Judge denies suit against Tahoe fire restoration

Rainbow Family's free-form campout draws thousands to Gifford Pinchot forest

There is something about the smiling, contented, mystically philosophizing members of the Rainbow Family that gets a reaction from outsiders — whether it's befuddlement, scorn or maybe a little envy.

They're camping out, happily chanting — and you're what? Worrying about your next mortgage payment, and getting an ulcer?

By Sunday morning, the Forest Service says something like 12,000 to 15,000 people who call themselves members of the Rainbow Family of Living Light had trekked to remote, mushy meadows here at an altitude of 3,200 feet, as "one human family gathering together on the land."

Read more:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015503514_rainbow04m.html

Embezzler given 4-year sentence

Kathy Stamps, 39, of Rancho Cucamonga was sentenced this week to a 48-month prison term and fined $1.09 million.

The fine represents the amount of money Stamps spent on personal items and business ventures, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

For more, check out:

www.dailybulletin.com/ci_18331948?source=most_emailed

Thinning important to health of forests

It can prevent catastrophic fires, aid biomass industry

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden admonished the U.S. Forest Service this week for being too lax in removing the underbrush and other materials that have helped fuel the largest wildfire in Arizona history.

"Our forests are just taking a beating from insufficient thinning," Wyden said at a Senate hearing.

More than 32,600 wildfires have occurred in the U.S. this year. As of Wednesday, the largest fire — the Wallow blaze in Arizona and New Mexico — had grown to nearly 750 square miles.

To read the full story, go to:

www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110616/OPINION/106160338/Thinning-important-health-forests

Firefighting planes have perhaps been too long on job

With wildfire season starting early and fires already raging across Arizona, the U.S. Forest Service is confronting a longtime problem that many inside and outside the agency think needs an immediate fix: The large tanker planes leased by the agency to fight such blazes have been flying, on average, about 50 years and are rapidly becoming unsafe to deploy.

As worries deepen, the Forest Service is preparing — finally, critics say — to ask Congress this summer for money to replace its fleet of 18 large air tankers. The agency will either ask to buy new planes outright or, more likely, put out bids to lease newer ones.

www.washingtonpost.com/national/firefighting-planes-have-perhaps-been-too-long-on-job/2011/06/07/AGEd2ISH_story.html

The Forest Service is offering several fee waivers during 2011.  These events provide a great opportunity for visitors to come for recreation and fun on the national forests throughout the country.  The dates for the fee waivers in 2011 include:

• Get Outdoors Day:  June 11, 2011
• National Public Lands Day:  September 24, 2011
• Veterans Day Weekend: November 11-13, 2011

These fee free days are for federally operated sites.  Fees may still apply to camping, day use areas or other special recreation facilites under concession operations.  The National Park Service also has fee free days that may be different - so check their website for details.   

For the latest updates, check the Forest Service website:  www.fs.fed.us

 July, 2010

 Judge Molloy’s ruling causes uncertainty over slurry use in firefighting

As the U.S. Forest Service struggles to find a new plane to drop fire retardant, it may also need a new fire retardant to drop.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Don Molloy ruled the agency didn’t do enough research on ammonium-based retardant’s toxic effects on plants and animals. While he didn’t block the use of slurry, he did order the Forest Service to more thoroughly examine the chemical mixture’s effects by the end of 2011...

Firefighting air tankers typically drop retardant slurry instead of plain water because water evaporates too quickly in a forest fire. Retardants coat wood and brush to prevent them from burning, and maintain such protection for up to two days.

Aircraft can drop other types of slurry, including a gel material that has been used a lot in California. Former CAL-FIRE aviation director Mike Padilla said the gel is easy to handle, but loses its effectiveness after four to six hours on the ground. However, its fire-suppressing properties can be reactivated by spraying with more water.

For the full story, see: Judge's Ruling

 July, 2010

Retardant comes under fire 

More than 81,000 gallons of retardant were dropped on two of the biggest fires in the north state

in the past two weeks.

That kind of firefighting strategy is coming under closer scrutiny, though, as a federal judge has ordered the U.S. Forest Service to take a closer look at the environmental effects of dropping fire retardant on wildland fires.

“The government has to begin to reassess how, where and when this is done,” said Andy Stahl, executive director of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (FSEEE), which sued the

Forest Service over its use of chemical fire retardant.

