Blue Mountains Forest Resiliency Project

[Grumpy]

Link to Scoping Letter: http://forestaccessforall.org/wp-conten ... Letter.pdf


My first comment letter:

To the Project Team:

I am in support of most of this project, as our forests are overgrown, and at risk to fire and disease. The basic tenant of this project needs to be looked at throughout the entire forest system, particularly in the west. Our forests are important in many ways to many people, but in particular to the people that live and work in and around those forests. It is therefore incumbent on the USFS to enter into coordination agreements with all state and local agencies that may be affected by decisions made. Local economies depend, in many cases, on the forests, and must be taken into account.

I do not, however, condone any road closures without proper vetting. This means going through all required steps, from proper notification, to public participation and input. All stakeholders must have an equal say, and comments considered on their merits. These roads and trails, in many cases, have been in use for decades, and have become part of the fabric of the area in which they are located. Hunting, fishing, mining, and general recreation such as OHV and hiking depend on these roads and trails for access. As I write this, legislation is working its way through Congress that will address the deficiencies of how this process is handled.

Thanks you for consideration of these comments, and I look forward to being involved in the process.

Regards,

Dave Walters
Tri Cities Peak Putters 4x4 Club
Land Use Coordinator
Kennewick, WA
509-734-8694

Active Member:
PNW4WDA
WOHVA
BlueRibbon Coalition

[SPR]

Nice

[oddball]

Very good

[iaccocca]

Nicely written Dave.