The Smokey Wire : National Forest News and Views
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I think it would be interesting to investigate further exactly what the FS did right with the cumulative effects of other species, and apparently, according to Judge Molloy, did wrong with lynx. It seems odd to me that the FS would do an adequate analysis for the other species, but not for lynx (look at … Read more
Guest post by Megan Birzell, The Wilderness Society. A little more than a month after a leading opponent of the Colt-Summit forest restoration project on the Seeley Lake Ranger District publicly compared Forest Service employees and mill workers to Nazis – and the diverse group of Montanans working to promote forest restoration and much-needed jobs … Read more
Judge Molloy’s opinion on Colt Summit link here. Article in Missoulian here. Here’s an excerpt: “The plaintiffs in this case insist the Forest Service’s cumulative effects analysis for lynx is inadequate. On this point they are correct. On remand the Forest Service must prepare a supplemental (environmental assessment) that adequately addresses the cumulative effects for … Read more
This morning’s Missoulian has another look at the Colt Summit timber sale on the Lolo National Forest, the first timber sale on the Lolo to be litigated in over 5 years. Here are some snips from that article: Project opponent George Wuerthner, a writer and ecologist, countered in an email that the cumulative effects are … Read more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 21, 2012 Calling it “a great win for the lynx,” Mike Garrity, Executive Director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, announced that Federal District Judge Donald W. Molloy halted the Colt Summit Timber Sale on the Seeley Lake Ranger District on June 20th. Garrity said, “Judge Molloy agreed with us … Read more
Thanks to my heroine of the day… TEXT ORDER granting in part and denying in part [30]Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment; granting in part and denying in part [36] Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment. A separate Opinion will be entered in this case, however for the benefit of the parties and their planning I am … Read more
Above are the details of the disputed project. Thanks, JZ for this AP story in the Helena IR. Link here. Excerpt below. Lolo National Forest Supervisor Debbie Austin said the one-paragraph order does not address the status of the project, so both sides must wait for the full order to determine the effect of Molloy’s … Read more
Here’s a link. Here’s an excerpt: In a brief order that will be followed by a lengthier written opinion, Molloy granted the Forest Service’s motion for summary judgment on several points. Among other things, he concluded that the Forest Service had adequately reviewed the potential direct impact of the proposal on lynx and grizzly bears. … Read more
According to the Missoulian, a federal judge has ruled that the US Forest Service failed to adequately study how the Colt Summit timber sale might affect endangered lynx habitat. As readers may recall, The Wilderness Society, Montana Wilderness Association and National Wildlife Federation – as well as their ‘timber partners’ at Montana Wood Productions Association … Read more
Ecologist and former hunting guide George Wuerthner has a new piece on the Lolo National Forest’s Colt Summit Timber Sale over at The Wildlife News. Below is a snip, but make sure to give the entire article it a read. We’ve also debated the substantive issues related to this timber sale numerous times on … Read more