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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGlenn Wiggins RECEIVED MAR 2 5�a!D 702 Caroline St. Port Angeles, WA 98362 City of Port Angeles February 27, 2011 Editor Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles, WA 98362 Dear Editor; A good friend .and successful Port Angeles businessman recently said to me that there is simply no economic sense of direction here any longer. Sadly, I had to agree and even broaden the scope of his concern to the national scene. I lay the problem at the feet of the naysayers, those who object to anyone who wishes to do almost anything. This is not a small crowd anymore, but rather a very large group of organizations whose main purpose in life is to say "No." Usually it is directed to those who wish to utilize natural . resources, which I submit, have always been the main source of our - wealth and well being. Tragically the naysayers wish to throttle most enterprises that wish to innovate and utilize resources for the benefit of their companies, which consequently benefits us all. The activity provides funds for payrolls, pensions, taxes, and.yes, union dues. An example loca�l!y, is the attempt'by the pulp mills to invest in biofuel technology to improve their profitability and to produce much needed .power. The lineup of naysayers is impressive. It would be interesting to review their financing. Could this be traced all the way back to the use and development of natural resources? Most yaysayers would surely respond to this question with a resoundi "Yes!" Yours truly, Glenn Wiggins 360-457-7700 Moll of 2 , Olt y of par ��p f An9e November 24, 2011 702 Caroline St. Port Angeles, WA 98362 City Council City of Port Angeles 321 E. 5 11 St. Port Angeles, WA 98362 Dear Council Members; Unfortunately, I will be traveling during your hearing on the tree removal project at Lincoln Park; however, after flying out of the airport for 51 years in all sorts of weather, I'd appreciate your consideration of these comments. The main consideration of the Council, in my view, should be flight safety. Since these trees are in the flight path, they certainly should be removed. Only recently, a pilot and good friend, had an engine quit on a landing approach. He was able to restart the engine and land safely. This is very unusual, but it can happen. The margin of safety would be enhanced by clearing the flight path, particularly since landings are normally made to the west, into the prevailing wind. This request is not being made to accommodate larger aircraft, but just to improve the existing flight path, certainly a worthy and sensible goal. We should be doing everything we can to improve access to this marvelous setting. The airport obviously was developed initially by the removal of many trees. This modest project would not remove many trees, but would clearly improve the use of the airport, and provide fuel savings as well. i -2_ iThe idea of planting ornamental trees with much lower tree heights would make this area more conducive to park like activities since more sunshine is a welcome asset in Clallam County parks. It's quite apparent that the coniferous forest to the north and east of this flight path would not be the object of this tree removal plan, thus conserving this section as it is. Please call me if you would like to have a discussion. Yours truly, Glenn Wiggins I i �,..� OF 12/10/12 Council Member, Mere is a brief summary of NOTAC's proposal concerning the Wild Olympics. If you have questions, let me know and I'll be glad to meet with you. Thanks, Glenn Wiggins J r r n r. Council Member, Here is a brief summary of NOTAC's, proposal concerning the 'gild Olympics. If you have questions„ let me know and I'll be glad to meet with you. Thanks, Glenn Wiggins 4 12/10/12 Council Member, Flare is a brief summary of I' T"AC's proposal concerning the Wild Olympics. If your have questions, let me know and I'll be glad to meet with your. Thanks, Glenn 'Wiggins 12/10/1 Council Member, Here Is a brief summary of NOTACs proposal concerning the Wild Olympics. It you have questions, let me know and I'l'l be glad to meet with you, Thanks, Glenn Wiggins rr - " ! Council Member, Isere is a brief summary of NOTAC' , proposal concerning the Wild Olympics.. If you have questions, let me know and IT be glad to meet with you. Thanks, Glenn Wiggins rr 12/10/12 Council Member, Here is a brief summary of NOTAC's proposal concerning the "V"U"ild Olympics, if you have questions, let me knew and I'll be glad) to meet with you. Thanks, Glenn Wiggins F 12/10/12 Council Member, Here is brief summary of NOTAC's NOT, ' proposal concerning the Wild Olympics, if you have questions, let rye known and Ill be glad to meet with you. Thanks, Glenn Wiggins -14 m WORKING FORESTS AND WILDERNESS A Proposal to Restore Economically Important "Working Forests"and to Preserve Ecologically Important Wilderness Forests on the Olympic National Forest By the North Olympic Timber Action Committee Port Angeles, Washington November 