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Show THE ZEPHYRDECEMBER 89 PAGE 10 as vital ecological elements that are woven throughout the fabric of landscapes that sustain multiple values and uses. public lands Whw did Q. flreMh? watchdog Public concern and mounting scientific evidence led to a reassessment of our policy on management of old growth forests. Controversies over Intensive management practices such as clearcuttlng resulted In the National Forest Management Act and forest planning as ways of Improving our A. a new policy for the CISFS management and resolving public Issues. Research began to show us that old growth forests are more diverse and productive than we had originally believed, with proven value as wildlife habitats for many species. Our new policy focuses on shifting to Integrated ecosystem management with a larger landscape perspective designed to Insure the sustainability of all resources and values. On October 19, 1989, the U. S. Forest Service announced a major change In the way It manages Its lands. The following statement Is a news release from the USFS. Also Included are a series of questions and answers about the new policy, developed by the Rocky Mountain Region of the USFS: USDA'S FOREST SERVICE ANNOUNCES NATIONAL POLICY ON OLD-GROW- TH forests are valuable as diverse and productive ecosystems and will be managed as such under a new national policy announced today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. "For the first time as an agency, we are recognizing the Importance of old growth on a national level Forest Service chief F. Dale Robertson said. "Old-groforests are Important ecosystems that we are Just beginning to understand. We've learned enough to know that a significant share of them deserve to be protected and managed for posterity. The Forest Service has developed a position statement embracing the many significant values of old growth. The statement Includes guidance on definitions, land use decisions, silvicultural practices, and research. "For example, we will reduce the use of traditional clearcuttlng methods, Robertson said. "Instead, we will Increase the retention of residual trees, snags, material, and logging debris. Other Actions Include: forests; Reducing the fragmentation of forests until more Is Maintaining future options for significant learned about them by selectively locating timber sales; Managing some forest stands on extended rotations In order to develop their values as well as provide for timber products; forests through management activities as well as Creating future natural events; Getting a better Idea of how much old growth exists and where It Is located. Increasing research efforts directed to ecosystems and their In For fiscal 1990 a $1,051 million Increase Is funded for example, management research. "We do not anticipate an Immediate Impact on our timber sale program since our forest plans provide for many values, Robertson said. "However, there win be an Impact when we complete the final forest plans In California, Oregon and Washington, and as we amend or revise other forest plans due to a values. greater emphasis on The Forest Service also has developed a national ecological definition of old growth forests based on structural attributes that can be Identified and measured. ThIs generic definition will guide the development of specific definitions by forest types and provide consistency In Identifying the extent and location of forests through our forest Inventories, Robertson said. Old-Gro- Q. How Is this policy different from the previous one? A. Previous policy viewed old growth as something to be harvested and recycled Into younger, more vigorous stands, at least In areas managed Intensively for wood fiber. This new policy recognizes old growth for Its values and seeks to Integrate It Into multiple use management The policy recognizes old growth as a perpetual resource to be sustained for all Its values: timber, wildlife, fisheries, esthetics, and ecological functions. Our policy seeks alternatives to simple preservation of old growth or Intensively managed tree farms. We believe the National Forests are the best place to find those alternatives. Q. Will A. Probably yes, but we are not exactly sure the form It will take. Decisions sts on managing for their many values will be made In the development and Implementation of forest plans. Where goals for managing these values are not compatible with timber production, lands will be classified unsuitable. Where goals can be met by silvicultural practices (such as extended rotations or leaving more dead trees), lands will be classified as suitable. wth wth old-gro- wth wth old-gro- old-gro- forests may range from a network of stands for wildlife to for public visitation, to creating future areas forest designated Old-gro- old-gro- old-gro- wth spades are associated forests? Q. WhaLwIldllfa A. There are many spades of wildlife associated with old growth forests such as woodpeckers, different spades of hawks and owls, many rodents, and mammals such as pine marten and black bears. All of these species are also found In forests that are mature and haven't fully developed the characteristics. However, the forests provide Ofrtlmum habitat conditions so some species would be more abundant In forests than younger forests. wth wtth old-oro- wth old-gro- old-gro- wth old-gro- wth research progresses. wth old-gro- wth through management activities. We will continue to better define and describe Implementation of the new national policy as Inventories are completed and wth old-gro- old-gro- wth wth old-gro- the Forest Service set aside special areas to manage old growth? okl-fore- dead-and-do- wn old-gro- the Chief of the Forest Service announce a new Policy on old old-gro- wth Q. What Is an A. forests are ecosystems distinguished by old trees and related structural attributes. Old growth encompasses the later stages of stand development that typically differ from earner stages In a variety of characteristics which may Include tree size, accumulations of large dead wood material, number of canopy layers, species composition, and ecosystem function. In addition to Incorporating the concepts of ancient, virgin, and primeval, stands could be managed to develop old growth characteristics. old-aro- wth forest? wth Q. How lame an area will It take to satisfy old growth needs? A. Old growth, as a forest condition, Is not necessarily dependent on a set amount of acreage to be a viable part of an ecosystem. We plan to manage forested landscapes to Include old growth forests as Integral parts, not Just set-asi- de as a 300-ac- re In the corner of each 10,000-ac- re watershed, but Old-gro- wth Minors must have parent sign a release form at the shop. IF Pete & Co. 471 South Main Desert Plaza 259-773- 5 cuts o perms o hair color nails shampoo sets fly rods SKATEBOARD SHOP-CAB- , custom made Boron Graphite Rods by Pete UTAH Open Almost Daily Around evening time or if Tm here. SNOWBOARD RENTALS AND SALES make my Christmas merry rent a snowboard wth wth 293 S. 4th E. 259-227- 9 the ideal gift for Christmas recognized nationally by the serious angler |