“Retardant is toxic,” Stahl said.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Donald Malloy of Missoula, Mont., ruled that the Forest Service needs to complete an environmental-impact statement on the use of retardant by the end of 2011,

The Associated Press reported.

Jennifer Jones, a Forest Service spokeswoman, said her agency hasn’t determined whether it will appeal the judge’s ruling or complete another environmental review. Jones said she doesn’t know

how much retardant is used in the Shasta-Trinity or Lassen national forests. Nationwide, an average

of 20 million gallons of retardant is dropped on fires annually by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and state agencies, she said.

For the complete article, click on Fire Retardant

Aerial expert's report on L.A. County's biggest wildfire flies in the face of official review

As Capt. Perri Hall watched helplessly, a blaze that had appeared containable erupted into the devastating Station fire. A report by Hall contradicts key assertions by the U.S. Forest Service about its response to last summer's disaster.

Hall's account of Day 2, a copy of which was obtained by The LA Times, contradicts key assertions by the Forest Service about its response to the fire. Hall wrote the 1,000-word report soon after the mission, out of frustration and anger at the Forest Service's failure to unleash a more aggressive aerial attack, according to people with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The captain's narrative challenges a leading conclusion of the Forest Service's official review of the fire: that an earlier aerial assault on Day 2 would have been ineffective because rough terrain would have prevented ground crews from finishing the job. Hall makes no mention of terrain problems, and it was his responsibility to determine whether the landscape was an impediment to aerial drops.

Despite Hall's expertise and bird's-eye perspective, the Forest Service review team never interviewed him, officials said. His plane had been assigned to the fire at the Forest Service's request.

Former Forest Service officials say Hall's account is crucial to any assessment of the firefight because it was his job to determine when and where aircraft should be used.

For more on the review of this fire - see Station Fire.

Forest Service shifts focus from fire prevention to hazard trees

Nearly a decade into the largest bark beetle outbreak in Colorado history, U.S. Forest Service managers are refocusing their priorities. Dozens of Forest Service roads and trails in Grand County are being red flagged for logging and funds are being redirected to treat any remaining Forest Service lands that share border towns and residential communities.

The unusually windy spring was “a major wake-up call,” said District Ranger Craig Magwire of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest's Sulphur Ranger District.

“It's been all hands on deck,” dealing with blowdowns across roads and trails across the district, he said: “We've pretty much been in triage mode.”

Work is hindered in some popular areas, such as Monarch Lake where a wilderness designation prevents the use of chainsaws along much of the trail and handcrews are necessary to access remote locations.

“The district has basically been in the middle of a decade-long fire prevention exercise,” Magwire said.

But, now, with most of the large tract timber sales under belt, managers are taking another look at the landscape with an eye toward trees that threaten power lines, roads and trails.

Read more...  click on Bark Beetle

USDA Forest Service Announces Fee Waiver Dates

WASHINGTON, 2010 -- Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced that the Forest Service will offer fee waiver weekends during the summer of 2010, in addition to other annual fee waiver events at standard amenity fee sites. These fee waivers will be offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA).

"The Forest Service is working to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and take advantage of the many recreational activities national forests have to offer," said Tidwell. "By waiving fees, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation of recreation on national forests."

The Fee Waiver dates for the remainder of the 2010 season are as follows:

• Back-to-School Season - Aug.14-15, - fees will be waived for Saturday and Sunday.
• National Public Lands Day - Sept 25, 2010 -This fee waiver is offered every year.
• Veterans' Day - Nov. 11, 2010 - This fee waiver is offered every year.

The Fee Waiver weekends support the goals of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Conference and First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative by actively supporting and promoting programs, projects and initiatives that encourage the use of outdoor spaces by the public. The waiver will allow people to explore our nation's forests, which offer a wide range of recreation and educational benefits such as: improved physical and mental health, emotional well being, a concern for nature, and a conservation ethic. 

For a copy of the complete press release, see: Forest Service Fee Waivers

Forest Service, Ad Council launch integrated 'Smokey Bear' campaign 

The US Forest Service and the nonprofit National Association of State Foresters (NASF) have partnered with The Ad Council to launch this year's “Smokey Bear” forest fire-prevention campaign. The effort launched June 30.

This year's version of the 66-year-old campaign is an integrated effort that includes TV spots, static and rich media banner ads, e-mail, mobile and social media. Draftfcb, the pro bono agency on the account since 1944, created the campaign, while creative agency Animax worked on the social media components.

