BLM approves loggin plan, fight expected

The Bureau of Land Management approves final Environmental Impact Statement for Bush Administration expansion of logging.

The Bush Administration wants to ease the restrictions of the Clinton Northwest Forest Plan that shut down much of the logging on federal land in the northwest. Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management released a final Environmental Impact Statement to ease restrictions on 2.6 million acres in Western Oregon. The BLM says it meets the conservation needs of the northern spotted owl, increases habitat for the marbled murrelet, maintains water quality and improves habitat for Federally-listed fish.

Sean Stevens, with the conservation group Oregon Wild, says the plan will bring a return to clear cutting and old growth forests will be on the list. Stevens says up to a third of BLM old growth forests could be harvested.

Stevens says they also disagree with the way the plan protects endangered spotted owls. It defers logging for 15 years on land around known nesting areas.

Stevens says they're hoping Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski rejects the plan, but if the governor doesn't, they also plan to fight it.