The chief of the U.S. Forest Service has backed new long-term management plans for the Superior and Chippewa National Forests in Minnesota, rejecting appeals from environmental and industry groups.
The long-range forest plans were adopted last year after nearly a decade of planning and public input. They will guide how the forests are managed, including timber harvest, motorized recreation and environmental protection.
Fourteen appeals were filed against the Superior National Forest plan; 19 against the Chippewa. But Forest Service officials in Washington ruled the appeals did not have merit.
The appeal process is almost the final step for the agency in formalizing the forest plans, which already were being used pending appeals. There's also a 14-day period to appeal directly to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary, who oversees the Forest Service.
Environmental groups sought to further limit logging in the forests, especially logging in areas where there are no forest-access roads. Other groups demanded that more land be set aside as official wilderness.
Industry groups countered that the forests could be selling and cutting even more trees to help feed local mills.
Interested parties can still file suit in federal court against parts of the plan as they are used in management of the forest.Duluth News Tribune
