Friday, May 14, 2010

Karuk Tribe Takes National Forest to Court

The Karuk Tribe in California and two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in federal court against Six Rivers National Forest for allegedly failing to protect spiritual areas as part of a wildfire fuel reduction plan around Orleans, the Times-Standard of Eureka reported today.

The plaintiffs are suing over a portion of the plan for what is known as the Orleans Community Fuels Reduction program. Launched in 2006, the goal of the 2,698-acre project is to remove fire-prone forest material, reduce the density of some forest stands to promote wildlife diversity and enhance the Panamniik World Renewal Ceremonial District.

They claim that Six Rivers has breached several guidelines related to sacred sites and wildlife, including using heavy equipment on a spiritual trail, removing fire-resistant hardwoods and placing log decks along the spiritual trail.

They plaintiffs allege violations of the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest Management Act and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.

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