Congressman wants records of forest service mistreatment

Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 | 9:57 a.m.

House Resources Committee Chairman Don Young told him on Tuesday that he wants all records verifying mistreatment of Forest Service employees in Elko County since 1997 and he wants them by Tuesday.

"I am prepared to take swift and formal action to obtain the records and information needed for this review," Young, R-Alaska, said in his letter.

Dombeck was not immediately available for comment during the holiday weekend.

The request comes as part of a congressional investigation into the agency's actions regarding Jarbidge's South Canyon Road.

The Forest Service piled tons of rocks, fill material and rip-rap to block a 900-foot section of the flood-damaged road.

A group of Elko County citizens rebelled against the forest service actions last month, but a court order halted an attempt to re-open the road with hand tools.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Gloria Flora quit her job earlier this month, citing concerns about the safety of her employees.

Nevada U.S. Attorney Kathryn Landreth said on Tuesday she would pursue any case that's presented to her office, but there haven't been any for some time.

Stemming from the refusal by Forest Service officials to answer questions during a congressional field hearing held Nov. 13 in Elko, Young's letter is a precursor to issuing formal subpoenas, if necessary, the Elko Daily Free Press reported on Wednesday.

"They have a week to provide the information," Doug Crandall, staff director for the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health told Free Press. "Anything they don't give us we will subpoena."