November 4, 2005
A Message from Seattle Audubon

Protect Northern Spotted Owls and Old-Growth Forest
Tell the state to protect spotted owl nest sites


No other animal better symbolizes the lush, old-growth forests of the
Pacific Northwest than the northern spotted owl. But as their old forest
habitat on state and industrial forestlands continues to be logged, the
northern spotted owl continues its sharp decline toward extinction. The
Washington State Forest Practices Board will consider new habitat rules
for northern spotted owls on November 9th. Join us in urging them to
protect spotted owls. Ask the State Forest Practices Board to protect
the old forest habitat the owls need for survival.

Current forest rules allow for cutting of up to 60 percent of forest in
the "circles" of designated owl habitat. And in certain areas, current
rules allow logging of all habitat - including the nest tree. These are
some of the last old, legacy trees left on Washington's forestlands, and
these old-growth remnants are the key to the long-term recovery of our
forests, streams, and rivers across the landscape. Old forests are our
reservoirs of pure water, filters for clean air, and premier
destinations for recreation. Spotted owls need old forest habitat to
survive; people need old forests for a healthy future.

For two years, the state has considered protecting spotted owls on state
and industrial forestlands by protecting their habitat. But they have
yet to act or change anything on the ground for this rapidly declining
bird. Please join us in protecting our region's natural heritage:


* Contact each member of the Forest Practices Board to urge them
to take action on November 9th. To send a letter, visit an easy-to-use
action center at
http://www.conservationnw.org/action/index.html?MessageTemplateID=3
<http://www.conservationnw.org/action/index.html?MessageTemplateID=3> .
Your email will be sent to each Board member as well as to key agency
officials.
Again, that's:
http://www.conservationnw.org/action/index.html?MessageTemplateID=3
<http://www.conservationnw.org/action/index.html?MessageTemplateID=3> .



* Attend the November 9th Forest Practices Board meeting in
Olympia and testify for owls and old growth. The Board has promised to
protect spotted owl habitat. Keep them to their word! See below for
meeting details and talking points.


With your help we can ensure a place for northern spotted owls and
old-growth forests in Washington's future! Thank you for your hard work
and commitment to owls and old-growth forests here in Washington State.

November 9th Forest Practices Board meeting in Olympia
Please attend to testify for spotted owl and old growth protection



The meeting begins at 9:00 AM, and public testimony begins at 9:15 AM,
so you need to be there at 9:00 to sign-in. The meeting will be held at
the Natural Resources Building in Olympia in Room 172. Click here for
driving directions <http://www.dnr.wa.gov/base/directions.html> .

Please make these talking points:


* I am a concerned citizen of Washington state, and I am appalled
that so much logging has occurred over the last ten years in critical
spotted owl habitat.

* Northern spotted owls are declining by approximately 7% in
Washington state each year. Clearly, protecting owl habitat is crucial
to the owl's survival.
* Protecting owl habitat maintains older forests, the source of
our clean air and pure water. What helps the spotted owl helps people as
well.

* While the spotted owl faces new threats, such as the barred owl
and fire-prone forests, habitat is as important as ever. When a patient
is sick, you do not take away his/her home and food supply.

* We need substantive changes on the ground immediately. Please
initiate a CR102 for emergency rulemaking today.

* In this rule change, please include a moratorium on spotted owl
decertification. Decertification allows for nest site buffer circles to
be delisted as habitat and completely cut.

* Also, please require interim protections for spotted owls until
new, long-term rules are enacted. Ideas for interim protection include:
o A complete moratorium on harvest of spotted owl habitat.
o Requiring SEPA review (basic environmental review) for any
logging or management that would impact owl habitat.


More talking points:


* Require more appropriate data collection/submission from forest
landowners. Forest practice applications should require landowners to
gather and then submit information regarding spotted owls and other
threatened species.
* Establish a clear structure with timelines and funding plans to
develop science-based, comprehensive spotted owl rules.



Alex Morgan
Conservation Program Director
Seattle Audubon Society
8050 35th Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98115
(206)-985-6581
alexm at seattleaudubon.org
www.seattleaudubon.org <http://www.seattleaudubon.org/>

Thomas M. Schmitz

Director of Communication & Development
Seattle Audubon


Seattle Audubon cultivates and leads a community that
values and protects birds and the natural environment.




(206) 523-8243 Ext 21 * TomS at SeattleAudubon.org
8050 35 Ave NE * Seattle, WA 98115