Logging Can Proceed, Federal Judge Rules

Wed., Aug. 2, 2000

From Staff Reports

A federal judge has denied a bid by conservationists to temporarily block logging on timber sales associated with the Douglas fir bark beetle.

U.S. District Judge Edward Shea, of Richland, denied a request by four environmental groups to stop logging until their lawsuit against the Colville and Idaho Panhandle national forests is heard.

Forest officials say they will go ahead with work on timber sales and ecosystem restoration. To date, 19 contracts have been awarded across 20,000 acres of forest, with seven more expected this fall.

“The beetles are still with us, spreading into areas outside this project,” Panhandle Superintendent Dave Wright said.

Conservationists, meanwhile, say they will continue their fight in court.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.