EMERGENCY HELP NEEDED

2-24-2010

 

At a point in the ongoing process of the BLM creating the DEIS/RMP for the Clear Creek Management Area.  Rick Cooper head of the Hollister Field Office for the BLM made a comment that (“this is by far the most complex land management plan that I have ever been involved in”) it then took the BLM 18 MONTHS to release the document to the public, and the public was given only 90 days to comment on it.

 

As per our first e-mail request for your help, there is still more to be done.  At this time we need to turn up the pressure and get every single person you know to send in a e-mail or fax and demand that the Hollister Field Office grant the public a 90 day extension to the Clear Creek Management Area Draft Resource Management Plan/ Draft Environmental Impact Statement comment period, which is slated to end March 5, 2010. 

 

This will be the most critical land use battle in California History

 

The Clear Creek Management Area has been closed since May of 2008, and the BLM released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on December 4, 2009 that plans to virtually close that area permanently to ALL use. The 700+ page document was released right before Christmas, and the BLM employees in the Hollister Field Office went on vacation shortly afterward, and were unavailable for questions and comments. Furthermore, the BLM didn't hold any Public meetings for over 30 days, and just recently February 22, 2010 held a meeting with business owners and land owners affected by the closure.  To say the least there were more questions raised than answers given.

 

For the reasons above, and because of the shear complexity of the document, we now we need your help to flood the BLM computers and fax machines with e-mails and faxes till they melt down requesting a 90 day extension to the comment period. 

 

This is one of the LARGEST, ERRONEOUS, PUBLIC LAND CLOSURES ever attempted by a government agency.  Please, if you value your freedom, and wish to have the rights and ability to take your kids and grandkids to public lands then PLEASE ACT NOW.  Take a moment to send a quick e-mail and fax to the following demanding the BLM grant this 90 day extension.

 

Rick Cooper, Hollister Field Office Manager,

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Fax: (831) 630-5055

 

Kathy Hardy, Central District Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Fax: (916) 978-4657

 

Jim Abbott, Acting California State Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Fax: (916) 978-4416

 

Robert Abbey, Head of the Bureau of Land Management,

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Fax: (202) 208-5242

USDA FOREST SERVICE WILL HOST  PUBLIC EVENTS ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW PLANNING RULE


      WASHINGTON, Feb.24, 2010--USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell today announced a series of events to provide opportunities for public discussion on the development of a new Forest Service Land and Resource Management Planning Rule (planning rule). The Forest Service will host a national science forum, three national roundtables and nine regional roundtables.  

      Providing multiple opportunities for public participation ties directly to President Obama's call for open government that is transparent, participatory and collaborative, and illustrates Forest Service commitment to  engage the public in the development of a new planning rule.  

      "We encourage broad participation in the creation of our new planning rule," said  Tidwell. "Through collaboration we will be able to better address the current and future needs of the National Forest System such as restoration, protecting watersheds, addressing climate change, sustaining local economies, improving collaboration, and working across landscapes."

      Following the meetings, notes will be posted on the planning rule Web site, http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule, to allow for further feedback. Summaries of the presentations and discussions in the science forum and roundtables, along with the individual comments received during the 60-day formal comment period on the Notice of Intent, will be used to develop the proposed rule and a draft environmental impact statement.  
     
The meetings announced today include:
National Science Forum March 29 and 30, 2010, in Washington, DC.

National roundtables April 1 and 2, April 20 and 21, and May 11 and 12, 2010, in Washington, DC.  

Nine regional roundtables in the following locations:
* Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6), Portland, OR on April 6, 2010;
* Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5),Sacramento, CA on April 6, 2010;
* Intermountain Region (Region 4), Salt Lake City, UT on April 8, 2010;
* Rocky Mountain Region, (Region 2), Lakewood, CO on April 12, 2010;
* Northern Region (Region 1), Missoula, MT on April 13, 2010;
* Alaska Region (Region 10), Juneau, AK on April 13, 2010;
* Southern Region (Region 8), Atlanta, GA during the week of April 12, 2010 (exact date to   be determined);
* Eastern Region (Region 9), Chicago, IL during the week of April 28 (exact date to be   determined); and
* Southwestern Region (Region 3), Albuquerque, NM on April 28, 2010.
* Region 2 will host additional meetings on April 14 in Cheyenne, WY and on April 21 meeting   in Rapid City, SD.  

