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BOB DOLE AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSE TIMBER
INDUSTRY POLICIES

     During a July 29 speech in Redding, California, Presidential candidate
Sen. Bob Dole (R) attacked President Clinton's forest policy for logging
cutbacks under Option 9, and for failing to wholeheartedly implement the
Logging Rider.  Dole estimated 20,000 job losses in the region, but the
Clinton Administration quickly responded that state employment statistics show
as increase in timber related jobs under his tenure.  Dole spoke proudly about
the rider saying that, "After years of court battles (brought on by two
Republican Administration's failure to follow the law), last year we passed a
measure to expedite the sale of salvaged timber and to rehabilitate the areas
burned in the fires of 1994.  When I'm President of the United States, we're
not going to play games with the timber industry.  I'm going to be on your
side.  When I'm elected that will happen."   

     Dole's words are echoed by the Republican Party Platform: "We stand
for sustainable forestry to stabilize and provide continuity for our timber
industry and to improve the health of the country's public forests.  This
requires active management practices, such as the responsible salvage
harvesting of dead and diseased trees.  The Democrat's hands-off approach has
made our great forests vulnerable to ravaging fires, insects and disease.  The
Democrat's policies have devastated the economy of timber-dependent
communities across the Pacific Northwest and in the Tongass NF, to please
elite special interests."  The Platform also endorses a review of all public
lands with a goal of transferring lands to State or county governments;
continued grazing on public lands and an end to Clinton's range war; and the
platform fully supports the Mining Law of 1872.

     The House Resources Committee Home Page announces more detailed
policy prescriptions for our public forests.  They include increasing funding
for the timber program to increase the amount of logging on the National
Forests; increasing funding for logging roads; transferring lands to the states
because they can manage the lands more efficiently than the federal
government; and increased logging in the Ancient Forests.  The Resources
Committee defends the logging rider as does the House Republican
Leadership.  In a memo entitled "The Common Sense Congress" released by
the House Republican Conference, the Logging Rider was listed among the
"Accomplishments of the 104th Congress."

     A Salt Lake Tribune editorial criticized GOP presidential candidate Bob
Dole for the speeches he made last month in Montana and California in which
he charged the Clinton Administration was engaged in a "war on the West." 
"Dole's campaign has embraced the Whine of the West," the paper writes: 
"Too many candidates pander to the narrow interests of agriculture, mining or
timber -- forgetting that it is the millions of residents of cities who are
demanding cleaner air, water and plenty of recreation sites" (Greenwire 8/1).


TIMBER-SALVAGE RIDER TEST OF CANDIDATES 

     An editorial in the Christian Science Monitor says that while
environmental concerns may not determine the election turnout, they will be a
swing element.  The editorial notes that Bob Dole has "staked his claim to the
[northwest] region's timber, range, and property-rights vote," but points out
that President Clinton's signing of the timber "salvage" rider last year was a
"black mark among green-minded voters."  The editorial predicts that efforts
to repeal the "salvage" rider this fall "should send ripples through the
presidential campaign."  The editorial asked for environmental reasonableness
among this fall's candidates.                          GREENLINES


COOLEY DECLINES TO RUN AGAIN - BOB SMITH RETURNS

     Wes Cooley (R-OR) under fire from the public and the press for lying
about his record has decided not to run for re-election.  Republican party
officials had urged Cooley to quit out of fear of losing his second district seat. 
Bob Smith (R-OR) longtime 2nd District Representative and tireless champion
of timber interests has decided to return from retirement to try to reclaim his
seat.  Rep. Smith was renowned for attending every forest related hearing and
for his outspoken support for increased logging on the National Forests. 


CONGRESS CONTINUES ATTACKS ON PUBLIC LANDS

     A report titled, "Stewardship Under Seige:  The Coming Attack on Our
Public Lands" by Defenders of Wildlife provides fifty pages of details warning
that the nation faces a "September Surprise" of legislative proposals
endangering wildlife and natural areas in all fifty states.  Defender's President
Rodger Schlickeisen stresses that, "Despite recent pro-environmental rhetoric
from congressional leaders, certain Members of Congress are working to enact
several dozen public lands proposals that would damage wildlife and land
belonging to all Americans.  Although the public may think that Congress is
turning green before the elections, we're seeing red for danger ahead.  At least
as far as public lands issues are concerned, the 104th Congress continues to be
the most anti-environmental Congress in history."  The report describes
eighteen bills or amendments including S. 1459 the grazing bill, H.R. 1675
which would give recreational use precedence over wildlife conservation
throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System, and a possible amendment to
gut Sec. Glickman's Directive to halt salvage sales in roadless areas.  For
more information about the report please contact Mary Munson, Defenders of
Wildlife, 202/682-9400 ext. 263.