Disagreement Looms Over Forest Plan Decision

Logging advocates are voicing their disagreement over Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey´s decision not to remand the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan.

The Timber Industry´s position is that the plan does not go far enough to reduce the threat of catastrophic fires caused by overstocked tree stands in underforested regions. Their scenario is too much fuel in the forest makes communities, wildlife habitat and old growth trees more vulnerable to wild fires, all at the taxpayers expense. The industry stands behind the point that strategically removing more timber would reduce the risks.

Forest Chief Dale Bosworth has directed forestry officials to look into increasing the amount of forest thinning while the original plan is in effect.