Political Quotes

“I want to bring up a situation that caught my eye. Day before yesterday I received a copy of an Associated Press article that exposed a previously unreleased Forest Service document, now being referred to as ``Phase I of The Western Forest Health Initiative.'' This report was internally submitted September 30, 1994, about the time the agency said it would release its final report to the public. The final report, however, was not released until December, and it was watered down considerably. It is called phase 2. The difference between the two documents is remarkable and it appears to demonstrate the difference between how Forest Service scientists--in other words, the professional land managers, especially in the Forest Service--view forest health and how this administration sees it. The phase I report in every way was more aggressive and emphasizes a much greater sense of urgency than the report that was finally released to the public.”