NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Alaska Region
Ray Massey W 907.586.7876
rmassey@xxxxxxxxx C 907.209.2094
November 15, 2010
Ruling on timber sale puts 12 back to work
Juneau, Alaska– Today, the Ninth Circuit Court lifted a temporary injunction against all ground disturbing operations on the U.S. Forest Service’s Slake Timber Sale on Prince of Wales Island.
The court’s ruling was stated succinctly, “Appellants’ emergency motion for injunctive relief pending appeal is denied.” The ruling means a paycheck through the holidays for a dozen contract workers with Viking Lumber.
“We are pleased by the court’s ruling,” said Regional Forester Beth Pendleton. “This ruling not only indicates our adherence to environmental standards, but also to creating and sustaining jobs in Southeast Alaska, especially during the holidays.”
The Slake sale is a part of the Forest Service’s Logjam timber project. The Tongass Conservation Society, Greenpeace and the Cascadia Wildlands filed an emergency motion to stop work on the Slake Timber Sale. The court issued its temporary injunction Nov. 5 in order to review the case.
According to Viking Lumber owner Kirk Dahlstrom, a dozen employees were laid off due to the injunction and all 12 will return to work. The employees work for Prince of Wales-based companies Papac Alaska Logging and Timberwolf Cutting.
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