BOISE, Idaho -- U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell is optimistic the agency's new planning procedures will lead to needed restoration and protection of soil, water and wildlife habitat while also reducing appeals and lawsuits.
Tidwell visits Boise Monday at the invitation of Sen. Mike Crapo and plans to discuss the proposed rules that were unveiled earlier this month and expected to become final in March. The rules outline procedures individual forests must use when updating their guiding documents known as forest plans. The new rules have been criticized both for being too lenient and too strict in the approach they take to protecting biological diversity.
Some environmental groups say the rules move away from strict mandates to protect rare and sensitive species and some industry groups say the rules greatly expand the types of species and habitats the agency must protect.
Tidwell said Friday the new rules direct forest managers to provide habitat for a broad range of species and when science shows a particular species needs extra attention special guidelines will be established. For example, he said forests plans would generally make sure birds that build nests in the cavities of dead trees have enough habitat. But in some cases a particular bird may need more help.
"We may have to provide additional snags so we would put a guideline in place to ensure X number of snags to assure that species has the habitat to continue to exist."
However he said the extra help would be based on the best available science.
"Right now anyone can bring forward a question about a species and we have to respond even at times when there is no science to back it up," he said. "Not only is it better for wildlife, it will reduce some of the process."
Tidwell said the use of collaboration to craft forest plans, as dictated by the new rules, will expose conflicts at the front end of the process and eventually lead to more buy-in from all user groups at the back end. He said that has been the agency's experience with collaborative processes such as the one being used on the Nez Perce-Clearwater forest.
"We are seeing there is stronger support for the work that needs to be done. There is a greater understanding of the restoration work," he said. "We are seeing fewer appeals and fewer lawsuits. The result is more restoration, more jobs."
On another topic, Tidwell said he understands the angst many members of the public have over the proposed Upper Lochsa Land Exchange, but he also said he has heard broad support for the agency's desire to acquire nearly 40,000 acres of private timber land. He acknowledged people are reluctant to give up any public land.
"The bottom line is any land exchange has to benefit the public," he said. "There just has to be a clear benefit to the public so we have to address those concerns to see what would be the best alternative or what would be the best mix of alternatives to address the opportunity to acquire these lands."
Barker may be contacted at ebarkerlmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273.
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