TENPUBLICLANDCONSERONSERVATIONCHALLENGESFORA NEWCENTURENTURYMike Dombeck, the former Chief <strong>of</strong> theU.S. Forest Service and currently Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<strong>of</strong> Global Environmental Management atthe University <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin, delivered aMAJOR talk in Seattle on April 6, 2002. Thetitle <strong>of</strong> his remarks was “The BIG TEN PublicLand Conservation Challenges For a NewCentury: Where do we go from here?”Mr. Dombeck reminded us that in thesetimes <strong>of</strong> concern with national security and<strong>of</strong> global conflict, that national security isalso “having the resource base that makesthe quality <strong>of</strong> life we cherish possible” and“It is conserving the health <strong>of</strong> the land basethat is the very foundation <strong>of</strong> the quality <strong>of</strong>life and <strong>of</strong> life itself.” He reminded us thateven at times <strong>of</strong> war, Presidents Jefferson,Lincoln, L. Johnson and F. Roosevelt “understoodthat protecting this country and ourway <strong>of</strong> life meant taking care <strong>of</strong> the land.”He told us that “One <strong>of</strong> the most patrioticthings we can all do as citizens <strong>of</strong> the UnitedStates is care for the land.” He said that whatmakes America unique in the world is our2002 E500 million acres <strong>of</strong> public lands.He stated that he believed that WATERis the issue <strong>of</strong> this century; and as our publiclands are the largest provider <strong>of</strong> water,“we should manage our national forests firstas watersheds.”LAND FRAGMENTATION ANDSPRAWL is happening rapidly and increasesthe importance <strong>of</strong> maintaining ourunfragmented and roadless public lands. Todeal with the challenge <strong>of</strong> WILDLANDFIRE, that is due to urban-wildland bordersprawl, past timber management practicesand l00 years <strong>of</strong> fire suppression, we needto implement an ecologically balanced firemanagement plan.He reminded us that our national forestsand grasslands serve as a biological refugefor native, threatened and endangered speciesand are essential in the challenge to reversethe trend towards a LOSS OFBIODIVERSITY. It is in protecting our remainingundisturbed native habitats and2002 ENVIRONMENTNVIRONMENTALLAW CONFERENCEUniversity <strong>of</strong> Oregon, Eugenemaintaining biodiversity that we have thebest defense against the problem <strong>of</strong> EX-OTIC SPECIES.Mr. Dombeck is also a clear proponent<strong>of</strong> stopping all harvesting <strong>of</strong> OLDGROWTH on public lands. He envisionsthat OFF-ROAD VEHICLES will becomethe most difficult and controversial issue forland managers, but it is most important thatall “activities must take place within the ecologicallimits <strong>of</strong> the land.” Finding the l872MINING LAW the most vexing and outdatednatural resource law in the U.S., Mr.Dombeck urges its swift updating.He looks at PRIVATE LAND CON-SERVATION as promising and importantand to urban and suburban reforestation ascentral to a national energy policy. Finally,he concluded that it is EDUCATION thatwill help people understand these challenges.Mr. Dombeck’s talk wassponsored by Biodiversity Northwest.Find the complete text on their website:.March ch 7-10Story and Photos by Raelene GoldEugene, Oregon, the un<strong>of</strong>ficial capitol<strong>of</strong> Ecotopia, is the site <strong>of</strong> the now 20 th annualPublic Interest Environmental LawConference. Held each March, the conferenceis organized by the law students <strong>of</strong> theUniversity <strong>of</strong> Oregon Law School and thisyear drew a crowd <strong>of</strong> about 4,000, most underthe age <strong>of</strong> 30. Ittherefore, <strong>of</strong>fers aunique perspectiveinto the legal agenda<strong>of</strong> the environmentalmovement <strong>of</strong> thefuture.Conferencegoers were greetedby street theatre dramatizingthe downfall<strong>of</strong> Mr. CorporateAmerica, who carrieda briefcasereading”Work, Obey, Consume.” AmericanRevolutionists toppled the Corporate Giant,replacing his corporate flag with the Starsand Stripes.Ralph Nader, the top drawing keynoter,identified human psychology and the powerfulinstincts for self-preservation and aesthetics,as what needed to be activated tomotivate people to transform the politics <strong>of</strong>ecology.There were three very powerful and courageouswoman keynoters whose lives andwords inspired the audience. Sarah James,from Arctic Village, Alaska and