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  • US Forest Service Releases Draft Planning Directives

    http://www.sharetrails.org/public-la...ing-directives

    Originally posted by Blue Ribbon Coalition
    The U.S. Forest Service has released and is seeking public comment on the proposed 2012 Planning Rule Directives, the key set of agency guidance documents that will direct implementation of the 2012 Planning Rule.

    This announcement was followed by the publication of a notice in the Federal Register on February 27, 2013, of the availability of the proposed directives for public review and comment. The Federal Register notice began the official 60-day comment period.

    The proposed directives will help the Forest Service achieve the vision articulated in the 2012 Planning Rule - to develop, revise and amend land management plans that protect and restore National Forests and Grasslands for the benefit of communities, natural resources and the environment. The Agency's intent is to ensure an adaptive land management planning process that is inclusive, efficient, collaborative and science-based to promote healthy, resilient, diverse and productive national forests and grasslands.

    The 2012 Planning Rule was developed after more than two and a half years of public input, including more than 300,000 public comments. In proposing these directives and publishing them for public comment, the Agency intends to build on this participatory and open process. Feedback from the public is sought and encouraged during the 60-day comment period. A Federal Advisory Committee has also been formed to advise the Chief of the Forest Service and the Secretary of Agriculture on implementation of the new rule. One of the Committee's tasks includes reviewing and advising upon these proposed directives.

    Forest Service directives consist of the Forest Service Manual and the Forest Service Handbook which contain the agency's policies that serve as the primary basis for internal management, and provide procedures and techniques to be used by resources specialists and planning staff engaging in the detailed work of land management planning for the national forests and grasslands.

    A copy of the proposed directives, along with background information, can be obtained at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/planningrule/directives, at any regional Forest Service office or by calling (202) 205-1449. http://www.fs.fed.us/contactus/regions.shtml
    Over 2500 hours donated to the San Bernardino National Forest. Life member of CA4WD, CORVA & BRC. Tread Lightly Trainer. Reforestation Supervisor. CASSP

  • #2
    So here we go again...
    [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
    [/COLOR]Join the Resistance...
    http://www.resistanceoffroad.us[/CENTER]

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    • #3
      I just don't know if there is any fight left in me... :dunno:
      SBCO Fire Dept. CERT volunteer
      MJR moderator
      MJR Adopt-a-Trail Crew member
      Jeep Patrol Leader
      Reforestation Supervisor
      Licensed Ham - n6ujm
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      • #4
        Originally posted by Roger View Post
        I just don't know if there is any fight left in me... :dunno:
        Cry us a river...

        A certain quote comes to mind: "a republic... if you can keep it."

        It's hard work to live free.
        :gun:'99 TJ Sport:gun:

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        • #5
          Doug,
          Maybe we can have a confab to discuss anything that we might want to comment on. That way we can show a united front. Got any ideas so far?
          [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
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          • #6
            I have not heard anything from the grapevine.

            Honestly it sounds like a lot of leagalease to me. I know we need to make comments but I'll be damned if I have any clue as to what needs to be said.
            Over 2500 hours donated to the San Bernardino National Forest. Life member of CA4WD, CORVA & BRC. Tread Lightly Trainer. Reforestation Supervisor. CASSP

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            • #7
              [COLOR="#800000"]that is a sh*t-ton of documents to go through... it makes my head hurt! I can feel they're trying to slip something in there.[/COLOR]
              [COLOR="darkred"]"Death Smiles at Everyone... Marines Smile Back."
              Adopt-a-Trail Member.[/COLOR]

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              • #8
                That is good crapper reading. I printed it out and will read a little every time I have to:poop: Should act as a laxative...
                [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
                [/COLOR]Join the Resistance...
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                • #9
                  Originally posted by RAT View Post
                  That is good crapper reading. I printed it out and will read a little every time I have to:poop: Should act as a laxative...
                  Just don't bring it tomorrow night...
                  :gun:'99 TJ Sport:gun:

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                  • #10
                    Ok, I have been reading all these documents available at http://www.sharetrails.org/public-la...ing-directives. If you haven't read them, they are basically a revision to the rules that the FS will work under when doing what they do in our forest lands. Apparently, there are tons of changes to the previous hand book, and I have still not read through all of the information but I am particularly concerned about wording they use when explaining who is responsible for making decisions when determining:
                    Road Designations- Who makes them, what the different levels are etc.

                    Wild and Scenic River Evaluation- Who makes them, criteria for determining status, groups involved in the decision process. This is especially relevant to our trail. Basically, a river is described as free flowing (no significant dams or diversions) and includes all tributaries including springs, streams, creeks and other water sources that contribute to the flow of the river. Ours is a tributary and is wide open to interpretation as far as it's importance to the overall river course. There is in place a quite involved process for this determination to be made and implemented, and the public is part of the process. My issue comes from the poor communication that we have seen so much from the FS in regard to these public hearings and notices. I have yet to find in the hand book any phrases or paragraphs that state the FS has to communicate this to the public, how they are supposed to communicate. Only a time line for when a hearing is started, opposition time lines etc. but I'm still reading.

