Regional Planning Decisions with National
Implications:
The Forest Service is on the verge of
completing several regional planning efforts, including a "survey
and manage" requirement amending the President's Northwest Forest
Plan; the broad-scale Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management
Project (ICBEMP); and the Sierra Nevada Framework for Conservation
and Collaboration. The Survey and Manage final EIS was released in
late November and a record of decision is expected on January 5,
2001. The ICBEMP final EIS and proposed decision were released in
early December, with a record of decision expected in mid-January
2001. The Sierra Nevada Framework final EIS and decision are
expected in mid-January, 2001. Each of these three documents will
alter management on millions of acres of national forest land and
amend, without full disclosure of the effects, multiple national
forest management plans. Highly complex, controversial and costly,
while providing questionable benefits, these decisions are being
rushed for completion just before the change in Administration.
Without question, the rules, regulations, and policy decisions
described above are an important part of issues that need immediate
review and reevaluation. However, they do not represent all of these
need to be addressed. It is important to note that many of these,
maybe most, are being "fast tracked" by this Administration as they
are targeting their final promulgation before January 20, 2001. Any
assistance the new Administration can provide in stopping or slowing
the implementation of these initiatives would be greatly appreciated
by many Members of Congress, states and citizens. Thank you for your
prompt attention to these very important issues.
In closing, please again accept my enthusiastic congratulations
to you both. I, along with the other Members on the Committee on
Resources, look forward to working with you and your new
Administration. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to
contact me.
Sincerely,
James V. Hansen
Member of Congress
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