Market Mountain

Market MountainBy Jason Peters

Topics of DiscussionThe Case Ethical ProblemsKey PlayersMain View PointsChronologyCommentaryMy Position

The CaseThe Forest Service is trading parcels of old growth forests in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. They are trading with Saddle River Logging Company for some of the land they already own. The case revolves around this trade. Environmental groups are involved in backing the trade as well as opposing the trade and we will be taking a look at the different view points as well as some of the ethical problems that arise.

Ethical ProblemsThe land in question is very close to a town (Miller, Washington)Specifically, Market Mountain which is included in the trade is right next to the townThe land is where they hunt, fish, and acquire other natural resources which would be lost if they clear cut the mountain.According to Forest Monitor, Logging has had a severe impact on food and other resources which form the basis of the livelihoods of many forest-dependent peoples. In terms of food resources, wild meat and fish represent vital sources of protein. A number of studies have shown that the availability of wild meat has declined in logging areas in a number of forest regions (Forest Monitor, 2006).

Ethical ProblemsIn a study done by Politi, Hunter, and Rivera they found that selective logging reduced the amount of cavity nests of birds (Politi, 2012, p. 1)Another study looked at the effect that creating gaps in well developed forests had on the abundance of breeding birds. They found that Red eyed Vireos and Ovenbirds were significantly less in cut areas. (Robinson & Robinson, 1998, p. 1)

Ethical ProblemsAnother study showed that logging the riparian zone results in an increase of water temperature and a changes in the assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates (Rak, 2011, p. 3). The water is also shown to be affected with excess amounts of nitrogen, phosphate, and suspended solids when clear cutting takes place.The removal of the trees that would usually uptake those nutrients leads to an increase in the rivers and runoff which can cause changes in the river ecosystems and ecosystems as a whole (Finer, 2013, p. 1)

Ethical ProblemsFrom a Christian Perspective we can pull from what we have been gleaning from Predigers book For the Beauty of the EarthHe asks the question, Why should we Christians speak for the trees? (Prediger, 2010, p. 157)One of the ways he answers his own question is with the statement, If you breathe, thank a treeAnother reason he gives is that we should be concerned with what God is concerned aboutSo the ethical problem that comes with logging is that it raises the question of whether or not we are being good stewards of Gods creation and provision

Key PlayersForest Service- We are a multi-faceted agency that manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 states and Puerto Rico. The agencys mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nations forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations (United States Forest Service)Saddle River Logging- The logging company involved in the trade with the Forest ServiceBy embracing basic Eco-friendly practices, selective cutting is done with a very low impact on the surrounding forest and without sacrificing beauty. When done properly, creating views and exposures can result in enhanced forest structure with a more natural mix of trees (Timber Pros)Judy SirkinRuns a non-profit that scrutinizes land exchanges between government agencies and private parties in the west (Martin-Schramm, 2003, p. 112)Opposing the trade

Key PlayersBobby BianchIs a friend and colleague of Judy Sirkin. Bobby did an internship with Judy when she was in college and now works with a social service agency doing community organizingBobby is part of the group opposing the trade of landCascade ClubEnvironmental Organization that is supporting the trade of the landAndy WrightHe the main advocate of the Cascade Club for this case

Main View PointsIn the commentary Stivers & Martin point out that there are 4 environmental perspectives represented in this caseCritical Ecology Perspective (activists)- They completely oppose corporate capitalism and were outraged about the environment. They are had very direct tactics.Developmentalist Perspective (the logging company)- It seems to be all about business with the logging company with very little concern for sustainability or conservation.Conservationist Perspective (Forest Service)- Though the Forest Service is portrayed as an antagonist in this case and are trading with the logging company they are historically built on a conservationist ideology.Preservationist Perspective (Crusade Club)- Although the Cascade club is supporting the trade of the old growth forests their goal is preservation and they see the trade as a necessary compromise

