Judge Blocks Timber Sales in Three States

AP ^ | 1/9/6 | GENE JOHNSON

[SmithL]

Seattle -- A federal judge who struck down a Bush administration decision to ease logging restrictions last summer issued an injunction Monday blocking as many as 144 timber sales in three states.

The sales in Washington, Oregon and northern California had been approved under the administration's decision to stop requiring that the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management look for and protect rare plants and animals before logging on 5.5 million acres covered by the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan.

The Bush administration eliminated the so-called "survey and manage" rule in spring 2004 as part of a legal settlement with the timber industry. Environmental groups sued over the decision, arguing that it was arbitrary and that the government had not evaluated what the impact would be on protected species such as the great gray owl.

Last August, U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman agreed, striking down the new rule. At the time, she did not say whether she would allow the 144 timber sales — approved since the rule's adoption — to proceed. About half of those sales included old-growth logging.

[forester]

There is no reason to log old growth

Absolutely. Old growth is eternal. It never changes. The trees never die.......

[wallcrawlr]

I assume its sarcasm.

[forester]

Took the bait didja? Looked like sarcasm to me...

[goodnesswins]

WHAT is "old growth" to you? Does it have to be dead and dying? Or can it just be old, and ready to bite the dust in a windstorm?

[SierraWasp]

I'm thrilled he said that, but honest to God, forester, I'm gettin more pist-off by the second here... Aanasted is only ONE out of 80 pinheads in two houses full of pinheads in Sacramento to say ANYTHING making any bleepin sense whatsoever!!!

We need some more credible voices, not just one "John the Baptist" cryin out in the wilderness!!! We gotta have summa them metro-sexual pinheads speakin out the same danged way because nobody's listenin to Sam but you and me!!!

[SmithL]

Sarcasm's not just a river in Egypt.

[SierraWasp]

"I assume its sarcasm."

I'm not so sure about that... based on opionions from the past... We'll see, I suppose... If he/she comes back to support it!

[AZ_Cowboy]

Wildfires? What wildfires?

Our friends the watermelons ride again, folks.

[SierraWasp]

Ewwwwwwww how bitingly sarcastic! Ewwwwwwwww!!! (snort!)

[SierraWasp]

"Sarcasm's not just a river in Egypt."

Certainly not, but we know what is... don't we fellas?!?

[Torie]

Don't you like owls?

[dalereed]

The old growth wws logged off over a century ago, what these idiots are trying to protect is new growth that just got old.

Time to harvest the "ripe" trees.

[SierraWasp]

Here's what I said about it just a couple a days ago:

To: goldstategop; calcowgirl; Carry_Okie

"Voters have approved public works bonds in the past and we've yet to see one new freeway, bridge, port and dam built in California."

Over 60% will be squandered on mandatory GovernMental EnvironMental Impact Reports (EIR's) other studies in stupidity, EnvironMental CONsultants fees, EnvironMental Lawyers fees and general EnvironMental Agency bureaucratic waste, a$$ covering and stumbling.

This will be followed immediately by EnvironMental litigation which will consume the other 40% in costly contract delays and cost over-runs which is exactly why nothing EVER gits done in this hog-tied, ungovernable state of confusion!!!

Hey ccg! Put that in your pencil sharpener and then shoot me a beer!!!

27 posted on 01/07/2006 6:01:54 PM PST by SierraWasp
(EnvironMentalism... America's establishment of it's unconstitutional State Religion!!!)

[JudgemAll]

I don't understand. If the prez says one thing and a judge another, why would the sale still be illegal?

Judges do not have final authority, as far as I know. This is ridiculous.

[Torie]

My brother makes his living leading birding tours. I told him that I thought the endangered species act should be repealed in its entirety. It is typically used for reasons that have nothing to do with species, and everything due to anti development impulses. I favor zoning and other restrictions on development, but not via the crude proxy of species, with the Robes as king.

And there you have it. I tossed you a red meat morsel, which is probably more than you deserve. :)

[Torie]

What the prez says is irrelevant. One must revert to the statute, and the courts in interpretating it. That is our system.

[forester]

Thanks for the repost as I missed that one - that looks like two of us that see the problems in throwing money at the prob....I mean, investing in infrastructure. Does bankrupting the State bring it all down maaaaaaan?!?!~?!

And yes, I can spew cynacism and sarcasm wit da best of 'em....

[SierraWasp]

Of course, but what you like and what I like's got nothin to do with this story! Didn't you see that story in the S.F. Chronicle by the naturalist that discovered that the New York Barred Owls were migrating west and invading the Spotted Owl's habitat and gobbling up all it's food supply and BREEDING IT OUT OF EXISTANCE!!!

Now get a grip and quit supporting this tyrannical Clinton appointee just because everybody likes wise old Mr. Owl of Walt Disney cartoon fame... PHhhhhht!!!

[schu]

Therein lies the dilemma, hence my comment about being dubious. If by "old growth" they mean original growth, or never been cut, which is the traditional meaning, then I would NOT support these sales.

First, there is no need, plenty of second and third growth, second there is but 5% left here in the NW and lastly, if you have every walked through an ancient forest, you would not want the last of it cut. Let nature take its course.

schu

[Torie]

New York Barred Owls

Clearly those owls must be Democrats (steakers from New York), and thus, beyond per adventure, not wise.