“Smokey Bear's message has evolved from just a prevention message to an intervention message,” said Ellyn Fisher, VP of PR and social media at The Ad Council. “It is not only telling people to take precautions, but to act like Smokey and intervene when you see someone acting irresponsibly.”

Nine out of 10 wildfires in the US are caused by people, according to the US Forest Service. The principle causes are campfires left unattended, trash burning on windy days, arson, careless discarding of smoking materials or BBQ coals, and operating equipment without spark arrestors. The organizations timed the campaign for summer camping season.

“We found the majority of people knew there was a problem with wildfires but didn't really know what they could do about it,” said Hilary Hamer, SVP and group management director at Draftfcb. “Our entire goal was to change that behavior and teach people how they can step in and make a difference in preventing wildfires.”

For more - see Smokey Bear

 NFRA Member Reports from a Public Meeting on the USDA Forest Service Planning Rule

     Submitted by Ruby Allen, NFRA Board Member

The USFS National Planning Rule will guide forest management, and the goals are that the plan be responsive, adaptive, and will stand the test of time for our national resources and our people.  Due to the history of the planning rule, and how it has changed and been litigated over the years, a new forum for writing the rule has been developed; public input via round table discussions and a blog format. 

The Region 5 Roundtable on the National Planning Rule was requested to be held in Bishop, California by Inyo County Suprevisors, who really wanted to be involved in USFS policy making.  As Inyo County is mostly made up of forest and other government lands, they felt it important to be involved.  One Superisor made it clear at the meeting that they were the ones to request a round table in their area, in order to actively participate in the process being used to write the National Planning Rule.

We were able to attend the evening session of the April 6 round table discussion, and found few people present.  On the USFS side, the legal person from the region was present, the Forest Supervisor and District Ranger were present, as well as the trails coordinator. There were also representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the local County Supervisor, an environmentalist who was concerned with climate change, a rancher, backcountry user, and ourselves - pack station owner and Forest Service permittee. 

The discussion coordinator reviewed what had been discussed at a previous meeting, and the theme of Recreation came out loud and clear.  We brought up the importance of continuing traditional activities and access to the forest.  Also brought up was how each forest is unique, and that uniqueness must be considered and preserved, as then collectively the forests make our National Forest Systyem. 

There was also a consideration for the social, economc, and cultural dimention that needed to be considered in writing the new plan for each forest.  Many questions remained unanswered as to how the NPR will affect already written plans such as Wilderness Plans, etc. and how the plan will flow with societal changes, address user conflicts, etc.  Multiple use was cited as important as well. 

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as Passed

For a copy of the Section‐by‐Section Analysis as compiled by the US Senate click:  Health Care Bill.

There is important information for individuals, medicare recipients, and also for employers. 

Federal HIRE ACT

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment  (HIRE) Act has many provisions that impact employers, including a payroll tax exemption and increased tax credits for employers that meet certain eligibility requirements.  The legislation immediately enhances employers' cash flow by permitting employers to retain the employer portion of the Social Security tax ordinarily remitted.  The focus of the Act is to accelerate the hiring of unemployed workers.  For a summary of the Act, go to: HIRE Act. 

Salazar Announces National Park Service Will Waive Entrance Fees During National Park Week Annual Celebration takes place April 17- 25

WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that all 392 national parks will have free admission during National Park Week, April 17 to 25. Parks will also offer additional family friendly activities and special offers on tours, lodging, food, and souvenirs. A listing of parks and promotions is available at www.nps.gov/npweek.

“We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting everyone to visit a national park and help celebrate National Park Week,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “Parks are fun and affordable destinations and great places to engage in healthy, outdoor activities, whether for a few hours or a few days.”

National Park Week, a program of the National Park Service, is an opportunity to engage families and communities in America’s Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating close to home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.

“National parks preserve our heritage, promote recreational experiences, and provide places of quiet refuge,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “Most people live within a short drive of a national park so I encourage everyone to spend some time enjoying America’s Great Outdoors during National Park Week.”

There will be hundreds of family friendly events on Saturday, April 24, for National Junior Ranger Day. Each child participating in Junior Ranger activities will receive a certificate, patch, or pin.

Other National Park Week highlights include the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the 75th anniversary of the nation’s most visited national park – the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Normally, 146 of 392 national parks charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. The other 246 do not charge for admission. The fee free waiver for National Park Week does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors—such as fees charged for camping, reservations and use of concessions.

