Bush Signs Log Export Ban Aimed at Saving Owls
President Bush on Monday signed a bill to restrict state and federal log exports, to save jobs affected by automation and the protection of the northern spotted owl.
Bush said there was “no doubt that high levels of export of unprocessed timber have contributed to the decline in habitat” that has endangered the owl species.
The measure is intended to preserve Pacific Northwest timber for domestic mills and enough old-growth forest to save the owl from extinction.
The bill makes permanent what had been a year-to-year ban on the export of raw logs from federal land and prohibits exporting timber from state lands in California and Oregon. Exports from state land in Washington would be cut.
Log exports from privately owned lands would still be allowed, but substituting them for logs from federal lands would not.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
