logging

After seven years of consideration, the Bitterroot National Forest has approved a logging and burning project along the western slope of the Bitterroot Valley.

A key account is expected to have a deficit by June. Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove argues his decision to set aside some older forests is not to blame.

Conservation groups challenged the federal government, saying it was using unproven methods at the risk of several endangered species.

The Sadie Creek Campground is located about 20 miles west of Port Angeles, just off State Route 112. It is part of the 74 acres within the Doc Holliday timber sale.

The new Lolo National Forest supervisor approved a 15-year forest project south of Thompson Falls that includes more than 20,000 acres of logging.

Some blame the Department of Natural Resources. The agency is pushing back, saying many factors are in play.

A federal judge identified shortcomings in the U.S. Forest Service's approval of the projects but didn't think they were so significant as to require vacating the agency's decisions all together.

Swan View Coalition and Friends of the Wild Swan filed their notice of intent to sue on Tuesday over a 130,000 acre logging project set along the western edge of Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Michael Garrity writes, "As the national debt is at a record $38.8 trillion, there is simply no reason the Forest Service should be spending $2.8 million for an illegal logging project on the border of Yellowstone National Park."

The USFS will design the timber sales and let the state conduct the sales and oversee the projects.