Timber-sale appeals a costly mess

The conclusion of a recent academic study should come as no surprise to anyone: Timber-sale appeals cost money both for the community and agencies dealing with the appeals.

The University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research looked at impacts of litigation involving federal timber projects, particularly in Forest Service Region 1, which encompasses Northwest Montana.

“The relatively high frequency of litigation in Region 1 and the protracted duration (often one to two years) of litigated cases certainly contribute to agency workload, cost and uncertainty, as well as uncertainty and related economic impacts for loggers, mills and communities near the forests,” the study authors concluded.

That validates the concerns raised by many in the business community and timber industry over lawsuits affecting projects needed to keep raw materials flowing to local sawmills.

The university study focused on the Spotted Bear River project that was challenged by two environmental groups.

Dealing with the appeals on that project cost the Forest Service $95,000.

Had the legal challenges succeeded in thwarting the Spotted Bear River project, the impact would have been severe: the loss of 136 jobs and more than $10 million to the local economy.

Fortunately for the loggers, haulers and lumber mills that would share some of that $10 million (part of that total also comes from direct and indirect spending benefits), the Spotted Bear project is moving forward after the final legal challenge was dismissed.

On the heels of the UM study comes the news this week that the Alliance for the Wild Rockies is appealing the ambitious East Reservoir Project on the Kootenai National Forest.

That project northeast of Libby would produce 39 million board-feet of timber. That’s a big number during a time when our local mills are finding logs in short supply.

It’s the latest refrain from a familiar song: Once again we have a legal obstacle thrown in front of a project that promises jobs and productivity from a national forest.

Add the East Reservoir Project to the 73 projects appealed in Region 1 from 2008 to 2013, and you can see why there’s pressure on Congress to take some action to cut down on appeals and expedite timber production.