[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.