, Piru Creek, Mutau Flats, and But the Forest Service ignored our Thorn Meadows. superior alternative throughout every step of the process. In November 2007, offi- Recent studies have shown that sal- cials approved the logging without even vage logging can seriously hinder the re- conducting an environmental assessment. covery of burned areas. Logging requires Such an analysis is critical to ensure that the use of heavy machinery on fragile logging will not threaten any of the surviv- soils, and can cause long-term damage by ing yellow-blotched salamanders, a rare cable-dragging trees to loading areas. species whose populations in the Los Pa- dres are restricted to Alamo Mountain As this plan unfolded, ForestWatch where most of the logging will occur. In- attended official field trips, submitted de- stead, the agency put the project on the tailed comment letters, and spent count- fast track, dubbing it “routine” road main- less hours in the field inspecting the trees tenance so that the agency could avoid that were marked for logging. And what having to prepare an environmental as- we found was alarming—more than 20% sessment. of the marked trees had survived the fire and did not even meet the agency’s own Having exhausted all of our options, Many trees in the area survived definition of a “hazard tree.” ForestWatch filed suit in U.S. District Court the fire, such as this one, but this month, challenging the approval of they were incorrectly marked We suggested numerous times that if this project. With the support of our mem- for removal anyway, in clear the Forest Service truly had public safety bers, we’re doing everything we can to violation of the agency’s own in mind, then it could simply cut down the marking guidelines. protect this fragile area as new signs of hazard trees and leave them in place, life continue to emerge after the fire. where they would provide soil nutrients and wildlife habitat. Our alternative would avoid the serious damage that comes from using heavy machinery in a commercial logging operation, while still allowing the Forest Service to achieve its public

ForestWatch staff inspects an old growth conifer marked for logging on Alamo Mountain (left). The rare yellow-blotched salamander (above) is threatened by logging on Alamo Mountain. Page 11

Salmon Run Fire Ecology Series Ojai Wild!

The 14th Annual Salmon Run Last fall, ForestWatch presented the first in a A FUNDRAISER BARBEQUE along the Ventura River was series of talks on Fire Ecology in the Los Pa- Thacher School’s the most successful ever, dres. More than one hundred people packed Diamond Hitch Camp raising more than $12,000 the room to learn about wildlife in the after- Saturday, March 29, 2008 for our local forest protection math of the Zaca Fire. The series continues efforts, attracting a record in 2008 in conjunction with the Santa Bar- ForestWatch hopes you can join 442 participants, and bring- bara Botanic Garden. All events begin at us during this very special event ing 90 new members into the 7:00pm at the garden’s Blaksley Library, at Thacher School’s picturesque ForestWatch circle of support- 1221 Mission Cyn Rd. Free! Diamond Hitch Camp in Ojai. ers. The event marked the FEB 20: Conifers and Wildfire second year in a row that ♦ Celebrate spring with featuring Dr. Bob Haller of the Botanic Garden friends & family Patagonia selected Forest- and Mark Borchert of the Forest Service. Watch as the beneficiary of ♦ Guided nature walk this event. MAR 18: Chaparral and Wildfire featuring Richard Halsey of the California Chap- ♦ Barbeque under the oak trees with local wines We extend our deepest arral Institute and author of Fire, Chaparral, thanks to everyone at Patago- and Survival in Southern California. ♦ Horse and carriage rides nia, Great Pacific IronWorks, APR 16: Rare Plants and Wildfire featuring Dr. and Real Cheap Sports for Dieter Wilken of the Botanic Garden, and Dr. Events are still being planned, making it all happen! Lloyd Simpson of the Forest Service. so stay tuned for more details!

Backcountry Majesty: An Art Show & Reception Benefiting ForestWatch

Join ForestWatch and The Oak Group on March 28, 2008 for the opening artists' reception of Backcountry Majesty, an exhibition of landscape paintings of the varied and majestic backcountry of the Los Padres National Forest. The Oak Group is a collective of local artists who dedicate their work to the preservation of open space throughout the Central Coast. The exhibit will be on display on weekends from 11am to 5pm from March 29 through April 27th. Both the reception and exhibit will be held at the Marcia Burtt Studio in downtown Santa Barbara, at 517 Laguna St. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit Los Padres ForestWatch.

Through both the sale of their artwork and increased public aware- ness of the threats to natural lands throughout California, The Oak Group, in its 20 years of existence, has raised nearly $1.5 million for nonprofit organizations and helped preserve precious landscapes. We hope you will be able to join us for the reception on March 28th, and will find artwork that inspires the wilderness enthusiast in all of us. Field Notes: Winter in the Los Padres National Forest

The Quarterly Membership Publication NONPROFIT ORG of Los Padres ForestWatch US POSTAGE PAID Post Office Box 831 SANTA BARBARA CA Santa Barbara, CA 93102 PERMIT NO. 221 Phone: 805-617-4610 E-mail: [email protected]

Protecting Our Public Lands Along California’s Central Coast