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May 26, 2006
Allegheny Forest Forums
So, have you checked out our Allegheny Forest Forums or our Allegheny Forest Photo Album? Both are great resources!
Posted by jkleissler at 03:32 PM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2006
DRAFT Forest Plan Documents Posted On-Line
The DRAFT Forest Plan and Environmental Impact Statement can be downloaded at the US Forest Service website. There is also some propaganda there that you can check out if you want to scrape your eyes out.
Posted by jkleissler at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2006
Allegheny Wild! - 2006
No, this isn't batman returns. That is, unless you mean, Indiana Bat Man!
The Forest Service today released the Draft Forest Plan as part of the revision of its forest management plan. The US Forest Service is required to have a forest management plan for every national forest. This document must be revised every 10 to 15 years. The current plan for the Allegheny National Forest was adopted in April, 1986. That plan clearly stated that the assumptions therein were null and void after 10 years of implementation. That plan has now been implemented for 20 years without significant updating for our increasing knowledge of forest science and economics. Therefore, its revision is a vital part of improving Allegheny National Forest conservation.
There are a lot of issues with the forest plan revision process being used. But the most important is the need for the American public to be involved. Overwhelming, the American public supports the original mission of the ALlegheny National Forest - watershed protection. Americans support Wilderness designation, wildlife habitat preservation, and smart, environmentally sensitive recreation. These are, after all, public lands. But the US Forest Service has a long history of managing for timber and oil production.
The situation is extremely dire. The Bush Administration has pushed so that oil & gas drilling will not be considered a significant issue in forest plan revision - despite the fact that the Allegheny hosts more oil & gas wells than the other 154 national forests combined. This is an urgent issue with nearly 700 oil & gas wells being drilled in 2005.
You can get involved today by reviewing the forest plan revision documents. Unfortunately, as of this time, the documents have not been posted. I will update this message when this happens.
Next, you can attend a public meeting and demand that public hearings be held. The public meeting schedule is as follows:
5/22 Bradford - University of Pittsburgh-Bradford in the University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons Building
5/23 Warren - Holiday Inn, off Business U.S. 6 west, 210 Ludlow Street
5/24 Marienville - Marienville Area Civic Association Building, off State Route 66 South, Pine Street
5/25 Ridgway - Office of North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission,
651 Montmorenci Road, State Route 948 North
5/31 State College - Ramada Inn of State College, 1450 Atherton Street
6/1 Harrisburg - Four Points Sheraton, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, exit 48 off I-83
6/5 Mars (north of Pittsburgh) - Four Points Sheraton in Pittsburgh North, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, PA
6/6 Erie - Quality Inn and Suites at intersection of I-90 and State Route 97, 8040 Perry Highway
Keep coming back here for updates. Allegheny Wild! 2006 is in full force.
Posted by jkleissler at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)