Missoula Activists Battle for Cove/Mallard

by Joshua Mahan

On September 30, the Environmental Action Community, a student-based organization in Missoula, Montana rallied to protest public lands logging in Central Idaho. Thirty protesters erected a tripod on the lawn of the Federal Building, home to Region 1 Forest Supervisor Hal Salwasser, as a farewell reminder that he won't be missed when he leaves at the end of October. Wes Delano, Bryce Smedley and Adam Warren locked their necks to the doors and railings of the front entrance. Two other individuals locked down to the tripod, one at the base and one at the apex. Banners demanding the protection of Cove/Mallard immediately replaced the Forest Service signs and chants of, "Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Lawless logging has got to go," reverberated throughout the block. The protest capped a month of actions and organizing in Missoula to halt the logging of the United States' largest remaining roadless area.

The Cove/Mallard area is a vital wildlife corridor in the Northern Rockies. It links the River of No Return, Selway Bitterroot and Gospel Hump wilderness areas in five million acres of wild land, one of the last habitats for the gray wolf, grizzly bear, wolverine, flamulated owl and bull trout. The Cove/Mallard timber sale calls for building 145 miles of new roads in nine different drainages to access 81 million board feet of timber from 200 clearcuts. This sale directly violates the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act.

At the beginning of the September 30 action, sleepy federal security officers had to call for help from local law officials. The Missoula Police and Fire Departments responded to the call, sawing off the door handles of the Federal Building to unlock Delano, who chanted continually, "Kill the devil pig, corporate greed." He was arrested and cited for impeding an entrance to a federal building and illegal demonstration. Smedley and Warren were left locked to the railings but cited with the same federal charges.

The remainder of the protesters distributed literature and gathered signatures for a petition to US Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck. The tripod, which resides on city property, is still standing and is staffed with activists 24 hours a day. The activists will hold vigil at the site until October 31, symbolizing the around-the-clock logging occurring in Cove/Mallard through the month.

Activists requested an open-door meeting with Salwasser. He eventually agreed to see one person behind closed doors. A Forest Service bureaucrat promised to be taped, but Salwasser refused at the last minute. Jake Kreilick, a Missoula activist, along with Ned Daly, based in Washington DC, met with Forest Service Deputy Chief Bob Joselyn on October 9, to discuss the consequences of the Forest Service's continued intrusion into roadless areas and to ask for a stop to logging in Cove/Mallard.

Missoula has responded positively to the protest with donations of money and food from citizens and local businesses. The activists also had immense success with an outreach program that has resulted in nearly 2,000 signatures from people passing by the tripod. On October 3, an urban Critical Mass bicycle ride numbering 250 people passed by the Federal Building, chanting its support. Media coverage was widespread, and appearances by the Indigo Girls and Winona LaDuke boosted exposure.

Despite the support, isolated incidents of conflict occurred. While off duty, an intoxicated sheriff's deputy and Forest Service intern stopped by the tripod. The intern shook the legs of the tripod and made belligerent remarks, but activists remained nonviolent and defused the situation. On separate occasions the activists dealt with bottles thrown from passing cars and midnight attempts at vandalism.

The activists continue their struggle and welcome your help. For more information please contact the Native Forest Network, POB 8251, Missoula, MT 59708, (406) 542-7343.