Judge J. Phil Gilbert called for a re-evaluation of U.S. Forest Service policy in the Shawnee National Forest recently regarding a lawsuit filed by two environmental groups in 1994. Despite a loss on a temporary restraining order which would have halted logging in a seven-acre regions of the forest, environmentalists say the recent ruling is a major victory.

A temporary restraining order filed by a local environmentalist, which would have stopped logging in the Cripps Bend area of the Shawnee National Forest located near Pomona, was denied Wednesday.

The ruling Monday on the lawsuit, filed April 14, 1994 by the Sierra Club and the Regional Association for Concerned Environmentalists, was in favor of both the environmental groups and the Forest Service in various aspects of the suit.

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Gilbert ruled against the Forest Service on the use of all-terrain vehicles in the forest and the leasing of oil and gas rights by the Forest Service. The judge ruled against the plaintiffs, supporting the Forest Service’s decision to keep certain areas of the forest open for habitat of species and rejecting objections to timber harvesting.

A hearing in the case is scheduled for Oct. 18 to evaluate logging projects that the Forest Service plans in the Shawnee. The Forest Service was told to bring information on all logging projects not yet completed to the hearing.

Environmentalists are pleased with the decision.

It’s a huge victory for us. We were right, environmentalist Joe Glisson said. They’re (the Forest Service) shut down.

A ruling made Wednesday on another temporary restraining order postponed the logging of the Burner Hill area of the Shawnee National Forest until the judge reviews the case further.

Forest Service officials were not available for comment Thursday.