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These advisory boards are so heavily staffed with federal employees that the groups could 

 not propose any action which the agencies did not already approve. Further, we have seen 

 no tangible evidence that these groups are making decisions which are producing timber 

 sales. 



V. The Administration Has Oflered Special Deals to the Largest Timber Companies 



As part of the overall strategy for dealing with endangered species, the Administration 

 originaUy said it would only address the problem on federal lands. Shortly after that 

 announcement, the Administration changed its tune and said they would develop a rule 

 under the Endangered Species Act which would facilitate private land management and 

 protect the Northern Spotted Owl. In fact, thai proposed rule will impose restrictions on 

 both state and private lands within our state if implemented. To date, the Administration 

 has yet to finalize the 4(d) rule, so I cannot tell you how much more pain the 

 Administration will heap on the region of northern California. 



At the same lime, the Administration worked with the largest forest land-owning 

 companies to cut special deals to free up their forest lands for management. 

 Weyerhaeuser Company, Plum Creek Ltd, and others have been exempt from having to 

 deal with Northern Spotted Owls on some of their acres in exchange for signing 100 year 

 long Habitat Conservation Plans. 



The irony of this becomes apparent when you think about the President's promise to help 



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