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Overview of the Plum Creek Land Exchange

Plum Creek Timber Company and the U.S. Forest Service completed a land exchange in January 2000. Plum Creek gave 31,000 acres to the Forest Service. The U.S. Forest Service deeded 11,500 acres to the timber computer. Much of the land traded was in the I-90 corridor over the Cascade mountains, a location used for transportation and recreation by Seattle area residents. The process took over 10 years, involved congress, environmental groups, the court system, small timber towns, big metropolitan areas, endangered species and an expose by the Seattle Times.

The Forest Service, timber company and some environmental groups hailed the exchange as a win-win situation for all parties and the environment. Some players contend that the public and the land received a raw deal. What do you think? How would you decide as a forest service employee, timber company representative, biologist, congressman, or private citizen? Delve into the different dimensions to analyze the issue and see where your opinion falls.