Oregon Public Broadcasting

Environmentalists and conservation groups sued the Bush Administration Wednesday.

They're trying to slow down approval of new government timber rules to expand logging in Oregon.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Portland.

It claims the feds unlawfully skipped a public appeals process to the so-called Western Oregon Plan Revision.

Conservationists, including Oregon Wild and Earthjustice, asked a judge to immediately halt the implementation of the logging plan.

The Western Oregon plan adjusts the Clinton-era Northwest Forest Plan.

The most controversial change allows more logging on thousands of acres of government-owned old growth forest.

Michael Campbell is a spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management.

Michael Campbell: “This plan revision process dictates that we have this done by the end of December of this year, so that’s kind of where our focus is. Once we get in to implementation, it should be noted that the public will have ample opportunity for public comment.”

The administrative appeals process the environmentalists sued for could add two months or more to final approval of the plan.

Timing is an issue because federal environmental policy is certain to change, no matter which presidential candidate takes office in January.