Letter to the U.S. Forest Service

Letter

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Vice-Chairman of the House Western Caucus, is asking the U.S. Forest Service for more time for the people of Wyoming and other stakeholders to comment on the National Planning Rule. Local Forest Service officials will use the National Planning Rule in the development of their respective forest management plans.

"The outcome of the National Planning Rule will have far-reaching impacts on millions of forest users and local communities for years to come. The rule proposal is long, and complicated, and will drastically influence how forests are managed. Additional time is needed to ensure that stakeholders are able to read and adequately consider the proposal itself, and the 112-page Scientific Review of the proposal, which was released well into the comment period. Given the intense interest in the National Planning Rule and the complexity of the rule, I strongly urge the Forest Service to consider an extension of the comment period to ensure all stakeholders have the opportunity to add their valuable insight. I also encourage the people of Wyoming and all who will feel the impact of the rule to carefully consider and share their important views on this proposal which will have extensive significance for the future of multiple use for years to come."

Unless the Forest Service agrees to the requested extension, the comment period for the proposed planning rule comes to a close on May 16, 2011. Comments can be submitted on the US Forest Service website: http://www.fs.fed.us/.

The text of the bi-partisan letter, signed by sixteen House colleagues, follows:

May 12, 2011

The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack

Secretary

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

We are writing to request that the Forest Service extend by 30 days the comment period on the national planning rule from May 16 to June 16, 2011. It is our view that the alternatives to the proposed planning rule are sufficiently complex and far-reaching to merit an extension.

The rule will impact the management of 193 million acres on 155 national forests. No matter its outcome, the decisions made in this rule will have far-reaching impacts on millions of forest users for years to come. In 35 forums held across the country, over 3000 concerned citizens attended and voiced their opinions. Further, the Forest Service has already received some 26,000 comments. While these numbers clearly demonstrate the intense public interest in the planning rule and its outcome, we believe that an extension will permit all those affected by the proposed rule the additional time necessary to more thoroughly digest the document and provide meaningful feedback to the Forest Service.

It is also important to note that the Forest Service released the accompanying 112-page Scientific Review for public comment on April 27, 2011, after the comment period for the planning rule itself was well underway. An extension would permit the public extra time to carefully consider and respond to this document.

The Forest Service is currently engaged in no other activity of this magnitude. The ramifications on the multiple-use of our forest lands as proposed in the planning rule are likely sweeping and potentially drastic. In light of past Forest Service efforts to implement a planning rule that failed to withstand public and judicial scrutiny, it is imperative that the current effort provide every possible avenue for public collaboration and comment.

Thank you for your time and attention to our request. We look forward to your expeditious reply.

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