USDA Forest Service Continues Discounts at Campgrounds

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2010--USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced today his decision not to implement proposed changes to fees charged to holders of passes at Forest Service campgrounds operated by private businesses.  The Chief’s decision means Seniors and people with disabilities will continue to receive a discount at Forest Service campgrounds run by private concessions.

The Forest Service had proposed changes to discounts provided to holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes.  Under the proposal, discounts at concession-operated campgrounds would have changed from the current 50 percent to 10 percent. After considering many public comments, the Chief determined the proposed changes are not the best way to address growing challenges regarding services provided by private businesses at Forest Service recreation facilities.

“Each year more than 175 million people enjoy recreational opportunities on National Forests and Grasslands, and that includes more than 15 million visits to our campgrounds,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.  “Particularly in these difficult economic times, it is very important to maintain affordable access to our National Forests and Grasslands, giving people easy ways to recreate and find respite in the great outdoors.”

The Chief’s decision leaves in place a 50 percent discount at campgrounds run by private concessions for holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Interagency Senior and Access Passes. Concessioners are not required to accept passes at day use sites.  Seniors age 62 and older pay a one-time $10 fee for the Senior Pass. Lifetime Access Passes for people with disabilities are free.

The Forest Service conducted a 60-day public notice and comment period on the proposed changes. More than 4,000 comments were received.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The agency manages 193 million acres of National Forest System land, provides stewardship assistance to non-federal forest landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.  For more information, visit: www.fs.fed.us.  For a copy of this news release, go to:  FS Discounts.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Mar 19 - Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA-04) introduced H.R. 4888, the Cabin Fee Act of 2010 to address volatile yearly fees for families who own cabins in our National Forests. He was joined by Representatives Jim Costa (CA-20), Rob Bishop (UT-01), Tom McClintock (CA-04), George Radanovich (CA-19), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large), Denny Rehberg (MT- at large), Mike Simpson (ID-02), Devin Nunes (CA-21), Jason Chaffetz (UT-03), and Wally Herger (CA-02), all of whom represent constituents who have been impacted by unstable cabin fees.  

The bill would establish a fair fee-setting system that would institute a tiered yearly fee structure based on current appraisals and tied to increases in inflation. The new fee-setting system would replace the existing volatile system that’s based on subjective appraisals and is causing sharp spikes in fees charged to cabin owners, and which may force some families to abandon and tear down their cabins.

“Generations of Americans have enjoyed the recreational use of family-owned cabins in our National Forests,” said Hastings. “For many, these cabins provide unique access to some of our most precious federal lands, which should not be a luxury only enjoyed by the wealthy but by all Americans. It would be a shame for cabin owners across the country to be forced to tear down their cabins because they cannot afford the current arbitrary fee system.”

“The legislation introduced today, creates a common sense solution by establishing a fair and stable pricing structure to help keep these cabins affordable for future generations to enjoy. I’ve proposed this bill because we need to find a solution and provide certainty to cabin owners; however we remain open to ways to improve or modify the bill as we go forward.”

For more - see Cabin Fee Fairness Act

NFRA Issues Media Release on Forest Service Proposed New Policy on Pass Discounts

The National Forest Recreation Association (NFRA) recently issued a Media Release in response to the Forest Service's proposed new policy affecting concession operated campgrounds and day use areas.  The statement from NFRA describes the benefits of the proposed new policy on discounts, as well as details about the need for a change in the 'America the Beautiful' discount pass program.  Many of the concessionaires are small 'Mom and Pop' operators that have been involved with the concession program since its inception in the early 1980's.  Campgrounds operated by concessionaires remain open to the public regardless of budgetary challenges that the Forest Service may face.  The program has re-invested hundreds of thousands of dollars directly back into the facilities, enabling campers to directly benefit from their camping fees.  Thanks to the concession program, Forest Service campgrounds are not facing the closures that many state park programs are facing.  Concessionaires typically operate facilities at high standards the public expects but with much lower costs than the government.

For a full copy of the statement, see:  NFRA Media Release  

USDA Forest Service Invites Comments on Concession Campground Policy

WASHINGTON, Dec 03, 2009 — U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced today that the Forest Service is inviting comments on a proposed new policy for the acceptance of Interagency Passes at concession-operated campgrounds and day use recreation sites on National Forests and Grasslands. The policy would provide for coordination with concessioners to promote sustainable operations.

