At an address given last Friday, August 14, 2009, at Seattle’s Seward Park, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack accomplished the rare feat of receiving a positive reaction to the administration’s goals for the management of the U.S. forest system from both conservationists and the timber industry.In his address, Secretary Vilsack announced that the dual goals of restoration and conservation will guide forest system management going forward. As Kim Murphy reports in her story for the Los Angeles Times, Vilsack told the crowd at Seward Park:
"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 privately owned forests. It is essential that we reconnect Americans across the nation with the natural resources and landscapes that sustain us."
Murphy reports that both conservationists and the timber industry were generally positive in their reactions to the plans. Charles Raines of the Sierra Club appreciated the “’all lands”’ approach the administration is taking as roughly 80% of US forest lands are outside “federal domain.” Additionally, Ann Forest Burns of the American Forest Resource Council stated, ‘"We're encouraged by his recognition that maintaining our milling and logging infrastructure is going to be important in maintaining the health of the forests[.]"’
Secretary Vilsack also announced two appeals decisions the Forest Service has reached. The Forest Service will not appeal the recent federal court decision that struck down Bush administration forest usage rules. Opponents of those rules maintain that they did not do enough to preserve wildlife. The government will file an appeal to maintain the 2001 development ban in some of the last remaining roadless wilderness areas.
To read the Los Angeles Times’ article on Vilsack’s announcement click here.
To read a previous United States Agriculture and Food Law on the federal court decision regarding roadless areas click here.
Secretary Vilsack also announced two appeals decisions the Forest Service has reached. The Forest Service will not appeal the recent federal court decision that struck down Bush administration forest usage rules. Opponents of those rules maintain that they did not do enough to preserve wildlife. The government will file an appeal to maintain the 2001 development ban in some of the last remaining roadless wilderness areas.
To read the Los Angeles Times’ article on Vilsack’s announcement click here.
To read a previous United States Agriculture and Food Law on the federal court decision regarding roadless areas click here.
Posted: 08/17/09
