For Immediate Release

July 29, 2005

Contact:

Megan Anderson, Forest Issues Group, 530-470-9257

Vivian Parker, CIBA, 530-622-8718

Tahoe National Forest Sued over Cottonwood Herbicide Project

Nevada City, CA -- A broad coalition of conservation groups has sued the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) over its decision to spray 13,500 acres with herbicides to accelerate conifer growth in an area near Loyalton burned in 1994. The spraying is unnecessary, the coalition points out. The trees planted after the burn are out-competing the shrubs and other vegetation.

 “Herbicides are not necessary for this purpose, as evidenced by the success of conifer regeneration in the ten years since the burn,” said Don Rivenes, spokesperson for the Forest Issues Group (FIG), a member of the coalition that includes California Indian Basketweavers Association, California Native Plant Society, Sierra Club, Sierra Foothills Audubon Society, and South Yuba River Citizens League. “Use of herbicides now will set the clock back just when the area is becoming the most beneficial for deer, songbirds, and a variety of other animals and plants”.

Studies have shown that the use of herbicides for this purpose puts the health of native plant communities, wildlife, and humans at risk. Herbicides have not been used so broadly on native plants in the TNF since 1984.

The Forest Service’s FEIS was the latest response to a court ordered analysis of the potential significant effects from the use of herbicides, resulting from a successful lawsuit of the original project. In the final decision, the Forest Service increased the acres to be treated by 2,600 and have also increased the concentration and pounds of glyphosate that will be applied to the lands. Rivenes said that both he and FIG biologist Steve Benner were surprised at the unsound science used in the analysis.    

“The Forest Service has very little real knowledge about what the impacts to this area will be from herbicide use at this scale,” said Steve Benner of FIG. “Our field work shows that conifers are successfully competing with native vegetation without the use of herbicides. Public funds should be used on the Tahoe National Forest to enhance natural resource values, and to restore diminished ecosystems and natural ecological processes, rather than for risky herbicide spraying of undemonstrated value.”

For site photos and more information visit www.forestissuesgroup.org.