Attorney General explains how corrupt forestry board can be on behalf of the timber industry
This letter was handed out at the January 2009 BoF meeting, regarding interpretation of the Forest Practice Act and Rules. Industry had claimed that the Board was way out of bounds passing regulation to restore habitat, or provide protections for coho in their historic range. Here are some excerpts from the AG’s response:
The rules and regulations are (1) to assure the continuous growing and harvesting of commercial forest tree species, and, (2) to protect the soil, air, fish, and wildlife, and water resources. Both parts of the mandate are equal: to assure timber growth and to protect the forest resources.
In sum, the plain intent of the Legislature in enacting the FPA was to require the Board to view the forests of the state as a complete working ecosystem, and not only as a producer of high-quality timber, but also as forest lands valuable in their own right as a public resource.
-
…the phrase “productivity of timberlands” is not limited to productivity for timber harvesting purposes, but logically also includes protection of other forest resources and values.
…the Board has the authority to provide for the restoration of helathy forest lands and watersheds, in addition to promoting timber growth.
[...] 7) Attorney General explains how corrupt forestry board can be on behalf of the timber industry [...]
where did you read this?