Keeping you informed – Current Happenings:
CBU comment:
This is a great victory for Forest Access for All and Multiple Use on public lands. Kerry White from CBU went down to Wallowa-Whitman forest in Oregon back some years ago and helped the folks down there with how to comment on the forest travel plan. Kerry was down for a week the beginning of April assisting FAFA in writing appeals in over a dozen meetings and presentations. CBU applauds the hard work and commitment of the newly formed group Forest Access For All and all the forest users who stepped up and fought these overbearing closures. This is a great example to others across the nation how multiple forest users can get together and make their voices heard. Continue to keep up the hard work!! “The price of freedom is constant vigilance” Thomas Jefferson
Wallowa-Whitman supervisor withdraws travel management plan
| Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Supervisor Monica Schwalbach announced today that she is withdrawing her decision on the controversial travel management plan that would ban motor vehicles from about 3,600 miles of roads and trails on 1.3 million acres of the forest.Schwalbach’s announcement means the April 30 deadline to appeal the plan is no longer in effect.In a letter announcing her decision, Schwalbach did not set a timeline for announcing a revised version of the plan.
“I believe that by taking the time now to allow for further dialogue and consideration regarding the concerns that have been raised; we will develop a better outcome in the long run,” Schwalbach wrote. “I encourage anyone who has additional suggestions to share them with me or one of our local district rangers. The Wallowa-Whitman national forest is treasured by all, so let’s be sure we develop a plan that is reasonable, responsible, and makes sense now and for the future.” Schwalbach’s announcement of the travel plan on March 15 angered many local residents, who contend the ban on motor vehicles will greatly diminish their chances to use the Wallowa-Whitman for firewood cutting, berry picking, sightseeing and other recreation. On Monday Rep. Greg Walden, who represents Eastern Oregon in Congress, wrote a letter to the Forest Service’s regional forester in Portland urging the agency to “start over” on the travel plan for the Wallowa-Whitman. Check Wednesday’s Baker City Herald for full coverage of Schwalbach’s announcement as well as reaction to Walden’s efforts. |
Rehberg Schedules Rocky Mountain Front Listening Session in Choteau
04/13/12
BILLINGS – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced his intention to hold a public listening session to discuss the implications of the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act, introduced by Senator Max Baucus and cosponsored by Senator Jon Tester. In 2010, Rehberg held similar public forums to discuss Senator Tester’s wilderness bill.
“Most of Senator Baucus’ wilderness bill support is coming from the same groups that support Senator Tester’s wilderness bill,” said Rehberg. “When I held public meetings about Senator Tester’s bill, it quickly became obvious that it was a lot less popular than the manufactured support had led on. From guarantees on grazing rights to restricted energy production, I’ve already heard some pretty major concerns about Sen. Baucus’ bill, and I intend to give all Montanans the voice they deserve in their government.”
Rehberg has hosted more than 100 public listening sessions across Montana since President Obama was sworn into office. He was the only member of the Montana delegation to hold such meetings before the final passage of the President’s unpopular health care law.
What: Rehberg Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act Listening Session
When: Saturday, April 21 at 2:30 PM
Where: Choteau Country Club (1502 Airport Rd)
Who: All members of the public and media
Denny Rehbergs letter to Tom Tidwell, and Tidwells response
January 11, 2012
Mr. Tom Tidwell
Chief, USDA Forest Service
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Mr. Tidwell:
I’m writing on behalf of my constituents who have raised concerns regarding the Gallatin Forest Travel Plan. As you know, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a ruling that the Forest Service’s Gallatin National Forest Travel Plan did not comply with the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977. It was the court’s opinion that the plan “improperly ignores the impact of increased volume of motorized and mechanized use on current users’ ability to seek quiet and solitude in the study area.” When defending its decision to not include historical use data, the Forest Service claimed that it was a non factor because there wasn’t any historical use data available.
It is my understanding that during the comment period for the travel plan a substantial amount of historic use evidence including signed letters, pictures, a log sheet created by a FS employee, and an advertisement from the Forest Service to encourage people to come to the WSA to snowmobile. For whatever reason it appears that none of this important evidence was used by your agency during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Unfortunately, the courts have used this lack of evidence as their reasoning to uphold their latest ruling.
Since the travel plan has been held up by the courts, the Gallatin Forest has had to revert back to a backup winter use plan that is extremely restrictive to snowmobile use. Meanwhile, the local economies around the forest are suffering due to the restrictions. Snowmobiles in the Gallatin National Forest alone bring in over 20 million dollars of economic activity every winter. This money turns over 13 times throughout this area in support of all the businesses. This activity and the money it generates are critical to the economic health of our area.
I urge you to draft another Travel Plan that includes all historical use data that is submitted during the comment period. We need a solution that works for the folks who live and work in and around the Gallatin National Forest. Thank you for your consideration of this request, and please don’t hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Denny Rehberg
Member of Congress
CBU opinion
This shows Mr. Tidwell as being out of touch with what occurred within his jurisdiction. The fact remains that our historic data was not considered nor was it included in the administrative record. This information was handed to deputy forest supervisor of the Gallatin National Forest in the supervisor’s office on the final day of comment of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. With nearly 50 witnesses. This is simply a matter of fact and Mr. Tidwell is incorrect
CBU is not surprised at all at Mr. Tidwell’s response to Rehberg. He had 2 choices. He could have agreed with Rehberg and condemned his agencies actions or he could have looked into the matter further and found the FS did not consider our historic use data we submitted and reprimanded his agency.
Much easier for an agency to receive deference from the courts and to ignore congress rather than to accept any wrong doing of the FS.
Tell Rehberg thanks for the effort and CBU will continue to battle for the truth and maintain Multiple Use on our public lands.
Raffle tickets now available!
Your Montana CAN-AM dealers, along with Jason Walter, NW CAN-AM rep, have donated a new 2012 Can-Am ATV as the Grand Prize on this year’s raffle. The drawing for this ATV will take place at CBU’s 4th Annual Banquet, to be held May 19, 2012. The winner need not be present to win, but we hope you are! Raffle tickets are $10 each or $50 for 6.
Please contact us for raffle tickets (to buy and to sell) at 406-600-4228. We appreciate your help.
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”
-Thomas Jefferson
