Stop Black Ram: Protect Vital Resources and Endangered Wildlife
Stop Black Ram: Protect Vital Resources and Endangered Wildlife
The Issue
Please sign and share this petition to urge Montana's representatives and the Forest Service to halt the Black Ram timber sale immediately!
🌲
The US headwaters of the Yaak River form in the stand of forest that is slated to be clearcut in the Black Ram timber sale. This old growth forest holds a critical and irreplaceable role in the ecosystem, and its management has cascading effects far beyond the Yaak Valley. The forest (Unit 72) is a considerable carbon storage, and is crucial for biodiversity, providing habitat for rare and endangered species, including the isolated Yaak grizzlies, a population estimated to be between 20-25.
The Black Ram timber sale threatens all these vital aspects by proposing extensive logging activities that could devastate this unique environment. The loss of such an ecosystem would not only impact local wildlife but also contribute negatively to climate change.
We must act now to protect this invaluable natural resource for current and future generations.
The Black Ram timber sale is currently in court; it was halted in 2023 when the Forest Service’s analysis and methodology for the sale was proven inadequate in court, though they are attempting to proceed in appeals. The Black Ram sale would entail the removal of nearly 60 million board feet of timber, clearcut more than 2,000 acres, and heavily log nearly 1,000 acres of mature and old-growth forest. The substantial logging operations would require nearly 100 miles of road built or maintained through a region of critical habitat to the isolated Cabinet-Yaak population of 25 endangered grizzly bears. The Forest Service's current review does not adequately reflect or account the long term impact the operations of the Black Ram project would hold for the forest, wildlife, and watershed.
Please reach out to hold Montana’s representatives accountable for the responsible management of our resources, and stop the Black Ram timber sale.
More information on Black Ram and advocacy efforts can be found with The Yaak Valley Forest Council and The Montana Project.
🌲
873
The Issue
Please sign and share this petition to urge Montana's representatives and the Forest Service to halt the Black Ram timber sale immediately!
🌲
The US headwaters of the Yaak River form in the stand of forest that is slated to be clearcut in the Black Ram timber sale. This old growth forest holds a critical and irreplaceable role in the ecosystem, and its management has cascading effects far beyond the Yaak Valley. The forest (Unit 72) is a considerable carbon storage, and is crucial for biodiversity, providing habitat for rare and endangered species, including the isolated Yaak grizzlies, a population estimated to be between 20-25.
The Black Ram timber sale threatens all these vital aspects by proposing extensive logging activities that could devastate this unique environment. The loss of such an ecosystem would not only impact local wildlife but also contribute negatively to climate change.
We must act now to protect this invaluable natural resource for current and future generations.
The Black Ram timber sale is currently in court; it was halted in 2023 when the Forest Service’s analysis and methodology for the sale was proven inadequate in court, though they are attempting to proceed in appeals. The Black Ram sale would entail the removal of nearly 60 million board feet of timber, clearcut more than 2,000 acres, and heavily log nearly 1,000 acres of mature and old-growth forest. The substantial logging operations would require nearly 100 miles of road built or maintained through a region of critical habitat to the isolated Cabinet-Yaak population of 25 endangered grizzly bears. The Forest Service's current review does not adequately reflect or account the long term impact the operations of the Black Ram project would hold for the forest, wildlife, and watershed.
Please reach out to hold Montana’s representatives accountable for the responsible management of our resources, and stop the Black Ram timber sale.
More information on Black Ram and advocacy efforts can be found with The Yaak Valley Forest Council and The Montana Project.
🌲
873
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on May 22, 2024