11.   The administration touted its forest plan as a way to dissolve the gridlock over such plans in the Northwest.

12.   The forest plan is just the latest last-minute environmental initiative to anger Western Republicans.

13.   The final forest plan is the most dramatic in a series of environmental initiatives that Clinton is trying to finish before he leaves office in two weeks.

14.   The lack of a long-term, ecologically responsible forest plan provoked it.

15.   The timber industry and its allies in Congress may challenge the proposal on the ground that it alters forest management plans without a full public process.

16.   Western Washington, western Oregon and Alaska were exempted on grounds that forest management plans already are in place.

17.   With that, the prescription rule will be incorporated into the new GMUG forest plan now under development, Storch said.

18.   But the forest protection plan brought sharp criticism from Republicans on Capitol Hill.

19.   Despite an outcry from some Western lawmakers, Clinton has all along been determined to complete the forest plan before he leaves office.

20.   Forest managers would consult with outside groups in crafting forest plans, and citizens could file formal objections before plans are completed rather than after the fact.