Proposed Changes To Lacey Act Draw Fire

Washington, DC, Nov. 4, 2011 -- Environmental groups are criticizing efforts by three legislators to make changes to the Lacey Act, which was amended to crack down on imports of illegally logged wood.

Climate advisers, along with a number of other groups including the U.S. Green Building Council, says the changes would effectively gut the act.

The bill introduced by Tennessee Reps Jim Cooper and Marsha Blackburn, and California Rep. Mary Bono Mack, would completely exempt pulp and paper from the Lacey Act requirements, Climate Advisers says. Pulp and paper represents a majority of forest product imports, and employs almost 400,000 people in 42 states.

The legislation would also minimize the fines for first infractions to just $250, Climate Advisers says.

The legislation was created after Gibson Guitars in Nashville was raided by federal authorities for allegedly importing illegal wood.

British independent analyst Chatham House recently reported a more than 20% decline in illegal logging globally, which shows the legislation is having an impact, Climate Advisers says.