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October 21, 2003
So-called 'workshops' amount to minimal public input
The Forest Service, contrary to their press statements, is purposely excluding the public from Forest Plan revision.
The evidence of this is in their location and times in which they are deciding to hold public hearings. Two informal workshops (not public hearings) are being held on Oct. 27 & 28 (Monday and Tuesday) from 5:30 to 9:30 in Warren and Erie, respectively. The last round of meetings included Erie and Warren and the Forest Service received comments that in order to reach out to larger populations that represent a large portion of Allegheny visitors, they should hold meetings in large cities surrounding the Allegheny.
This is not happening. The only formal public hearing for this round of commenting is being held in State College on Wednesday, November 5th from 1 to 5 p.m!!
Steve Miller, ANF public affairs officer, says:
"We're trying. We're giving it a very, very heartfelt effort here (to include public comment in the Forest Plan revision process)."
Really?? How is holding the only public hearing from 1 to 5 pm a "heartfelt effort"??
Why is it that Forest Supervisor Kevin Elliott can travel to Pittsburgh for a private forum to discuss Allegheny National Forest managment but not for a public forum about the revision of that managment?
Posted by Ryan at October 21, 2003 02:34 PM
Comments
You don't have to deal with the USFS very long before you know that public input is lip service only.
Rj
Posted by: RJ at October 21, 2003 07:58 PM
Yeah, I think most people who have the opportunity realize this rather quickly. The fact that we've been working on these issues for nearly 10 years and the Forest Service hasn't changed a lick in how they treat the public makes you really wonder. The more I see and hear the more I realize that its all because they don't like what the public has to say.
Posted by: Jim K at October 22, 2003 01:13 AM
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