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<br />CONCLUSION
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<br />The Chief concluded that the reyulations comply with NFMA. I affirm the
<br />Chief's decision.
<br />
<br />The Chief also concluded that the process followed by the \'legion to determine
<br />suitability is consistent with 36 cm 219.12 (1982). I affirm the ChieE's
<br />decision.
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<br />The Forest Plans, n:ISs, and Records of Decision are remanded for the actio
<br />speci fied in this decision.
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<br />Pursuant to 36 CFR 211.l8(f) (6), this is the final administrative action of
<br />the Depi'lrtment of Agriculture on the appeals issues of timber land
<br />suitability, the timber program's effect on the envirorunent, and compliance
<br />with UH\,\, NEPA and administrative la\v.
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<br />~H,-lt(P;, U:\0)lt( Cc tCe
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<br />DOUGLA:9 \'1. r'\'\CCj.-GER't-- l
<br />Deputy Assistan~~et~ ..,~
<br />Natural Resources and E~ t
<br />
<br />/1 Appelli'lnts are the Natural Hesources Defense Council, Inc., The Wilderness
<br />Society, the Colorado ~lountain Club, the Colorado Open Space Council, the Na-
<br />tional Audubon Society, the San Juan Audubon Society, the Colorado Wildlife
<br />Federation, and the Public Lands Institute. The intervenors are the National
<br />Forest Products Association, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Colorado Timber
<br />Industry Association, and Southwest Forest Industries.
<br />
<br />/2 Appellants are the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., The \oJilder:1ess
<br />Society, The Colorado l'lountain Club, the Colorado Open Space Council, the Na-
<br />tional Audubon Society, the Audubon Society of Western Colorado, the Colorado
<br />Wildlife Federation, the Public Lands Institute, the Western Slope Energy
<br />Research Center and the Hi'Jh County Citizens Alliance. The intervenors are
<br />the National Forest Products Association, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation,
<br />Co10rado Timber Industry Association, Southwest Forest Industries, the City of
<br />~lontrose, the County of Montrose, the Town of Crested Butte, and Allied Forest
<br />Products.
<br />
<br />"'J /3 All references are to the 1979 version oE the NFMA regulations because the
<br />~' Lorest plal1S at issue were prepared pursuant to those regulations. See 36 CFR
<br />219.219 (b) (1) (1984).
<br />
<br />1'1 The Forest Service, Washington Office, in direction Signed by Gary E. Car-
<br />gill to the Regional Foresters dated April 19, 1985, required that such infor-
<br />mation be provided in Records oE Decision on forest plans.
<br />
<br />/5 N1 exall1ple of the conceptual weakness oE the analytical approach used in
<br />tile San Juan planning process is that the road system apparently was not as-
<br />sumed to chan')c depending upon management objective or timber sale level. In
<br />other IJords, it was assLDned that the same road system would be needed no mat-
<br />ter wh.:lt Jnultiple use emphasis was decided upon. Even though roads are a very
<br />si'JI\i ficilnt part oE the costs of management, the San Juan analytical approach
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