Lori D. Clark and Marc Chase

A federal judge is allowing a logging project in the Shawnee National Forest to commence after deciding Tuesday that the U.S. Forest Service did its job in determining that the project would not significantly impact the environment.

A lawsuit was filed in late July by environmentalist Bill Cronin, stating that the Forest Service had not gone through proper procedures before logging began. Logging was delayed by two court orders until Judge Phil Gilbert had the opportunity to review the case.

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According to a new order signed Tuesday by Gilbert, the Forest Service fulfilled the proper procedure in proving that logging a seven-acre portion of the 31-acre Cripps Bend area in the Shawnee National Forest would not disrupt the natural habitat.

The order also stated that Cronin did not provide significant evidence to halt the logging.

In his lawsuit, Cronin stated that logging the area posed a potential threat to the habitat of the Indiana bat, an endangered species.

Cronin claimed the Forest Service had not done an adequate job in monitoring the number of bats in Cripps Bend. Though the judge has denied his claim, Cronin said he still thinks the Forest Service did an inadequate job.

No one tested or checked if the Indiana bats were using the trees for maternity roosts, Cronin said. Basically the judge denied our motion for summary judgment to do what they (the Forest Service) are required to do.

Cronin said he plans to appeal Gilbert’s decision, actively protest the logging and possibly file a suit against the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Cronin is currently camping out with other environmentalists at the Cripps Bend site in protest of the logging.

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We still have an opening with the Fish and Wildlife Services for 60 days to notify with the intent to sue, Cronin said. Until then, people will be camped out here. It ain’t over till it’s over.

On August 31, Carbondale Veneer, the company hired to complete the logging, began cutting trees but was stopped by a group of environmentalists hugging and protesting the cut. When this occurred, Judge Gilbert filed a restraining order to halt logging while he reviewed the case.

Stan Curtis, owner of Carbondale Veneer, the company hired to complete the logging, said he did not know any specifics of the new court order but is aware that logging can commence. He said he is not certain when the logging will begin.

I really don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m still a little vague on where we’re at on the sale, Curtis said.

As far as the protesters go, Curtis said his company will continue logging as long as the Forest Service provides adequate law enforcement to protect he and his employees.