Under the proposed new policy, the Forest Service would offer a 10% discount at concession run campgrounds and standard amenity day use sites to holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes. Further, concessioners would offer free usage of these day use sites to holders of an Annual or Volunteer Pass. 

Click here for the full press release..

For a copy of the complete policy proposal published in the Federal Register on December 1st, see: Federal Register Notice

Forest Service 'Dramatically Reshaping' Plans in Response to Climate Change 

Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell has directed the agency's regions and research stations to jointly produce draft "landscape conservation action plans" by March 1 to guide its day-to-day response to climate change.

In a memo earlier this month requesting the plans, Tidwell said climate change is "dramatically reshaping" how the agency will deliver on its mission of sustaining the health and diversity of the nation's forests. He focused particularly on water management.

"Responding to the challenges of climate change in providing water and water-related ecosystem services is one of the most urgent tasks facing us as an agency," Tidwell wrote. "History will judge us by how well we respond to these challenges."

Tidwell said the agency's task is to translate the overall strategic framework for responding to climate change, which was released last month, into its daily operations. He directed regional foresters and station directors to work together to prepare "aggressive and well-coordinated" area-specific action plans for landscape conservation. While most have already begun such work, he added, they should be expanded into "full-blown regions, stations and area action plans" that address water as a "fundamental outcome set."

For the full story - see Climate Change..

Bark beetles bite regional budget

A bark beetle-induced budget crunch could lead to the closure of the Shoshone National Forest’s camping sites next summer.

The regional Forest Service office in Denver is proposing to shift funding away from some of its forests to focus on those in northern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming — the areas hit hardest by mountain pine beetle-kill.

Some 2.5 million acres in the the Arapaho, Roosevelt, White River, Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests are believed to be affected by the beetle epidemic.

Much of those areas are interwoven with power lines and infrastructure. A large concern for foresters is the possibility that the dead and weakened trees will topple onto power lines, knocking out large swaths of power and perhaps sparking catastrophic wildfires.

In those five national forests, the Forest Service already has begun planning an effort to clear all potentially hazardous trees within 200 feet of of electrical transmission lines and from within 75 feet of distribution lines.

The Rocky Mountain Region has budgeted $49 million to deal with the beetle-kill in fiscal year 2010, the Associated Press reported — with some of that money being re-directed from forests such as the Shoshone.

The preliminary directive from the regional office in Denver told forest managers that all campgrounds — except for those run by private concessionaires — should be shut down as one cost-saving measure.

For the full story - click Beetles..

By Daphne Miller

Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, November 17, 2009

"I have a StairMaster right in my own basement, but honestly it's been there for years gathering dust and making me feel guilty," said Miriam, one of my patients. "It wasn't until I started walking the three-mile trail in the park near my house that I got serious about exercising. I do it now rain or shine. I love the fresh air. The best part is that I get a great workout and don't even mind sweating."

At this point, I have heard enough variations on Miriam's story that I have started to make formal "park prescriptions." The prescribing instructions are considerably more detailed than ones you might get with a medication; they include the location of a local green space, the name of a specific trail and, when possible, exact mileage.

It turns out I am not alone. I've begun hearing about doctors around the country who are medicating their patients with nature in order to prevent (or treat) health problems ranging from heart disease to attention deficit disorder.

Eleanor Kennedy, a cardiologist in Little Rock, helped create a downtown "Medical Mile" with the support of local funders and the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. "If my patients feel that they can get outdoors, they are more likely to be consistent about exercise," she told me. "Whether you are waddling, walking or running, going out and exercising will help build your confidence, flexibility and adaptability." And it will also be good for your heart -- a particular benefit in Arkansas, where rates of heart disease and stroke, as well as obesity and diabetes, are among the highest in the country.

For more on this story, click Take a Hike..

Exercise Walking, Swimming, and Exercising with Equipment Lead Female Sports, Fitness & Recreation Participation

Among the 39 sports surveyed by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), exercise walking, swimming and exercising with equipment attracted the greatest number of female participants seven years of age and older in 2008, according to data in the Association's Sports Participation reports. Exercise walking attracted 59.3 million females; swimming, 33.3 million; and exercising with equipment, also 33.3 million.
 
Sports, recreational and fitness activities attracting more than 20 million females were aerobic exercising, 25.6 million; bowling, 24.8 million; camping (vacation/overnight), 23.4 million; and working out at club, 21.6 million.
 
