    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [October 28, 1995]
    [Page 1693]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1693]]

    Statement on the Court Decision on Timber Sales
    October 28, 1995

        I am deeply disappointed in the court's decision to force the Forest
    Service and the Bureau of Land Management to release these sales of
    healthy ancient timber.
        My administration's agreement with the Congress on this issue was
    significantly different from the interpretation upheld this week by the
    courts. We agreed that the administration would not have to violate our
    standards and guidelines for our forest plan and for forest management
    in general, but only speed up sales that met those standards. We do not
    believe that this extreme expansion of ancient timber sales was
    authorized by the 1995 rescission act. My administration will actively
    pursue a legislative remedy to correct this extreme result.
        At this time, however, there is no choice but to comply with the
    court's decision. The decision forces the release of timber that may
    lead to grave environmental injury to chinook salmon and other wildlife
    and damage our rivers and streams. This could jeopardize the livelihoods
    of thousands of people who depend on the Pacific Northwest's vibrant
    commercial and sport fisheries.
        I have directed the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to
    work with the companies awarded contracts to seek changes to mitigate
    any harm to salmon and other species and water quality.
        In signing the rescission legislation and in subsequent directives
    to my Cabinet, I pledged to uphold existing environmental laws and
    standards. I will continue to fight for those laws and standards.