Editorial: Falling just short on forest protection

Friday, Nov. 17, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.

Environmentalists for years have pleaded with President Clinton to significantly curtail logging in national forests. In May the Clinton administration unveiled its draft plan that would set aside 43 million acres of forest land from development. While Clinton's plan generally was hailed earlier this year by environmentalists -- and denounced by the timber industry -- there was a noticeable omission from the president's proposal: the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. Clinton was chided at the time for bowing to the tiny, but politically powerful, Alaskan congressional delegation, which opposed the Tongass' inclusion.

After receiving public input after the draft plan was unveiled, Clinton has decided to include the Tongass after all, protecting 8.5 million acres of the 17-million-acre Tongass. It's estimated that the ban in the Tongass will reduce logging by nearly two-thirds, from 153 million board feet of timber every year to between 50-53 million board feet. Still, Clinton has opted to provide a grace period, allowing logging until 2004. Environmentalists worry, with some justification, that this four-year window could set off a cutting and bulldozing frenzy by timber companies in this temperate rain forest, which is home to some of the most beautiful and pristine land in the nation.

The timber industry has clung to the notion that the national forests principally exist as their private reserve, but the bottom line is that national forests belong to the people. Clinton did the right thing to include the Tongass, but it is unfortunate that for several more years it will be open season for the chain saw-wielding timber industry.