BTNF revisions drag on

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

By Jake Nichols

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-In the midst of a possible address change for its supervisors, the Bridger-Teton National Forest continues in another holding pattern concerning its 2005 Planning Rule, which could be implemented as late as 2009.

The complex process of revising fundamental goals and strategies for management of the forest is currently in the fourth (of five) phase of development since the BTNF commenced the process in July ’05. Public input continues to be accepted at scheduled stages, but any implementation now waits on a current injunction against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“We are not doing anything with the ’05 planning rule,” said Rick Fox, forest planner and team leader. “We are evaluating current conditions and figuring out what needs to be fixed. We talked about desired conditions and took input from the public on where we were with those. We are waiting for the injunction to be lifted to go ahead with planned revision.”

The process has been slowed to rule-neutral decisions since a March 2007 court order upheld dual injunction lawsuits that contend the Forest Service was in violation of three laws when it formulated its 2005 revision.

The Defenders of Wildlife, The Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society and the Vermont Natural Resources Council, along with the State of California, filed a motion against the USDA. A similar suit filed by Citizens for Better Forestry also contended the Forest Service violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The resulting litigation triggered a work stoppage for BTNF and its ’05 revision plan. Fox said his agency is addressing the court rulings by adding additional public comment periods and expects an Environmental Impact Statement to be completed by January 2008. Fox did not know the state of compliance concerning the ESA portion of the suit, but noted that ongoing talks with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are commonplace.

The new forest plan does not include any changes to Wilderness Area designations. The Wyoming Wilderness Act of 1984 requires the Forest Service to reevaluate the eligibility of Wilderness Study Areas (WSA). Fox said additional winter workshops are planned to address areas up for possible Wilderness designation.

When taking public comment, the variety of viewpoints – from off-road users to ranchers to conservationalists – is often diverse and divergent. Fox said BTNF listens to everyone.

“We don’t weigh input,” he said. “What that means is forest management is not a vote. Whether it’s one person or a thousand in a form letter, it doesn’t matter to us. Only the point itself matters. Each additional point of view helps us understand what’s going on out there.”

Leasing issues are a hot topic now on the Wyoming Range with the BLM embroiled in a Congressional see-saw with private action groups over drilling rights. Livestock grazing issues on the BTNF could also be affected by future decisions over the leasing of public lands.

The BTNF hopes to undergo another round of workshops this winter, exploring trade-offs for different user groups on the 3.5 million acres of forest land.

“We can’t start developing alternatives until the injunction is lifted,” said Fox. He expects that to happen early next year. The BTNF will then have a draft of the new revised plan ready in September and implement it by early 2009.

But there is little time to rest. Issues raised and goal projections are in constant flux.
“Even when you think you have the right answer, it may change in five or 10 years,” Fox said. “You never stop. You resolve issues and have new ones. It is a constant process; a never-ending dialogue.”
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BTNF revisions drag on | Planet JH News Article: General Environment

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