Talks between Rey, Plum Creek under investigation. Plum Creek’s top officials detail intentions in state

Federal investigators have begun looking into closed-door negotiations between the Bush administration and Plum Creek Timber Co., the nation’s largest owner of private land.

Disturbed that negotiations about U.S. Forest Service road easements near Plum Creek lands in Montana took place privately, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., last month asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate both the private nature of those talks and their outcome.

By SUSAN GALLAGHER – Associated Press

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2008/07/24/top/80st_080724_plumcreek.txt

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Plum Creek’s top officials detail intentions in state

Plum Creek Timber Co. has gotten both a black eye and a pat on the back in recent weeks, both having to do with the specter of big chunks of its forestland being chopped up for subdivisions and trophy homes in western Montana.

Now, the logging and real estate giant is stepping up its effort to portray itself as a good corporate neighbor, a nationwide strategy that started last year but that has intensified since April.

That’s when the public learned about Plum Creek’s private – and controversial – talks with the U.S. Forest Service about road easements for access needed for backcountry subdivision development.

By JOHN CRAMER of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/07/24/news/local/news04.txt