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Show Forest Service Denies Two Appeals: Upholds Its Own Earlier Decision A regional Forest Service official offi-cial has affirmed the Dixie National Forest decision in two appeals on the Strawberry Ridge Timber Harvest-one from the timber industry and one from a preservationist group. Deputy Regional Forester Robert Joslin this week affirmed a January 8 decision by Dixie National Na-tional Forest Supervisor Hugh Thompson to proceed with the Strawberry Ridge harvest east of Cedar City. Thompson chose to offer 6.6 million board feet (MBF) of timber, Alternative E in an environmental envi-ronmental analysis on the proposal. On February 25, the Forest Service Ser-vice received appeals on the decision deci-sion from Friends of Dixie National Forest, Inc. and Kaibab Forest Products Company. On March 8 the Friends also requested a stay on the timber sale, which was granted. The Friends requested a new Environmental En-vironmental Impact Statement for the decision, which they contended inadequately addressed adverse impacts im-pacts on resources, recreation and adjacent homeowners. Joslin found that the Dixie did address the impacts im-pacts and followed its Forest Plan and Federal laws in its environmental environmen-tal analysis. Joslin also noted that landowners landown-ers knew their land was adjacent to a potential timber sale area on the National Forest when they bought it. "Timber harvesting is an accepts ted and legitimate use of the forest lands," he wrote, adding that the needs and views of other forest users are equally important to those of nearby property owners. Kaibab appellants wanted a higher harvest level-8.8 million board feet. Joslin affirmed the Dixie's 6.6 mbf as consistent with its forest plan and maximizing public pub-lic benefits. Joslin's decision is the final decision de-cision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture unless the Chief of the Forest Service decides to review the appeal. If the chief does not review the appeal within 15 days, the stay against the Strawberry Timber Sale will be lifted. |