ChronologyA deal is made between the United States Forest Service and a logging company called Saddle River Logging(The deal is being backed and supported by an environmental organization called the Cascade Club)A non-profit ran by a woman named Judy Sirkin, other environmentalist groups, and people from a local town called Miller start coming together to make an appealWhile these groups are forming Saddle River seeks to have the deal attached as a rider to an appropriations bill (In doing this they can avoid appeals, litigation, and being scrutinized by the public)

ChronologySaddle River successfully has the deal attached and the deal seems to be coming to a close rapidly(This is a discouraging turn of events for some of the environmental groups apposing the deal)The groups pressed on and began construction on a tree village on Market Mountain and vowed to remain until the deal was abolishedShortly after biologists that works for Saddle River Logging discovered endangered marbled murrelets in part of the forest (Since they wouldnt be able to cut there they wanted to reopen and renegotiate)(This was a good thing for the opposing groups!!)

Endangered Species ActCritical habitat is defined as specific areas:within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing, if they contain physical or biological features essential to conservation, and those features may require special management considerations or protection; andoutside the geographical area occupied by the species if the agency determines that the area itself is essential for conservation. (NOAA Fisheries, 2015)

ChronologyAn open forum was held where Andy Wright of the Cascade Club and Judy Sirkin representing her non-profit spoke about the trade Here we see two view points from two environmentalist groups conflictingThe townspeople also held a meeting where a spokesman from both the Saddle River Logging Company and the Forest service came to speak about the deal and answer questionsA final deal was made between the two of them that still included Market Mountain but didnt include the land that contained the endangered marbled murrelets

ChronologyThe protesting groups made one final push and went to the company headquarters in Seattle Washington to display their oppositionSoon after Judy Sirkin received a phone call from company lawyersThe lawyers agreed to remove Market Mountain and all other old growth parcels from the dealIt was over. They had won!! (Martin-Schramm, 2003, p. 120)

CommentaryThe conflict between preservationist and critical ecology perspectives in this case was intense. (Stivers, 2003, p. 124)The difference in style could be defined as politics of pure idealism and politics of principled pragmatism Idealism says no compromise whereas Pragmatism focuses on practicality

My PositionI have a hard time choosing a position but in general I think I would fall more to the side of pragmatism because it leaves room for discussion and compromise whereas idealism doesnt seem to leave much room for discussion. Ideally, yes, I would like to save Market Mountain and all of the old growth forests rather than see them cut down and I think that if setting up a village on the mountain is what needs to happen then thats what should happen. Im not against their opposition but without discussion and compromise nothing will get ultimately solved. I dont think I know enough about old growth forests and the overall make up of the forests to make the call.

ReferencesAbas, A. Mohamed, M. Rak, A. Said, I. Effect of Logging Activities on Water Quality and Benthic macroinvertebrate Assemblages of Madek River Basin, Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. Jasem. 15: 337-340. Forest Monitor. Social Impacts of Logging. http://www.forestsmonitor.org/en/reports/550066/550082 Finer, L. Lauren, A. Launiainen, S. Palianinen, M. Piirainen, S. Mattsson, T. Starr, M. 2013. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Carbon, and Suspended Solid Loads from Forest Clear-Cutting and Site preparation: Long-Term Paired Catchment Studies from Eastern Finland. Royal Swedish Academy of Science. 43:218-233. Martin-Schramm, J.B. Stivers, R.L. 2003. Christian Environmental Ethics. New York: Orbis Books. Prediger, S. 2010. For the Beauty of the Earth. MI: Baker Academics. Robinson, W.D. Robinson, S.K. 1998. Effects of Selective Logging on Forest Bird Populations in a Fragmented Landscape. Conservation Biology. 13: No. 1. Timber Pros. 2015. Views and Exposures. http://www.timberproslogging.com/ United States Forest Service. About the Agency. http://www.fs.fed.us/about-agencyNOAA Fisheries. 2015. Critical Habitat. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/criticalhabitat.htm Politi, N. Hunter M. River L. 2012. Assessing the effects of selective logging on birds in Neotropical piedmont and cloud montane forests. Biodivers Conserv. 21: 3131-3155