http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/1377153p-1446576c.htmlU.S. Agriculture Chief to announce
decision on Sierra forest planPublished 5:40 p.m. PST Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001
SACRAMENTO (AP) - A top U.S. Department of Agriculture official is expected to announce Thursday the Bush administration's position on a sweeping long-range management plan for 11.5 million acres in the Sierra Nevada, forest service officials said.
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, scheduled a 1 p.m. briefing Thursday in Sacramento to outline his position on a plan proposed during the Clinton administration, which Bush has approved it so far.
The management plan, supported by environmentalists and opposed by forestry groups, took nine years and cost $12 million to prepare. Formally called the Sierra Nevada Framework, it covers the long-range future of 11 national forests stretching across 460 miles of California and western Nevada.
Last month,Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth rejected 234 appeals of the plan, which aims to protect water, wildlife and old growth forests, while allowing for recreation and other public uses. Most of the appeals came from the timber, ranching and off-road vehicle interests, who believe the plan is too restrictive. Bosworth's decision upheld an earlier thumbs-up on the management plan by Pacific Southwest regional forester Bradley Powell.
Rey has the last word in the long government effort.
"He has a wide range of options," said Vallejo-based forest service spokesman Matt Mathes. "They include affirming or upholding the chief's decision on the appeals. Or reversing the chief's decision." Mathes said Rey could also announce that he plans to give the plan and Bosworth's November decision upholding it a longer review.
Rey's final position will free advocates and opponents of the framework to take their case to court, officials said.
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