Proposed rule signals uncertainty

Thank you for running the June 23 story highlighting the currently proposed U.S. Forest Service National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule (“Forest Service looks to streamline operations,” Lewiston Tribune).

The public involvement provisions of NEPA are critical to ensuring that communities get the opportunity to advocate for their surrounding natural environment – and the wildlife that depends on it. The proposed rule would be a sweeping blow to that civic engagement process, greatly reducing or completely eliminating public involvement and scientific review of new developments like clear-cutting.

Revising current Forest Service policy to allow for a categorical exclusion for commercial logging of up to 4,2000 acres could severely impact conservation efforts to preserve critical habitat and rebuild populations of imperiled bird species that depend on our national forests, such as the Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, and Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

This new rule would be a major step backward for our national forests and the wildlife they harbor, and should be rescinded.

Steve Holmer, Vice President of Policy, American Bird Conservancy

Washington, D.C.