US auditors have found that the Forest Service frequently fails to assess, prevent or correct environmental damage from logging on the national forests. After inspecting 12 timber projects in the field from 1995 to 1998, the Agriculture Department's Inspector General found that all were deficient and that "immediate corrective action is needed." A new report on the audits found that the environmental studies required before logging was approved were poorly done, the rules to protect streams and wildlife habitat from undue damage during logging were not followed, and the steps planned to repair some of the harm after logging were not carried out.