17 



economical to remove. Economic value would be lost, as well as fuel treatment op- 

 portunities through the timber sale. 



Conclusions 



Secretary Glickman's interim direction is designed to ensure that the salvage pro- 

 gram is focused on true emergencies within the National Forest system. The dam- 

 age that the forests received this past winter has created an extremely high risk 

 of catastrophic fire with resultant effects to fisheries, wildfire, and wilderness val- 

 ues; in our ability to meet our trust responsibilities to Native Americans, and to pro- 

 vide for public safety and use of the National Forests; and economic loss. 



This is a true emergency of vast magnitude. It is not a matter of if a fire will 

 occur, but how extensive the damage will be when the fire does occur. Through the 

 timber sale process, the hazard and risk can be reduced. Half of the area proposed 

 for treatment is designed as released roadless and is not available for salvage under 

 the Secretary's direction. All other aspects of the direction would be met. We ask 

 that for this unique situation the direction be reconsidered. 



* Recreated by the Office of Representative Hon. Wally Herger 



Letter's submitted by Hon. Wally Herger 



Department of Agriculture, 



Office of the Secretary 

 Washington, DC, Sept. 4, 1996. 



Memorandum to Jack Ward Thomas, Chief of the Forest Service 



From: James R. Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and 

 Environment 



Subject: California Owl Revised Draft Environmental Impact State- 

 ment 



Due to the significance of the California Spotted Owl Revised Draft Environ- 

 mental Impact Statement (RDEIS) on the long term sustainability and multiple-use 

 of the Sierra Nevada forests, I believe it is essential that we base our management 

 proposals on the best science available. With the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project 

 (SNEP) report nearing completion, it is important that the Forest Service assure 

 that full advantage of this new information has been taken in making resource deci- 

 sions affecting the Sierra Nevada ecosystem. 



To continue our commitment to multiple-use based on sound science, the Forest 

 Service should proceed according to the following direction: 



1. You will assemble a scientific review team chartered under the Federal Advi- 

 sory Committee Act comprised of representatives of the SNEP team, the California 

 Spotted Owl Technical Team (CASPO), and other appropriate individuals from in- 

 side and outside the Forest Service with expertise in the management issues associ- 

 ated with the Sierra Nevada ecosystem. 



2. This team will conduct an evaluation of the RDEIS alternatives in light of the 

 SNEP, an analysis of the planning models used to support management decisions, 

 and a review of any other scientific information brought to the team's attention 

 which may bear on the future management of the Sierra Nevada ecosystem. 



3. As a part of its review, the team should conduct public workshops to review 

 the findings of SNEP and the DEIS to encourage discussion of how they might be 

 applied to management plans in the Sierra Nevada forests. 



4. After the team conducts its review and workshops, the team should prepare a 

 draft report of their findings and recommendations. 



5. The draft report should be peer reviewed before being finalized and submitted 

 to you and the Secretary. This report should then serve as the basis for preparing 

 a revised draft EIS and/or additional alternatives to guide management of the Si- 

 erra Nevada ecosystem. 



I would expect the team to be assembled and its charter completed by November 

 1, 1996, and its final report to be delivered by February 1, 1997. Based on the re- 

 sults of this effort, I would hope that the revised EIS could be completed early next 

 year. 



Thank you for your attention to this extremely important issue. Please keep me 

 apprised of your progress. 



