Dear Wildlanders,
The Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) is attempting to hastily issue dredging permits to remove sediment near the Port of Lewiston and Port of Clarkston. Opting to delay the release of it’s Final Environmental Impact Statement concerning sediment buildup behind the lower Snake dams, ACE is now trying to do an end-run around the law and subject tax-payers to footing the tab for costly and harmful dredging. Use this action alert to submit a comment. Deadline is December 18, 2013.
Thank you to everyone that has supported us this holiday season through the 2013 Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse. If you were unable to visit the Prichard Art Gallery last week, you can still attend Moscow’s Winter Market on Saturday December 7 and 14. You can also shop from home through the on-line giving program. Check out our gift cards.
We recently joined with other conservation groups and individuals in objecting to the revised, yet, seriously flawed Idaho Pandhandle National Forests Plan. Poor accountability and a lack of measurable standards regarding water quality, fish/wildlife habitat, and the management of old growth forest are great concerns. Porous wilderness recommendations, including the Mallard-Larkins Roadless Area, were cited in our objection. Learn more.
You may be aware that the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, the Sierra Club and FOC have filed a lawsuit challenging the erroneous Clearwater National Forest Travel Plan. A travel plan sets the direction for what roads and trails will be open on the national forest for motorized use. Unfortunately, the agency has refused to close trails to motorcycles and four-wheelers in sensitive roadless areas like Weitas Creek and Pot Mountain. Read the news release.
We are considering an appeal to the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals due to a federal judge’s recent ruling against Alliance for the Wild Rockies and FOC in the Little Slate Timber Sale. We maintain that the agency violated both the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act when it concluded that clear-cuts would not degrade crucial fish and wildlife habitat.
Hope you like our new look,
Brett & Gary