Roadless areas need public support
by Ryan Randazzo, Outpost staff
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The public has a rare opportunity to contribute ideas to the U.S. Forest Service before the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the roadless area initiative is written. The public should take advantage of this opportunity and submit comments by Dec. 20 in order to ensure these public lands are managed in favor of the wants and needs of the people who use them.
The highest level of protection federal lands may have is wilderness designation, which prevents any development. It takes an act of Congress to make that designation, something Clinton wasn't foolish enough to attempt during a time of Republican-dominated partisan voting. Instead he invented the new designation of roadless area that doesn't require congressional approval. By preventing road construction, the areas would be given a fair amount of protection, but the full extent of that protection will be decided in the finalized plan.
With his October announcement Clinton passed along an initiative to the U.S. Forest Service requiring it come up with a plan to preserve the nation's road-free areas 5,000 acres or larger. He also asked that smaller roadless areas be included if possible. Forests all across the nation in 35 different states will be affected, including many in the Sierra Nevada. Clinton specifically mentioned the North Fork of the American River in Tahoe National Forest when announcing his plans. At least 3.5 million acres in California would be affected by the plan.
Opponents of the plan complain Clinton is abusing his power by going around Congress to make the designation. Clinton decided to go with the opinions of a more objective body for input on the project - the American public. He directed the Forest Service to subject the plan to public opinion twice and to use the best science available before a final decision is made as to how much protection the areas are given. Using science and public sentiment will undoubtedly create a more practical and widely accepted plan than Congress could conceive, but public comment must be gathered for it to be incorporated into the plan.
The Forest Service will accept comments until Dec. 20 regarding the environmental impact statement for the project, which should be completed this spring. After that, the public will then have a second opportunity to submit ideas, this time commenting on the completed EIS. The final plan will be finished November 2000.
"Clinton wants an open
process, he told the Forest Service to subject the plan to
public review at the local level," said Matt Mathes,
spokesman for the Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest
Service station in Vallejo, Calif.
Keeping forests roadless could provide lasting
habitat for wildlife like this black bear. Photo
courtesy of the Sierra
Club.
The Forest Service will take all comments from the public into consideration for the final plan, which will designate how much protection the roadless areas are given. This allows the millions of people who enjoy the tranquillity of the forests every year an opportunity to voice their opinion. Those who oppose the plan, including extractive industry such as logging along with a handful of senators from western states, have already voiced their opinion on the matter. It would be a shame to allow this minority of the American public to dominate the decision making process that affects public lands.
By sending letters or e-mailing comments, supporters of the roadless designation can challenge arguments such as those put forth by the timber industry that say the plan is squeezing them out of business. Clinton explained in his speech that less that 5 percent of the nation's timber comes from national forests, and only 5 percent of that from roadless areas. Clinton said it would not be difficult to adjust for this small loss if his plan is enacted, but the forests that could be lost without this protection could never be replaced.
Some lawmakers, including
Rep. George Radanovich, R-Calif., disagree with Clinton and
plan on doing all they can to stop his plan from taking
action. U.S. Forest
Service - Find out facts and information
regarding any of the nation's forests.
Tahoe
National Forest - a guide to one of the
national forests mentioned in the President's
speech.
White
House publications-
Get a transcript of the President's
address Oct. 13 in Virginia
and other press releases from a search of White
House documents.
"We're going to be looking at legislation to block or stall (the plan) until he is out of office," he said to a reporter from ABC news.
Opponents like Radanovich will no doubt have their say with the Forest Service. There is no shortage of people who feel differently and enjoy using the national forests for activities besides logging. More than 5.7 million visitor days were spent in the Tahoe National Forest in 1996 alone, not to mention all of the visitors at other forests around the rest of the nation. People who enjoy the forests for reasons other than their ability to supply lumber need to let the forest service know what they think about the roadless areas initiative.
Public sentiment is important in the Forest Service's final decision. People who feel strongly about the preservation of public lands should provide their input for the Forest Service to consider in the final evaluation. Opponents of the plan have already and will likely continue to have their say on the matter, and their comments carry weight as well. It is not a voting process, but in order for the Forest Service to even consider the ideas of those who support preserving these forests, they have to hear their opinions.
Comments on the roadless area initiative may be directed to:
USDA Forest Service-CAET
Attention: Roadless Areas NOI
P.O. Box 221090
Salt Lake City, UT 84122
OR e-mailed to: roadless/wo_caet-slc@fs.fed.us
Posted Nov. 18, 1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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