Sacred Sites Protected in the Willamette National Forest
11/23/98
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Title: Sacred Sites Protected in the Willamette National Forest
Source: American Lands
726 7th Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
202/547-9105
202/547-9213 fax
wafcdc@americanlands.org
Status: Distribute and reprint freely with proper credit to source
Date: 11/23/98
FOREST FOCUS, the bulletin of American Lands, November 23, 1998
To reach us call (202)547-9400, fax (202)547-9213, or email
wafcdc@americanlands.org
SACRED SITES PROTECTED: The Kalapooya Sacred Circle Alliance (KSCA)
recently won litigation which will allow them access to over 8,000 Forest
Service documents regarding known cultural and archeological sites in the
Willamette National Forest. The KSCA sought the preservation documents
under the Freedom of Information Act, but the Forest Service failed to
comply with its mandates. KSCA is currently focusing its efforts on
enforcing federal cultural preservation and sacred site statutes on the
Willamette National Forest. "Currently, logging and road building
activities on National Forest Lands have degraded sites held sacred by
various indigenous peoples," said Attorney Lauren Regan. "This is in
direct contradiction with the federal laws which hold the Forest Service
responsible for preserving and protecting historic and cultural materials
that serve as a crucial link to the past." For more information please
contact Carol Logan at the Kalapooya Sacred Circle Alliance at 541/726-
8854.
EASTERN OLD GROWTH SAVED: A recent alert concerning the Big Choga region
of the Nantahala was outdated. The Western North Carolina Alliance and the
Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition were successfully able to protect
the old growth area in negotiations with the Forest Service. Letters to
Elizabeth Estill, Regional Forester, US Forest Service, 1720 Peachtree Rd.
NW, Atlanta, GA 30367, should thank her for protecting the old growth in
the Big Choga region.
FEDERAL FORESTLAND CERTIFICATION: The National Working Group of the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) recently issued a moratorium on certifying
Forest Service, BLM, and other federally- owned forestlands. The FSC is
the most credible system of forest product "ecolabelling," and is the only
system to provide audits by independent third-party certifiers using
objective, performance based standards. "Existing FSC-approved
certification standards were developed with private lands in mind and do
not protect roadless areas, require much restoration of habitat for
endangered species, or meet other critical public lands goals," said
American Lands' Daniel Hall. The new FSC federal lands policy states that
a number of conditions would have to be met before federal lands could be
certified by FSC accredited certifiers, including public consensus about
appropriate logging levels and development of appropriate certification
standards. For more information please contact Daniel Hall at 503/978-
0511 or wafcfbp@teleport.com
ESA TRAINING: Join the Wetland's Endangered Species Action Team for two
training workshops in New York City in December, led by GREEN's Robin
Eiseman. Tuesday, December 1 is the Endangered Species Campaign Update
and Sunday, December 6 is Skills to Defend Endangered Species. Please
contact Adam Weissman at wetlandsesa@looksmart.com or 212/966-4225 for
more information and directions.
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wafcdc@americanlands.org along with your complete contact information
(name, org, address & phone #)
Steve Holmer
Campaign Coordinator
American Lands
726 7th Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
202/547-9105
202/547-9213 fax
wafcdc@americanlands.org