spokespersonfor the Gwitch’in Steering Committee,spoke <strong>of</strong> the importance <strong>of</strong> permanent protectionfor ANWR. The proposed oil andgas drilling would endanger the caribouwith which Gwitch’in culture is intertwined.Lois Gibbs, who organized the Love CanalHomeowners Association and is now theExecutive Director <strong>of</strong> the Center for Health,Environment, and Justice, spoke and exemplifiedthe power <strong>of</strong> ordinary people tochange events. Gloria Flora, a former USFSSupervisor in the Intermountain West, exudedthe kind <strong>of</strong> spirit it took to prohibitnew oil and gas leases along the RockyMountsin Front in 1995.There were over 125 panels at the conferenceand three featured FWOC ExecutiveCommittee members. Mike McCloskey,FWOC President, presented on WildernessFaces Its Critics at a panel on The State <strong>of</strong>Wilderness. George Nickas, FWOC VP forMontana, was on the same panel as well asanother on Declassifying Wilderness: theLooming Trainwreck....FWOC’s Washington, DC Representative,Brock Evans, provided ample documentation<strong>of</strong> The Bush Administration’sAttempts to Overturn Public Land Policies.6FWOC - <strong>Outdoor</strong>s West Spring 2002
TRAILOF FRUSTRARUSTRATIONTIONby Roger Anderson, FWOC Vice ice President for Washington StateThe concept <strong>of</strong> a Chinook Trail cameto two lifelong hiking companions whilestanding on the wildflower-strewn summit<strong>of</strong> Silver Star, a 4400’ peak. Thiswas to be the highest point <strong>of</strong> a trail thatwould begin at Vancouver Lake and continueeastward crossing the Pacific CrestNational Scenic Trail finally reachingMaryhill State Park. That original vision<strong>of</strong> Don Cannard and Ed Robertson waslater expanded to include the Oregonside in a bi-state rim-top, 300 mile recreational,loop trail encircling the scenicColumbia River Gorge.The Chinook Trail was named tohonor the Chinook Indians who were theoriginal inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the area along theColumbia River from the coast to justabove the Dalles.This area’s unique geological historyand scenic beauty resulted in its beingView from Squaw Mountain Trail. Photos by members <strong>of</strong> Chinook Trail Association. Used with permission.View from Dog Mountain Trail.declared the Columbia River NationalScenic Area by Congress in l986.There was much enthusiasm for thetrail idea and in l986, the Chinook TrailAssociation (CTA) was formed dedicatedto the completion <strong>of</strong> the trail.Many government agencies, organizationsand corporations supported theproject. The Chinook Trail planned toutilize existing trail systems includingthe 40 mile Portland Loop Trail system,but 70% <strong>of</strong> the trail in Washington and50% in Oregon would require new trailconstruction. This task has been likenedto the children’s game <strong>of</strong> connecting thedots to discover the “secret” picture, aunique, rim-top trail encircling the scenicColumbia River gorge. In our realworld <strong>of</strong> government bureaucracy, it hasproved a much more daunting challenge.Since l995, the CTA has been workingon the Bells Mountain Trail, a 7.5-mile section located on WashingtonState Department <strong>of</strong> Natural Resourcesland northeast <strong>of</strong> Vancouver. This sectionhas 42 stream or wetland crossings!The CTA was awarded a grant from theInteragency Commission on <strong>Outdoor</strong>Recreation. CTA partnered withVancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation,the lead agency on the project. Afterapproval by DNR, construction on thetrail began in l997.Then, however, new State and Federalrules were enacted to protectSalmon and Steelhead in the rivers. Thisresulted in additional studies and additionalpermits being required. Three federalagencies, USFWS, NMMFS and theArmy Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers all became involved.This resulted in a long three-anda-half-yeardelay before work could proceedon the trail. Finally, February 6,2002, a permit was issued to CTA tocomplete this section <strong>of</strong> the trail. CurrentlyCTA is gearing up to start construction<strong>of</strong> the 20 bridges needed tocomplete this section <strong>of</strong> the trail.For information......on membership oron work party schedules for 2002,please visit our websiteat or call the CTA <strong>of</strong>ficeat 360-906-6769.National Trails Day isJUNE1STST.Join a Trail rail Work ork Party!ty!Spring 2002FWOC - <strong>Outdoor</strong>s West 7
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