Increased forest logging expected

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration will propose a new plan to open up national forests to more logging, confirming a draft plan published two weeks ago, The Associated Press learned.

Under the plan, to be announced by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman today, governors would have to petition the federal government to block road-building in remote areas of national forests, replacing a national rule against such projects adopted by the Clinton administration.

The Bush administration for nearly two years has been weighing changes to the so-called roadless rule, which blocks road construction in nearly one-third of national forests as a way to prevent logging and other commercial activity.

Officials call the new roadless policy a commonsense plan that protects backcountry woods while advancing a partnership with the nations governors, particularly in the West.

Veneman, whose department includes the Forest Service, was to announce the policy at the Idaho Capitol in Boise with Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and Sen. Larry Craig, both Republicans.

“Our actions today advance President Bush’s commitment to cooperatively conserving roadless areas on national forests,” Veneman said in remarks prepared for the event. “The prospect of endless lawsuits represents neither progress, nor certainty for communities.

As part of the plan, the administration said it will reinstate for 18 months an interim rule requiring that Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth approve any new road construction in previously protected areas.