Interior Reaches Deal to Revisit Trump-Era Timber Salvage Rule

The Bureau of Land Management agreed to take steps to eliminate a Trump administration rule aimed at streamlining timber salvage projects, in a settlement with environmental groups who challenged the rule.

Judge Ann Aiken of the US District Court for the District of Oregon granted the parties’ joint motion to dismiss on Wednesday.

• Environmental groups claimed the agency failed to prepare an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment when it issued the final Salvage CX rule.
• The categorical exclusion exempts timber salvage projects smaller than 3,000 acres from more extensive environmental review.
• The rule would destroy forest ecosystems that are ...