Forests in the News©
NATIONAL NEWS
Conflict-of-Interest - FSEEE has filed the first-ever petition calling for the appointment of independent judges to hear citizen appeals of timber sales, Yuba.net News
Forest Service gets green light to reissue permits ... Decision makes it difficult for groups to challenge grazing on public lands, Twin Falls Times-News
A Rotten Legacy in the Making - Former U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck fears the environmental record George Bush may leave in his wake, Tidepool - Writers on the Range
Utah Wilderness Appeal Rejected - Federal court sends case allowing oil and gas exploration back to the original judge, who will hear the challenge from environmentalists, Los Angeles Times
IMBA Announces Strategy for Wilderness and Mountain Biking, International Mountain Bicycling Association
Nun shot dead in Amazon - American nun Dorothy Stang defended rain forest from illegal loggers and ranchers, Reuters News
New approach to endangered species - Pombo, Walden, Crapo, and Chafee announce House-Senate partnership, Bend Bugle

Recreation Policy Act Almost Ready For Roll-out, Federal Parks and Recreation (scroll halfway down)
National Recreation Policy Act Draft, Federal Parks and Recreation
Genetically modifying trees, World Peace Herald - UPI
Nation's forests growing, but trend may not last, Corvallis Gazette-Times - Knight Ridder News
Can't See the Forest for the Symbols - The environment and the economy lose when facts are ignored, Los Angeles Times op-ed
Endangered Science?, Science News
Scientists Ordered Not To Complete Survey — Banned Survey Results to be Released Wednesday, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Survey Summary, Union of Concerned Scientists

Bush Administration Proposes Increased Funding for FY 2006 to Maintain and Restore Forest and Rangeland Health - Healthy Forest Projects Would Continue to Reduce Wildfire Threat, USDA News
Distaste for tax increases feeds state's growing reliance on fees - Lawmakers begin to reassess whether piecemeal maneuvers are the best way to raise revenue needed to balance the budget, Oregonian
Marketing the outdoors isn't what it used to be, The Olympian - Gannett News Service
Green causes called out of step, New York Times at the Seattle Times
Encourage WWF to See the Ancient Forests through the Certified Trees - Review World Bank/WWF Alliance & Brazilian Dam Controversy, Forest Conservation alert

Federal Recreation Policy Act Draft: Privatization drive enhanced, Federal Parks and Recreation
Scarcity of air tankers feared - As fire season approaches, officials must cope with a shortage of their biggest planes, Riverside Press-Enterprise
Local power - Call it collaboration or consensus, a new book explores ways Westerners can get things done with less conflict, Headwaters News
Blue Planet: Wilderness issues endure, United Press International
WORLD NEWS
Cut logging, gain jobs - Report: Saving a third of coastal lands from logging could yield a $200-million economic boost, study claims, Vancouver Sun
Future of Serra do Urubu secured: Last significant remnant of Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil, BirdLife International

Nun shot dead in Amazon - American nun Dorothy Stang defended rain forest from illegal loggers and ranchers, Reuters News
Crusader shot dead, Herald Sun
Missionary from Ohio slain, Los Angeles Times at Concord Monitor
Brazil, Bowing to Protests, Reopens Logging in Amazon - Brazil claims to be "not giving in" to terrorist loggers, New York Times
Malagasy wilderness in the balance - Madagascar is fast losing its forest wilderness. But villagers are angered by moves to prevent them cutting down trees in recently created nature reserves, BBC News

Illegal loggers mock crackdown, Philippine Daily Inquirer
The governor's angry reaction, Philippine Daily Inquirer


Loggers Want Ban Lifted, The East African Standard (Nairobi)
A weird, wild ministry, Indian Express

World's land-cover changes are studied, United Press International
Forest entrance fees frozen, Belfast Telegraph
New forestry agreement means jobs, chief says, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. News
Mill is Hines Creek's lifeblood, Daily Herald-Tribune - Alberta
Encourage WWF to See the Ancient Forests through the Certified Trees - Review World Bank/WWF Alliance & Brazilian Dam Controversy, Forest Conservation alert
Swept Into the World - Ancient knowledge saved endangered tribes from the tsunami, but the aid that poured in from outside could imperil their future, Los Angeles Times at Newsday
Legislation for Wildlife Conservation Being Strengthened - There is no significant instance of illegal logging in India, Ministry for Environment and Forest
Big-time loggers charged, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Miriam's fury, Sun.Star News

