Spring 2009

the
from
News

Supporting Northwest biological diversity & communities

Woods
Non Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 4677
Portland, OR

917 SW Oak Street, Suite 410

Portland, OR 97205
www.gptaskforce.org
ph: 503-221-2102
fax: 503-221-2146

Printed on 100% recycled paper with soy-based ink

 3,000 Acre Expansion of Spencer
Ridge Roadless Area Funded
By Emily Platt
Gifford Pinchot The Task Force is happy to report the
recent receipt of a grant from Ecotrust’s Whole
Watershed Restoration Initiative that will support
Task Force
the removal of 7.9 miles of road from the edges
of the Spencer Ridge Roadless Area just east of
Mission
Mount St. Helens. The project is designed to
restore natural flow patterns and improve habitat
for winter steelhead, spring Chinook, coho, and
resident rainbow and cutthroat trout by removing
The Gifford failing roads in the Lewis River basin.
Pinchot Task Force
supports the The project will also expand the Spencer
biological diversity Ridge Roadless Area by 3,000 acres which will
and communities benefit deer, elk and other native wildlife popula-
of the Northwest tions, specifically improving gray wolf habitat by
through removing Forest Road 2575 and elk calving habi-
conservation and tat by removing Forest Road 9325. Removing
restoration of these roads will restore the natural river flow path
forests, rivers, fish, of 10 perennial streams and reduce road density
and wildlife. within the Clear Creek subwatershed by 24%.
The project will also restore connectivity
in a critical area of the GPNF’s 1.3 million acres.
Clear Creek drains a portion of the high ridges
and peaks of the GPNF’s legendary 55,000 acre
Dark Divide roadless area. The project area is
important for the recovery of anadromous and
resident fish and will additionally benefit native
wildlife that prefer roadless areas like wolves and
wolverine. The Task Force supports the removal
of priority roads in the GPNF to restore fish and
wildlife habitat while adequately maintaining other
roads that are important for the public in order to
access fishing, hunting, camping, trails and other
sites on national forestlands.
Unroading our Public Lands
By Lisa Moscinski
The Gifford Pinchot
has previously reported on
the serious threat roads
crisscrossing our public
lands pose for ecosystems
and the opportunity that
exists by removing unneed-
ed roads to provide local
quality jobs for contractors
and adapt our lands to the The Clackamas Stewardship Partners discuss the importance
of removing unneeded roads to improve aquatic habitat in the
pressing needs of climate Clackamas River Basin on a recent field tour organized by the
Task Force.
change. The Mt. Hood
National Forest has taken on this challenge and opportunity by working to
assess the needs and leverage funding for action.
The Mt. Hood National Forest has 3,464 miles of road on over 1
million acres. Roads pose a variety of problems to our ecosystems, and one
is the creation and transportation of sediment that dirties our drinking water
and degrades fisheries. The Mt. Hood National Forest is working to remove
unneeded roads to improve hydrologic function and reduce adverse impacts
to aquatic habitats as well as reduce road maintenance costs.
The Task Force is helping coordinate the Clackamas Stewardship
Partners input into the road restoration process by developing an efficient
collaborative process that takes into account a diversity of interests. Over
the coming years we plan to take on more of the unneeded road system by
looking at additional watersheds. The end result is to have a road system that
meets the needs of the ecosystem as well as the Forest Service budget and
user access needs.
We are excited the Mt. Hood National Forest has taken on the chal-
lenge of the road system and we look forward to continuing to partner with
them. In addition, we hope to replicate this process throughout the region
and in particular, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which has over 4,000
miles of roads on the 1.37 million acres and a $50-$60+ million road main-
tenance backlog that grows each year.
Critical Habitat for Threatened Bull Trout at Risk
By Jessica Walz
A recent story in the
Oregonian stated that former
assistant secretary of Fish,
Wildlife, and Parks, Julie
MacDonald, manipulated deci-
sions involving a dozen species
including the bull trout. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pine Creek in the GPNF is critical habitat to threatened bull
made an initial recommendation trout and increased development in the area could further
imperil the fish.
to include large areas of the
Lower Lewis Watershed including Pine Creek in the Bull Trout Critical
Habitat Plan (CHP), but MacDonald influenced the decision to exclude
these areas. Several field biologist and managers indicated that MacDonald’s
level of interference in the bull trout Critical Habitat Designation (CHD)
was improper, stating that the final rule “defied logic.” This story prompted
the Gifford Pinchot Task Force to again advocate for the inclusion of Pine
Creek in the bull trout CHD.
The bull trout population in Swift Reservoir is known to spawn in
several tributaries to the Swift including Pine Creek. In fact, the numbers
on Pine Creek from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife show
that in 2000 41 fish were present reaching a high in 2004 of 293 fish. In
2006, a large tract of development began in the area adjacent to Pine Creek
and contributed to sediment impacts which occurred during the 1996 flood-
ing episode. Increasing development and higher than normal flood occur-
rences are relentlessly impacting bull trout habitat.
The decision to exclude Pine Creek from the bull Trout CHD is
not founded on the best available science. According to the Forest Service
and WDFW surveys, bull trout are found in Pine Creek and use it regularly
for spawning and migratory behavior. All scientific records from the original
recommendations indicate that Pine Creek is critical habitat for the bull
trout as defined by the ESA and should be included in the final rule.
Without adequate protection, habitat for the bull trout in Pine Creek will be
severally impacted and the resulting loss of bull trout will significantly
reduce the overall population.
Advising the Mount St. Helens Advisory Committee
By Jessica Walz
As a result of the continued obstacles facing Mount St. Helens a
congressional advisory committee was established in January of 2008 by
U.S. Representatives Baird and Dicks, and U.S. Senators Cantwell and
Murray. The advisory committee was tasked with exploring “the communi-
ty’s vision for the Monument’s future” and to eventually make recommenda-
tions to Congress regarding the best course of action for ensuring the
future of Mount St. Helens.
On March 2, 2009, The Mount Helens Advisory Committee
released draft recommendations. The Task Force Conservation Director
made two presentations to the committee in 2008 regarding recreation and
conservation and a few of our members attended almost every committee
meeting. We are pleased that the draft recommendations include a recom-
mendation to maintain the restricted areas for recovery and integrity of the
features, dedicating the Monument scientist to science, expanding science
funding, encourage partnerships with voluntary organizations, and maintain-
ing habitat protection. Unfortunately, the recommendations also encourage
the expansion of roads near the monument, increased development in and
around the monument, and fails to ask for national park status. We need to
encourage the committee to acknowledge that Mount St. Helens deserves
the respect, funding, and effort that are given to other national icons.
What You Can Do
The committee will be holding two public hearings—we
encourage our members to attend and to submit public comments to
the committee on the draft recommendations for Mount St. Helens.
The first hearing was on March 30th in Kelso, but the second hearing
will be held on Monday, April 13th in the Camas Police Department
Community Room, 2100 NE 3rd St. Camas, WA from 6- 9 p.m. You
can also e-mail written comments before May 7, 2009 to
SHACComments@co.skamania.wa.us.
For more info or to let us know that you took action please con-
tact Jessica at jessica@gptaskforce.org or 503-221-2102 x101.
Responding to Climate Change
By Lisa Moscinski
Human society is faced with an unprecedented challenge to respond
to climate change. Dominick DellaSala, chief scientist for the Ashland-based
National Center for Conservation Science and Policy, recently testified before
a congressional subcommittee saying that “Climate change is not just an
environmental problem, it is a growing moral dilemma of national and eco-
nomic security requiring a sea change in management and conservation of
water, forests and the very air we breathe.” There is broad scientific consen-
sus that climate change is occurring and the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), which was established to provide decision-makers
and others interested in climate change with an objective source of informa-
tion about climate change, have determined that the “warming of the climate
system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in
global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and
