Babbitt pledges support for Columbia Basin environmental project
Plan would help counties dependent on area's natural resources

in photo at right:
Forest Service personnel brief contingent touring the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project including NACo President Randy Johnson (left front standing) and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt (far right).
Photo by Jeff Arnold.

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has pledged the Administration's support for an environmental project in eastern Oregon that could see an additional $125 million per year pumped into the region, for implementing management techniques proposed in the plan.

Babbitt told a group of county officials, including NACo President Randy Johnson, July 24 that he will "act as their agent" to promote the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project, a plan that its promoters say would help ensure a sustainable future for the ecosystem and the counties dependent on the health of the area's natural resources.

The plan was put together by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, with unprecedented input from county officials.

The Interior Secretary also commited the Administration to pursuing the necessary funding for the project, once the environmental review process is complete.

Babbitt visited the area to see firsthand, efforts underway to promote regional ecosystem, and forest and stream health.

County officials briefed Johnson and Babbitt on the importance of the project to the sustainable future of the region.

U.S. Forest Service rangers, habitat specialists, Bureau of Land Management range specialists and representatives of the Blue Mountain Resources Institute also provided information about the region and other various sites visited by the group.

At the first stop, the group saw whole trees, including root wads, that helicopters had placed in the streams to improve instream and riparian habitat for native fish species at risk. They viewed promising forest management techniques at their second stop, the Limber Jim Fuel Reduction Project.

Accumulated forest fuels increase fire danger and accelerate forest fires. These fuels are fallen trees, limbs, small diameter trees and dead and diseased timber. Johnson and Babbitt learned that through the use of prescribed fire and mechanical fuel reduction treatments, forest health can be improved and forest fire dangers can be dramatically reduced, ultimately saving both financial and natural resources.

The tour also reviewed range restoration efforts underway by the Bureau of Land Management, and visited the site of the devastating "Tower Fire" area. The fire was caused by a series of lightning strikes, and burned 50,000 acres in this roadless area. The extent and intensity of this fire exceed historic fire behavior and was the likely result of excessive fuel "loading" caused by the accumulation of forest fuels mentioned above.

Johnson said he felt the tour was very successful, and helped promote understanding between counties and the federal agencies. He also said he appreciated the Secretary's commitment to the project and his willingness to go to the region to see it firsthand.

"It really makes a difference to see these efforts personally, and to have the opportunity to discuss the challenges with the people involved," Johnson noted. The tour was put together by John Howard, Union County (Ore.) Commissioner on behalf of the Eastside Ecosystem Coalition of Counties.

Johnson and Babbitt were accompanied by several county officials from four northwestern states, representatives of the region's state associations of counties, staff from the offices of members of Congress representing the area, tribal representatives, state directors of the Bureau of Land Management from the Oregon-Washington and Idaho offices, the U.S. Forest Service, and regional foresters.