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The U.S. Interior Department on Thursday killed a plan issued by the Bush administration to allow more logging in western Oregon that reduced protection areas for the endangered spotted owl, saying it was "legally indefensible and must be withdrawn."
"We have carefully reviewed the lawsuits filed against the (logging plan) and it is clear that as a result of the previous administration's late actions, the plan cannot stand up in court and, if defended, could lead to years of fruitless litigation and inaction," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
This is the latest action by the Obama administration that overturns decisions issued by the Bush administration that threaten wildlife or the environment.
Salazar previously pulled federal tracks in the West that the department had leased for oil and gas drilling under Bush.
As part of Thursday's policy reversal, the department rejected a 2008 revision to the critical habitat area for ...