- SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters)
- U.S. forestry officials announced on Thursday that they would significantly
expand the amount of logging allowed in California's Sierra Nevada mountains
in what they described as an effort to curb wildfires.
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- Environmental groups and a California state official
attacked the plan as showing disregard for the environment.
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- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service said
it would permit logging of 700,000 acres over the next 20 years.
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- "I personally witnessed the human suffering and
catastrophic damage caused by those fires," Forest Service Regional
Forester Jack Blackwell said.
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- "I am personally convinced that future droughts
in the Sierra Nevada, coupled with periods of wind and high temperatures,
could lead to the same devastation there," he said in a statement.
"It is my professional responsibility to take decisive action."
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- State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, a Democrat, condemned
the decision. "Once again, the Bush White House has demonstrated its
continued disregard for the environment and willingness to sacrifice natural
resources Californians cherish," he said.
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- "Under the guise of addressing fire risk, the revised
framework will substantially increase commercial logging, endanger wildlife
habitats and weaken water quality protections and grazing limitations."
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- The Sierra Nevada region spans 400 miles along the eastern
edge of California and is home to grizzly bear, mountain sheep and sequoia,
pine, and aspen trees.
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- In December, President Bush signed into law a plan he
said would reduce the risk of wildfires in federal forests. Environmental
groups called it a giveaway to the timber industry.
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- Californians were reminded of the dangers of forest fires
when blazes in the southern part of the state late last year killed nearly
two dozen people and destroyed 3,400 homes.
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- Forest service spokesman Dave Reider said the plans increase
the amount of wood that could be harvested four-fold compared to a 2001
plan. He said loggers would be allowed to cut 330 million board feet in
the Sierra Nevada per year, up from 70 to 80 million board feet in the
earlier plan.
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- Builders use about 15,000 board feet to build a three-bedroom
home, he said.
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- "These changes are bad news for those of us who
live here," said John Brissenden, who owns a resort lodge in Hope
Valley. "Cutting trees miles away from our homes won't protect us
from wildfire. People want to bring their kids to hike, camp and fish in
a peaceful place, not a logging project."
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