Decision on forest rules is big news

MAY 7, 2001

The Bush administration's decision on Friday to keep intact for now a set of rules limiting logging and road construction on nearly 60 million acres of federal forest land brought a wave of criticism and skepticism from just about every party involved.

Western states, private industry, and tribes who have been fighting the rules since they were finalized in January reacted negatively to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman's announcement. For them, the fight to modify or change the rules in particular forests isn't over just yet.

Environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers, but also some Republicans, welcomed the decision but remained wary of the administration's future plans. Changes will come beginning in June, said Veneman, and will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.

So like every decision which has come out of the Bush camp in recent weeks, last week's action is a mixed bag and a sign of events to come. No one side gets exactly what it wants while the White House gets to say it met its goal of taking a "balanced" approach to the environment.

A pretty easy task for Bush and company to fulfill, given the wide difference in opinion on this and other issues. Future decisions will no doubt be equally polarizing, with tribes falling in on all sides of the spectrum.

Of the six lawsuits filed so far which are expected to bring changes the forest rules, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho is the only tribe directly involved. The tribe joined private industry groups in filing suit in January, separate from the state of Idaho's challenge.

While 9.3 million acres in the entire state are at stake, less than half a million are in northeastern Idaho, where the tribe's 400-acre reservation and the Idaho Panhandle National Forest are located. The list of tribes the USDA says submitted comments on the rules does not include the Kootenai Tribe.

The Nez Perce Tribe submitted a letter in support of the rules in forests in north-central Idaho.

In Alaska, Sealaska Corp., representing 16,000 Tlingit, Haida, and Tshimshian Natives, submitted a letter opposing the plan's inclusion of the Tongass National Forest and the Chugach National Forest. Sealaska has significant logging operations in southeastern Alaska, taking in $72 million in revenue in 2000, and cited economic development in its case against the rules.

Kootznoowoo Inc., representing the village of Angoo, opposed the rules in both forests as well. The Sitka Tribe opposed inclusion of the Tongass National Forest, citing economic opportunities.

The state of Alaska has filed a separate lawsuit challenging the rules. In total, 14.8 million acres of land in the state are affected by the regulations.

Pending future changes, the rules will go into effect May 12. Veneman said the government will work with tribes, states, and private groups in ensuring their issues are properly addressed.

Veneman was recused from any decision-making on the rules because she had represented a lobbying group opposed to them before entering the administration.

Get the USDA Announcement:
Text | Audio

Relevant Links:
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho - http://www.kootenai.org
Sealaska Corp - http://www.sealaska.com
Roadless Forest Plan - http://roadless.fs.fed.us
The US Forest Service - http://www.fs.fed.us