http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/opi...585831,00.html

Letters to the Editor, December 4
December 4, 2002

Proposal for forests is payoff for industry

After a review of the 2000 National Forest System Land and Resource Management
Planning Rule rule, the Forest Service has determined that, contrary to its
intent, the 2000 rule is "neither straightforward nor easy to implement"
("Forestry rules targeted," Nov. 28). The Forest Service (read White House) has
proposed rules that will correct the situation. Specifically they will:

• Exempt the U.S. Forest Service from having to conduct environmental impact
analyses.

• Eliminate the requirement that there be scientific consideration when
drafting plans.

• Allow projects that are incompatible with existing forest plans.

• Drop requirements that projects not harm wildlife or biodiversity.

• Eliminate the requirement for project monitoring.

• Eliminate the consideration of public input by postcard, e-mail or mass
mailing.

• Require the citing of specific laws, regulations or policies when
commenting.

In other words, the Forest Service planners will be able to do what they want
without the necessity of involving any pesky scientists, without consideration
of any wildlife that might be so bold as to actually enter the forest, without
the requirement for any annoying monitoring and without all that bothersome
commentary from the public, except by lawyers. Now I call that "straightforward
and easy to implement!"

Most amazing of all is that this laundry list is exactly what the timber
industry submitted in 2000 when the Clinton rule was under consideration. And
the Forest Service spokesperson has the gall to label this "purely
coincidental." Let's call it like it is: It's payoff time for industry. This is
nothing but governmental corruption at the highest levels.

Of broader concern, this announcement is disturbing in that it is just the
latest of a more or less biweekly announcement of some corrupt, isolationist,
head- in-the-sand, anti-civil rights, big-industry-favoring rule or proposal.
Sooner of later the American public is going to wake up. Let's hope there is
something left of what this nation is supposed to be by the time that happens.

Robert E. McCullough
Denver