ice and rising global average sea level” (IPCC 2007).
We have an opportunity to respond to climate change and halt some
of the costs to present and future generations. The Gifford Pinchot Task
Force is combating climate change on federal lands by developing and imple-
menting strategies to help ecosystems and communities adapt to changes that
are well underway. The impacts of climate change vary regionally. One exam-
ple in this region is that warming in the mountains is expected to cause
decreased snowpack and more winter flooding, both of which we’ve begun
to see already (IPCC 2007). The Task Force has considered the latest
research and is therefore working to:
1) Reduce existing stressors like habitat fragmentation and
harmful management practices;
2) Manage for ecological function and protection of biologi-
cal diversity because healthy, biologically diverse ecosys-
tems may be better able to withstand some impacts of cli-
mate change;
3) Establish habitat buffer zones and wildlife corridors as
species and habitats change;
4) Gather data on the range of potential local impacts of cli-
mate change
The Task Force’s Restoration Plan for the Gifford Pinchot National
Forest is serving as our foundation to identify adaptation opportunities
although we soon hope to have more specific local climate data to overlay
our existing plan. For example, we used our restoration plan to identify and
raise funds for 7.9 miles of road removal that will expand the Spencer Butte
Roadless Area by 3,000 acres, restore natural flow patterns and improve
habitat for salmon and steelhead, and native wildlife populations including
gray wolves and elk. Restored habitat connectivity will facilitate the ability of
species to move between areas or to new habitats.
Many actions need to be taken in the coming years. The “federal
agencies need to build resistance and resilience to climate change by pro-
tecting old forests, roadless areas and flood plains,” DellaSala commented,
“these systems hold the life-giving natural resources we will increasingly
need to adapt to the climate change impacts.” No one is exactly sure of
what all the impacts of climate change will be so it is imperative that we
build resilience into our ecosystems and manage for biodiversity so we can
be better prepared for whatever changes may come.
The Task Force’s work
over the last several years work-
ing with the Forest Service to
make restoration and conserva-
tion of our ecological systems
their top priority is exactly the
type of work recommended by
the scientific community. Please
support our work to implement
adaptation strategies to combat
climate change.
If you are interested in
learning more about any of
these projects please contact
Lisa Moscinski at
Amphibians are one species expected to decline with
climate change because of their lack of mobility, lisa@gptaskforce.org.
unique habitat, and susceptibility to temperature and
habitat change.
Skamania County Victory!
By Jessica Walz
Skamania County was seeking to amend the text and maps of its
zoning code. The amendments were intended to apply to all lands within
unincorporated Skamania County that are not designated as Columbia River
Gorge National Scenic Area. The new zoning sought to allow large scale
wind energy facilities and bio-energy facilities to be allowed with limited to
no public involvement in the planning process and with limited environ-
mental review. The State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) document
undertaken by the County to change their zoning did not analyze the
impacts of this zoning change and inclusion of large scale wind and bio-
mass facilities would have on the environment and listed threatened and
endangered species within the county limits.
The Gifford Pinchot Task Force joined a suit with Friends of the
Columbia Gorge and Columbia Riverkeeper to overturn the County in favor
of a comprehensive Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the change in
zoning code in Skamania County. We argued that:
• An EIS must be prepared for non-project actions that
may lead to significant adverse impacts;
• The County failed to consider cumulative impacts;
• The County failed to consult with other agencies;
• The County failed to consider impacts to special and
sensitive areas, wildlife, rare plants, native plant communities,
and water resources.
The hearing examiner issued a ruling on Feb 19, 2008 in our favor.
The examiner stated that the County had not demonstrated that it had con-
sidered environmental factors to the extent required by SEPA. More signifi-
cantly, the examiner stated that “the County did not consider County-specif-
