Into The Woods

By Dick Thompson/Washington

Efforts by U.S. Forest Service chief MIKE DOMBECK to disentangle the USFS from the timber industry have provoked a fight with Congress. Republicans are so angry with Dombeck for hampering logging that on Thursday, in an unusual joint hearing, the House Resources, Budget and Appropriations committees will question Dombeck in what is likely to be a scorching job review. Convinced that tree cutting should no longer take priority over conservation and recreation, Dombeck, a former backwoods guide turned scientist, increased restrictions on logging. In his most significant step, he proposed halting construction of new roads in most of the national forests, which he says have led to widespread soil erosion and habitat degradation. The roads are viewed as lifelines by the logging industry. Thursday's interrogation will probably be harsh, but it's mostly for show. The House leadership is not likely to force a showdown over the forests.

--By Dick Thompson/Washington