Webcasting may also be available for selected meetings; please check the planning rule website, at http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule, for the most up-to-date information.  
     
      To encourage widespread participation the Forest Service is using new media tools in conjunction with the public meetings. Please visit http://blogs.usda.gov/usdablogs/planningrule to participate in the Forest Service web-based planning rule blog.

      The mission of the USDA 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. The agency manages the 193 million acres of National Forest System land, provides stewardship assistance to non-federal forest landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

LEGAL ACTION IS UNDERWAY TO CLOSE ALL OHV ROUTES IN THE ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

 

The center for Sierra Nevada conservation, and center for biological diversity, plaintiffs, are asking the court to order the Eldorado National Forest Service (FS) closed to all OHV use until  each route has gone through site specific analysis with public comment to determine its environmental acceptability before designation. 

 

It has taken the FS 15 years to get this far without site specific analysis and it took the FS 15 years to complete the Rock Creek EA & EIS.  The forest service doesn’t have the funds to undertake site specific analysis. There are provisions in the travel management plan stating that if adequate funds are not available to manage OHV routes they shall be closed.

 

California Enduro Riders Association (CERA) and myself along with California assoc. of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs are applying to the court for defendant-intervener status. We cannot let the FS be the sole defendants of our interests. Our legal interests in the action are not identical, and on many issues are contrary to the FS defendants’ interests, and we anticipate a need to present different information and legal arguments that might be presented by some or all defendants. We are particularly concerned about the prospect of settlement negotiation and wish to have a role in any possible settlement discussions. In settlement or formal litigation CERA and the OHV community typically presents different issues, arguments, and evidence than that presented by governmental agencies’ legal counsel. This reflects the fact that the Forest Service does not share the same ultimate objective in this, or any case, with CERA and the OHV Community. A ”loss” for the Forest Service simply changes the manner in which they conduct their never-ending yet ever-changing management duties.

 

These plaintiffs claim they are for the greater good and focus on adverse environmental impacts, claiming to be friends of nature. But their real agenda is to make sure OHV recreation gets eliminated. They use the kitchen sink approach, throwing every conceivable objection and obstacle at the proposed action to see what sticks. The Forest Service procedure always has weaknesses and if a judge agrees, as he has in the past, the FS will have to do it over again. The issue here is will the judge award the plaintiffs their requested relief, as you have seen at Carnegie, they often do.

 

The major issue here is all existing trails will be closed, and will remain closed until each trail goes through extensive environmental review before it’s designated open for use. We have always contended that all trails are open unless environmental review determined they should be closed either through public process or limited time emergency closure. This is a case of guilty unless proven innocent, verses innocent until proven guilty.

 

If the plaintiffs prevail this will be a precedent setting case and they will sue the Forest Service to make this the new nationwide policy and then go after BLM. Their friends in congress are now cutting off funds for trail related actives. NO FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND NO OPEN TRAILS IN ANY NATIONAL FOREST.

 

We need your help to pay for legal fees, please send much as you can. Blue Ribbon Coalition has taken this on as a project and is providing their attorney Paul A. Turcke. He is the best and has represented us in the past.  Sent your tax deductible donation to Blue Ribbon Coalition 4555 Burley Dr, Suite A , Pocatello, Idaho 83202 and make your check to Blue Ribbon Coalition, indicating that it is for the Eldorado legal action. 

 

Thank You, any questions call

Rick Guidice

408-345-7787

Access Army Times Feb edition

The Feb edition is now out, and this is the King of the Hammers edition.

Click here for your copy: 

http://www.adrive.com/public/d353c25d533b0250b2ee6677314278e39b15125c399249bb0dc8d62dc88c5f92.html

Headlines from this edition.

Prescott NF DEIS

OHV Decision

Tellico Appeal

BLM Secrecy

Opposition

Feel free to pass around to your friends.

Todd