Fish
& Forest Rules apply to public and PRIVATE lands
commentary
by Sharon Shumate
The
article of May 24th, State Board Adopts Historic
New Forest and Fish Rules, some things were not mentioned.
Did
anyone notice the term maintaining and abandoning existing
roads? According to the rules, all forest roads must be
covered under an approved road maintenance and abandonment
plan within 5 years of the effective date of this rule or by
December 31, 2005. This includes all roads that were
constructed or used for forest practices after 1974,
and these roads are to be abandoned within 15 years. (Page
221, New Section WAC 222-24-051 Proposed Rules Forest
Practices Board)
Maintaining
the economic viability of Washington's timber industry? The
economic impact statement says "lost employment in
Western Washington is projected at $283 Million, mostly by
small business. Eastern Washington, losses are projected at
$23 Million, mostly by small business. The implication is
that further closures of small mills are likely to take
place and the price of lumber will increase by 40%. (Page
153 Proposed Rules Forest Practices Board)
The
article also states, the new rules will bring Washington
into compliance with the Endangered Species Act and the
Clean Water Act on private and state forestland. Guess What?
Page 256 states Compliance with the Forest Practices Act
or these rules does not ensure compliance
with the Endangered Species Act or other federal
laws.
Participating
landowners are eligible to receive at least half of the
commercial value of trees they leave standing to protect
water quality and fish habitat via conservation easements.
What the article did not mention is that you will receive a one-time
payment for half of the value of trees on your land
now. This agreement will be in effect for 50 years.
You will be required to pay taxes on this land for 50 years
even though you will be unable to harvest any trees without
the express consent of the DNR. This easement will also be
in effect for the person you sell your land to or your
heirs. Fifty years of taxes for 50% of the value of
the trees that are there now? Is this just compensation?
These
rules apply to 12 Million acres of private and state
managed land. They affect timber harvest, road building,
reforestation, brush control, pesticide and fertilizer use.
Know what else? The term "wildlife" has been
eliminated and the term "unlisted species
agreement" inserted. Does that mean fungus, bacteria,
plants or whatever? Page
165
Is
there anything we can do to keep the State of Washington and
the Federal Government from taking our lands through rules
and regulations? YES!
Will
explore that option next week – DID YOU KNOW
Sharon
Shumate lives in Republic,
WA. She testified at the public hearing in Yakima against
the Rules on April 24, 2001.