Comparison Chart – 2001 Framework vs. Revised 2004 “Forests with a Future”

Issue	2001 ROD	2004 ROD	Effect of Changes
Logging Standards	Retain all trees with 20” or greater dbh (diameter at breast height) and most trees above 12” dbh.	Allow cutting of trees up to 30” dbh.	Triples the amount of logging in the Sierra Nevada.
Canopy Cover	Retain a minimum of 50% canopy cover.	Retain only 40% canopy cover.	Damages habitat of the CA Spotted Owl and other wildlife. Also increases forest fragmentation.
Old Growth	Protects all remaining old growth forests and designates over 4 million acres as old forest emphasis areas.	Eliminates old forest reserves and allows logging of trees up to 30” dbh.	Decreases old growth forests and number of large trees while reducing habitat for vulnerable species.
Fuels Reduction	Fuels reduction program emphasizes prescribed burns and thinning of small diameter trees.	Fuels reduction program emphasizes intense logging of medium and large fire resistant trees.	Ignores ecological need for fire in forest restoration.
Yosemite Toad	Provides for recovery of toad through limitation of chemical toxins, removal of exotic fish, and limitations on or removal of livestock grazing and pack and saddle stock.	Exclusion of grazing during breeding period only. Does not apply to pack and saddle stock.	Contributes to decline in population leading towards extinction.
Willow Flycatcher	Provides for fencing off stream areas to prevent the entry of cattle.	Allows late season grazing in meadows inhabited by willow flycatcher.	Contributes to decline in population leading towards extinction.
California Spotted Owl: Protected Activity Centers (PACs)	Ensures that only 264 PACs will be affected by treatments over 20 years. This is only 20% of owl activity centers.	Logging is allowed within PACs in the threat zone, where prescribed fire is not “feasible” and where avoiding PACs would “significantly compromise” the fuels strategy. Estimates that 629 PACs will be affected by treatments. This is 48% of owl activity centers.	Contributes to decline in population leading towards extinction.
California Spotted Owl: Limited Operating Periods (LOPs)	LOPs are maintained within approximately 0.25 mile of nest sites from March 1st through August 31st preventing any disturbance.	LOPs may be waived to allow early season burning in up to 5 percent of PACs per year per forest.	Contributes to decline in population leading towards extinction.
Fisher	Maintains Southern Fisher Conservation Areas and protects old growth forest habitat of the fisher.	Protects den sites through a LOP that can be waived for limited logging projects.	Contributes to decline in population leading towards extinction.
Marten	Provides for protection of large trees and closed canopy forests to afford the shelter needed by the marten.	Protects marten den sites through a LOP that can be waived for limited logging projects.	Contributes to decline in population leading towards extinction.
Herger Feinstein Quincy Library Group (HFQLG)	Ensures the environmentally damaging HFQLG project complies with Framework and all environmental laws.	Mandates full implementation of HFQLG.	Places California Spotted Owl, Marten, Pacific Fisher, and other old forest species at risk of extinction.