MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Plans for removing hundreds of thousands of

downed trees in far northwestern Wisconsin are taking shape.

Department of Natural Resources Chief Forester Paul DeLong says

the state has adopted a multi-pronged approach.

One part of the plan calls for using the National Guard to clear

roadside right-of-ways.

Another calls for talking with federal environmental protection

officials about relaxing air emission permits for manufacturers to

allow them to use more pine in their products and expediting water

permits for loggers so they can quickly build bridges and fords to

reach downed timber.

A series of powerful storms in July toppled trees over more than

130,000 acres across five counties. The state estimates the storms

left about 2 million cords of wood on the ground, equivalent to a

year’s worth of logging.