Protesters try to block Biscuit salvage logging

GRANTS PASS -- Protesters in Southern Oregon tried to block the harvest of the first trees burned in the 2002 Biscuit fire, opposing other environmentalists who have said the battle over salvage logging is better fought in court.

Curry County sheriff's deputies cleared a roadblock of about five vehicles and a cone-shaped pile of sticks from a logging road near Agness on Monday.

One person was arrested after a few dozen people tried to prevent loggers from going to work on the Horse timber sale, Siskiyou National Forest spokesman Tom Lavagnino said. Loggers were able to return to work.

Monday's roadblock attempt went against the counsel of environmental groups that have instead filed lawsuits to block logging in old-growth forest reserves, designated for fish and wildlife habitat.

"We have deliberately not legally challenged the Horse timber sale, believing that a solution could be arrived at," said Don Smith of the Siskiyou Regional Education Project, an environmental group involved in the litigation. "While we respect their right to protest, that's not an action we are taking."