Attracting more than 10 million females were bicycle riding, 19.4 million; hiking, 18.9 million; running/jogging, 17.2 million; fishing, 13.7 million; weightlifting, 13.5 million; yoga, 12.9 million; power boating, 12.4 million; and billiards/pool, 12.0 million.

For more details on the fitness study, see Exercise... 

Copper Mountain Sold; New Owner Says 'Business As Usual' For Season

Nov 17, 2009 Shannon Luthy, Associate Editor    

Gallatin National Forest snowmobile decision goes to court

A big decrease in snowmobile access to a Wilderness Study Area northeast of Big Sky this season is promising a court battle. That battle could determine how the Forest Service sets rules for similar areas across Montana.

The key question is what did lawmakers really mean when Wilderness Study Areas, like the one in the Gallatin Range, were first set up more than 30 years ago.

"Well, I think it's pretty clear that Congress intended to allow motorized use to continue in the WSAs,” said Alan Campbell, an attorney for the Department of Agriculture.

That's just what snowmobiling enthusiasts at Citizens for Balanced Use maintain. 

"We did provide the Forest Service with historic use numbers and uses that were up there in Buffalo Horn and the Hyalite area.  And, we just don't feel that Judge Molloy adequately reviewed and considered what we presented him,” Kerry White of Citizens for Balanced Use said.

In fact, Molloy's decision speaks to just that issue, noting that the Forest Service must accommodate motorized travel in the Wilderness Study Areas while at the same time is under Congressional order to maintain a pristine wilderness.

Read the full story, with additional links.  See Gallatin...

Forest Service and the Ad Council Launch a National Sweepstakes to Encourage Children to Re-Connenct with Nature 

In an effort to encourage tweens (ages 8-12) to spend more time in nature, the U.S. Forest Service is joining the Ad Council today to launch an interactive photo/art sweepstakes that will engage families in experiencing nature first hand. As an extension of their "Re-Connecting Kids with Nature" public service advertising (PSA) campaign, which first launched in June, the photo sweepstakes encourages tweens to head into the forest, explore and find their "other you." The sweepstakes is kicking off today and will continue through December 7,( )2009.

Sweepstakes participants will provide a photo or an original piece of artwork that represents their journey in nature. By visiting sweeps.discovertheforest.com, parents can submit their children's picture or drawing depicting what they have discovered or experienced in nature. Each image will be reviewed by a third party vendor who will then post all approved entries to the public gallery.

"Connecting kids with nature is the key to creating the stewards of tomorrow," said USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "This sweepstakes builds on our 'Re-connecting Children with Nature' campaign and is a fun and creative way to encourage families to spend time together in the forest."

For more on this exciting project, see: "Other You"

Senate Rejects Wildfire Funds for D.C. Parks

The Senate told the Obama administration to stop spending stimulus bill wildland firefighting money on urban parks in the nation's capital - the first time either chamber has voted to reject one of the administration's stimulus spending decisions. With fires raging out West, lawmakers said, it was ridiculous to spend firefighting money in Washington, which has no national forests and isn't considered a forest fire danger spot. In a voice vote Tuesday, senators voted unanimously to prohibit the U.S. Forest Service to spend any of its $500 million in wildland fire money in the city.

For all the details on the Senate vote, read the full story from the

Washington Times on Fire Funding for DC Parks

Sluggish Economy has Vacationers Hitting the Great Outdoors

The sluggish economy has pointed budget-minded Americans to the great outdoors. Most campgrounds in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have been full this summer, said Trisha Spear of Recreation Resource Management of America Inc., a private company that operates campgrounds in the forests.

"I've been doing this for 17 years, and I've noticed that every time the economy goes down, we notice an increase in visitation because it's a cheaper vacation," Spear said.  She saw this on Fourth of July weekend, which she spent at Big Lake in the White Mountains.

"I was out camp-hosting, and it was chaos. It was crazy," she said.

The trend continued through Labor Day for the most part, she said, although some high-country storms kept people away from the White Mountains.  "We were busy," she said. "The areas that are close to Phoenix, we did really well." 

