FRESNO, Calif. (AP) – Federal forest officials say they were trying for a balanced approach in new plan to allow loggers to remove dead wood from a massive California wildfire, but environmentalists are calling it a travesty for trees.
The highly awaited decision announced by the U.S. Forest Service Wednesday and expected to be finalized Thursday will allow logging on 52 square miles of forests blackened in the Rim Fire, which burned 400 square miles of the Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park’s backcountry and private timber land.
It came amid a standoff between environmentalists and supporters of the timber industry over what to do with the trees that died in the fire. The blaze also destroyed 11 homes and cost more than $125 million to fight.
Susan Skalski, supervisor of the Stanislaus National Forest, said that she tried to balance the need to reduce future fires with protecting the environment and wildlife. She took into consideration input from the public, environmental groups and the timber industry and said it was impossible for her to devise a perfect recovery plan.
“I did my best to balance all these important goals, with the intent of providing a decision that best serves the public interest,” she said. “I realize that my decision will not please every member of the public.”