A new publication, "Cascadia Times", has just published their second
issue. It features writings about environmental issues in the PNW.
Their goal would appear to be a PNW equivalent of the "High Country
News" (think I've got that right, if not, I'm sure plenty of you
know what I'm talking about).

Among other writers, Kathie Durban, the person most responsible for
making the Oregonian's coverage of conservation issues credible by
bringing forth the scientific underpinnings of things like the
listing of the northern Spotted owl (I'm waffling on caps!), is on
board. She was the primary author of the 7-part series on
old-growth forests published by the Big-O about three years ago.

I forget whether or not she capitalized the Northern spotted Owl.

Along with providing tons of documenation of the years of above-sustained
yield harvest, the series provides choice excerpts of the transcripts
of Congressional hearings where AuCoin and Hatfield reamed USFS
officials for not meeting harvest quotas set by Congress. The
excerpts included testimoney by the USFS that meeting the harvest
quotas was causing them to break the law by harvesting well above
sustainable levels.

These quotes were choice because at the time AuCoin and Hatfield
were professing astonishment to the press over documentation of
overcutting. "If we'd known the USFS was harvesting above sustainable
levels we'd have forced them to scale back!" was the claim. They
shut up after the series appeared.

The Oregonian thought so much of the series at the time that they
reprinted it, available for purchase. Portland Audubon
thought so much of it that we bought copies for each and every US
Congressman and Senator, the Pres etc and state politicians.

When Sandra Rowe took over the Oregonian, Kathie Durban was forced
to leave - Ms. Rowe was seeking "balance" in the Oregonian's
coverage of PNW conservation issues. "Balance" they're getting,
credibility they're losing.

So, I'm pleased to see Kathie have a public forum once again. I'm
unfamiliar with the other writers though believe at least one other
comes from the Big O. I will vouch for Kathie's overall knowledge
of PNW conservation issues, though.

If you're interested in subscription information, the Cascadia
folks can be reached at:

cascdtimes at aol.com. Phone (503) 223-9036.

Issues are also available on local newstands.

-Don Baccus-