For the full story from the Arizona Republic, see:  Camping

Forest Fire Funds Aid D.C. Festivals

Washington, D.C., September 11, 2009 – Even with forest fires raging out West, the U.S. Forest Service this week announced it will spend nearly $2.8 Million in forest-fire-fighting money in Washington - a city with no national forests...  The D.C. aid is going to two programs: $90,000 is slated for a green summer job corps, but the vast majority of the money - $2.7 million - is going to Washington Parks & People, which sponsors park festivals and refurbishes urban parks in the Washington area.  For the full story, click Forest Funds

September, 2009

Colorado Resources Chief Sherman Picked for USDA Post

Denver, Colorado, September 10, 2009 – Harris Sherman, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources Commission, has been nominated to oversee the U.S. Forest Service. 

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will be under secretary for natural resources and environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Besides the Forest Service, which runs the nation's national forests, the post also oversees the National Resources Conservation Service. 

For the full story on Harris Sherman's nomination, click here..

September, 2009

Former U.S. Forest Service Chiefs Ponder Future of Agency

Missoula, Montana, September 10, 2009 – Tomorrow's U.S. Forest Service and its new chief forester should take leadership roles in hot-button conservation issues, former chiefs told a Missoula audience. 

More than 400 retired and current employees of the agency showed up to listen.  Among them was Tom Tidwell, who this summer moved from Region 1 headquarters in Missoula to Washington D.C., to assume the chief's mantle in the Obama administration.  

The panel represented Forest Service national leadership for the past 30 years, and national forest experience that stretches back for nearly half of the agency's 104 years of existence.  The panel was asked to muse on the reunion's theme: "Where Do We Go From Here?"

For the complete story, click Future. 

September, 2009

Soaring Leases Force Families from Forest Cabins

The Olympian, September 9, 2009 – Tucked in on the shores of Lake Wenatchee is a row of rustic cabins that were built long before this spectucular mountain lake became a recreation gold coast.  The cabins are privately owned but are on land leased from the U.S. Forest Service.  The agency recently sent notice that a long-delayed increase in annual lease fees is due, spiking fees up more than 1,000 percent, from $1,400 to more than $17,000.  

Those bills have made the Lake Wenatchee cabins central to questions about the future of the Forest Service's 94 year old policy of enticing middle-class families to the woods by offering cut-rate deals on land for cabins.  With fees steeply up nationwide, to as high as $76,000 a year, cabin owners wonder how many of the 14,500 cabins across the United States will still be occupied in a few years.  

For the full story, click Cabins.

Weldon to Lead Northern Region of the U.S. Forest Service

Washington, September 9, 2009 – U.S. Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell announced the appointment of Leslie Weldon as Regional Forester of the Northern Region of the Forest Service.  Weldon will oversee 15 national forests and 4 national grasslands with the states of Montana, Idaho and North Dakota.  She is currently the External Affairs Officer for the U.S. Forest Service in Washington, D.C. 

She will begin her new assignment later this fall.  Click here for more on Weldon's background.

September, 2009

Economic Recovery Projects For Forest Health Protection

Washington, September 9, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for forest health protection projects.  These 78 projects will receive almost $89 million and are located on forested lands in 30 states. 

A listing of the forest health protection projects and information on other Forest Service ARRA projects can be found at: http://fs.usda.gov/recovery.

For a complete copy of the press release, see Projects.

Seattle, Washington, August 15, 2009 – Restoration and conservation are the goals that will guide management of the U.S. forest system under the Obama administration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday. 

In his first major policy address on the nation's forests at Seattle's Seward Park, Vilsack said:  "It is time for a change in the way we view and manage America's forestlands with an eye toward the future.  This will require a new approach that engages the American people and stakeholders in conserving and restoring both our national forests and our priately owned forests...  "

His address was short on specifics, but elicited a generally positive reaction from conservationsists and the timber industry -- groups that often find very little to agree on.

See the full story:  Vilsack's Goals

Seattle, Washington, August 14, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined his vision for the future of our nation's forests.  In his first major speech regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's

Forest Service, Vilsack set forth a new direction for conservation, management, and restoration of these natural treasures. 

"Our nation's forestlands, both public and private, are environmental and economic assets that are in critical need of restoration and conservation," said Vilsack.  "By using a collaborative management approach with a heavy focus on restoring these natural resources, we can make our forests more resilient to climate change, protect water resources, and improve forest health while creating jobs and opportunities."

See Vilsack's Vision for a copy of the article with links to the full transcript of the speech and Audio. 

Castle Rock, Washington, August 18, 2009 – When Mount St. Helens erupted nearly 30 years ago, it flattened more than 150 square miles of forest, spewed millions of tons of mud and debris, filled the sky with ash and left at least 57 people dead.  In the process, it also created an unusual outdoor laboratory where researchers have worked ever since to answer an increasingly urgent question:  How do landscapes recover after violent disturbance? 

