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--> --> Bill targets eco regulations for fire hazard, infestation reduction efforts By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings This summer's wildfires have prompted Congress to consider a bill that would suspend environmental regulations for logging meant to reduce fire hazard and insect infestation. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Rep. Dennis Rehberg, R-Mont., introduced the bill, named the National Forest Fire Prevention Act, late last week. Under their proposal, the public would not be notified about wildfire fuel and insect infestation reduction projects on public lands, nor could citizens comment on or appeal such projects. The bill also blocks judicial review of projects. Congressional supporters of the bill contend that environmental lawsuits are preventing timely action to reduce wildfire risk, and existing administrative and legal processes cannot address fire danger in time. But staff of the Ashland-based environmental group Headwaters decried the bill as a poorly disguised effort to increase commercial logging and deny citizens their right to fight timber sales. They said the build-up of fuels in the nation's forests is the result of decades of fire suppression and logging. "Our leaders in Washington need to do a better job of helping to solve this problem rather than using the fear that these fires cause to push through legislation that will benefit corporate logging interests while doing essentially nothing for the average taxpayer," said Tonya Graham, executive director for Headwaters. Dave Hill, executive vice president of the Southern Oregon Timber Industries Association, said he can understand the rationale behind the proposed legislation, but the bill may go too far. "It's a very significant change from the standards of today's management activities," Hill said. "The concept is good, but I'm not sure we have to suspend all those legal requirements to meet the same objective ... The Southern Oregon Timber Industries Association is not advocating logging without laws." However, he said some changes to current law would allow salvage logging of fire, disease and insect-killed trees to proceed. "We would like to see that happen in a timely fashion," Hill said. "That probably means some limits on judicial review and appeal, but not necessarily eliminating public review and comment." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing