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HELENA  - Two candidates for governor have clashed over the new timber harvest policy on state lands, with Democrat Brian Schweitzer and Republican Bob Brown arguing over financial benefits of the policy.

   Schweitzer has attacked as ill-timed the plan promoted by Brown and authorized by the 2003 Legislature. Schweitzer said the policy wrongly increases the maximum timber harvest on state lands at a time when prices are low and, therefore, the income for schools from tree sales will be down.

   ``It's a bad bill because its doesn't maximize return on school trust lands,'' Schweitzer said in a recent interview. ``It attempts to ramp up harvest in low-price years for softwood lumber.''

   But Brown, who backed the bill as a member of the state Land Board, said the measure makes sense. Increasing the ``sustainable yield'' from state forested lands from 42 million board feet a year to 50 million board feet will help schools and create jobs without causing environmental damage, he said.

   Cutting an additional 8 million board feet will mean an estimated 70 more jobs in the timber industry and $1 million more per year for schools, Brown said.

   ``I know I am not alone in believing that the best approach to our economy, our education system and out environment is a balanced one,'' Brown said.

   In addition to increasing the timber harvest target on state lands, House Bill 537 ordered the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to conduct of study of what the new number should be. The old number of 42 million board feet was set in 1996.

   Brown said the interim figure of 50 million board feet was not an arbitrary choice. The department has estimated that the study will determine that the proper sustainable yield is between 44 million and 55 million board feet.

   Schweitzer said he has no problem with a study to recalculate how much timber should be cut on state lands. He said he recognizes that the amount can vary from year to year, so long as a sustainable harvest is achieved over the long run.

   His problem with HB537's mandate for an immediate increase is timing.

   Bud Clinch, natural resources department director, said Monday the timber study should be done by next spring and a new harvest target based on that report could take effect July 1.

   In defending the bill, Brown emphasized it had strong support among members of Schweitzer's own party. In fact, all but 12 of the 68 Democratic legislators voted for the measure.

   ``I didn't suggest and never will suggest that I will agree with Democrats on all things,'' Schweitzer said. ``Times are changing. We are going to do what's right for Montana, not what's right for some political agenda.''

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