RISCH ASKS FOR QUICK DECISION ON
TIMBER SALVAGE PLANS

BOISE - Idaho Governor Jim Risch has asked U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth for a quick response to allow salvage logging in the Payette National Forest.  On June 4 a rare tornado raced through 13 miles of timber, destroying an estimated 26.8 million board feet worth of trees.  The twister occurred near the community of Bear, located 35 miles northwest of Council.

“It is imperative that the Forest Service not delay a decision to allow salvage harvesting on national forest land.  An incredible amount of timber has been downed by this storm and lengthy delays not only decrease the value of the downed timber, but puts the remaining stands at risk from insect infestation,” said Risch.

Risch sent Chief Bosworth a letter asking for a speedy decision and inviting him to tour the stricken area.  “I know your schedule is very tight but if time allows I invite you to tour the area,” Risch said in his letter.

Governor Risch and Chief Bosworth are both graduates of the University of Idaho with Bachelor of Science degrees in Forestry.  The two took classes together while earning their degrees, with Risch graduating in 1965 and Bosworth in 1966.

On June 14 Governor Risch signed a proclamation declaring a disaster emergency existed in Adams County due to the tornado.  The proclamation authorizes the use of state resources to help deal with the road closures due to tornado debris.

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