collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Why Implementation Procedures Of Federal Environmental Laws Must Be Reformed  (Read 1413 times)

Offline KillBilly

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 3667
  • Location: OLY, WA.
  • I kill therefore I Am
More from Dr. Charles Kay

Forest Service retiree, Barry Wynsma, has written yet another spectacular and quite revealing essay for www.evergreenmagazine.com. In it, he explains the need—dare we say the necessity—for reforming the Forest Service's public comment process. The process, which is infested with environmental appellants and litigators, lost credibility in the rural West's timber communities many years ago.
After you've read Wynsma's essay and the 50-plus-page comment letter  from the Inland Lands Council and the Alliance for the Wild Rockies you will understand why many rural Americans believe the congressionally mandated public comment process—however well intended—is too cumbersome and time consuming.
The oft-heard complaint is that only professional environmentalists can afford to participate. There is some truth to this assertion, as Wynsma's essay suggests. More revealing though is the complete lack of professional expertise among those who are complaining most loudly about Forest Service projects.
While reading Wynsma's essay, bear in mind the fact that the taxpayer-funded Equal Access to Justice Act has become a major source of funding for environmental litigants. Another reason why Wynsma's recommendations ought to be required reading for members of Congress who profess an interest in the health and safety of the nation's federal forests.
 Barry Wynsma worked for the Forest Service for 33 years, from 1978 to 1988 on the Lost River Ranger District, Challis NF in Region 4 and from 1988 to 2011 at the Bonners Ferry Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forest in Region 1. He retired in September 2011 and plans to build a home near Idaho's fabled Salmon River.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2011, 11:25:09 AM by KillBilly »
Some people spend their entire life wondering if they made a difference. Marines don't have that problem.
He who shed blood with me shall forever be my brother.

Offline WAcoyotehunter

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 4457
  • Location: Pend Oreille County
These groups are smart and well funded.  There needs to be safeguards, but the lawsuits and red tape are a nightmare for any project, even if it's an environmental restoration or some other "good" (not extraction) project.   

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Buying pheasants for training by trapp01
[Today at 08:44:40 PM]


Mt. Spokane North Moose by Farmer72
[Today at 08:12:24 PM]


Selkirk bull moose. by 6haase6
[Today at 07:29:05 PM]


Steel Targets??? by jrebel
[Today at 05:30:52 PM]


Greenriver quality Elk permit by First timer
[Today at 03:13:57 PM]


Bow mount trolling motors by Stein
[Today at 09:05:06 AM]


Oregon results posted. by trophyhunt
[Today at 08:51:12 AM]


best draw for moose unit wise by hunter399
[Today at 08:31:10 AM]


Idaho 2025 Controlled Hunts by trophyelk6x6
[Today at 08:24:13 AM]


2025 OILS! by Ridgerunner
[Today at 07:40:49 AM]


FFL preferences or warnings in Olympia or south Sound area? by lhrbull
[Today at 06:59:24 AM]


Nooksack Archery Tag by LongBomb
[Today at 06:29:37 AM]


I’m on a blacktail mission by Turner89
[Yesterday at 11:33:35 PM]


AKC lab puppies! Born 06/10/2025 follow as they grow!!! by scottfrick
[Yesterday at 09:54:06 PM]


Basin elk by hughjorgan
[Yesterday at 09:50:49 PM]


Getting back into dogs by bearpaw
[Yesterday at 09:06:14 PM]


Cowiche Quality Buck by Nwgunner
[Yesterday at 08:55:00 PM]


MA-10 Coho by WAcoueshunter
[Yesterday at 08:50:46 PM]


Is FS70 open? by CarbonHunter
[Yesterday at 08:09:04 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal