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Forest ranger's business ties prompt inquiry As chamber president, he may have been too close to Pelican Butte ski plan By PAUL FATTIG KLAMATH FALLS -- A Forest Service district ranger is the target of an agency investigation into possible conflict of interest violations that stem from his term as president of the Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce. The focus of the probe is Rob Shull, a Winema National Forest ranger in charge of the Klamath District where a controversial ski resort has been proposed. The chamber has been an avid supporter of the proposed Pelican Butte ski resort sought by Jeld-Wen Inc. of Klamath Falls, a proposal that has drawn strong opposition based on environmental concerns. Shull's potential for conflict of interest has raised eyebrows since he became chamber president early in 1998. He served until the end of the year. "The regional forester (Bob Williams) is making an inquiry," confirmed Frank Erickson, spokesman for the Winema forest. "But that's about all we know at this point. "The ranger could be exonerated or there could be a finding of conflict and action taken," he added. "We have to check out allegations. Our ethics and conduct are held to a high standard." The agency's regional office in Portland remains largely tight-lipped about the investigation, although officials said a retired personnel specialist from the Forest Service is leading the inquiry. There is no target date to complete the investigation, which began about two weeks ago, according to Rex Holloway, spokesman in the agency's Region 6 office in Portland. Erickson said the story was prompted by a story in the March/April issue of Inner Voice, a magazine published by the Eugene-based Forest Service Employees For Environmental Ethics. The article, titled "A Slippery Slope," questioned whether the agency, specifically Shull, had gotten too cozy with business interests. However, the issue had also been raised last year at several public meetings addressing the ski resort proposal, Erickson said, noting that Rogue Group Sierra Club members were among those expressing concern. The article noted that Shull played a key role in the agency's review of the proposal. Citing the Klamath Falls Herald and News newspaper, it also stated that Shull said in his acceptance speech that advancing the Pelican Butte ski plans was one of the primary goals of the chamber in 1998. Moreover, again quoting a Herald and News article, the article quoted Shull saying at the end of his term, "I've had to keep myself muzzled. In the last moments of my presidency I can say, `Let's build the thing."' The article noted that Shull declined to go to Washington, D.C., as part of a chamber lobbying effort in behalf of the resort in February 1998. Yet it chided him for accepting a trip aboard a Jeld-Wen jet to St. George, Utah, in October as part of a delegation to lobby an airline to continue offering commercial air service between Klamath Falls and major hubs like San Francisco. In a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon, Shull, a 22-year veteran of the agency and a wildlife biologist by training, declined to comment on the Inner Voice article or what it portends. "But it is appropriate for my superiors to look into the allegations that were raised," he said. "It is very responsible for them to do so. I would expect nothing less." Although he would not discuss specifics, he said his involvement in the chamber, beginning as second vice president three years ago, was part of his job. "The Winema National Forest has been a member of the chamber for many, many years," he said. "My role was part of my official duties, not part of my private life. "I would love to speak candidly but the time isn't right for that now," he concluded. Andy Stahl, executive director of FSEFEE, applauded the agency for launching the investigation. "It is appropriate for the Forest Service to ensure that its employees act responsibly," Stahl said. "Our investigation found questionable activities by the district ranger that at best impeached the public trust in the Forest Service and at worst might be illegal. "We want a Forest Service that works in the public interest to earn the public respect and trust," he added. "When there are individuals who are not doing so, those problems need to be cured." The agency must also be forthcoming with its investigation, he stressed. "I hope it lays as many cards as it can on the table," he said. "That's the only way to clear the air." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA