Forestry Issues: There are many organizations and industry associations that deal with forestry issues. Thousands of people, especially in the West, have been put out of work with the curtailment and/or elimination of logging on National Forests. Private property timber owners have had incredible restrictions put on them, effectively "taking" the property through regulations. At ALRA, we work to assist these organizations and follow legislation as it deals with access to federally-controlled lands.
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Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on 9/23/98 examined state and private forestry issues.
The Southwest Center for Biological Diversity filed suit 9/9/98 on behalf of themselves and 22 other green groups to halt timber sales in all 151 national forests. They assert that the Forest Service is working without a required plan for logging, recreation and other forest activities. Without a 5-year plan and accompanying Environmental Impact Statement the FS should not be allowed to approve new timber sales and road-building in any of the 151 national forests.
The New Hampshire Sierra Club and the Conservation Action Project announced a new campaign on 9/9/98 to change the White Mountain National Forest into a national park. Declared by the Sierra Club as yet another "crown jewel," this area is currently managed by the Forest Service for multiple use including logging and recreation.
Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Plan (ICBEMP): A
massive federal management strategy for 72 million acres of federally-controlled land in 7 states east of the Cascade Mountains and west of the Rockies. The total area involved is almost 145 million acres, only slightly smaller than Texas. (see ALRA's fax alert, click here) The House subcommittee on Forests & Forest Health held a hearing on 2/26/98 and a field hearing was held 4/14/98 in Nampa, Idaho. The full House Resources committee held a hearing on 3/10/98. The Senate Energy Committee held a field hearing in Spokane, Washington on 5/28/98. Comment period ended May 6, 1998.