9th Circuit Clears USFS Logging At Lake Tahoe

RENO, Nev. (AP) -- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for the Forest Service to begin logging near Lake Tahoe where a wildfire burned more than 250 homes four years ago.

A three-judge panel of the federal appellate court in San Francisco issued a 2-page ruling Monday denying an emergency injunction sought by two environmental groups.

The judges gave no reason for their decision. They've given the Earth Island Institute and Center for Biological Diversity until Oct. 3 to submit formal briefs so the case to be considered on a normal schedule in November.

The Forest Service says it intends to start logging this week in an effort to guard against future fires. Opponents claim the project won't ease fire threats but will harm a rare woodpecker.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)