Center for Biological Diversity Lawyers Win Another Court Battle

The Center for Biological Diversity issued a press release on Thursday declaring victory in an appeal challenging the 11,000-acre “Bonito” logging project near Ruidoso. According to the group in an Oct. 19 letter the Forest Service conceded that its approval of the logging violated the National Forest Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act by: Defying forest canopy cover requirements of the Lincoln Forest Plan;
Failing to maintain old-growth forest as required by the plan;
Overlooking impacts to forest soil with moderate and severe erosion hazard.

The Forest Service had approved the logging even though its own analysis showed that it would remove more forest canopy than its own rules protecting northern goshawk and Mexican spotted owl allow. The agency also tried to remove more large trees than its own rules allow in old-growth-deficient forests. “We support active management to restore forests and protect communities,” said Jay Lininger, an ecologist with the Center.

Center for Biological Diversity Lawyers Win Another Court Battle