1935 Coeur d'Alene National Forest, few
clearcuts and almost no logging roads.
These side-by-side photos show the extent of the damage to
this National Forest over about 60 years. The Coeur d'Alene
National Forest -- once a trophy hunting and fishing area --
is now severely damaged. In 2005 the nation will mark the
hundredth anniversary of the transfer of the National
Forests to the U.S. Forest Service.
1997 extensive clearcutting, logging roads.
Now the watershed is unraveling, and the geologic forces at work are Forest Service clearcuts and logging roads. The damaged forests can not hold onto the water, releasing floods. The Forest Service refuses to acknowledge the 100 million tons of toxic waste sitting at the bottom of the watershed. The resulting "toxic floods" carry lead and other heavy metals into Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River, polluting Washington State waters. (photo: Trygve Steen)