A U.S. Forest Service logging project in the Cripps Bend portion of the Shawnee National Forest which prompted protests by local environmentalists is complete, a Forest Service spokesperson says.

Becky Banker, of the Murphysboro Ranger Station said the project at the Cripps Bend area of the forest was completed on Saturday by Carbondale Veneer Company. She said all trees targeted for cutting have been removed from the area.

It’s a project we had on the forest, and it’s done, Banker said.

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Environmentalists say they regret the completion of the project.

It’s a tragedy, Holly Harris, SIUC Student Environmental Center member said. It should never have happened.

Environmentalist Bill Cronin filed a lawsuit in July stating the Forest Service had not adequately assessed the forest for the presence of the federally endangered Indiana bat.

Carbondale Veneer moved into the forest and began logging in August. Several trees were removed, but logging was suspended when protesters began hugging trees. A temporary restraining order suspended the logging.

On Sept. 12, Federal Judge J. Phil Gilbert said he did not have jurisdiction in the case because of a lack of information. When Gilbert made the ruling, protesters moved into the Cripps Bend area to demonstrate against the logging project.

Logging began on Sept. 21, as did arrests of protesters.

On Sept. 26, Cronin filed a new case along with a temporary restraining order motion. The temporary restraining order was denied last week, and the logging continued.

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It’s just a loss to the Shawnee National Forest and the people of Southern Illinois and the public who own the forests. We’re all losers. The only winner is Stan Curtis. He made a lot of money at the forest’s expense.

Stan Curtis, the owner of Carbondale Veneer Company, declined comment.