Are Old Growth & Large Trees Really Safe from Logging?
The HFRA contains a provision, which the Administration claims will safeguard our ancient old growth forests. However, the new law contains several loopholes creating an open invitation for mismanagement and abuse to log mature and old growth forests. Furthermore, the law does not protect roadless areas and other currently intact, healthy forest landscapes. Logging Without Environmental Impact Studies or Public Input. The HFRA eliminates environmental review and analysis impacts for a category of insect logging projects up to 1,000 acres in size (even for clear cuts)– an area the size of approximately 1,000 football fields. The American public will not be able to review, comment on and participate in these types of projects. Weakening Environmental Protections. The HFRA weakens the most important part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a bedrock environmental law. NEPA requires that federal agencies consider a full range of alternatives to proposed actions that have envi
