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Forest Management in the United States
The Sierra Club supports halting the destruction of forest ecosystems
throughout the United States. We oppose all logging activities -- whether on
federal, state, provincial, or private lands -- that are environmentally
unsustainable, or that jeopardize fully functioning forest ecosystems. We
support the immediate halt of: all logging in remaining old-growth or roadless
areas, ecologically destructive clearcutting, and conversions to non-native
species.
The Club supports restoring naturally self-sustaining networks of wild forests for
every forest ecosystem. Where forests have been damaged or fragmented, we call for the
restoration of the ecosystem with native plants and animals, and establishment of
biological corridors to link isolated stands.
The Club supports dramatically reducing the consumption of virgin wood products through
recycling, reuse, and the use of environmentally acceptable alternative materials.
Phasing out logging on ecologically sensitive lands, regardless of ownership, is a high
priority.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, November 20-21, 1993;
ratified in the Club election May 9, 1994; amended by the Board of Directors,
February 23-24, 2002
Public Lands Forest Management
The public forests provide us with invaluable sources of recreation, wildlife,
biological diversity, high water quality, peace and quiet and numerous other values found
nowhere else. The Sierra Club values and defends the great natural processes that govern
these forests. The public forests must be managed on sound, demonstrated scientific
principles to ensure the sustainability of all forest resources. Forest management shall
incorporate natural processes and shall be based on the fullest possible knowledge of such
forest resources as soils, timber productivity, wildlife populations, forest ecological
requirements, water quality and recreational values.
Due to the variability in forests across the continent, the regions and chapters are
encouraged to adopt more specific policies, provided that they are not inconsistent with
the national policy, which shall be determined by the Regional Vice Presidents Forum.
- Productivity of the Land -- Public forests must be managed to maintain the long-term
productivity and fertility of the soil. Where logging or other soil disturbing activities
are permitted, land managers shall select the method of operation that causes the least
short-term change to soil productivity and the least amount of short-term environmental
pollution.
- Biological Diversity -- The ecological structure, biological diversity and
sustainability of the forest must be maintained. Biological diversity occurs at many
levels; within stands, forest habitats, plant communities, landscapes, ecosystems and
biomes. The ecological structure and processes needed to maintain or restore sustainable,
viable and healthy populations of all naturally occurring native species and communities
must be protected in each level. The relative abundance of native species and communities
should be maintained on an ecologically sound basis, according to natural processes.
- Old-Growth Forests -- The remaining old-growth forests must be preserved. Development of
linkages with full biological diversity between existing old-growth fragments must be a
prime goal of forest management.
- Watershed Management -- Forest watersheds shall be managed to preclude any long-term
degradation of water quality, to minimize short-term effects on water quality, and to
maintain natural hydrologic structure. No existing beneficial use will be impaired or
reduced.
- Riparian Areas -- In riparian areas, the natural vegetative composition and structure
shall be maintained and restored, and commercial logging will not occur.
- Cost Efficiency. Economic benefit-cost analysis is one component to be considered in
making decisions, while recognizing such primary values as viable wildlife habitat, clean
water and sustainable recreation.
- Public Benefits -- Forests must be managed to maximize net long-term public benefits.
- Logging -- Timber harvest, on the public forests where it is appropriate, shall ensure
reforestation and restocking with a species composition that approximates the natural
vegetation of the area. Selection cutting systems shall be used, unless the biological
requirements of the forest dictate otherwise.
Type conversion, the production of monocultures and the large-scale creation of even-aged
stands where they did not naturally exist are all inappropriate activities on public
forests. Natural regeneration is preferred, but it can be supplemented by reforestation
efforts with local provenance stock to achieve more natural vegetative patterns.
- Cutting Cycle -- The harvesting of trees, where appropriate, shall not be based solely
on the quantity of fiber produced. Such factors as wood quality, stand structure, and the
impact on other ecological characteristics of the site should also be considered. Lands
harvested shall not be scheduled for new harvest until disturbances caused by the previous
harvest, which might reduce long-term sustainable productivity, have, at a minimum,
recovered to preharvest levels.
- Public Involvement -- Forest planning, management and the monitoring of activities must
be based on sound science, open decisionmaking, and the full and regular involvement by
the public, from the earliest planning function through the complete management process.
- Payments in Lieu of Taxes -- When a local government is paid funds in lieu of taxes for
public lands within its jurisdiction, these payments shall be based on the amount of land
involved, not the commercial uses of that land.
- Recreation -- The Sierra Club supports the maintenance of varied recreational
opportunities, including campgrounds, but opposes development at the expense of wildland
preservation or wildlife habitat. Leases or permits to private parties should not be
located on sensitive lands (such as lakeshores and streams), nor should they unduly hinder
public access to lands and waters. Monitoring the continued recreational needs of the
nation is of utmost importance in determining the proper supply of recreation coming from
the public forests. Revenues derived from recreational uses shall remain with the public
lands agencies.
- Transportation -- The Sierra Club believes that the present system of roads on the
public forests is more than adequate for all legitimate uses of these lands, and that it
shall be considered essentially complete. The remaining forest roads shall be maintained
to a standard that will cause minimal impacts to wildlife, watersheds and recreation. The
continued need for the presence of each forest road shall be periodically evaluated, and
unneeded roads closed and obliterated.
Forest trails shall be designed and maintained to provide an integrated system that
provides access without degradation to the lands traversed, and without reducing the
values of silence and solitude often present on these lands.
- Monitoring -- A systematic monitoring program which meets professional research
standards shall be a part of all management activities, including evaluations of
cumulative effects on both public and adjacent private lands. No activities shall be
allowed without a fully funded monitoring program and adjustments to activities indicated
by study findings must be done expeditiously.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, March 14, 1992
Ancient Forests of the United States
The ancient forests of the United States are among the Earth's most
treasured resources. However, decades of logging have reduced these
magnificent forests to a mere fraction of their past majesty, and the
biological diversity of the very ecosystem they comprise is
severely threatened. All levels of government must take
immediate action to curb this tragic loss of our ancient forest heritage.
We consider the protection of these ancient forests as one
of our basic goals. We believe that those remaining ancient forests which are
capable of surviving, as well as the surrounding areas that contribute to the
preservation of a vital, functioning ancient forest ecosystem in the
United States, should be saved and not logged.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, January 12-13, 1991; amended February 23-24, 2002
Commercial Logging on Federal Lands
The Sierra Club support[s] protecting all federal publicly owned lands in the United
States and advocate[s] an end to all commercial logging on these lands.
Adopted in the Sierra Club Annual Election, April 20, 1996
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