Rethinking Commercial Thinning as a “Tool” to Ecologically Restore Forests of the Frequent-Fire Type, Part 1: Outdated Science and Policies

A new scientific review of many scientific papers suggests it is not necessary to thin before reintroducing fire into fire-dependent forests. Part 1 sets the stage with a review of past thinking about thinning.

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Wyden’s Awesome Owyhee Opportunity

The White House is very interested in protecting Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands as a national monument before the end of Biden’s first administration. However, President Biden won’t proceed without the all-clear from Oregon’s two US senators. Your help needed. Now.

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O&C Lands Act, Part 4: Repeal the Act and Transfer the Lands

This is the fourth in a series of four Public Lands Blog posts regarding the infamous “O&C” lands, a variant of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Part 4 recommends repeal of the O&C Lands Act of 1937 and transferring administration of all BLM lands in western Oregon to either the Forest Service or the Fish and Wildlife Service.

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O&C Lands Act, Part 3: The Decision of the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals

This is the third in a series of four Public Lands Blog posts regarding the infamous “O&C” lands, a variant of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Part 3 examines a recent ruling by the US District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals.

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O&C Lands Act, Part 2: The Decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

This is the second in a series of four Public Lands Blog posts regarding the infamous “O&C” lands, a variant of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Part 2 examines a recent ruling by the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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O&C Lands Act, Part 1: Neither 11th Commandment Nor 28th Amendment

This is the first in a series of four Public Lands Blog posts regarding the infamous “O&C” lands, a variant of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in western Oregon. Part 1 sets the stage with a brief history and description of recent epochal events.

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Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument: Safe from Big Timber, Threatened by the BLM

Big Timber’s and Addicted Counties’ supreme gambits to gut the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument have failed, but the monument is still in mortal peril from the Bureau of Land Management.

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It’s About Dam Time

In 2000, Congress told the Bureau of Land Management to remove a small, but fish-damaging, dam on the Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River and in the Steens Mountain Wilderness. The BLM may finally get around to it.

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The Forest Service Proposal to Save Its Old Growth: A Start, Though Inadequate

The Forest Service’s announcement that it is going to amend all national forest land management plans to “conserve and steward” old-growth forests is a start, although it’s a third of a century late and the proposed amendment is as light on conservation as it is loose on stewardship. As now proposed, the amendment leaves out mature forests, and the agency would leave loopholes large enough for log trucks loaded with old-growth logs to drive through.

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The Unmaking of the Northwest Forest Plan, Part 1: Out with Enforceable Substance and in with Performative Process

This is the first installment of a two-part series on the Forest Service seeking to amend the Northwest Forest Plan. Part 1 examines the motivation of Forest Service bureaucrats to release themselves from the shackles of the plan, all the while playing up happy talk about ecosystems and sustainability and downplaying the sad truth of more roading and logging. Part 2 will examine how to strengthen the Northwest Forest Plan for the benefit of this and future generations.

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Retiring Grazing Permits, Part 2: History of the Voluntary Retirement Option

This is the second of a three-part exploration of retiring permits for grazing on federal public lands. Part 1 examined the state of the public lands grazing industry and made the case for the equitable end to abusive livestock grazing on public lands. Part 2 reviews the history of congressional and other actions to facilitate retirement of federal grazing permits. Part 3 will speculate on the future of this conservation tool.

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Retiring Grazing Permits, Part 3: Future of the Voluntary Retirement Option

This is the third of a three-part exploration of retiring permits for grazing on federal public lands. Part 1 examined the state of the public lands grazing industry and made the case for the equitable end to abusive livestock grazing on public lands. Part 2 reviewed the history of congressional and other actions to facilitate retirement of federal grazing permits. Part 3 speculates on the future of this conservation tool.

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Retiring Grazing Permits, Part 1: Context and Case for the Voluntary Retirement Option

This is the first of a three-part exploration of retiring permits for grazing on federal public lands. Part 1 examines the state of the public lands grazing industry and makes the case for the equitable end to abusive livestock grazing on public lands. Part 2 will review the history of congressional and other actions to facilitate retirement of federal grazing permits. Part 3 will speculate on the future of this conservation tool.

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