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Appendix C - Response to Science Ringo EIS Appendix C - Response to Science Appendix C – RESPONSE TO SCIENCE The following table summarizes the Forest Service consideration of publications that were provided during the comment period and which were directly referenced in the comments, or determined to either have some relevance to the analysis or indicate there is a difference of opinion within the body of the science. NEPA states that comments on the EIS shall be as specific as possible (40 CFR 1503.3 Specificity of Comments). Some of the following documents are considered non-substantive comments that do not warrant further response. In either case, the following table explains the consideration given by the Forest Service. Referenced Document Forest Service Consideration/Response Cited Science by Dick Artley Mr. Artleys Attachment #1- Scientists Reveal the Natural Resources in the Forest are Harmed (and some destroyed) by Timber Harvest Activities Al-jabber, Jabber M. “Habitat Fragmentation:: Effects and The picture in the Cascadia Wildlands Project publication shows clearcuts and talks Implications” about fragmentation and edge effects which results in crowding of the ark (Meffe et Clearcuts and forest fragmentation, Willamette NF, Oregon. al. 1997) where after logging, species all try to exist in the remaining patches of From: Cascadia Wildland Project, Spring 2003 unlogged forest. Clear cuts are not proposed for the Ringo project. There are http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/a/Documents/Habitat%20Fragmentation%20Eff openings that will be created that are consistent with gaps and openings of at least 0.5 ects%20and%20Implication.pdf acres described in the Old Growth Definitions (USDA FS 1993, Region 6 interim Old Growth Definitions). There are also specific prescriptions proposed that include wildlife leave areas, connectivity corridors and buffers from roads to ensure wildlife requirements are met. Anderson, P.G. 1996. “Sediment generation from forestry Conference proceedings. The Forest Service recognizes and addresses the points operations and associated effects on aquatic ecosystems” from this opinion regarding sedimentation produced from harvest activities, its Proceedings of the Forest-Fish Conference: Land Management Practices effects on fish resulting from changing stream morphology and habitat conditions in Affecting Aquatic Ecosystems, May 1-4, 1996, Calgary, Alberta. Chapter 3 (Fisheries and Aquatics, Transportation) of the EIS. Crescent Creek is the only perennial water body in the Ringo planning area Implementation of the proposed project would include the development of temporary roads needed to access and remove timber from some areas. All temporary roads would be located outside of riparian areas and follow all BMPs to ensure that they are inert and not a sediment source. Following project completion, temporary roads would be obliterated and removed from the landscape. “Applying Ecological Principles to Management of the U.S. National The quotes from commenter could not be located within this cited report. This report Forests” Issues in Ecology Number 6 Spring 2000 "outlines key ecological considerations that should underlie sound forest http://www.esa.org/science_resources/issues/FileEnglish/issue6.pdf management practices." It looks at ecological considerations for forest management in five broad categories: 1) soil and nutrient cycles, 2) hydrology, 3) biodiversity, C-1 Ringo EIS Appendix C - Response to Science 4) landscape level issues, and 5) global change. Ringo resource specialists have considered these and the effects are discussed in the EIS. Barry, Glen, Ph.D. “Commercial Logging Caused Wildfires” Article in the Portland Independent Media Center newswire that says the recent Published by the Portland Independent Media Center, August 2002. wildfires in the west are being inappropriately blamed on environmentalists by the http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2002/08/17464.shtml President, timber industry representatives and the Forest Service. It says that old growth logging should be halted and more concern around housing and communities should be undertaken. There is one community (Wickiup Acres) at the northeastern edge of the Ringo project area. The Forest Service and partners are focusing additional treatments that will reinforce current work being done to lower fire risk and fire hazard as Wickiup Acres is in close proximity (one mile) to the Ringo planning area. Barry, John Byrne. “Stop the Logging, Start the Restoration” Sierra Club article that states timber advocates say commercial logging on federal from The Planet newsletter June 1999, Volume 6, Number 5 lands can be sustained, whereas the North Star chapter (Minnesota) says public data http://www.sierraclub.org/planet/199905/ecl1.asp does not support this. Instead they