Washington State Forests continue decline

from Conservation Northwest... http://www.conservationnw.org/wildlife/owl/Nov_05_board_ruling.html

State Refuses Real Protection for Owls and Old Growth
No other animal better symbolizes the lush, old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest than the northern spotted owl. Yet their old forest habitat on state and industrial forestlands continues to be logged, and the spotted owl continues its sharp decline toward extinction.
In November, the Washington Forest Practices Board considered action to protect habitat for the spotted owl on Washington's industrial (private) timberlands. The Board, part of the Department of Natural Resources, had mulled over this issue for two years, as spotted owls continue to lose ground. Spotted owls rely on mature and old-growth forests for their nesting and foraging needs, much as we rely on these places for our clean water and air.
Unfortunately, the board chose not to impose rigorous environmental reviews for logging on 115,000 acres in 10 "special emphasis" areas--an option proposed for helping conserve habitat for the imperiled bird. The Board did pass, on an emergency basis, two new rules that slightly tighten restrictions on cutting near spotted owl nests: a 120-day moratorium on cutting in areas where spotted owls were previously documented but do not presently occur; and a prohibition on landowners taking credit for neighbors' conservation efforts.
The Board missed a real opportunity to dramatically improve the plight of the beleaguered owl, with a moratorium on spotted owl decertification (which allows for nest site buffer circles to be delisted as habitat and completely cut). Hundreds of Conservation Northwest supporters submitted letters and emails urging the Board to take action. Dozens of activists turned out to the weekday morning hearing in Olympia and spoke passionately about the need to protect wildlife habitat for future generations. The Board was unmoved and sided with the timber industry, whose representatives were also present in force.