Although national forest policies appear to be changing, there is little evidence of that on the North Olympic Peninsula.
However, local timber industry supporters hope the newly formed Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee to the U.S. Forest Service will bring change sooner rather than later.
The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for Jan. 10 at the Washington State University Extension Office, 201 W. Pattison, Port Hadlock.
The committee will provide advice to the Forest Service on policies as they relate to Clallam, Jefferson and Mason counties.
The committee is divided into three groups. Members are:
* Group A — Brando Blore, Frank Trafton, David Shilton, Albert Barr, Harry Reed and alternate Russell Westmark. Members represent labor, outdoor recreation, off-road vehicle use, energy and mineral development, commercial timber, grazing and other land uses.
* Group B — Patricia Gritman, Bonnie Phillips, William Hixson, Jefferson County Historical Society Museum Director Niki Clark, Marcus Reinertson and alternate Martha Ireland, a former Clallam County commissioner. Members represent environmental, archaelogical, historical and other groups.
* Group C — Jefferson County Commissioner Glen Huntingford, Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty, Katherine Krueger, James Freed, Wesley Johnson and alternate Forks Mayor Nedra Reed. Members represent local government agencies, schools and the at-large public.
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