Mount Kenya: a Powerful Cultural Symbol, The Harare Herald, by Wangari Maathai
Listening to the trees, Mail & Guardian
Leaders plant forest survival plan - Regional heads said the industrial world should help more, Aljazeera News


Chainsaw massacre, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Governors angry, gang up on Santiago, Philippine Daily Inquirer
This developer burns money and cuts trees, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Minister talks forestry in Gunnedah, The Northern Daily Leader
CONGRESS & WASHINGTON
Payments to counties gain more support, Klamath Falls Herald and News
Utah Wilderness Appeal Rejected - Federal court sends case allowing oil and gas exploration back to the original judge, who will hear the challenge from environmentalists, Los Angeles Times
New approach to endangered species - Pombo, Walden, Crapo, and Chafee announce House-Senate partnership, Bend Bugle
Endangered Species Act has worked well - Proposal by four congressmen for 'new approach' to federal law is suspect, Pocatello Idaho State Journal editorial
Scientific tampering - Political pressure, commercial concerns often override findings by agency researchers, watchdog survey finds, Newsday
Survey: Science, politics at odds - Politics trumps science when it comes to the government's role in protecting endangered species and the environment, federal scientists said in a new survey, USA Today
U.S. Scientists Say They Are Told to Alter Findings - More than 200 Fish and Wildlife researchers cite cases where conclusions were reversed to weaken protections and favor business, a survey finds, Los Angeles Times
Pick-Your-Own Science, Los Angeles Times editorial
When fear of backlash enters the laboratory - Self-censorship could have broad, unknown impact, researchers say, Baltimore Sun

FY 2006 Interior Budget in Brief, Department of the Interior

Bush Administration Proposes Increased Funding for FY 2006 to Maintain and Restore Forest and Rangeland Health - Healthy Forest Projects Would Continue to Reduce Wildfire Threat, USDA News
Congress becomes fountain of youth - Rather than die, old bills frequently given new life the following session, The Modesto Bee

Federal Recreation Policy Act Draft: Privatization drive enhanced, Federal Parks and Recreation
Walden calls on budget chairman to plan for fire - Forestry chairman asks for $500 million to cover emergency fire suppression, Bend Bugle
NORTHERN REGION (Region 1):
Montana and Northern Idaho
Entomologist coordinates knapweed work with feds, Billings Gazette - MSU News Service

Jobs undone in Bitterroot NF, The Missoula Independent
Helena NF to close 100 miles of roads, Helena Independent Record
Forest without motors healthier, more peaceful, Bozeman Daily Chronicle letter
Looking forward to Forest Service's next 100 years, Ravalli Republic - Bitterroot Forest Supervisor David Bull op-ed
Industry still drives economy, The Daily Inter Lake

Furor over forest restoration front and center - Forest Service not giving burned areas timely treatment, Missoulian
Appeals target Flathead NF salvage logging, Kalispell Daily Inter Lake
Eureka mill shuts its doors, The Whitefish Pilot
Timber industry takes another hit, Kalispell Daily Inter Lake editorial

Contracting trials, Missoulian
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (Region 2):
Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming
Ski path system trails in funding, Glenwood Springs Post Independent
New forest supervisor earned high marks in California, Glenwood Springs Post Independent
White River forest names supervisor, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

That's the way the tree falls, Vail Daily News op-ed
Too much paperwork, Rapid City Journal editorial


Groundhog Day is Prairie Dog Day in the Western U.S. - Forest Guardians and partner groups call for prairie dog protection across twelve states, Forest Guardians: Frontline Newsletter

TimberPro, Timberline Prove Good Combination - Tree-length logger operates in Black Hills with Timberline DL3800 and TimberPro 620-E, TimberLine magazine
SOUTHWESTERN REGION (Region 3):
Arizona and New Mexico
Enviros girding loins for battle over drilling in Carson NF Valle Vidal and Otero Mesa, The New Mexican editorial

Cibola NF: Oak Flat Needs No Development, Mountain View Telegraph op-ed
Valles Caldera Deal Progresses, Albuquerque Journal
Please, officials, beef up our wildfire protection, Prescott Daily Courier editorial

Coronado NF: Sky islands added to 'hot spots' - Book lists 34 dangerous areas for biodiversity, Arizona Daily Star
Renzi wants sensitivity, flexibility in beef country: "Cattlemen's Bill of Rights", Arizona Republic

Tajique Watershed Restoration Project - Draft EIS: Summary, Cibola NF: Mountainair Ranger District
IWMT meets, Los Alamos Monitor

Resolution resumes drilling program - Drilling being done is under the company's current Plan of Operations with the U.S. Forest Service, Globe, Arizona Silver Belt
Mushroom power, New Mexican
INTERMOUNTAIN REGION (Region 4):
Southern Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and SW Wyoming
Utah Wilderness Appeal Rejected - Federal court sends case allowing oil and gas exploration back to the original judge, who will hear the challenge from environmentalists, Los Angeles Times
ATV dispute steams Box Elder landowners - Battle over access: At issue is whether riders may use roads on private property on their way to public lands, Salt Lake Tribune
Forest Service gets green light to reissue permits ... Decision makes it difficult for groups to challenge grazing on public lands, Twin Falls Times-News


Landowners oppose proposal for ATV trail in Box Elder - Fed up: They say motorized users are tearing out signs and tearing up the hillsides, Salt Lake Tribune
Focus secures prized BLM parcel - Property group pays $510 million for 1,710 acres in northwest, Las Vegas Review Journal

Clark County Federal Land Sales: Proposal would cost Nevada - Budget diverts money from state to treasury, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Wolf biologists look ahead, Billings Gazette
Wolf's future hits another twist, Casper Star-Tribune
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST (Region 5): California
Want to save giant trees? A chain saw can do wonders, Mercury News op-ed by Thomas Bonnicksen
Eagles seen in mountains, San Bernardino County Sun
Gliding banned from San Jacinto Mountains lookout - Concern for sheep below prompts fines, possible jail time, The Desert Sun
Road closure taking too long, Pasadena Star-News editorial

Can't See the Forest for the Symbols - The environment and the economy lose when facts are ignored, Los Angeles Times op-ed
A line in the snow - Frosty acrimony between snowmobilers and cross-country skiers, Los Angeles Times
Climbers told to get off, Los Angeles Times
Headwaters headache, San Francisco Chronicle editorial
Famed tree shell of old self - Age, weather wear world's second-biggest tree in Sequoia National Park, Fresno Bee

Saving the Sierra, San Francisco Chronicle editorial
Quiet mountain town snarled in noisy RICO suit - Dispute over Fawnskin condominium project triggers an avalanche of untried legal tactics, Riverside Press-Enterprise
Steers files for dismissal, Big Bear Grizzly
Calif. sues U.S. over Sierra logging plan - Thinning is illegal 'overhaul,' attorney general says, MSNBC Reuters
Condor protection measures urged - Vote set today on lead ban to aid condors, San Jose Mercury News at Monterey County Herald
New deputy forest supervisor at Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza
Fight is on for forest county' money, Chico Enterprise Record
Forest Service OKs cove plan - Process begins to move marina to Turntable Bay, Redding Record Searchlight
Logging battle goes to Supreme Court - Decision by California's highest court could affect industry statewide, Santa Cruz Sentinel
Sierra's three-legged bear leaning heavily on humans - Disaster waiting to happen -- for bear or campers?, Stockton Record
Dukes up on fate of park buildings - Forest Service to begin razing the buildings immediately, Pasadena Star-News
Stop Waste of Public Funds, La Cañada Valley Sun
Is biodiversity an issue at Lake Tahoe?, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza
Music — an activist's antidote: Darryl Cherney & The Chernobles, The Eureka Reporter

State sues over plan to boost Sierra logging - Forest Service failed to disclose crucial data, Lockyer says, San Francisco Chronicle
Lockyer sues over U.S. timber plan - He says Forest Service is revisiting the 2001 rules to maximize logging, The Sacramento Bee
Forest plan spurs two lawsuits, The Union Democrat