But now the work is caught up in a debate over management of the mountain, designated after the eruption as the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.  Some say the 110,000 acre monument should be a national park.  Some say the Forest Service should manage it differently. 

For the full story, read Mount St. Helens..

America’s Horse, June 29, 2009 – The American Quarter Horse Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service recently signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on national land conservation projects.

The Forest Service is a federal agency dedicated to the management of National Forest System lands for a variety of uses and activities, including outdoor recreation. AQHA also wants to see the preservation of public lands for recreation, specifically equestrian activities.

By partnering together, AQHA and the Forest Service will actively promote public-private partnerships that encourage responsible use of federal lands by visitors participating in equestrian activities. Both organizations seek to disseminate information to the public regarding conservation, recreation and natural resource activities relating to equestrian and recreational stock use.

“By teaming with the Forest Service, AQHA is showing its commitment to trail conservation,” said Don Treadway Jr., AQHA executive vice president. “We are pleased to partner with the Forest Service in efforts to preserve trails for equestrians and all outdoor recreational enthusiasts.”  For the full story - click AQHA...

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Names New Chief

for the Forest Service

Tom Tidwell was selected as the new Chief for the Forest Service.  Tom has spent 32 years with the agency in a variety of positions.  He began his career on the Boise National Forest, and has since worked in eight different national forests, across three regions.  He also has extensive fire experience, beginning as a firefighter.  NFRA worked closely with Tom during his time in Region 5, and found him to be excellent to work with.  Several NFRA members participated in a pack trip with Tom to look at issues related to commercial pack and saddle stock use in the John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness Areas.  Tom was able to work cooperatively with people having interests on both sides of the issues.  For a copy of the press release, click here...

New Forest Ranger Selected for Santa Barbara District

Los Padres National Forest officials announced the selection of Douglas Dodge as its new Santa Barbara District Ranger.

Los Padres officials also select Sherry Tune to lead the Monterey District.  For more details, check LP Rangers...

Senator Max Baucus Introduces Legislation to Repeal FLREA

Senator Max Baucus from Montana, along with lead cosponsor Sanator Mike Crapo of Idaho, introduced the "Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2009."  The bill would revoke authority given to the Forest Service in 2004 to institute new fees and increase existing fees at campgrounds, trailheads, and other public areas.  For a copy of the Press Release announcing the legislation, click: Baucus Press Release. 

If you would like to see the complete text of the legislation, click: S.868.

February, 2009

GAO Reports to Congress on a Possible Move of the Forest Service into the Department of the Interior 

GAO (Government Accountability Office) was asked to report on the potential effects of moving the Forest Service into Interior and creating a new bureau equal to Interior's other bureaus, such as the Bureau of Land Management.  GAO was also asked to identify factors that should be considered if such a move were legislated and management practices that could facilitate a move.  GAO analyzed 5 historical proposals to reorganize federal land management agencies; interviewed USDA, Interior, and other officials and outside experts; and studied joint Forest Service-BLM programs to assess efforts to integrate the agencies' work.  (**  NFRA was one of the outside groups participating in an interview)

The report contains no recommendations, but provides decision makers with details on the potential effects of moving the Forest Service into Interior and factors that policymakers should consider in such a move.  Generally, the Forest Service and Interior agreed with the report, but Interior observed that a move would not necessarily diminish the Forest Service's state and private role. 

For a copy of the report - click GAO-09-223...

February, 2009           

Testimony of GAO Director on the Potential Effects and Factors to Consider in Moving the Forest Service into the Department of Interior 

This is the testimony before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives from GAO Director Robin Nazzaro regarding the report on moving the Forest Service into the Department of the Interior.  This testimony summarizes the findings of the GAO report.  For a copy of the testimony, click GAO-09-412T...

Forest Service Announces Changes in Executive Leadership Team

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2009 - - Hank Kashdan has been named associate chief for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Chief Abigail Kimbell announced today. Kashdan, who had been serving as deputy chief for business operations, will be the Forest Service's highest ranking executive after Kimbell.  For more, click here...

Volcano Committee Wrapping Up Its Work

Congressional Mount St. Helens Advisory Committee is scheduled to draft its recommendation for the Volcano's future - including who should manage the area.  A meeting is taking place this week.  Read the latest...