The Spotted Owl Controversy
The mere mention of the creature's name brings shudders to loggers and some local inhabitants; fear over its existence has incited rallies, garnered the attention of three government agencies, and caused people to tie themselves to trees.
In May 1991, Federal District Judge William Dwyer issued a landmark decision finding that the Forest Service had violated the National Forest Management Act by failing to implement an acceptable management plan for the northern spotted owl. His decision forbade timber sales across the spotted owl region until the Forest Service…
