COVE/MALLARD: Blockade Busted
Tuesday, October 14, 1997
Cove/Mallard Coalition
(208)882-9755
cove@moscow.com
Northern Rockies Preservation Project
(208)345-8077
Native Forest Network
(406)542-7343
nfn@wildrockies.org
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Contact: Gary Macfarlane (208)882-9755
Martin Stephan (208)345-8077
Billy Stern (406)542-7343
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 14, 1997
Cove/Mallard Resistance Continues
Calls to Fishery Head Urged
Concerned citizens have put continuous pressure on the US Forest Service
for destroying critical habitat in the largest wildland ecosystem left in
the lower 48 states. Two blockades have gone up on Jack road since the 74
day occupation, consisting of unarmed, peaceful citizens, was busted by a
horde of heavily armed federal police. Missoula, Montana has been the site
of a several-day protest at the Forest Service's Region I headquarters,
culminating in a large rally on October 9 with a blockade of the building.
A protest in Boise at the federal building on September also blocked the
building for several hours.
On October 17, 1997, the steelhead, an ocean-going rainbow trout closely
related to salmon, will be listed as threatened in the Salmon River
watershed. These fish seem to be closely following the extinction curve of
the salmon. Thousands of these fish used to return to Idaho's crystal
clear waters and an large industry used to be based upon their annual
spawning runs.
However, destruction of habitat and dams have led to their decline. In the
Cove/Mallard area, Big Mallard Creek, a prime steelhead spawning area, has
been trashed by sediment from the Jack timber sale and road. Cutting is
ongoing, in spite of snows and wet weather which cause roads to fail and
sediment to clog creeks and streams that drain into the fabled Salmon
River.
Please call William Stelle, director of the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) ((206)526-6150) for this region and demand that his agency
put a stop to the Jack Timber Sale. The Forest Service will violate the
Endangered Species Act and the provision to consult with NMFS if the sale
proceeds beyond October 17. In addition, citizens have documented numerous
violations where the Forest Service has allowed cutting and roadbuilding
next to streams in the Jack and Noble timber sales despite assurances and
laws to the contrary. The Forest Service continues to lie about its
activities in Cove/Mallard.
Call William Stelle and tell him to order the Nez Perce National Forest to
stop the Jack timber sale and other roadless sales on the Nez Perce
National Forest where steelhead are an issue, particularly the Otter-Wing
and Mackey Day sales. Stelle's NMFS has the authority to stop these sales
until the Forest Service complies with regulations of the endangered
species act.
Cove/Mallard has been the site of the most controversial timber sales in
the Northern Rockies this decade. They are the site of the longest running
civil disobedience campaign on public lands in America today. The sales
include 200 clearcuts and 145 miles of new logging roads at a loss to
taxpayers of six million dollars.
***WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO***
1) Forward this message far and wide. If you know anyone who might be
interested, or should be interested, let them know.
2) Again, Call Mr. William Stelle on or before October 17. His number is
(206)526-6150. His address is William Stelle, NMFS, 7600 Sandpoint Way,
NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
3) Please COME TO COVE/MALLARD!!! The campaign will be ongoing, if needed,
throughout the fall and the winter. Learn about the ecology, background
and politics of Cove/Mallard, explore the wonders of one of the few truly
wild areas we have left, and become part of the struggle to save the Last
Big Wild! There are many roles to be filled, from gathering campfire wood
and carrying water, to conducting wildlife and stream surveys, to
physically placing your body in the way of the destruction in the American
tradition of Thoreau, Anthony, and King. All skills are needed; all skills
can be taught. Come for a weekend or come for the fall, but come to
Cove/Mallard, find out what it's all about, and take a stand for something
that's truly worth defending.
***For More Information***
The Cove/Mallard Coalition
PO Box 8968
Moscow, ID 83843
(208)882-9755
cove@moscow.com
Northern Rockies Preservation Project
PO Box 625
Boise, ID 83701
(208)345-8077
Native Forest Network
PO Box 8251
Missoula, MT 59807
(406)542-7343
nfn@wildrockies.org
***Your help is needed***