Shady Bush deal could see light of day

[n2doc]

By JOEL CONNELLY
P-I COLUMNIST

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S new, let-the-sun-shine-in freedom of information policy has both sides buzzing in a major lawsuit over a controversial Bush administration lumber deal.


Lawyers for the federal government, defendants in the suit, have asked for two weeks to "re-examine" a previous decision to withhold 244 pieces of evidence sought by plaintiffs in the case.

"U.S. Trade Representative will need time to review all of the withheld emails, email chains, and/or documents pursuant to the new (Obama) Freedom of Information Act policy and to coordinate review and release of such materials with other agencies," said a filing by the feds.

Is this the tipoff of good things to come?

The Obama policy, announced Wednesday, promises to let the public peer into how decisions were (and are) made.

Taxpayer-owners stand to learn how public resources have been given away, and how vast tracks of public lands (and waters) were opened to oil and gas leasing -- with advice from agency professionals often ignored.

The suit stems from a chain (saw) of events.

The U.S. Trade Representative, in 2006, negotiated a settlement to a long-standing dispute over Canada's lumber exports to the States. The U.S. agreed to return $5 billion in duties collected on Canadian wood. Canada promised to limit its exports.

But the Canadians agreed to pay back $1 billion, with $450 million going to "meritorious initiatives" to promote sustainable forestry, support timber towns and promote education and disaster relief.

A coalition of environmental groups filed suit last September, charging that federal officials diverted $350 million to forestry foundations "dominated by the timber industry."

more:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/397426_joel26.html

[ColbertWatcher]

1. Good.

Of course, the freepers will still be in denial no matter how much information see the light of day.

[n2doc]

2. kick n/t

[havocmom]

3. Kick

I like the smell of roasting bush with in the morning.

[DCKit]

4. What may seem like a little thing....

may be the beginning of the thousand cuts that will destroy the veil of secrecy.

Next up: Dick Cheney's secret WH meetings with Big Energy.