The Forest Service recently issued standards allowing timber projects to eschew environmental assessments and impact statements -- normally required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) -- provided that the affected area poses a risk of wildfire or contains insect-infested or diseased trees. The measures outline three categorical NEPA exemptions that would allow the harvesting of up to 70 acres of live trees (up from 50 in the proposal), the removal of up to 250 acres of dead or dying trees, and the removal of up to 250 acres of insect-infested or diseased areas.

In the absence of federal assistance, childcare, education, and children’s health programs are being slashed across the country despite their popularity and effectiveness.

OMB Watch released a paper today, An Attack on Nonprofit Speech: Death by a Thousand Cuts, that provides a summary of how the Bush administration and conservative allies have effectively moved to control nonprofit speech. Instead of a single legislative or regulatory proposal that would limit nonprofit speech, the article notes, the Bush administration and conservative allies have proposed or begun implementing a number of proposals that are akin to a “death by a thousand cuts.” These “cuts” have suddenly accelerated in the last year.

The Bush administration has agreed to reconsider a final rule issued in December that weakens air-pollution standards for factories, refineries, and power plants.