Oregon Public Broadcasting

Federal land management officials are slowing down their plan to log more in western Oregon forests.

The Western Oregon Plan Revision - or the “Whopper” - was approved about a month ago. Environmental groups challenged the plan, on the grounds that the BLM had skipped a legally required public comment step.

Now, the BLM is giving until the end of the month for “protest” comments.

Environmental groups are generally pleased with the step - but still unhappy about the dramatic increase in logging the plan calls for.

Steve Pedery with Oregon Wild, says if the plan itself doesn’t change, more lawsuits will follow.

Steve Pedery: “If they do try and rush this through, and begin implementing it before the next President takes office, it’s almost certain they’re going to be facing additional legal challenges, just to make sure they’re meeting the basic environmental laws of the country.”

Bureau of Land Management officials insist that they can increase logging and still follow environmental laws for endangered species.

BLM says a timber industry lawsuit enforcing a law dating to the 1930’s requires more logging.