Chichagof timber sale issue resolved

JUNEAU - The U.S. Forest Service and several environmental groups recently resolved their differences in a proposed timber sale on Chichagof Island.

Under an agreement over the Iyouktug timber sale in the Tongass National Forest, the Forest Service will delay offering helicopter logging sale areas, as well as four sites in a roadless area.

First, the federal agency will offer non-helicopter areas aimed at smaller timber operators.

The Forest Service also agreed to modify some sale units to lessen the impact of logging on fish and wildlife habitat.

Environmental groups, in return, agreed not to challenge the sale unless the units that are delayed are offered for sale.