For Immediate Release
Jim Kleissler, Allegheny Defense Project, (814) 223-4996
Tammy Belinsky, Wildlaw, (540) 929-4222

Documents Reveal Timber Industry, Congressman Peterson Dictating Management in Allegheny National Forest

Freedom of Information Act Records Reveal Plan to Illegally "Subdivide" Logging Projects

CLARION, PA – Conservationists today released records that support previous allegations that the Bush Administration had “subdivided” logging projects in the Allegheny National Forest in order to avoid environmental review. The new records, which include e-mails, faxes, memorandums, and project maps, also reveal for the first time the access the timber industry had to Administration officials responsible for management decisions.

“Instead of scientists, the timber industry is dictating how the Allegheny National Forest is going to be managed,” explained Ryan Talbott, Forest Watch Coordinator with the Allegheny Defense Project. “Conservationists were kept completely in the dark about these logging proposals while the timber industry had unfettered access to all levels of the Bush Administration.”

Conservationists have charged that the logging projects being implemented under the Bush Administration’s “Healthy Forests Initiative” are illegal and contrary to good forest management. Conservationists contend that the nation’s environmental laws require that the 4,600-acre logging project undergo scientific environmental analysis and involve meaningful public participation. The 4,600-acre tree cutting project was proposed after a windstorm hit the Allegheny National Forest last summer. Controversy erupted over the logging project when a top Bush Official highlighted the logging as part of its Earth Day promotions. The conservation group Allegheny Defense Project filed a lawsuit against the projects on September 23.

Conservationists allege that the 4,600-acre “salvage” logging project had been broken up into smaller projects to evade legally mandated environmental review and public comment processes. Instead of including the 4,600-acre project into a single environmental impact statement as they have done in the past the Forest Service has decided to implement this logging effort as parts of 25 separate projects. Most of these projects will not undergo environmental assessments and in many cases logging has already been initiated.

The Administration had previously denied allegations that the projects were carved up. However, a newly released memo dated February 12, 2004, states that “Project areas will be evaluated now to determine potential for being subdivided in smaller proposals that could be addressed in a CE.” The same February 12 memo recommends 1,800 acres of logging be approved without environmental assessments even though a previous version of the same memo dated February 5 had proposed only 50 acres of logging be approved without environmental analysis.

“The Bush Administration has made a mockery of the national forest system by handing over public lands management decisions to private timber companies,” explained Ron Cook, a landscaper from Jamestown, New York.

The new documents also appear to contradict earlier claims from Congressman Peterson that “…these decisions are made by professional scientists and land managers at the Forest Service and not by the timber industry.” Conservationists contend the documents demonstrate that these projects were the direct result of pressures from the timber industry. In a February 9 e-mail, Allegheny National Forest Supervisor noted that, “progress on salvage efforts of the July storm salvage his had considerable media play along with attention from Congressman Peterson's office, the under Secretary's office (Mark Rey), and local timber industry. … We will be working on those EA's this year, but the volume is not likely to actually be offered for sale until the first part of 2005. Hence, industry's frustration which has been conveyed to the Congressman and the Under Secretary.” Three weeks later the environmental analyses planned for 1,800 acres were dropped.

“The proposal to log the Allegheny National Forest for special timber interests is outrageous,” proclaimed Tim Reim, a volunteer with the Allegheny Defense Project and school teacher in Erie, PA. “Now we know what we got when George Bush appointed a timber industry lobbyist as the Undersecretary of Agriculture.”

“These new documents released by the US Fish and Wildlife Service demonstrate that hundreds of documents relating to this controversial logging project were previously withheld without explanation or acknowledgement,” explained Ryan Talbott, Forest Watch Coordinator for the Allegheny Defense Project. “Now we know that the administration was trying to hide the fact that the timber industry is dictating national forest policies.”

Conservationists pointed out that the documents released provide additional important information. Documents suggest that efforts to expedite logging in the Allegheny National Forest may have interfered with conservation work conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the endangered bog turtle in southeastern Pennsylvania.

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Selected Documents

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FOIA Response Letter: page one - page two

February 5 Memo: page one - page two - table
"Allegheny National Forest Storm Salvage Strategy". Originally released by the Forest Service in July this memo details a strategy for three Environmental Assessments. Two were later dropped and replaced with 15-20 "Categorical Exclusion" projects.

February 9 E-mail: page one
ANF Supervisor Kevin Elliott acknowledges influence of timber industry, Congressman Peterson, and former timber lobbyist and Undersecretary of Agriculture Mark Rey. Note attached document is titled after timber industry organization "AHUG" or Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group. This e-mail was illgally withheld by the US Forest Service in response to an earlier FOIA request. The attached "AHUG" file was not produced by USFWS as required by law.

February 10 e-mail: page one
Region 5 Acting Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services acknowledges influence of timber industry on project planning. Specifically recognizes that goal of logging is to salvage black cherry. Also notes expected impact to Bog Turtle work in southeastern Pennsylvania including potential delays to residential and commercial development.

February 12 Memo: cover letter - page one - page two - page three - attachment 1 - spreadsheet
This memorandum discusses how forest plan revision and logging are the top priorities for the Allegheny National Forest in Fiscal Year 2004. This memo discusses a strategy for "subdividing" projects to avoid required environmental assessments.

March 3 e-mail: page one - memo page one - memo page two - memo page 3 - attached chart
This e-mail is the first of a series discussing conditions for endangered species that would be affected by the logging. Negotiations were tailored for a specific cause to help the Forest Service evade environmental analysis. Attached table reflects shift from 50 acres of logging proposed with "Categorical Exclusions" to 1,800 acres of logging proposed with "Categorical Exclusions." These "CE" projects are legally limited to projects smaller than 250 acres in size.

June 14 Consultation Letter: page one - page two - page three - page four - page 5
Letter from US Fish and Wildlife Service concluding consultation on 15 Categorical Exclusion Projects as if they were a single project. The fact that these projects were addressed as one in consultation supports the fact that they have been subdivided to avoid legal requirements to prepare an environmental assessment or impact statement.

Updated October 28, 2004, at 2pm.