GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho County commissioners have approved hiring a consultant in hopes of finding a way to cut more timber on federal land.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that commissioners approved spending up to $2,000 to hire Doyle Shamley of Veritas Research Consulting. Plans call for him to visit Grangeville from Oct. 26 to 28 and meet with U.S. Forest Service officials from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.

Commissioner Jim Chmelik says environmental groups have stalled logging through lawsuits. He says he wants to find ways to start logging in areas that have already gone through necessary environmental reviews.

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