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FEBRUARY 16, 2001

Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman will recuse herself from making any decisions affecting the Department's controversial roadless forest plan because she represented a group challenging former President Clinton's initiative.

Up until she assumed the Secretary post, Veneman worked for Sierra Nevada Access, Multiple-Use and Stewardship (SAMS), a coalition of 85 groups, and prepared their public comments and Congressional testimony objecting to the plan. As a result, Veneman will recuse herself to to avoid any appearance of impropriety or bias.

Clinton announced finalization of the initiative in January. But the Bush administration has delayed its effective date from March to May.

Get the Story:
USDA Chief Worries Sierra Plan's Backers (The Washington Post 2/16)

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

Related Stories:
Controversial forest plan delayed (Enviro 02/06)
Tribe sues over forest plan (Enviro 01/09)
Roadless forest plan draws fire (Enviro 01/08)