Forest Service Issues, Please Read

[66cummins]

I pulled this from an ATV site, Comments are only being taken until Aug 13th. All I can say is WOW....They are moving fast with this one!!

Here are the phone numbers I found to call.....

Chief's Office Staff

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <th id="name">

Name​

</th> <th id="title">

Title​

</th> <th id="phone">

Phone Number​

</th> </tr> <tr> <td headers="name">Tom Tidwell</td> <td headers="title">Chief</td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-8439</td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="name">Mary Wagner</td> <td headers="title">Associate Chief</td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-1779</td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="name">Tim DeCoster</td> <td headers="title">Chief of Staff</td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-1661</td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="name">Karla Hawley </td> <td headers="title">Executive Assistant to the Chief </td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-8439 </td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="name">Diana Kent </td> <td headers="title">Exec. Assistant to the Associate Chief</td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-1779</td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="name">Kim Walton </td> <td headers="title">Exec. Assistant to the Chief of Staff</td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-0998</td> </tr><tr> <td headers="name">Sandy Berg</td> <td headers="title">Office Manager</td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-4977</td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="name">Vacant</td> <td headers="title">Administrative Support</td> <td headers="phone">(202) 205-1422</td></tr></tbody></table>


http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=61471356

On June 13, 2012, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to allow the Forest Service to use categorical exclusions to more efficiently implement projects to restore lands negatively impacted by water control structures, natural and human caused events, and roads and trails. These categorical exclusions will allow the Forest Service to more efficiently analyze and document the potential environmental effects of soil and water restoration projects that are intended to restore the flow of waters into natural channels and floodplains by removing water control structures, such as dikes, ditches, culverts and pipes; restore lands and habitat to pre-disturbance conditions, to the extent practicable, by removing debris, sediment, and hazardous conditions following natural or human-caused events; and restore lands occupied by roads and trails to natural conditions.
In other words, the three proposed categorical exclusions facilitate the Forest Service to:

• Restore the flow of waters into natural channels and floodplains by removing, replacing or modifying water control structures;

• Restore lands and habitat to pre-disturbance conditions by removing debris and sediment conditions following natural or human-caused events; and

• Restore, rehabilitate or stabilize lands occupied by non-National Forest System roads and trails to a more natural condition.

The American Motorcyclist Association has concerns with the proposed rule for several reasons. Currently, the Forest Service has to comply with an environmental review, such as an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement with regard to restoration projects. The proposed rule will allow a categorical exclusion from the current environmental review to accelerate the pace of road and trail deconstruction.
In other words, these new categorical exclusions will make it much easier for the Forest Service to reduce the number and mileage of trails.
“We are gaining efficiencies that allow us to move more rapidly through the environmental review process while reducing the cost to the taxpayers of unnecessary documentation,†said Harris Sherman, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. “These projects are really a win-win for the environment and the public and will result in positive environmental outcomes.â€
Furthermore, the AMA has concerns with the timeline of this proposed rule. The rule was published June 13, but Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell signed off on the rule May 11 -- two days after the Forest Service Planning Rule went into effect.
The AMA strongly encourages everyone who enjoys recreating on our nation’s forest and grasslands to provide comments to the proposed rule. All comments must be received by August 13 for full consideration. If you want to help protect the off-highway trails that you, your family and your friends enjoy, this is an opportunity you can't afford to miss.
Electronic comments are preferred and can be submitted by going to http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FS_FRDOC_000....
All comments, including names and addresses, when provided, will be placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and copying.
Provide your comments today. Be sure to urge the Forest Service to keep every user of the forest in mind.

 

[66cummins]

The helmet law is chump change compared to this, where would you ride with your trusty helmet if the FS starts taking roads out...??

 

[onerich]

Done .

 

[66cummins]

Last day to comment is monday.......I called and left a message

 

[66cummins]

my response,,,,

I feel that this is a very shady and back door way of screwing the people that like to recreate on "public" lands!! The government needs to remember that they are public servants. You work for us, this is a very important decision that was not approved by the public. Myself and the all the folks that belong to OHV Riders Association are very upset with the chief of the US Forest Service!

OHV Riders Association

And on a side not as a fireman, how do you expect fires to be accessed and fought safely? I think if a fireman dies due to this irresponsible thought process you all should be held responsible.

810cfe4f

 

[66cummins]

in our county they are building bridges to keep people from driving thru low water crossings that are concrete.

 

[66cummins]

this is the part i get a kick out of...14.5 billion from recreational activities.




"The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world."

"USDA works with state, local and Tribal governments and private landowners to conserve and protect our nation’s natural resources – helping preserve our land, and clean our air and water. President Obama launched the America’s Great Outdoors initiative in 2010 to foster a 21st century approach to conservation that is designed by and accomplished in partnership with the American people. During the past two years, USDA’s conservation agencies— the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Farm Service Agency—have delivered technical assistance and implemented restoration practices on public and private lands. We are working to better target conservation investments: embracing locally driven conservation and entering partnerships that focus on large, landscape-scale conservation. "

You guys catch that last part???
__________________

 

[66cummins]

Be sure and use the link to send comments, phone calls apparently do no good in the fed world but they have to document letters.


I know this next piece is long winded, but what I read is that they based all this on "Professional Staff" and "experts" from every forest service.? Are these the same folks that they relied on with all the "good ideas" that they are aiming to remove now? And who supplied this >> "The Forest Service also studied peer-reviewed scientific analyses, research papers, and monitoring reports about activities identified under these categorical exclusions"???????


"Pursuant to CEQ's implementing regulations at 40 CFR § 1507.3 and the November 23, 2010, CEQ guidance memorandum on “Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act,†the Forest Service gathered information supporting establishment of these three categorical exclusions using the following four methods:Show citation box
(1) The Forest Service reviewed EAs that implemented actions that were entirely or partially covered under one of the proposed categorical exclusions. This review showed that these projects did not individually or cumulatively result in a significant effect on the human environment.Show citation box
(2) The Forest Service consulted with professional staff and experts who have experience leading interdisciplinary teams and conducting environmental analysis of project proposals, implementing restoration activities, guiding the development and execution of restoration programs, and studying the techniques, effects, and outcomes associated with soil and water restoration activities. The experience of these professional staff included persons from every Forest Service and nearly every geographic region across the United States, including Alaska.Show citation box
(3) The Forest Service also studied peer-reviewed scientific analyses, research papers, and monitoring reports about activities identified under these categorical exclusions.Show citation box
(4) Finally, the Forest Service reviewed categorical exclusions adopted by eight other federal agencies that cover activities that are comparable in size and scope and that are implemented under similar natural resource conditions with similar environmental impacts to those covered under the categories in this proposed rule.Show citation box
Based on this review, the Forest Service finds that the proposed categorical exclusions would not individually or cumulatively have significant effects on the human environment. The Agency's finding is predicated on data from implementing comparable past actions; the expert judgment of the responsible officials who made the findings for the projects reviewed for this supporting statement; information from other professional staff and experts, and scientific analyses; a review and comparison of similar categorical exclusions implemented by other federal agencies; and the Forest Service's experience implementing soil and water restoration activities and subsequent monitoring of potential associated impacts. Additional information is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nepa/restorationCE."

 

[66cummins]

Last day to get comments in!

http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FS_FRDOC_0001-1311

 

[desertwheeler]

Put my two cents in. I was in Utah a while back and saw so many trails taken out it made me sick!

 

[66cummins]

Received a phone call from DC about concerns. Conversation went good and we are waiting on a call back to discuss other concerns.

Start writing!!! Send those comments in!

 

[grumpysrzr4]

I'll keep writing and calling, please keep getting info. thanks