KBOO's Jenka Soderberg speaks with Karen Coulter of the Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project, discussing a proposed logging plan in the Pringle Falls Experimental Forest, southwest of Bend in Central Oregon. The Forest Service says this land must be logged because of the pine bark beetle, despite there being no evidence of an infestation. Karen talks about how the government applies a one-size fits all approach to managing pine bark beetle infestations – that is, once a forest reaches a certain density, the government requires thinning of that forest – regardless of whether there is actual evidence of a beetle infestation, and disregarding other factors that impact a forest’s health.
Forest Service page describing the logging project
Click here to send an email to give a public comment (until Nov. 7th)
or call Beth Peer of the Forest Service 541-383-4769
Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project
541-385-9167
The music at the beginning and end of the interview is by Marie Mason, who is serving a 23-year sentence for "eco-terrorism". Her website is freemarie.org
- KBOO