Wilson Plan for Forestry Bond Issue Backed

SACRAMENTO — Political strategists for some environmental groups said this week that they will back Gov. Pete Wilson’s proposal for a $628-million bond issue to buy and preserve old-growth forests.

Environmentalists also will drop their plan to try to put a $2-billion forest purchase bond initiative on the June, 1992, primary election ballot, said Gerald Meral, executive director of the Planning and Conservation League, which coordinates environmental lobbying in Sacramento.

However, the Sierra Club and other groups are reserving the right to sponsor a forest practices initiative if negotiations with industry leaders for new logging regulations break down.

Wilson proposed the $628-million bond issue for forest purchases in an Earth Day speech in April. Meral said the Planning and Conservation League is confident that Wilson’s plan will be enlarged to include another $150 million requested by local government agencies.

Environmental groups sponsored an unsuccessful initiative, Proposition 130, in the November general election last year, calling for a $742-million bond issue to buy old growth forests. Proposition 130 also called for extensive reforms in logging practices, including abolishing clear cutting.