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APRIL 6, 2001

A federal judge in Idaho criticized the Clinton administration for possibly violating public information laws when it finalized the US Forest Service's conroversial roadless forest initiative.

The judge wouldn't comply with Attorney General Al Lance's request to halt the plan, however. He will make a decision on that issue when the Bush administration finishes its review of the plan on May 4.

The administration may scrap it or limit it at that time. USDA Secretary Ann Veneman is recused from any decisions on it because she represented a group who lobbied against it.

The plan was finalized in January but a number of states, private industry, and at least one tribe -- the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho -- have sued to stop it. The tribe's lawsuit is separate from the state of Idaho's.

Get the Story:
Judge criticizes Clinton proposal to end logging on roadless lands (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 4/6)

Relevant Links:
Roadless Forest Plan - roadless.fs.fed.us
The US Forest Service - www.fs.fed.us

Related Stories:
USDA urged not to settle road lawsuits (3/28)
Tribe says not consulted about forest plan (3/26)
Bush still reviewing forest plan (3/22)
Judge rejects forest plan delay (3/21)
EDITORIAL: Honor roadless initiative (3/21)
Fight over forest plan continues (2/28)
USDA: Veneman recused from forest plan (2/16)
Controversial forest plan delayed (2/6)
Tribe sues over forest plan (1/9)
Roadless forest plan draws fire (1/8)