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Klamath National Forest 

 3. Canon Green Timber Sale 



Ranger Distnct Volume (mmbf) Project Acres Logging Acres 



Scott River 12.6 2.190 2.190 



Location 



This sale is located in the watenheds of Canyon and Kclsey Creeks, approximately 1 5 miles west of Fort Jones. 



Impact 



This is a predominantly green tree timber sale. Most of the timber volume will be produced from thinning 

 live trees. The Forest Service proposes experimental "sanitation" logging in true fir stands to reduce the inci- 

 dence of disease. In fact, research indicates that logging may increase the incidence of root diseases. Large 

 older trees have been marked for logging in this sale. While the Forest Service sees these larger trees as defec- 

 tive due to nonfatal diseases, they are in fact favored by wildlife. Weaknesses in the trees provide nesting sites 

 for cavity-nesting birds. 



In practice, "sanitation" logging means logging old growth. Logging of uplands in the Canyon and Kelsey 

 Creeks that have been identified by scientists as significant "Late Successional Old Growth" is misguided and 

 could violate provisions of the Northwest Forest Plan. The Northwest Forest Plan allows logging of old 

 growth onlv when nearby reserves have grown into useful habitat for old growth dependent species. In this 

 case, several decades will pass before nearby Late Successional Reserves are suitable for old growth dependent 

 species. Therefore, logging of old growth outside the Reserve in the Canon sale poses greater risks to already 

 threatened wildlife. 



Logging in the Canyon and Kelsey Creek watersheds will also be disastrous for fisheries. Both these creeks 

 supply cold water to the Scott River. Cold water is a critical factor for salmon and steelhead stocks which are 

 proposed for "threatened" listings under provisions of the Endangered Species Act. Logging in the vicinity of 

 creeks and streams reduces shading which increases water temperatures to deadly levels for salmon. 



Another major concern with the Canon sale is the proposed construction of 1 .65 miles of road in eanhflow 

 terrain. Experience in this drainage demonstrates that intensive logging and building roads on steep earthflows 

 increases landsliding by several orders of magnitude. The steep, unstable slopes between Lover's Camp Roadless 

 Area and Box Camp Roadless Area have seen large landslides before, after intensive logging in the 1960s. 

 Under the Northwest Forest Plan, these areas should be proteaed firom road building and intensive logging. 



For additional information: 



Felice Pace. Klamath Forest Alliance 916/467 5405 



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26-951 - 96 - 9 