20, 2012 The North Olympic Timber Action Committee(NOTAQ firmly believes that legislative changes in the Northwest Forest Plan(NWFP)are necessary to address economic and ecological needs by clearly delineating both Working Forests (Matrix)and!,Wilderness. This proposal modifies HR 5995 by restoring approximately 143,15+9 acres of Working Forests lost in the NWFP, reducing the proposed wilderness area to 122,780 acres, and slightly changing the wild and scenic river designations. (Map attached) Working Forest Restoration The adoption of the 1994 NWFP was a paradigm change in focus from sustained yield timber production to endangered species protection. Only 16%of the total forest area was identified as Matrix Forest where perpetual and recurrent commercial timber harvest could be done. Matrix Forests are the Working Forests where active forest management and commercial timber sales provide a balance of ecological and economic benefits.The Olympic National Forest was not allocated any Matrix Forest leading to heavy job losses, and a massive road maintenance backlog, loss of deer and elk habitat, loss of recreational road access and increased risk to fish habitat. Since the mid-20th century a large portion of the Olympic (National Forest was commercially harvested. Most of these lands are currently in various stages of planted or naturally regenerated second growth forests.Our selection criteria for the proposed Matrix Forest were at least 90%second growth,at least 80%previously harvested, had or have roads, have few recreational trails,and have regenerated into heavily stocked stands that are in declining health,are an increasing fire risk, and no longer provide the early successional habitat diversity important to deer, elk and many other species. Delineation was done from Forest Service timber age maps,aerial photography, substantial local knowledge and field examinations. Notwithstanding the young age and heavy stocking, some of this proposed Matrix Forest was recently designated as critical habitat for the Spotted Owl, We believe that a legislative delineation of this Matrix Forest will open opportunities for ecological forestry timber harvests* to provide early successional deer and elk habitat and to protect the small patches of residual owl habitat left during previous harvests. Note that the Port of Port Angeles recently released an economic impact study of HR 5995 which, included a Matrix Forest proposal of 168,200 acres for harvests that would enhance Spotted,Owl habitat. This could be a compatible addition to this proposal. fln December 2010„secretary Salazar set in,motion a plan to apply the principles of active forest management,as suggested by Professors Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin,on BLM lands within the Coos Bay,Roseburg,and Medford Districts in Oregon.The Medford pilot project,which was the first of the three sales,received no protests or administrative appeals and sold for more than four times the appraised value. A recent study by the Washington Forest Protection Association indicates,that for each 1000 acres of private Working Forest, 8.8 family wage jobs and $400,000 in annual wages are generated. Using these estimates as a rough guide,and assuming that half the area would not be harvested in order to provide protection for water quality,fish,Spotted Owls, unstable land forms,etc.,the 143,15,0 acres of proposed working forests would provide over 600 family wage jobs and $29,00t 0,000 in annual wages. More importantly,we expect this Matrix Forest to provide sufficient long-term supply of logs to reduce the fikelihood of another mill closure, encourage infrastructure investment,and provide timber sale revenue for counties and for forest and stream: restoration,This infrastructure stability will also have a positive effect on revenues from state trust and private forest land timber harvests. Wilderness Reduction We reduced the HR 5995 wilderness designations in the Dungeness River and Humptulips River watersheds where these designations included substantial previously harvested and roaded second growth forests.These areas are in need of timber harvest treatments for forest health and wildlife habitat. Wild and Scenic River Designation With one exception,we restricted the HR 5995 wild and scenic rivers designation to the O ympic National Park and proposed existing wilderness areas only.The exception is the upper Quinault where down river residents fear that up river wild and scenic designations in the National Park will enable eventual administrative condemnation of their private lands. Additional information and large scale maps,ca ni be found on our website at WWW,N OT AC,0 RG or contact us at notac@olypen.org. i 179, W YG i r j f cr an Ica rq w� �s II G "W u' u 4,1 ,.0 trill cr fo MR ,, ro f " Y W ^Wr W �5 V � N( W � , S45 IfI CL 1, W � OZZ " r a� m E 's 3r, ° w 0 ' 4w CL v P w c C9 11 s a� w `n r _ M1 „ I.r �k vw 31� Abu w r�rw ,q yi at X40' n as u d w l , a, i CL c m � �I s�, aarlFw .. e 0 yea r, CL r FT rm m r° o a a u z w m p,