Category Archives: National Forests

National Forests

Rim Fire Recovery Project Announced

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Stanislaus Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski today announced the second phase of the Rim Fire recovery, Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will appear in the Federal Register December 6. The proposed action will include:

  • Salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction (29,648 aces).
  • Removal of hazard trees, salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction along Level 2 roads (369 miles).
  • Road reconstruction (327 miles) and road maintenance (164 miles) to ensure proper function to protect streams.
  • New road construction (approximately six miles) to allow for salvage removal and long-term access for future recovery activities.
  • Temporary road construction (22 miles) that will be decommissioned following completion of project activities.
  • Rock quarry sites (75 sites) to accommodate road needs.
  • Water sources (95 locations) for road reconstruction and maintenance as well as long-term resource needs.
  • Site Specific Forest Plan Amendments may be included.

Continue reading →

National Forests, National Parks

Record of Decision available for Mariposa Grove Plan

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Park Service (NPS) at Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the Record of Decision for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Final Environmental Impact Statement (Mariposa Grove Final EIS) was approved by the Regional Director on December 10, 2013. The Record of Decision (ROD) formally selects Alternative 2, South Entrance Hub for implementation. Alternative 2 was identified as the park’s Preferred Alternative in the October 2013 Mariposa Grove Final EIS. The Selected Action in the Record of Decision is substantially the same as described for Alternative 2 in the Final EIS.

Continue reading →

National Forests

National Park Service Draft Wildland Fire Strategic Plan

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Park Service has released the Draft Wildland Fire Strategic Plan, which describes what wildland fire management leaders consider the best course of action to meet the NPS mission, and how it can be effectively implemented.

The strategic goals and objectives contained in this plan articulate NPS’s best judgment of where to spend our time and attention to assure success. All levels of the NPS Wildland Fire Program will be involved in developing and maintaining a detailed implementation plan addressing the specific strategies and tactics to achieve the goals and objectives. Many components of this plan are multifaceted and complex. Therefore, prioritization of goals and objectives as well as the development of implementation strategies will require additional planning and commitment.

You can get a copy of the Draft Wildland Fire Strategic Plan HERE.

National Forests, National Parks

USFS plans to eliminate Day/Year Adventure Pass fees from some National Forest Areas

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yep, that means that you can visit some forest areas free of the $5 daily or $30 yearly Adventure Pass fees!  Hikers and off-roaders rejoice!

Or that may be just what they’re expecting us to do.

I will always look a gift horse in the mouth – especially if that gift horse is coming from a governmental agency.  The plan is called the “Federal Lands Recration Enhancement Act” – or REA.  When you walk around it and kick the tires, it seems like a good idea.  But when you look under the hood, there’s some hinky.  There’s ALWAYS some hinky.  Here’s a portion of what the REA says in their summary:

Continue reading →

National Forests, News

2 men plead guilty to cultivating pot in Sequoia forest

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

I firmly believe that cannabis has been unfairly demonized by those who seek to control it.  I also believe that the plant should be legalized and regulated, and that this is just an other example of what happens when criminals – rather than farmers – grow this crop.  our national forests get destroyed.

Cannabis is legal in California.  It should be grown legally.  One of the shining examples of how to grow and regulate the crop was Mendocino County’s zip-tie program.  No forest lands were destroyed or poisoned when that plan was implemented.

Continue reading →