GREGG APPLAUDS FEDERAL COURT RULING IN FAVOR OF FOREST SERVICE’S MANAGEMENT OF WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 18, 2008
Contact: Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

GREGG APPLAUDS FEDERAL COURT RULING IN FAVOR OF FOREST SERVICE’S MANAGEMENT OF WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST

NEW HAMPSHIRE – U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today applauded Friday’s decision by the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire denying an injunction on the Than and Batchelder Brook timber harvesting projects in the White Mountain National Forest. The injunction, sought by the Sierra Club, Forest Watch, and The Wilderness Society, challenged the projects that were part of the U.S. Forest Service’s 2005 Forest Management Plan. The recent ruling will not allow the challenging environmental groups to halt logging projects in these areas while they appeal the case, which was ruled on in favor of the Forest Service in early June.

Senator Gregg stated, “This decision by the U.S. District Court in favor of the Forest Service is another important step forward for the future of the White Mountain National Forest and the State of New Hampshire. The 2005 Forest Management Plan was a carefully crafted compromise which took into account input from lawmakers, environmentalists, timber companies, recreation organizations and others in New Hampshire who understand the needs of our State and care about this natural resource. It is broadly supported across the state by well regarded organizations such as the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Audubon Society of New Hampshire.

“It’s unfortunate that important timber projects included in the management plan have been tied up in court, and are now in the appeals process. The decision to not hold up these projects, which will bring long-term benefits to both the environment and the economy in the Granite State, while out of state environmental groups continue to appeal, is the right decision. I call on the other members of the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation to join me in supporting the 2005 Forest Management Plan – a carefully crafted compromise which will benefit the long-term health of the forest and the State of New Hampshire, instead of supporting these out of state environmental groups for the purpose of a narrow interest driven national agenda.”

In 2007, the Sierra Club, Forest Watch and The Wilderness Society filed a lawsuit in federal district court challenging the decision to allow limited timber harvesting in two areas in the WMNF, which would impact less than 1,200 acres. Part of the revenues generated by the timber harvesting would also go to local governments. Several New Hampshire-based environmental groups including the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, and the State of New Hampshire have joined Senator Gregg in opposing this lawsuit.

Other aspects of the 2005 Forest Management Plan already have been implemented, including the addition of nearly 35,000 acres of new wilderness. In the plan, the Forest Service recommended the designation of approximately 23,700 acres in the Wild River area and 10,800 acres in the Sandwich Range as “wilderness.” This designation, which can only be done by federal legislation, permanently protects such areas from activities such as mining, logging, road construction, vehicular traffic, and building construction. Along with Senator Sununu, Senator Gregg sponsored the “New Hampshire Wilderness Act of 2006,” which was signed into law in December of 2006 and implemented the Forest Management Plan’s wilderness recommendations.