Gunflint District Ranger Larson and Tofte District Ranger Steele are accepting public comments on the environmental assessment (EA) for a proposed North Shore timber sale [the North Shore Restoration Project] until January 11, 2014. The sale will log 7.1 square miles (1.9 being clearcut) scattered and beginning at Tofte and going 40 miles up the shore of Lake Superior past Grand Marais. The logging will be seen from the lake. The EA is available online at: www.fs.usda.gov/projects/superior/landmanagement/projects
One can read about how the North Shore timber sale will destroy the habitat for the endangered Northern Long-eared Bat that will drive the species closer to extinction (page 3-22).
In spite of the fact the EA at page 3-46 tells the public the timber sale area is “known to be one of the most scenic places in the State of Minnesota” the EA discloses: 1) Logging would be evident along 4.5 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail (page 3-49 & 3-50), 2) Clearcuts will be located within the onequarter mile of the Wild and Scenic River corridor of the Temperance River (page 3-56), and 3) logging units will be adjacent to the Sawbill Trail, the Temperance River Road, the Onion River Road, the Caribou Trail, the Massie Road, the Hall Road, the Pike Lake Road, the Lindskog Road, Cook County 60 and the Colvill road (page 3-52).
History shows the USFS denies about 92% of the objections they receive. Therefore, court action will be necessary to stop this proposed timber sale.
Dick Artley (USFS – retired)
Grangeville, Idaho
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