What we're doing is to rehabilitate these lands. There is no evidence that clear-cuts degrade watercourses.

Sierra Pacific has been involved in the political process through many administrations for many years. It was simply a get-to-know, say-hello type of situation.

We commend the forest for trying to do more. But at the same time I think everyone realizes a lot more can be done.

Even though we are incurring high trucking costs in taking those logs to Tuolumne County, we see this as an opportunity to get back to full production in Sonora.

Where lands would be compatible and appropriate, we'd certainly look at those. The program makes sense from Sierra Pacific's standpoint.