Forest Service to Revamp Timber Sales: The...

Forest Service to Revamp Timber Sales: The Forest Service, criticized for years for selling timber at a loss, disclosed a plan that would block sales that not only lose money but also are not offset by long-term benefits. In addition, the agency said it would try to pare the costs of operating the sales program, improving the chances for turning a profit. Officials announced the proposal at the beginning of a Senate hearing on below-cost timber sales. The hearing was filled with complaints that Forest Service accounting was faulty and concealed the actual cost of sales.