Forest Service figures indicate that the Fairview Timber Sale lost almost $600,000! East Perry Lumber Company paid $50,762 for the timber sale. The Forest Service spent $632,667 on this controversial timber sale (this does not include the legal expenses for the lawsuit)! This resulted in a $581,905 loss to the tax payers!
A Freedom of Information Act request revealed that the Forest Service estimated that they could have canceled the timber sale for $1,100. The Forest Service refused to release this information until after the sale was cut. Instead of listening to the public, scientists, and the Illinois Congressional Delegation by canceling the sale, the Forest Service spent $315,229 to bring in law enforcement officers from across the country.
