Ruling Protects Wildlife From Illegal ORV Use

Citing evidence that the US Forest Service failed to comply with environmental laws, a federal judge agreed with conservationists concerns and struck down the Salmon-Challis National Forest’s Travel Management Plan, which would have allowed  motorized use on hundreds of miles of trails - causing damage to forest resources like clean water, wetlands and wildlife.

Now it’s the Obama administration’s turn to show they listened

What Happened: It didn’t make much news in light of the Gulf Coast oil spill and thwarted terror plot in New York City, but citizens across the U.S. accomplished something important over the past six weeks: They got involved in a federal decision making process and told Obama administration they want greater protection for our national forests.

OLYMPIA - Congress and the Obama administration are responding with on-the-ground results in response to appeals by a coalition of conservation groups and the state Departments of Ecology and Fish & Wildlife.

Federal action is now occurring to repair and reclaim crumbling national forest roads in Washington state that have been harming endangered salmon and clean water.

DENVER – The Wilderness Society is calling on the U.S. Forest Service to carefully spend an additional $40 million that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack committed today “to address public safety concerns and forest health needs arising from the millions of acres of dead and dying trees from bark beetle infestations in the West.” He made the announcement with Colorado Governor Bill Ritter.

WASHINGTON — Representatives Ron Kind (D-Wisc.) and Walter Jones (R-NC) introduced legislation today aimed at sustaining healthy populations of fish, wildlife and plants on federal public lands – setting off a round of applause from sportsmen’s organizations, conservation groups and outdoor enthusiasts across the country.