Forest Service Accused of Letting Environmentalists Set Policy on Roadless Areas

By Traci Robinson, Web Coordinator
(301) 897-8720, ext. 155; Fax: (301) 897-3690; e-mail: robinsot@safnet.org

On March 14, Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck responded to charges that the Forest Service was "eager" to have two environmental groups "help create a sound, science-based roadless areas assessment" that is national in scope, in an effort to carry out President Clinton's proposal to permanently ban logging, road building and other development on approximately 50 million acres of national forests (Greenwire, 3/15) (AP/Oregonian, 3/15).

The charges were raised by Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage (R-ID) when an 11-page draft memo from the Conservation Biology Institute and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was found among documents the administration provided in response to a forests and forest health subcommittee request for materials related to Clinton's plan (Greenwire, 3/15).

"We've known for quite some time that the leadership within the Forest Service agrees philosophically with the more extreme environmentalists," Chairman Chenoweth-Hage charged, "but we didn't know until recently that the agency was letting environmentalists set its policies and do its work" (Anchorage Daily News, 3/14).

According to Dombeck, the memo is nothing more than a proposal drafted by environmental organizations for a $650,000 grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. "It's basically a suggestion on the part of someone...it's most likely just staff dialogue." Dombeck added that he would not agree to such an arrangement (AP/Oregonian, 3/15).

But, Chairman Chenoweth-Hage isn't so sure. During her subcommittee hearing, she said the memo shows that the Forest Service "'has not merely crossed the line, it totally obliterates the line' between government and interest groups" (AP/Oregonian, 3/15).

Agriculture Undersecretary Jim Lyons defended the Forest Service, "The memo is from the environmental groups to Packard and doesn't involve the Forest Service in any way" (AP/Oregonian, 3/15).

Chairman Chenoweth-Hage dismissed this argument by pointing out that this memo was given to her subcommittee by agency offices. "Chief, to say you are unaware doesn't satisfy us at all," she stated (AP/Oregonian, 3/15).

According to Forest Service spokesman Chris Wood, "There is nothing untoward about the proposal, and it is similar to hundreds of agreements the agency negotiates with outside groups for activities on national forest land." Wood also noted that "the WWF was not involved in drafting the roadless plan itself" (Greenwire, 3/14).

 

For related stories, search our Archive.	Go to the SAF News Archive.
	Here's your chance to comment on this story.