RED TREE VOLES DENIED PROTECTION AT THE TRAPPER TIMBER SALE
Despite Judge Pechman's recent ruling that the Bush administration's elimination of the the Survey and Manage Program is illegal, Willamette National Forest Supervisor Dallas Emch and District Ranger Mary Allison refuse to acknowledge the population of threatened red tree voles now known to inhabit the Trapper Timber Sale in the McKenzie River District. Last month N.E.S.T. volunteer climbers documented 30 red tree vole nest trees in the Trapper sale. Some nest trees were subsequently climbed and confirmed by leading scientist Dr. Eric Forsman of Oregon State University, and James Swingle, a Master's student and author of a thesis on red tree vole habitat. Under the Plan each active nest tree would be surrounded by a ten acre buffer, but Forest Service officials have so far refused to modify this controversial Old Growth sale to protect an important food source for the Northern Spotted Owl. LOGGING COULD BEGIN ANY DAY. Contact Mary Allison at 541-822 3381,  mallison@fs.fed.us and Dallas Emch at 541-225 6312, demch@fs.fed.us and ask why the Forest Service refuses to obey the law and protect the red tree vole as required under the Northwest Forest Plan.
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