SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) – A newspaper reports the U.S. Forest Service has begun an environmental review of Nestle Waters North America’s bottling operations in the San Bernardino National Forest. Nestle was sued in October by environmental and public interest groups who allege the Swiss-based company is operating its Strawberry Canyon facility on a permit that expired in 1988. The groups say the drought in California combined with the bottling operation is affecting area wildlife. Nestle has applied to renew its permit and can continue to operate while that application is pending. The San Bernardino Sun newspaper reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/1Rjowab) that forest service spokesman John Heil says his agency has begun reviewing the effects of re-issuing the special use permit. The review comes under the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed actions prior to making decisions.
