Round Lake timber sale is ill-advised

The Idaho Department of Lands is engaging in reckless environmental practices with the Around Round Lake Timber Sale. This sale, adjacent to Round Lake State Park, threatens heavily used trails used by campers and day users. The clearcuts will be visible from the park and surrounding areas.

IDL's actions include clearcut logging of old growth, goshawk nesting stands, and logging large very old and biologically significant western white pine, redcedar, grand and Douglas firs, and western larch. The removal of large, fire-resistant carbon-storing ponderosa pines, larch and redcedar to a lesser degree is particularly concerning. A huge 52" DBH western red cedar in an old growth patch that is a fire refugia and the biodiverse larch veteran marking the trail north of the the dam are also slated for removal.

Contrary to IDL's draft analysis, which claims no Idaho species of concern are present, black-backed woodpeckers have been observed and documented in the units. Detailed botanical surveys are urgently needed, especially in moister areas and old growth patches.

This timber sale must be stopped, and the adjacent land transferred to Idaho Parks and Recreation. IDL's actions are not in the best interest of residents or our forests. Contact Chad Ramsey, Pend Oreille Supervisory Area, and your legislators demanding sale cancellation and transfer of management to State Parks with a no logging clause. These forests better serve Idaho as climate reserves than for timber.

PAUL SIERACKI

Priest River