See the USDA web site at http://www.usda.gov
and the press release at http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2000/04/0111
Scottish Environment Minister and children send
letters to President Clinton
 On Wednesday
April 12th 2000, Scottish Environment Minister Sarah Boyack met children
from Bonnington Primary School in the John Muir Grove of Giant Sequoias at
the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Guests of honour included Cathy L
Hurst, the American Consul in Edinburgh and Professor Stephen Blackmore,
(the Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden), Nigel Hawkins - Director
of the John Muir Trust, David Picken - Director of the John Muir Award in
Scotland and Maud Tiso - Trustee of the John Muir Trust. The other guest
of honour was John Muir himself, whose statue was on loan from the
Infinite Storm of Beauty Exhibition courtesy of the John Muir Birthplace
Trust and East Lothian Council Museums Service.
The event was organized by Graham White of the Edinburgh Environment
Centre as the conclusion of a John Muir Award project which the children
had undertaken last summer.
The twelve children from Bonnington Primary School attended with class
teacher Valerie Connolly and parents, despite this being the school's
Easter Holidays. These children have recently completed a John Muir Award
project, in the course of which they visited the Giant Sequoias at the
Royal Botanic Garden and learned about the historic role which John Muir
played in protecting them during the 1890s.
 Graham White,
Director of the City of Edinburgh Environment Centre, welcomed the
Minister, the Consul, children and other guests to the impressive
Caledonian Hall of the Royal Botanic Garden and thanked Professor
Blackmore for the use of the Botanic Garden's facilities for this event.
He introduced Scottish Environment Minister Sarah Boyack and American
Consul Cathy Hurst and invited the Minister to say a few words in support
of President Clinton's initiative to create a Sequoia National Monument.
Environment Minister Sarah Boyack accepted the children's letters,
poems and paintings which they had prepared for the President in support
of the historic conservation step which he is expected to take this coming
week. She said that as Scottish Environment Minister, it was heartening to
think that it was largely as the result of John Muir's scientific survey
work of the distribution of the Giant Sequoias, and the subsequent
campaign which he led for their conservation, that many of them were
initially protected within Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
Speaking directly to the children she stressed that John Muir was a
Scottish child, just like any of them, when he set forth from Scotland on
his great adventure of emigration to the United States, where he achieved
so much and left such a conservation legacy. Casting an eye to the future,
she commented that perhaps one of the children present here today, would
be inspired to follow Muir's path, to become a great scientist or a
conservationist, to help conserve the irreplaceable natural treasures of
the Earth, of which the Giant Sequoia were among the most impressive.
 It seemed almost
certain that President Clinton, was about to declare a Sequoia National
Monument, which would have historic significance for the entire United
States. But she also added that responsibility for conserving the Giant
Sequoias does not rest with America alone, they are a biological treasure
for all of humanity, and the whole world would applaud the President's
actions in securing them for posterity.
American Consul Cathy Hurst thanked the Minister on behalf of President
Clinton and accepted the children's letters and messages of goodwill on
behalf of the American people. She said that it was wonderful to realize
that children in Scotland were so proud of John Muir, for helping to save
so many of America's wildest places, and that they cared so deeply about
the Giant Sequoias which they had studied.
She assured all present that she would make sure that the children's
letters and their messages of support were conveyed to the White House
with all their good wishes.
Photographers from Scotland's national newspaper 'The Scotsman' and
from the London-based Times Educational Supplement were present to record
the handover of the children's letters and poems to the Minister and the
American Consul. BBC Radio Scotland will also be covering the story on
next Tuesday's 'Scottish Connection' programme.
by Carla Cloer, Chair of the Sierra Club Sequoia Task Force
On John Muir's birthday this coming April 21st, both Muir and the
American people may get a fantastic birthday present. President Clinton
has announced he may protect the "forgotten" half of the Giant
Sequoia ecosystem in a Giant Sequoia National Monument. A hundred years
ago John Muir began the campaign to protect all the Giant Sequoias, yet
today less than half are protected in the National Park. If President
Clinton carries out his proposal, Muir's dream could come true. Clinton's
decision is expected within the next 45 days. What is the Monument
proposal and how will it affect forest management and local people?
