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Tell the U.S. Forest Service you oppose the new Forest Plan in the Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest
On November 28th, the Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forest (NPCNF) released its long-anticipated Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for their updated Land Management Plan.
One of the core components of Forest Plan revision is to review rivers for their eligibility for inclusion in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. In this case, the Forest took it one step further and conducted additional analysis to determine the suitability of rivers that were found eligible for inclusion.
While eligibility is well defined in the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act (WRSA), suitability is rather vague. Factors such as public support, administrative agendas, and even local politics all play into these determinations that are ultimately subjective and likely to change over time. What is particularly alarming in this case, the Forest Service has determined that sections of river found not to be suitable will no longer be afforded the interim protections that are typically provided under the WSRA.
By choosing to conduct this arbitrary suitability analysis and take the incredibly irresponsible step to release protections, the Forest Service has essentially taken a snap-shot in time of the current political climate, which is heavily against any additional Wild and Scenic designation, and decided that the rivers and streams not found suitable will likely never be or be considered again and vulnerable to impacts that would otherwise be protected under the WSRA.
Of the 88 sections of river found to be eligible, only 11 were found to be suitable, leaving 77 river sections to be released from interim protections. Among those slated to lose protections are the South Fork and North Fork of the Clearwater River, rivers that received the most attention from stakeholders and possess some of the best fisheries habitat and recreational opportunities within the National Forest.
The Forest Service attests that they can release these rivers of interim protection because the outstanding remarkable values and free-flowing will inherently be protected by the standards and guidelines that generally manage the aquatic and riparian environments within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. However, this plan calls for intense logging and a myriad of other uses that are counter to these protections.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Customize Your Message to Northern Regional Forester Leanne Marten
Thanks for speaking up to protect the Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest!
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