Wild Victories
Public Lands, Wildlife, and Native Fish
Klamath National Forest Drops Illegal Old-Growth Timber Sale
Illegal ‘Crawford’ old-growth timber sale withdrawn! Pacific Fisher Habitat protected! “We are relieved to know that two of the only remaining reproductive Norther Spotted owl pairs in the Klamath National Forest will keep their habitat” – Kimberly Baker, Klamath Forest Alliance
Oregon Legislature Passes Groundbreaking Forestry Reform Bill
On June 26, 2020, Crag played an influential role in the Oregon Legislature passing an overwhelmingly bipartisan forestry reform bill called the Forest Aerial Spray Bill (SB 1602). This directed the state to set up a mediation process for comprehensive protections for salmon streams in non-federal forests.
Victory for the Beautiful Ochoco National Forest
In January 2019 Crag won a landmark victory to help protect the beautiful Ochoco National Forest. Judge Marco Hernández of the Oregon Federal District Court ruled that a proposal to build a 137-mile Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) trail system in the Ochoco National Forest would harm habitat for elk, wolves, and native fish.
Crag Saves Old-Growth and Wildlife in the Tongass Rainforest
In a victory against logging in the Tongass rainforest, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Forest Service’s logging plan once and for all on November 28, 2018.
Tongass Logging Project Suspended on Revilla Island
In March of 2016 Crag successfully halted a commercial logging project which planned to clear-cut 2,500 acres of old-growth coastal rainforest. On behalf of Greenpeace, Cascadia Wildlands, Greater Southeast Alaska Conservation Community, Center for Biological Diversity, and The Boat Company, Crag prepared a formal objection to the project proposed by Saddle Lakes Timber Sale, located near Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island in Alaska.
Forest Service Cancels Controversial Tongass Old-Growth Timber Sale
In October 2015, Crag successfully won in a case against the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) authorization of a destructive timber sale project. On behalf of five environmental organizations, Crag brought suit against the Forest Service in May to stop the 35-million-board-foot Mitkof Island Project timber sale.
Development Along the White Salmon River Blocked
In 2013 Crag celebrated a victory with our clients, Friends of the White Salmon River and Friends of the Columbia Gorge, in blocking an ordinance that attempted to rezone 1,000 acres of riverside land along the White Salmon River.
Four Logging Projects Cancelled in the Tongass National Forest
In September 2014 Crag’s clients, Greenpeace and Cascadia Wildlands won a legal challenge at the US District Court in Anchorage effectively canceling four logging projects in the Tongass National Forest. After six years of litigation, Judge Ralph Beistline of the US District Courts issued this decision stating that the Forest Service wrongly relied upon faulty scientific models to complete their erroneous environmental review.
Victory for Butterfly Protection in PNW
In July of 2014, Crag won an injunction on behalf of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and Oregon Wild compelling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take action on listing the Leona’s little blue butterfly under the Endangered Species Act after years of delay.
Crag Protects Marbled Murrelet Habitat: 28 Timber Sales Halted
In February 2014, Crag won a significant victory for the marbled murrelet when the State of Oregon canceled 28 timber sales that would have logged the endangered seabird’s habitat.
Crag Protects Rivers from Logging Road Runoff in Groundbreaking Case
In August 2010, Crag forced the The Oregon Department of Forestry to stop channeling polluted stormwater into Oregon’s rivers and streams. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that rainwater channeled by logging roads into rivers and streams is pollution and can be regulated under the Clean Water Act.
200,000 Acres of Wilderness and Water Source Area Protected on Mt. Hood
In 2009 Crag helped usher specific Mt. Hood Wilderness legislation through Congress and to former President Obama’s desk, effectively putting in place the settlement to protect the north side of Mt. Hood. On March 30, 2009 former President Obama signed this expanded piece of legislation called the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act which established 200,000 acres of new Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers in Oregon.