The Kootenai National Forest, Fire, and Old Growth Forests.

The photos below tell the story of one example of the impacts of the U.S. Forest Service’s timber sale program on old growth habitat in the Kootenai National Forest.

In 1995, the Forest Service proposed extensive clearcutting and road construction in the Kootenai National Forest, their justification being to "salvage" timber from areas burned by wildfires during the summer of 1994. One proposal was documented in the Skyline Ridge Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS proposed timber sales to:

"Recover valuable timber"
"Reduce fuels build-up and fire hazard"
"Provide for long-term sustainability of forest resources"
"Contribute to natural recovery processes which reduce impacts to water resources"

What Destroyed This Old Growth?

The first photo is a 1996 view of an area of old growth forest said to have been "lost in the Studebaker fire" (cutting units #1 and #2). The fire burned in 1994 in Studebaker Draw, a tributary to O'Brien Creek. From the EIS's description of this area: "The residual stands have few large diameter trees or down logs, and a greatly reduced basal area. The loss of these key old growth attributes has eliminated the present value of the old growth habitat in the fire areas."

The second photo is the exact same view, taken in 1998 after logging was completed. According to the EIS, "There would be no direct effect to old growth from the salvage logging." And, "Adherence to Forest Plan standards relative to old growth and snag habitat assist in the avoidance of cumulative effects on old growth and associated species."

Overview of the Studebaker Fire area, before and after logging.

This is a view of the main Studebaker Fire area. The top photo was taken in 1996, two years after the fire, the bottom photo in 1998, shortly after the timber sale

After the fire and before logging, the EIS said of this area: "The current appearance of green trees may be confusing. …These are stand replacing burns that may be considered as an opening in regard to wildlife cover. …These areas are considered low value as cover for big-game."

One of the Forest Service's justification for logging in the EIS was, "Where catastrophic conditions such as insects, disease, or fire creates a condition whereby larger unit sizes will have no additional effect on wildlife habitat, larger cutting units may be used."

The EIS also said, "Recreational users may be temporarily displaced during the salvage activities, but they would return to the area upon completion of the activities."