The Monument Proposal
Under the Antiquities Act of 1906, Presidents can
declare qualifying lands as National Monuments to "protect objects
of scientific or cultural interest." Thousands of years old Sequoia
trees, the largest living things on earth, certainly qualify under both
counts. Local conservationists have worked for twenty years to protect our
local Sierra Nevada by urging legislation to protect the Big Trees while
preserving local property rights, working within Forest Service
procedures to protect watersheds and ancient forests, and filing
successful lawsuits to stop logging in Sequoia groves and the forests of
which they are a part.
Today, a Sequoia Monument proposal, largely based on
our Sequoia Bill, is sitting on President Clinton's desk. We are proud of
this proposal. It is well-thought-out, reasonable and responsible. It will
protect a dynamic forest ecosystem, allow restoration, and be people
friendly. It is neither a Park nor a Wilderness. It deserves your
immediate support.
The Monument would include about 400,000 acres of
publicly owned National Forest lands. This compares to the 402,000 acres
that Sequoia National Park uses to protect its half of the Sequoia
ecosystem (with somewhat fewer groves). Monument lands would include 37
Sequoia groves and their surrounding forests which affect fire regimens,
ground water flows, and wildlife populations. The Monument would be in two
units, (Hume District and Southern) both contiguous with Sequoia National
Park. It would incorporate some of the most intact old growth forest
remaining in the Sierra Nevada as well as damaged lands which would be
rehabilitated. Many National Monuments are managed by the Park System,
but our proposal suggests management by the Forest Service. Monument
provisions would, however, include specific language based on Park Service
practices for forest management and restoration, including an end to
commercial logging. But we do NOT propose that the Monument be a Park.
Except for logging, most activities currently allowed in the Sequoia
National Forest will continue.
The FACTS: Don't Be Misled!
There are many preposterous rumors being circulated.
Those who want to haul our ancient forests to the bank are fanning the
fires of panic! One woman heard that people wouldn't be able to walk on
Monument lands!!! Help us set the record straight!
-
The forest will NOT BURN DOWN from lack of
commercial logging! Management options for the groves will reflect the
same nurturing given the groves within the adjacent Sequoia National
Park. The Park cuts trees only for the safety of the forest or the
public, not for commercial profit. Park forests are much more fire
resistant than the heavily logged USFS lands. Controlled burns,
let-burn policies, any conservative, reasonable measures including
minimal cutting could occur.
-
This is NOT A LAND GRAB!! The Monument
designation would apply only to lands already owned by the public,
already managed by the USFS. The proposal states: "Inholdings -
monument status of surrounding land not to be used as reason for
condemnation.
-
Residences on leased lands, organizational and
church camps are not affected by the proposal. Indeed enjoyment of
these lands would be enhanced by a healthier forest and more
recreation opportunities. "Existing leases and special use
permits - not affected by the designation, and monument status not to
be used by any federal agency as a reason to terminate or refuse
renewal."
-
Community and residential water supplies coming
from the National Forest ,for communities within the Monument are
protected. Logging activities will no longer cause additional
sediment to clog water systems. "Existing water and (if any)
treaty rights -not affected."
-
The Forest and the Groves are NOT PROTECTED
TODAY! No legislation protects the groves; their watersheds, or
the forest that sustains them. The Burton, Hume, and Saddle timber
sales are approved to log 500 feet away from the Big Trees. There are
plans to log inside groves themselves for so-called fuels reduction
despite the science that indicates that ecologically sound method of
reducing fuels. The National Park has successfully used burn projects
to reduce fire hazards for many years.
-
Nothing in the Monument proposal affects hunting
and fishing. A healthy forest will produce thriving fisheries and
abundant areas for deer foraging and fawning. Hunting and fishing
would continue to be regulated by the California Dept. of Fish and
Game.
-
The nation's taxpayers will save millions of
dollars currently spent subsidizing the deficit logging program of
Sequoia National Forest. These savings will more than offset any
additional costs of a Monument.
-
Logging revenue to the counties from logging are
already declining because of lack of competitive bidding, past
over-logging and concerns for the survival of species that rely on
unlogged forests; even without Monument status, the fixture of logging
revenues is shaky. On the other hand, an increase in revenues from
recreation related activities is almost certain as the public flocks
to the nation's newest National Monument.
-
The proposed Giant Sequoia National Monument is
people friendly! While stopping commercial logging within its
boundaries and calling for sound management of the forest, the
proposal does not lock out people! Hiking, horses, camping, fishing,
hunting, skiing, trail use and restoration, will be enhanced and there
are provisions for offroad vehicle use on appropriate primitive
forest roads.
