My Page: Matthew Koehler
You Be the Judge: Healthy Forest Logging?View photos from the Middle East Fork logging project, the first Healthy Forests Restoration Act logging project in Montana, and judge for yourself if this is "healthy forest" logging. [more]
Former USFS chief on 10 year anniversary of road building moratoriumWednesday marked 10 years since the Forest Service proposed a moratorium on building new roads on 58.5 million acres of remote wild lands in our national forests. After three years of analysis and well over 1.5 million public comments, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule was finalized, making the moratorium permanent. Within 24 hours of assuming office, President Bush blocked implementation of this rule, and over the past seven years, his administration has tried to reverse and weaken it. [more]
“Put a bullet in her head” - Report from B’root Travel Plan meetingIt was a very sad glimpse at the worst of humanity last night in Darby, MT during the Bitterroot National Forest's Travel Planning meeting . [more]
Keep Debate about Wildfires and Forest Policy Bracketed by RealityNow that western Montana has been covered with a deep blanket of snow it’s a good time to look back on the wildfire season and examine some of the myths and facts associated with wildfires and federal forest policy. You see, around here, rationally talking about these issues during the summer months is akin to talking politics or religion around the Thanksgiving table…it just doesn’t work. But hopefully now that the immediate threat of wildfire has passed we can take an assessment of the situation that’s bracketed by reality. [more]
Take Rehberg’s Ridiculous NREPA SurveyIf there has even been a more dishonest, ridiculously written, one-sided survey than the one that our "Representative" Denny Rehberg has on his website to manufacture opposition to the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act I'd be curious to see it. [more]
Top Forest Service lawyer continues role as timber lobbyistThe Associated Press reported earlier in the week that the U.S. Forest Service's top lawyer has left to take a job with the American Forest & Paper Association, the premier timber industry lobbying outfit in America. This should hardly come as a surprise. [more]
unfiltered commentary
Senator Craig on Global Warming and WildfiresIdaho Senator Larry Craig is known to wax poetically about a wide range of subjects, all of which he seems to be an expert. Kudos to the folks at the Western Watersheds Project for sharing with the world some interesting clips of Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Idaho Governor Butch Otter talking global warming and wildfires at recent news conference. [more]
Smoked Ribs, Apple Pie and Fuel Reduction
What do you get when you mix together a Missoula environmental group, a local logging crew, the volunteer fire department and all-you-can-eat smoked ribs and homemade apple pie? Good times, hard work and the second annual DeBorgia Community Wildfire Protection Work Week of course! [more]
wildfire
Statewide FireSafe Organization Becomes RealityAfter several years of planning and coordination, efforts to establish a statewide FireSafe organization in Montana became a reality on May 18 during a signing ceremony at Carroll College in Helena. FireSafe Montana will offer a very important service for the citizens of Montana – statewide coordination of efforts supporting FireSafe programs and firewise activities. [more]
