Number: 1992-04
WHEREAS, the ecologically balanced and sustainable management of our nation’s forests is a high priority for the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates; and
WHEREAS, very little of our nation’s forests remain in an old growth or ancient forest condition, some 90 percent of the ancient forest ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest having already been eliminated and only small remnants of old growth forests remain elsewhere in the continental United States; and
WHEREAS, ancient and old growth forests provide unique, irreplaceable and often very threatened habitat for many thousands of plant and animal species, some classified as rare, threatened or endangered; and
WHEREAS, ancient forest destruction in the Pacific Northwest has resulted in ecological declines as well as economic losses from damage to fisheries, recreation resources and water resources; and
WHEREAS, the National Forest System is a biologically diverse national resource capable of providing numerous benefits which private forest lands cannot or likely will not provide, including dispersed recreation, wilderness, and mature and old growth forest habitat; and
WHEREAS, a growing number of Americans are placing increasing importance on ancient forests, endangered species and non-commodity National Forest values; and
WHEREAS, the American public is increasingly concerned about unsustainable logging, including excessive clear cutting, of our National Forests;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992, in Portland, Oregon, renews its call upon the Administration and the Congress to protect the ancient forest ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest, to protect old growth forest ecosystems in the rest of the United States and to conserve the fish, wildlife, plant and other species that inhabit these irreplaceable ecosystems; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the Forest Service and the Congress to respond to the evolving needs of the American public by protecting the long-term health and productivity of the ecosystems within the National Forest System and restoring wildlife habitat and other resources degraded by unsustainable logging or other damaging uses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the continued reduction of the commodity emphasis of National Forest management by continued decreases in logging volumes and road construction to ecologically sound and sustainable levels; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon the Forest Service to restrict the use of clear cutting to only those areas where it can be demonstrated to be the optimal method for protecting the health and productivity of the forest ecosystem and its associated values, including water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, soil conservation and timber production.