Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990                   TAG: 9005220204
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTLAND, ORE.                                LENGTH: Medium

BUSH SAYS ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE MUST BE BALANCED

Addressing a controversial proposal to protect the northern spotted owl, the president told a Republican fund-raising breakfast that he rejects environmentalists who "ignore the economic consequences" of protecting such fragile species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to decide June 23 whether to add the owl to the endangered species list. Such a decision would require federal agencies to protect the owl's habitat, the Northwest's old-growth forests.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management said such a decision would cut timber harvests from federal lands nearly in half over the next five years, producing a net loss of about 13,000 jobs in Oregon, Washington and northern California.

Bush said that he is concerned "about preserving and protecting our environment" but that he rejects "those who would ignore the economic consequences of the spotted owl decision. The jobs of many thousands of Oregonians and whole communities are at stake.'

He told the breakfast, held to raise money for GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Frohnmayer, "Common sense tells us to find a needed balance."

"It's going to take a lot of work to protect this great planet and its wildlife without throwing hard-working citizens out of a job," the president said, telling his audience he disagrees with those "who do not recognize their obligation to protect our delicate ecosystem."

Referring to other contentious environmental issues, Bush said, "I want Congress to pass a bill that will sharply cut acid rain, smog and toxic pollutants. But Congress has got to respect another kind of delicate ecology - that of jobs and opportunity."

Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater, asked after Bush's speech if the administration was considering proposing changes in the Endangered Species Act, said, "There has been no consideration of it."

Earlier this month, however, Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan said the law was "just too tough" and added, "We've got to change it."

Rep. Denny Smith, R-Ore., said Bush has agreed to schedule a White House meeting with a group of Oregon residents to discuss a long-term solution to the Northwest's timber-supply problem.

"This meeting will give Oregonians living in rural communities the chance to tell their side of the story," Smith said. "Their jobs and way of life are on the line, and yet all we've been hearing about is how we need to protect the spotted owl."

National Wildlife Federation President Jay Hair said, meanwhile, that "if President Bush is truly committed to protecting both Oregon jobs and the environment, he should recognize that the problems of an ailing timber industry predate concerns over owls or ancient forests. Resorting to scapegoating the owl for political gain does nothing to achieve balance."

About 150 to 200 people demonstrated outside the hotel where Bush spoke, burning American flags and newspapers and setting off smoke bombs. Police arrested 27.