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MARCH 22, 2001

The Department of Agriculture is still reviewing a controversial roadless forest initiative and on Wednesday said they would decide to keep or scrap them by May 12.

The rules were finalized by the Clinton administration in January. They have been crticized by a number of Republican lawmakers, Western Governors, and some tribes.

In reponse, the Bush administration is holding them back for review and told a federal judge in Idaho the USDA would be finished by May 12, the day they would go into effect if kept intact.

Secretary Ann Veneman is recused from making decisions on the matter because she represented a group opposed to them.

Get the Story:
USDA to finish review of forest rules by May 12 (AP 3/21)

Relevant Links:
Roadless Forest Plan - roadless.fs.fed.us

Related Stories:
Judge rejects forest plan delay (Enviro 3/21)
EDITORIAL: Honor roadless initiative (Enviro 3/21)
Controversial forest plan delayed (Enviro 02/06)
Cantwell questions Ashcroft (Politics 1/18)
Tribe sues over forest plan (Enviro 01/09)
Roadless forest plan draws fire (Enviro 01/08)