The Spotted Owl of the South

In the 1990s, the spotted owl helped protect ancient redwood forests from destruction in the Pacific Northwest. What species best speaks for the South—now the most heavily logged region of the country?

I nominate the brookie.

True, a slimy brown fish may not be as sexy as a broad-winged owl gliding through the forest, but it's no less important for the long-term health of our forests and communities. The brook trout has long symbolized the natural beauty and abundant outdoors recreation opportunities in the Southern Appalachians. The native species, which survives only in the cleanest, coldest water, is also a symbol of water quality in our mountains.

Protecting native trout--and the mountain streams they inhabit--is a priority for outdoor enthusiasts in the Southeast. Logging creates sedimentation and higher water temperatures, degrading the long-term health of our water resources.

While brookie populations have declined dramatically, some of the last, best habitat is found on our public lands, including the Nantahala National Forest in southwestern North Carolina.Here, it's not logging, but illegal Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) use, that is destroying brook trout habitat on the Tellico.

Fortunately, the Southern Environmental Law Center has joined forces with conservation groups to ensure the Forest Service, which manages these lands, takes the necessary action to protect brook trout habitat. In particular, the agency has failed to enforce limits on off-road vehicle (ORV) riding in the upper Tellico River watershed, one of the largest and most heavily used ORV areas in the South.

Years of intensive use have severely eroded the trails, some to a depth of six and seven feet. There are twice as many Forest Service-designated trails as allowed by law, not counting innumerable illegal trails. Further, many trails are within 100 feet of trout streams, in violation of state and federal law.

With ORV use growing rapidly in our region, Southern Environmental Law Center is making sure the Forest Service knows that the law is unambiguous - water quality and mountain trout come first.

For more information about the legal action recently taken to protect the brook trout and the clear, cool mountrain streams of the Southeast, visit www.southernenvironment.org.

-Will Harlan