Reid calling for cancellation of Genoa timber salvage plan

Monday, Sept. 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

In a letter to Forest Service Chief Jack Ward Thomas, Reid said he's convinced the sale would do more harm than good for residents. Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., earlier came out against the sale.

"I appreciate the work of the Forest Service to date in revising the initial plan to address the concerns of (citizens)," Reid wrote. "However, there are a number of outstanding issues that have not been satisfactorily addressed."

Calls to Forest Service headquarters in Washington went unanswered Saturday.

A leader of a citizens' group opposed to the sale applauded Reid's action, saying he's hopeful it would sway Thomas to drop the plan.

"We're gratified that now both U.S. senators, Sen. Bryan and well as Sen. Reid, are voicing their strong opposition to this action by the Forest Service," said John Henningsen of Concerned Citizens of Genoa.

"I really can't say whether (Reid's opposition) will get Thomas to drop it. Washington works in mysterious ways. But it certainly can't hurt."

Earlier this month, the Forest Service scaled back the plan in response to opposition from residents in Nevada's oldest town. The area to be logged in the Carson Range was reduced from 3,700 acres to 1,711 acres.

But Reid said the Forest Service plan still would allow for significant amounts of slash to remain on the ground after trees are salvaged, creating an increased fire hazard.

Genoa residents also would face an increased threat to their homes with logging in Genoa Canyon, which has a history of avalanches and mudslides, Reid said.

"This action is being justified as necessary to protect the community, but it seems to me that the residents of Genoa would be better off without it," Reid said.

Henningsen said he thinks Reid's opposition is an important development because the senator voted last year in favor of the so-called salvage rider, which allows salvage logging without normal levels of environmental review.

"It's unusual to have both Nevada senators expressing such strong reservations," he said, adding his group would continue to do what it can to stop the sale.

Reid spokeswoman Jenny Backus said the senator voted for the salvage rider because he wanted to expedite the removal of dead and dying trees to reduce the fire danger at Lake Tahoe.

"But he wants sound principles followed," she said. "In the case with Genoa, there are too many concerns that haven't been addressed ... It doesn't make sense for Genoa."