Oregon Democrats target logging road ruling

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Environmentalists are angry with Sen. Ron Wyden over his bill that would reverse a federal appeals court ruling that increases regulation of logging roads on private as well as public lands.

The Oregonian reported Wednesday the Oregon Democrat has proposed a bill giving logging roads the same exemption from the Clean Water Act that farms enjoy for irrigation runoff.

Oregon Wild conservation director Steve Pedery says Wyden's bill came as "a bolt out of the blue" from someone they have worked with in the past.

Wyden notes that a fellow Democrat -- Gov. John Kitzhaber -- is also concerned the ruling could harm Oregon's timber industry.

The governor is appealing the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com