by Jonathan Curiel
San Francisco Chronicle - February 16, 2000

President Clinton asked for a review yesterday that could lead to permanent protection of more than 400,000 acres of California's giant sequoia trees.

Clinton directed Agriculture Secretary Daniel Glickman to consult with members of Congress, California officials and others to see if it is ``appropriate'' to designate the sequoias as a national monument.

 About 33 groves of giant sequoia trees are in Sequoia National Forest, bordering Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, not far from Fresno. The groves are already on federal land but are still subject to periodic, limited logging.

Besides these groves, Clinton is considering whether to add protections to two groves in Sierra National Forest and one grove in Tahoe National Forest. Clinton has already asked for federal money to purchase another grove of giant sequoias on private land adjacent to Sequoia National Forest.

 In a letter to Glickman, Clinton said he is considering using the Antiquities Act of 1906 to redesignate the groves. The president has used the Antiquities Act several times, most recently last month to give permanent protection to land adjacent to the Grand Canyon.

"I want to ensure that these majestic cathedral groves, which John Muir called 'Nature's masterpiece,' are protected for future generations to study and enjoy," Clinton wrote the agriculture secretary, whose department includes the U.S. Forest Service.

Clinton said he wants a recommendation from Glickman within 60 days. It is possible Clinton could create a sequoia national monument within days of receiving Glickman's recommendation.

Environmental groups have campaigned to protect the sequoia groves for many years. About 70 giant sequoia groves are located in Central California, close to the Sierra. Approximately 25 of those groves are in Yosemite and other national parks and are protected from logging and other encroachments. The remaining groves are in Sequoia National Forest and surrounding areas and are not permanently protected.

"Most people would be surprised that more than half of these trees are managed according to a forest plan that talks about sustainable harvest of the sequoias,'' said George Frampton, chairman of the president's Council on Environmental Quality.

Frampton said Clinton is considering protecting between 330,000 and 440,000 acres of land, or about a third of the Sequoia National Forest.

Environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, praised Clinton's letter, but the California Forestry Association, a timber industry lobbying group, complained that the sequoia groves don't need more protection.