The forest plan could have implications for another important conservation decision - also involving Alaska - confronting the president.

"We already have a forest plan in place to protect the Tongass."

Under the rules issued by the Clinton administration, the government must assess the effects on the environment whenever it revises a forest plan.

The latest forest plan allows for an annual "cut" of 267 million board feet a year.

It can take up to 10 years to write a 15-year forest plan.

The forest plan also established a system of habitat reserves.

It also provided for public involvement in preparing and revising forest plans.

The Cabinet vote and the public disclosure of the Administration's forest plan are also scheduled for Thursday.

And the administration promises that forest plans will be regularly audited under an "environmental management system" it has borrowed from private industry.

He tried to change the forest plans.