Scarcity of air tankers feared - As fire season approaches, officials must cope with a shortage of their biggest planes, Riverside Press-Enterprise
Forest Service Takes Stock Of Fleet As Wildfire Season Nears - Agency Considers Shortage Of Large Air Tankers, NBC 4 - News
Eye on the mountains - The U.S. Forest Service provides a Central Sierra Avalanche forecast, Sierra Sun - News
PACIFIC NORTHWEST (Region 6):
Oregon and Washington
GPS-driven geocaching falls astray of plans for Badlands east of Bend - A ban is planned in the proposed 32,000-acre wilderness for the growing sport that involves searching for planted items, Oregonian
Payments to counties gain more support, Klamath Falls Herald and News
Logging and Forests, BlueOregon News


Fidler timber sale protested, Corvallis Gazette-Times
Distaste for tax increases feeds state's growing reliance on fees - Lawmakers begin to reassess whether piecemeal maneuvers are the best way to raise revenue needed to balance the budget, Oregonian
Feelings flow like a river on water issues, Klamath Falls Herald and News
Lawmakers introduce bill to continue timber payments - Oregon's congressional delegation seeks the same amount of federal money for schools and roads, Oregonian
Bipartisan legislation would benefit rural schools - Senate, House "county payments" bills reauthorize funding link between counties and federal land, Bend Bugle
Lawmakers push for timber payment program - Communities in the West might get money restored, Statesman Journal
Counties hope to retain aid, Corvallis Gazette-Times AP
Local scientists tapped for post, Corvallis Gazette-Times
Helicopter brings unique tool to forestry, Capital Press Agriculture Weekly
County's progress draws praise, Roseburg News-Review

SOUTHERN REGION (Region 8):
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Private Land, Public Good, Texas-style - A ranch near Houston balances nature and commerce, to keep subdivision away, The Tyee
Jefferson NF area: A nod to nature - Supervisors support tourism as economic development, Bland County Messenger

Conservation groups blast budget, Oxford Press - Cox News

Cougar runs through Acadiana, The Opelousas Daily World
Owners' love of Ozarks land spawns gift to TNC - Ozark NF linked to Buffalo River Wilderness Area, The Nature Conservancy
They're gonna bug us, Galax Gazette
Tree Seedlings Now on Sale From DNR Forest Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Bill would make 10,000 acres of the Caribbean National Forest a Wilderness Area - Governor's Representative Squabbles with Resident Commissioner, Puerto Rico Herald [scroll down]
S.C. Logger Makes Change to Cut-to-Length - F.G. O'Neal Jr. Co. moves into 2nd thins of pine plantations with Valmet harvester, forwarder, TimberLine News
EASTERN REGION (Region 9):
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
Forest plans use sound science, Toledo Blade letter by Regional Forester Randy Moore
Mattson gains top award - William Mattson is the chief insect ecologist at the USFS North Central Research Station, Ironwood Daily Globe
Feds OK gas drilling permit, The Houghton Lake Resorter
Ginseng extinct? Deer nibbling away at plant - Study: Species will be wiped out in U.S. unless deer controlled, MSNBC
Reviving the herd, Times Argus
Skiff Mtn. land edges closer to preservation, The Kent Good Times Dispatch
Ohio DNR holds hearing on park fees - Republican Sen. Grendell has introduced legislation to ban the fees, The Columbus Dispatch
Plum Creek's Big Plan for Maine Woods, Maine Environmental News

Local wind project on hold, Bennington Banner
Logging is lagging, Ironwood Daily Globe

Crafting the story of Midewin - Quilters participating in project to capture Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie's unique tale, Daily Southtown
Groups planning Mason Tract appeal - A lawsuit is possible if appeal fails, Travis Record-Eagle
They're gonna bug us, Galax Gazette
O overplanted taxus, how the deer doth love yew - Japanese plum yew good substitute; deer don't seem to like it, Beacon Journal
Dispute delays access to a gem - Rights to private road mire state plan to allow public recreation at 4,500-acre Cedarlands, Times Union

Hog Control a Growing Challenge for Public Land Managers - Hunters are helping control one of Missouri's mo