ic environmental studies prior to developing the zoning text and map
amendments and did not consider the types of development that might
result from the amendments.” The examiner decision requires the County
to prepare an EIS for both the zoning text and the map amendments.
Help Report Invasive Weeds on the GPNF
The Forest Service and the Gifford
Pinchot Task Force could use your help in
monitoring invasive species on the Gifford
Pinchot National Forest (GPNF). Invasive
weeds are a problem on all our public lands.
They can out-compete local plants and
wildlife, and they even displace or replace
native species. It is important to catch inva-
sive species infiltration early before they
have a chance to spread. Tracking invasive Herb Robert is one of many invasive plants
weeds on the 1.4 million acre GPNF is a on the GPNF that we need help monitoring.
challenge and every extra set of eyes looking for invasive weeds makes a dif-
ference. To learn more about how to identify invasive plants, please visit
our website (www.gptaskforce.org) where you can download the Invasive
Plants of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest booklet.
What You Can Do
Here’s how you can help: if you are recreating in the GPNF and
you notice a suspicious plant that you know or suspect to be an
invasive species, you can take some simple steps to report your
sighting. Take a picture if you can, take a sample if possible,
download and fill out the Report a Weed form from the volunteer
section of our website (www.gptaskforce.org), and send your pic-
ture, sample, and form to Emily Platt at:
emily@gptaskforce.org
Or
Emily Platt
Gifford Pinchot Task Force
917 SW Oak St. Ste. 407
Portland, OR 97205
 Check out the Gifford Pinchot Task Task Force Board of Directors
Tough Times Call for Your Generous Support Force on Facebook! Just visit: David Jennings, Chair
www.facebook.com and either log in Kim Erion, Vice Chair
As many of you are aware, the economic pressures that are or start an account to sign up as a Cliff Ligons, Treasurer
being felt across the country greatly impact the resources and capac- member of our group on Facebook. Carole Richmond, Secretary
ity of non-profit groups like the Task Force to continue working Heather Erickson, Director
towards their missions. This is a pivotal time for donors to give as
generously as possible to help mitigate the impacts of reduced Task Force Staff
income from foundations and others who aren’t able to give as they Emily Platt, Executive Director
did in the past. Your support will enable the Task Force to work in Julia DeGraw, Membership
the exciting new political climate to continue to win important cam- Coordinator
paigns like the one to stop the proposed 3,000 acre Mt. St. Helens Derek Meinhard, Public
Relations Director
copper mine while also building a strong foundation for restored
Lisa Moscinski, Deputy
Northwest forest and river ecosystems, model public lands manage- Director
ment, and revitalized rural communities. Jessica Walz, Conservation
Director
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in these
challenging yet promising times! And we are very grateful to these Membership Outreach Team
generous members: Ali Clarys, Sara Kasper, Scott
Help the Gifford Pinchot Task Force Restore the Central Skiles, Paul Seif, Josh Gates,
Jan P. Vleck, Kevin and Michelle Miller, Kolin Leishman, and Shoshana
Cascades! Simonson
Ralph Staver & Amy O'Neill, Jeffrey
Judkins, Rona Klueh, Jaymi and Francis
The best way to support the Task Force’s work is to become
Sladen, Thomas Huff, Doug Twitchell,
a Forest Guardian by donating $15 or more per month. The ongo-
John Kafrouni, Philip Dickinson, Tosten
ing support of our monthly donors is truly the lifeblood of our
Larson, David Gowan, Mark Cheek,
organization. We appreciate any gift you can afford - we just ask
Sandy Farewell, Lillian Bier and Eric
that you give as generously as possible.
Bloch, Tom Wilburn, Michaela Jaquish,
Stephanie Naas, Meaghan M. Doherty,
Please mail in the inserted envelop with your credit or debit Judy Leishman, Juanita Garnow, Judy
card info, or a check made out the Gifford Pinchot Task Force. If Hayward, and Nicholas Reed.
you are interested in volunteering with the Task Force, please let
us know by indicating it on the volunteer portion of the remit A special thanks to those who attend-
envelop. You can also donate online by visiting ed our Carnivore Tracker Training:
www.gptaskforce.org or by calling our Membership Coordinator
at 503-221-2102 x103. Brain Denheyer, Kelli Denheyer, Patrick
Shannon, Sally Schoolmaster, Jill
Thank you for your support! Webster, Cheryl Devine, and Jim
DeStaebler