RARE FOREST MAMMAL FACES “EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION” FROM HEALTHY HABITAT TO LAND OF STATE’S LARGEST FOREST DESTROYER
The California Department of Fish and Game will soon begin capturing rare and wild Pacific Fisher and transplanting them from healthy habitat on California’s North Coast to Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) lands in the Southern Cascades/Sierra region. Sierra Pacific Industries is California’s most controversial logging company due to its destructive practices.
A relative of the mink and otter that has been petitioned for endangered species status at the state and national level, the Pacific Fisher may soon find itself in a quagmire of clearcuts and loopholes designed to leave them unprotected. SPI will not be modifying their logging practices, typified by a heavy reliance on clearcutting and herbicide usage, to improve conditions for the Pacific Fisher in the area where they will be introduced. They are also offering no guarantee that the animals will not be killed in their logging operations.
SPI has had a powerful incentive to go along with the project: should the Pacific Fisher be granted ‘threatened’ or ‘endangered’ status, SPI will be exempted from having to change their logging methods to protect the animal.
“This ‘extraordinary rendition’ of the Pacific Fisher is a dangerously misguided idea,” said Josh Buswell, Sierra campaigner with ForestEthics. “Imagine the state capturing California Sea Otters from Monterey Bay and plopping them down at the Port of Los Angeles. The displacement of the Fisher is, sadly, no less foolish.”
The deadline for comments ended February 20, 2009 and the Fish and Game Department is planning on releasing the animals onto SPI land this Fall. Studies have suggested that logging is a major culprit for the decline in Fisher populations throughout the West.
“The Pacific Fisher’s future is already uncertain, so any effort to protect their population should be based on the best available science,” said Buswell. “Why then would the Federal and California government make a deal that carries such a risk to endanger an animal already under threat?”
These actions were approved under a “Candidate Conservation Agreement” (CCA) between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and SPI in December of 2007, and will be carried out the California Department of Fish and Game.
Sierra Pacific Industries is no stranger to controversy. The largest private landowner in California with more than 1.7 million acres under its ownership, the company’s widespread logging has long made them the ire of conservationists. While other logging companies have embraced a land ethic embodying California’s rich tradition of stewardship and preservation, SPI has persisted with outdated and environmentally-damaging practices.
ForestEthics’ “Save the Sierra” campaign is working to transform the destructive logging practices of Sierra Pacific Industries by harnessing the power of the marketplace. ForestEthics’ innovative approach has resulted in the protection of over 65 million acres in North and South America and major environmental commitments from companies such as Limited Brands, Staples and Williams-Sonoma.
