Forest Practices, Old Growth and the Spotted Owl

Number: 1991-16

 

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Forest Service, the United States Department of Interior-Bureau of Land Management and the USDA-Fish and Wildlife Service are responsible for multiple use management of forest resources and the threatened and endangered wildlife residing within the federal forests in the Pacific Northwest; and

WHEREAS, the federal old growth forests belong to the citizens of this nation and are managed in the public trust by these federal agencies; and

WHEREAS, the old growth forests are severely restricted in distribution due to accelerated logging to meet the unsustainable cutting levels imposed by the Congress and Executive Branch of the U. S. Government; and

WHEREAS, the old growth forests provide crucial habitat for the threatened spotted owl listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act by the Fish and Wildlife Service on June 22, 1990, as well as other important species; and

WHEREAS, a special team of scientists, the Interagency Spotted Owl Committee (ISC), was appointed by the Forest Service and other agencies and has recommended a minimal plan to provide for the continued viability of the spotted owl; and

WHEREAS, federal courts have subsequently ruled that both the Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service must fully comply with NFMA and the ESA to optimally insure the continued existence of the spotted owl and its critical habitats, and

WHEREAS, the forest lands identified for protection by the ISC are lands owned by the people of the United States who support the National Forest Management Act and the Endangered Species Act and desire to have these laws fully enforced by the Executive Branch;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 21-24, 1991, in Memphis, Tennessee, acknowledges and supports the recent rulings of the Federal Courts with regard to ISC and NFMA, and supports the preservation and protection of remaining old growth forest habitats essential to the assured survival of the Spotted Owl;and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation opposes the weakening of the Endangered Species Act.