Click any
thumbnail
to view

After years of heavy logging across Sierra Nevada forests, in 2001 the Forest Service came up with what it called the Sierra Framework -- a comprehensive plan to reduce the risk of wildfire, particularly near communities, and protect old-growth forests, watersheds, and wildlife in the 11 national forests in the Sierra Nevada Region. The vast majority of the more than 47,000 citizens who helped develop the scheme strongly supported the shift toward ecologically based conservation planning for Sierra Nevada forests.

Recently, however, the Bush administration revised the Framework to triple commercial logging in the area and virtually eliminate the laudable elements of the old plan. Scientists, conservation groups, and interested citizens formally protested the virtual gutting by the Bush administration and Earthjustice worked with a coalition of client organizations to appeal the plan and encourage additional public comment.

More than 6,000 letters have since been received by the Forest Service -- almost 40 times the number filed on any previous Forest Service decision for regional forest management -- requesting that the Agency overturn the Regional Forester's 2004 decision and return to the popular 2001 Sierra Framework strategy. The 160-day appeal review period extends until early October, with additional review options that could extend the period for a final decision until November 2004.

If the plan stays as bad as it is, Earthjustice will likely find itself in court soon.