PENINSULA: Loggers, environmentalists have differing views on Bush's roadbuilding reversal

BY KEN SHORT

Clallam County, WA - Timber stakeholders on the North Olympic Peninsula have mixed reactions about proposed ``common sense'' changes to former President Clinton's ban on building roads in federal forests.

The Bush administration will allow Clinton's roadbuilding ban to go into effect May 12 in much of the nation's forests, including Olympic National Forest.

However, Bush may give local tribes, citizens and authorities the discretion to resume road building in forests in their areas when he proposes amendments in June.

A retired U.S. Forest Service engineer says the unspecified amendments will have a ``minimal'' effect, while a Sequim environmentalist says it's too early to speculate.

Either way, Forks Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Diane Schostak said Saturday that the move is definitely beneficial to North Olympic Peninsula residents.

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