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and in 1997 will offer sufficient volume to meet the full 

 estimated PSQ. We are on track for preparing timber sales under 

 the provisions of the Northwest Forest Plan. . The time spent 

 working on litigation resulting from Section 2001 (k) of the 1995 

 Rescissions Act (P.L. 104-19) and the specific requirements of 

 court orders, could impact our ability to offer for sale the 

 targeted level in FY 1996 and FY 1997 according to the Northwest 

 Forest Plan. 



Late successional reserves represent a management strategy to 

 provide a strong network of old forests where natural processes 

 function to the maximum extent possible. Reserves help provide a 

 distribution, quantity, and quality of old- forest hcQsitat 

 sufficient to avoid the extinction of associated flora and fauna 

 such as the northern spotted owl. The majority of these areas 

 are existing old forests; however, younger forests are also found 

 in these reserves . These younger forest stands are managed such 

 that they develop old growth characteristics in shorter time 

 frames. A good exeimple of this is found on the Siuslaw National 

 Forest where 5 to 8 year old timber stands are being thinned 

 early in their stand development, reducing the number of trees 

 per acre. This creates more open forest and increases species 

 diversity in the stand which will help move these stands more 

 quickly toward late- successional reserve conditions. 



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