EMERSON OUTRAGED OVER POSSIBLE MORATORIUM ON FOREST LOGGING ROADS

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson wants to ax Clinton administration plans to suspend construction of logging roads in the back country of most national forests.

In Washington Wednesday, the Cape Girardeau Republican said she was outraged over the Clinton administration proposal.

Emerson wrote to President Clinton, urging him to scrap plans for a moratorium on construction of new logging roads in untouched areas of national forests.

Logging roads benefit the forest products industry, recreation enthusiasts and sportsmen, she said.

Nationwide, there are more than 400,000 miles of roads and 50 million acres of national forests, Emerson said.

A moratorium could potentially affect millions of acres that are suitable for logging and recreational activities, Emerson said.

A moratorium on construction of logging roads could result in timber being imported for wood products and the construction of homes, she said.

In her letter Thursday to Clinton, Emerson said the forest products industry drives much of the economy of southern Missouri.