Coalition calls for people to 'speak up for National Forests'

The U.S. Forest Service has announced a series of events to allow public discussion on the development of a new planning rule. This is actually a big deal. The planning rule - as stipulated under the 1976 National Forest Management Act - sets the future management direction of the 193-million National Forest System in the United States.

A coalition of conservation advocacy groups have been pushing hard to get people out to the regional meetings which began yesterday and run through April 28th (see the USFS meeting schedule). .

Interestingly, 7 of the 9 meetings are located in the Western U.S. with one meeting in Chicago for the entire Eastern Region. Hopefully, this will not discourage too many people from participating.

The development of the new rule could represent a significant shift in management approach at the Forest Service. With Obama in the White House, and federal court decisions overturning two previous Bush administration planning rules that would have weakened environmental protections for National Forests, conservation folks are sensing the opportunity for a big change in direction.

The coalition, led by the Wilderness Society, has called "for the Forest Service to ensure that it genuinely listens to the public input" and "to develop conservation plans that are real and enforceable – not just vague promises on paper."

For people planning on attending a meeting, the coalition has put out a set of resources that you might find useful.

Personally, I'm curious to hear what specific items conservationists from different regions want to see in the new rule. If you have any opinion on the issue please let us know what you think. Also, if you have been to any of the meetings please let us know about the discussions. Thanks.

--Rob Goldstein