Our Work

Speaking up for Wild Nature

A creek near the Aquarius Natural Research Area adjacent to the Mallard-Larkins Roadless Area. Brett Haverstick photo.

Our efforts have won protections for waterways, wildlife, and wildlands. We use every possible tool to protect biodiversity, including grassroots organizing, education, advocacy, and when necessary, litigation.

In general, we do not lobby for legislation, but do support ambitious bills like the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, or NREPA.

Victories

Since 1987, FOC has defended more than a million acres of roadless areas in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests from logging and road building.

Working together, FOC and allies have accomplished important goals, including the following:

Stopped the infamous Cove-Mallard timber sales

in roadless lands contiguous to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness with allies. The FOC campaign helped pressure the Forest Service to take steps toward protecting remaining roadless wildlands throughout the national forest system.

Prevented logging and road building in numerous roadless areas:

Fish & Hungery Creek (North Lochsa Face), White Sand, Weitas Creek, Kelly Creek, Pot Mountain, Meadow Creek, and Mallard – Larkins Roadless Areas and in roadless proposed Wilderness land adjacent to the Gospel-Hump Wilderness.

Protected the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

from helicopter intrusions by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Protected the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

from unnecessary expansion of landing strips by the Forest Service.

Minimized salvage logging

in the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Clearwater and Selway River drainages.

Helped stop Big Oil

from turning roads along the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers into an industrial corridor for "mega-load" infrastructure with the Nez Perce Tribe, Fighting Goliath, Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment, Idaho Rivers United, and others.

Defended water quality and fish habitat

in the South Fork Clearwater, key tributaries of the North Fork Clearwater and Lolo Creek from timber sales and suction dredge mining by appealing and litigating for water-quality standards.

Limited motorized damage

in unroaded backcountry through monitoring, appeals, and litigation, although much work remains.

Helped stop the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange

an attempt to give away high-quality public lands in exchange for over-logged private inholdings with a diverse group of allies.

Created comprehensive scientific reports

on issues affecting the Clearwater River Basin, including roadless areas, old growth, and clearcutting . These reports have garnered national attention.

Protected Endangered Species

including the threatened Canada lynx in the region and persuaded the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to review the wolverine for protection under the Endangered Species Act nation-wide.

Reports

FOC-led in-depth analysis of policy, science, and on-the-ground monitoring in the Clearwater

September 25, 2024

Clearcut Kings Report (2021)

Paul Busch

No Comments

An investigative report on the growing trend of "supersized" clearcuts above 40 acres in size within US Forest Service Region 1. Such clearcuts have been accelerating on publicly owned forest.

September 25, 2024

Roadless Report (2020)

Paul Busch

No Comments

How effective are the National and Idaho Roadless Rules? FOCs investigation shows thousands of acres of wildlands have been logged and roaded in Idaho and Montana between 2000 and 2020.

August 29, 2024

Clearwater Carbon Report (2023)

Paul Busch

No Comments

This first-of-its-kind report, written by Dr. John Talberth of the Center for Sustainable Economy, details the damaging climate impacts of the Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest Plan

August 28, 2024

Old Growth Report (2021)

Paul Busch

No Comments

This report, by FOCs Jeff Juel, explores the science of old-growth ecosystems as well as the threats these rare places face from the US Forest Service

Interested in volunteering with FOC?

Send us an email here.

Our Work

Speaking up for Wild Nature

Victories

Stopped the infamous Cove-Mallard timber sales

Prevented logging and road building in numerous roadless areas:

Protected the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

Protected the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

Minimized salvage logging

Helped stop Big Oil

Defended water quality and fish habitat

Limited motorized damage

Helped stop the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange

Created comprehensive scientific reports

Protected Endangered Species

Reports

Stay up-to-date on Clearwater Country

Stay up-to-date on Clearwater Country