Louisiana Pacific Corp. He said the delay would give NMFS time to review data submitted by LP and other companies that shows rebounding coho populations. Then they can make a decision based on science instead of emotions. That letter incensed fishing groups and conservationists who noted that key paragraphs were taken verbatim from a draft prepared by the California Forestry Association, a timber industry group. The only dispute is between those who want to protect the fish and those companies seeking to maximize their profits. They say the listing offers the coho's only chance.
Landowners have such a voice in state government that state law is essentially meaningless.
Commercial fishermen were particularly angry about Wheeler's letter and the listing delay since they have been banned from taking coho for three years. We have taken an unfair share of the burden while others who have done more harm are not taking their share. Timber industry spokesmen say they have changed their practices to lessen impacts on coho streams. An agreement between Maxxam, Inc., owners of Pacific Lumber Co., and the state and federal governments has postponed salvage logging in the Headwaters grove of ancient redwoods. If the terms of the Sept. 28 agreement can be met within 10 months, Headwaters and some 2,000 acres of adjacent land will become public property.