9/17/1996 89

FOREST SERVICE CLAIMS SALVAGE TREES DO NOT BELONG TO ENVIROS EVEN AFTER BEING PAID FOR

Even though the Forest Service accepted nearly $4,000 from the Southwest Center as payment for the rights to log on the Rustler Salvage Timber Sale, the Forest Service claims that the trees are not the "property" of the Southwest Center until they are cut down and taken out of the Coronado National Forest. The Forest has threatened to resell the trees if they are not logged by October 14. The Center has objected on the grounds that the trees have been paid for, pointing out that timber companies are given possession of trees before they are cut.

The Southwest Center has appealed a previous court order allowing the sale to go forward under the Salvage Rider. A hearing is scheduled for October 11th in Seattle.

The Rustler Salvage Sale controversy has generated tremendous press coverage, including several television specials in English and Spanish.