Conservation Committee Report, August 2007
Jon Soest

We are working as part of the Environmental Task Force (~20 environmental groups) on the Forest Management Plans for the Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee NFs.  The process has been stalled by a Federal Court ruling that threw out the "Bush rules" for doing such plans.  Our Task Force is working at a reduced pace, but still giving input on Wild and Scenic River designation (all within the NF boundaries), and Off Road Vehicle use, particularly in NF Roadless Areas.

The effort to stop hatchery construction in the White River ( Chelan County) continues.  The project is still rolling along in spite of opposition from many citizens, NGOs, and local electeds.

Watershed Plans in the Wenatchee and Entiat Rivers are well along into implementation.  This summer will see some new culverts installed on the Lake Wenatchee Highway in order to open up some oxbows for refuge for small fry.  A considerable amount of riparian planting has been done in both watersheds.

NCWAS submitted comments to the USFS on the Tripod Fire Salvage Sale, with the aim of preventing logging of large trees (burned or not) to improve the economics of the sale. These trees are important to the recovery of essential wildlife habitat. Tripod was the enormous fire that occurred in the Methow Valley last summer

We continue to follow the Wa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Wa Dept of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) proposed state-wide land trades.  Political pressure from sportsmen’s groups and orchardists in Wenatchee has resulted in the removal of 4 Sections (640 acres) of land from the trade.  In place of that, DNR are considering the sale or trade of commercial property in the Wenatchee area - a former K-Mart location.