CONCLUSION
Few more deserving objects of national monument protection can be found
than the ecosystem that supports the world's last stands of giant
sequoias. Extraordinary it is, that more than half the remaining groves
lack permanent protection.
Here locally, many folks may take our Sierran backyard forest for
granted but this magnificent Sierran forest with its ancient red giants is
a world class natural wonder. A recent poll shows that 90% of Californians
support its protection. Citizens from around the world are rallying
support for the creation of this National Monument.
Those who want to exploit the forest are furiously distorting the
nature of the Monument proposal with all sorts of nonsense to encourage
opposition. Get more information at the websites indicated below. You can
contact the Sierra Club for more information. Future generations will
thank us for our courage and foresight in supporting the creation of the
Sequoia National Monument. So let's get on the Welcome Wagon for our
nation's newest National Monument. It's about time.
As a local citizen, urge those below to support the creation of a
strong, meaningful Giant Sequoia Monument.
President William Jefferson Clinton
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
fax (202) 456-6212
President@whitehouse.gov
Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841 (fax) 916-445-4633
graydavis@governor.ca.gov
Representative Calvin
Dooley
California Office
530 Kings County Drive #102
Hanford, CA 93230
559- 585-8171 - 800- 464-4294
Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
senator@feinstein.senate.gov
The FACTS: Donšt Be Misled! There are many preposterous rumors
being circulated. Those who want to haul our ancient forests to the bank
are fanning the fires of panic! One woman heard that people wouldnšt be
able to walk on Monument lands!!! Help us set the record straight!
- The Forest and the Groves are NOT PROTECTED TODAY! No
legislation protects the groves, their watersheds, or the forest that
sustains them. The Burton, Hume, and Saddle timber sales are approved
to log 500 feet away from the Big Trees. There are plans to log inside
groves themselves for so-called fuels reduction despite the science
that indicates that prescribed burning is the most ecologically sound
method of reducing fuels. The National Park has successfully used burn
projects to reduce fire hazards for many years.
- The forest will NOT BURN DOWN from lack of commercial
logging!! Management options for the groves will reflect the same
nurturing given the groves within the adjacent Sequoia National Park.
The Park cuts trees only for the safety of the forest or the public,
not for commercial profit. Park forests are much more fire resistant
than the heavily logged USFS lands. Controlled burns, let-burn
policies, any conservative, reasonable measures including minimal
cutting could occur.
- This is NOT A LAND GRAB AND HAS NO AFFECT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
RIGHTS!! The Monument designation would apply only to lands
already owned by the public, already managed by the USFS. The proposal
states: "Inholdings - monument status of surrounding land not to
be used as reason for condemnation."
- Residences on leased lands, organizational and church camps are not
affected by the proposal. Indeed enjoyment of these lands would be
enhanced by a healthier forest and more recreation opportunities.
"Existing leases and special use permits - not affected by the
designation, and monument status not to be used by any federal agency
as a reason to terminate or refuse renewal."
- Community and residential water supplies coming from the National
Forest for communities within the Monument are protected. Logging
activities will no longer cause additional sediment to clog water
systems. "Existing water and (if any) treaty rights - not
affected."
- Nothing in the Monument proposal affects hunting and fishing.
A healthy forest will produce thriving fisheries and abundant areas
for deer foraging and fawning. Hunting and fishing would continue to
be regulated by the California Dept. of Fish and Game.
- The nationšs taxpayers will save millions of dollars currently
spent subsidizing the deficit logging program of Sequoia National
Forest. These savings will more than offset any additional costs of a
Monument.
- * Logging revenue to the Counties from logging are already declining
because of lack of competitive bidding, past over-logging and concerns
for the survival of species that rely on unlogged forests; even
without Monument status, the future of logging revenues is shaky. On
the other hand, an increase in revenues from recreation related
activities is almost certain as the public flocks to the nation's
newest National Monument.
- The proposed Giant Sequoia National Monument is people friendly!
While stopping commercial logging within its boundaries and calling
for sound management of the forest, the proposal does not lock out
people! Hiking, horses, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, trail use
and restoration, will be enhanced and there are provisions for
off-road vehicle use on appropriate primitive forest roads.
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