                    I think that FS is posting these documents only to follow procedure. I'm not sure that if we made any comments against this hand book revision that it would get anywhere. Mainly because I for sure, and pretty sure no one else here has the amount of knowledge needed to make informed comments about these revisions. It's hard to know what changes that are being made are radically different from the previous version of the hand book. But having read as much as I have so far, I'm going to keep a copy of this manual because I think knowing what the FS process is on any given subject will help me make more informed and logical comments when I need to.

                    I'll post up more as I get my brain wrapped around this legalese.... Anyone got Excedrin???
                    [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
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                    • #11
                      [COLOR="#800000"]Dude, where do you find the damn time for all this? Judas Priest man!

                      Ok, I absolutely agree that the FS follows a pretty crappy, even to the point of calling it sneaky, process to inform the public of hearings, public comment periods, and procedures to allow input or influence decisions. Sneaking a notice for public comment onto the page 6 of one local newspaper is just shady.

                      If MJR does submit comments for a revision to this document(s). I would suggest wording to suggest the FS should make every effort to ensure notices, hearings, and public comment periods are broadcast in multiple media formats (ie. print, electronic, public calendar maybe?)to ensure widest dissemination to the public.

                      The problem is, the gov't wants to slide legislation & changes past us and then we have to play catch up to be in compliance.
                      [/COLOR]
                      [COLOR="darkred"]"Death Smiles at Everyone... Marines Smile Back."
                      Adopt-a-Trail Member.[/COLOR]

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by USMC 0369 View Post
                        [COLOR="#800000"]Dude, where do you find the damn time for all this? Judas Priest man!

                        Ok, I absolutely agree that the FS follows a pretty crappy, even to the point of calling it sneaky, process to inform the public of hearings, public comment periods, and procedures to allow input or influence decisions. Sneaking a notice for public comment onto the page 6 of one local newspaper is just shady.

                        If MJR does submit comments for a revision to this document(s). I would suggest wording to suggest the FS should make every effort to ensure notices, hearings, and public comment periods are broadcast in multiple media formats (ie. print, electronic, public calendar maybe?)to ensure widest dissemination to the public.

                        The problem is, the gov't wants to slide legislation & changes past us and then we have to play catch up to be in compliance.
                        [/COLOR]
                        Agreed and I am wording a response to them right now. I'm betting Jodi is expecting to hear from me and not looking forward to it.
                        Time management Marine. Learn it, embrace it.
                        [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
                        [/COLOR]Join the Resistance...
                        http://www.resistanceoffroad.us[/CENTER]

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                        • #13
                          OK. Here is a link to the FS website that has a comment form. You can go here to make your comments about the proposed revisions to the FS Operating Handbook. I finished reading the bulk of it and this is simply a proposal to change certain processes now listed in the FS handbook, and is not a specific land use issue (no road closures, land status changes etc.). It is a change to the guidebook that leads the FS directors on how to handle those issues when they arise. Be aware however, that a lot of the procedures for dealing with the public and with land use issues in general are seeing proposed changes, which will affect how the FS deals with us as both the Public and as AAT volunteers. So get involved and make some comments.
                          The link:
                          https://cara.ecosystem-management.or...?Project=30641

                          Here is the comment I sent in today:

                          I would like to introduce myself. My name is Kurt Kauffman. I am a member of an online forum named myjeeprocks.com. I am also a long standing member of the San Bernardino National Forest Adopt A Trail program. I am involved with and work on all sorts of projects on Forest Service land and take a great pride in the forest we work to protect.
                          After reading the documents concerning the new National Forest System Land
                          Management Planning Directives, I did not see the one thing that is most important to the "public". Public notice has, in the past been less than overwhelming. Normally the Forest Service will post a listing in a local paper, which has a very limited readership at best. I am only speaking for the San Bernardino NF but I can imagine that this is true elsewhere in the region. One newspaper article on page 6 is not, in my estimation and fair and valid effort to notify the public of upcoming comment periods. I would like to see an amendment to the rule book that states "the Chief of the Forest Service and all local Forest Service leadership personnel be required to make public notice available in all media forms. Local and regional newspapers, radio and television stations, and via email or Yahoo group to all active Forest Service volunteers and and other groups associated with the Forest Service within its region".
                          Part of the reason the public does not comment on a large number of the issues at hand is because the Forest Service does not notify the public at large. So I believe the Forest Service needs to be more diligent about contacting interested parties through the examples given above. This will allow a larger segment of the public to comment on changes to our National Lands. If the Forest Service continues to follow it's current procedure for public notification I feel it is doing a disservice to itself and to the people who care for and protect our public lands.

                          I hope you will take this into consideration and make changes to the notification process so the public can be more involved with our public lands.

                          Thank you for your consideration in the matter,

                          Kurt Kauffman
                          Member SBNF Adopt A Trail program
                          Life time member BRC

                          Happy Head Hunting
                          [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
                          [/COLOR]Join the Resistance...
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                          • #14
                            Maybe someone should comment on the Sexual harassment issue...
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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by RAT View Post
                              Maybe someone should comment on the Sexual harassment issue...
                              [COLOR="#800000"]I was just thinking about that... I started a letter but got sidetracked...

                              "Dear Secretary of the Interior...

                              Listen B**tch, pull your head out of your a**...."[/COLOR]
                              [COLOR="darkred"]"Death Smiles at Everyone... Marines Smile Back."
                              Adopt-a-Trail Member.[/COLOR]

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