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Originally Posted by Arkyrider
Although what you say is true there are several issues that your local politicians can and will help with.
I have been dealing with the FS in my area for quite some time now and have found that the process is not always followed correctly. Yes NEPA must be completed before a change to previous FS plan can be changed. That means that if they close a road, trail or route that was open on thier previous map or plan, the NEPA process must be completed. That is where the problem lies.
1: NEPA not always completed, so public comments have to be made without proper information.
2: Roads, routes and trails being closed that meet the criteria for being left open.
3: FS asked for Routes Trails and roads to be submitted that we wanted left open. But they in turn tell us they do not have the time to look at them and they are closed.
4: Mandate said traditional routes were to be evaluated, but yet they are not even looked at.
5: Here in our area we are being told that submitted routes,trails and roads will be looked at when district water shed studies are completed for that specific area. Some of these Water Shed studies are not even on the radar for up to ten years. This means NEPA process not completed but the routes,trails and roads are closed anyway even though they were considered open in previous plan.
All of the above are issues local and state politicians can and will help with because of the economic impact on the areas involved. Also when the process is not followed one of our best sources are the politicians. Next step is lawsuit. This plan was a Federal Mandate, therefore politicians have an obligation to be involved.
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That's unfortunate. We haven't had that situation here. Forest Service has had funding cuts and manpower is an issue for all districts.
I guess they can help a little bit, but they're not going to make any final decisions. They might be able to put a bit of pressure on them, but I've not seen this situation. I believe you that's it happens though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arkyrider
This plan was a Federal Mandate, therefore politicians have an obligation to be involved.
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Not sure I agree with that. The Forest Service was mandated to complete their plans every 10 years. I don't think local politicians have any obligations to that process.
Good to hear some other's experiences with the Forest Management Plans.