support bill, H.R.1396, which “would eliminate the money-losing commercial logging” and help logging communities develop alternative means of creating revenue. The Ringo project focuses on restoring and maintaining a resilient, fire adapted ecosystem that will: protect or enhance quality habitat for key wildlife species including the northern spotted owl, white-headed woodpecker, and big game, allow for safe and effective wildfire response, maintain developed and dispersed recreational opportunities, and contribute to local and regional economies by providing timber, firewood, and other forest products. Cushman, John H. Jr. “Audit Faults Forest Service on Logging New York Times article refers to 12 specific timber sales from 1995-1999 and that Damage in U.S. Forests” New York Times, February 5, 1999 Federal auditors found logging was poorly done, streams and wildlife were not being http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00E2DF163BF936A adequately protected, and mitigation measures were not incorporated. The Ringo 35751C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print project has Harvest Inspectors and Timber Sale Administrators on the ground during the entire timber harvest process to ensure compliance. In addition project design features, mitigation measures, and monitoring are incorporated in the EIS and followed up by resource specialists to ensure compliance. Higgins, Margot, “National forest logging is bad business, study says” An opinion on the 75-page report “The Economic Case against Logging National Posted on CNN.com-Nature, March 16, 2000 Forests” that looks at the external costs of logging and the economic benefits of http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/west/costlogging.pdf standing trees. The Ringo project completed an economic efficiency analysis per Forest Service Handbook (FSH) Chapter 2400. The Ringo planning area landscape provides numerous values and services (ecosystem services, Chapter 1, page 2) that are not easily quantifiable or comparable. Dombeck, Mike Ph.D. "Through the Woods" 1998 TV Interview/discussion with stakeholders taken out of context- it was about an The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. 19 June 1998. 18th month moratorium to reassess building roads in roadless areas of some national http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/fedagencies/jan-june98/road_6- forests, lack of funding to maintain them, and the effects to fish and wildlife. The 19.html C-2 Ringo EIS Appendix C - Response to Science Deschutes National Forest has a Travel Management Rule in place and the Ringo project is consistent with the rule. Dombeck, Mike Ph.D. a message on "Conservation Leadership” sent to Communication letter sent to all USFS employees by then Chief Dombeck regarding all USFS employees on July 1, 1998 doing a better job in talking about and managing values like: “wilderness and http://www.wvhighlands.org/VoicePast/VoiceAug98/Dombeck.Aug98.h roadless areas, clean water, protection of rare species, old growth forests, tml naturalness” as these are what the American people cherish. The Ringo project focuses on restoring and maintaining a resilient, fire adapted ecosystem that will: protect or enhance quality habitat for key wildlife species including the northern spotted owl, white-headed woodpecker, and big game, allow for safe and effective wildfire response, maintain developed and dispersed recreational opportunities, and contribute to local and regional economies by providing timber, firewood, and other forest products. In addition an analysis regarding unroaded and its effects to the Areas without Roads was completed for the Ringo project area. Ehrlich, Anne Ph.D., David Foster Ph.D. and Peter Raven Ph.D. 2002 Article in Native Forest Network to President Bush calling for an end of commercial “Call to End Logging Based on Conservation Biology.” Native Forest logging and instead focus on restoration and utilizing tree-free products. The Ringo Network. project focuses on restoring and maintaining a resilient, fire adapted ecosystem that http://www.nativeforest.org/campaigns/public_lands/stb_5_30_02.htm will: protect or enhance quality habitat for key wildlife species including the northern spotted owl, white-headed woodpecker, and big game, allow for safe and effective wildfire response, maintain developed and dispersed recreational opportunities, and contribute to local and regional economies by providing timber, firewood, and other forest products. Bush Fire Policy: Clearing Forests So They Do Not Burn” Forest Conservation News Today article that President Bush and the Forest Service FOREST CONSERVATION NEWS TODAY, August 27, 2002 are utilizing fear of fire to increase large-scale logging projects. The Ringo project http://forests.org/archived_site/today/recent/2002/tiporefl.htm focuses on restoring
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