US Forest Service not obeying the law!
05-08-2015, 10:57 AM
#1
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: south eastern PA
Posts: 15,436
US Forest Service not obeying the law!
Ruffed Grouse Society
451 McCormick Rd
Coraopolis PA 15108
www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2015
RGS has filed a legal challenge to compel the Forest Service to follow the law.
Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) due to the agency’s consistent failure to provide the young forest habitats required by the ruffed grouse, American woodcock, golden-winged warbler and other game and nongame wildlife on national forests throughout the eastern United States.
“The failure of national forests in Regions 8 and 9 to meet even their own minimum goals for young forest habitats has contributed to substantial declines in the populations of game and nongame wildlife that depend upon these habitats.” said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger. According to Ryan Woody, an attorney representing RGS on the Petition from the firm of Matthiesen, Wickert and Lehrer, S.C., “The failure of the U.S. Forest Service to sustain young forest habitats sufficient to support viable populations of ruffed grouse and other wildlife that require these habitats on the Chattahoochee (GA), Hoosier (IN) and Sumter (SC) National Forests is a clear violation of regulations promulgated under the National Forest Management Act.”
On other national forests in the east, wildlife populations that thrive only in young forests continue to decline. For example, the Wayne National Forest in Ohio has established only 2 percent of the young forest acreage identified as a minimum goal in its forest plan. The Jefferson National Forest in Virginia has established only 12 percent of the young forest acreage identified as a minimum goal, while the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee has established only 13 percent.
“From the heart of ruffed grouse country in the Great Lakes region, to the historic covers of New England and the hills of the Appalachians, ruffed grouse and other wildlife of young forests have been poorly served by the Forest Service. RGS takes this step reluctantly, but has little alternative due to the Forest Service’s lack of response to our repeated efforts to work collaboratively,” continued Eichinger. “These deficiencies indicate a systemic problem that demands the attention of our most senior officials within the Forest Service.”
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Established in 1961, The Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife. RGS/AWS works with landowners and government agencies to develop critical habitat utilizing scientific management practices.
Information on RGS/AWS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.
Media Contact:
Matt Soberg
RGS/AWS Editor & Director of Communications
(218) 232-6227
[email protected]
451 McCormick Rd
Coraopolis PA 15108
www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2015
RGS has filed a legal challenge to compel the Forest Service to follow the law.
Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) due to the agency’s consistent failure to provide the young forest habitats required by the ruffed grouse, American woodcock, golden-winged warbler and other game and nongame wildlife on national forests throughout the eastern United States.
“The failure of national forests in Regions 8 and 9 to meet even their own minimum goals for young forest habitats has contributed to substantial declines in the populations of game and nongame wildlife that depend upon these habitats.” said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger. According to Ryan Woody, an attorney representing RGS on the Petition from the firm of Matthiesen, Wickert and Lehrer, S.C., “The failure of the U.S. Forest Service to sustain young forest habitats sufficient to support viable populations of ruffed grouse and other wildlife that require these habitats on the Chattahoochee (GA), Hoosier (IN) and Sumter (SC) National Forests is a clear violation of regulations promulgated under the National Forest Management Act.”
On other national forests in the east, wildlife populations that thrive only in young forests continue to decline. For example, the Wayne National Forest in Ohio has established only 2 percent of the young forest acreage identified as a minimum goal in its forest plan. The Jefferson National Forest in Virginia has established only 12 percent of the young forest acreage identified as a minimum goal, while the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee has established only 13 percent.
“From the heart of ruffed grouse country in the Great Lakes region, to the historic covers of New England and the hills of the Appalachians, ruffed grouse and other wildlife of young forests have been poorly served by the Forest Service. RGS takes this step reluctantly, but has little alternative due to the Forest Service’s lack of response to our repeated efforts to work collaboratively,” continued Eichinger. “These deficiencies indicate a systemic problem that demands the attention of our most senior officials within the Forest Service.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Established in 1961, The Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife. RGS/AWS works with landowners and government agencies to develop critical habitat utilizing scientific management practices.
Information on RGS/AWS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.
Media Contact:
Matt Soberg
RGS/AWS Editor & Director of Communications
(218) 232-6227
[email protected]
Last edited by Oldtimr; 05-10-2015 at 09:39 AM.
05-12-2015, 08:59 AM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SW Montana
Posts: 550
The US Forest Service was established to provide multi-use management of their Federal lands. The US Park Service was established to preserve natural wonders and national heritage sites.
In the last 30-40 years, more and more of the American public has pushed the Forest Service away from multi-use management and more into preservation. Many Forest Service rule making managers have also changed from people who were actually educated, trained, and worked in multi-use to people being hired for political correctness and workforce diversity. Many of these people spend most of their time in their offices, and don't have a clue as to what is really happening out in the forest.
In the last 30-40 years, more and more of the American public has pushed the Forest Service away from multi-use management and more into preservation. Many Forest Service rule making managers have also changed from people who were actually educated, trained, and worked in multi-use to people being hired for political correctness and workforce diversity. Many of these people spend most of their time in their offices, and don't have a clue as to what is really happening out in the forest.
05-14-2015, 04:55 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,952
Yep, he's right. Forest service land has not been managed for wildlife around here for quite sometime. When I've talked with them, I get a definite anti-hunting vibe. I hope the law suit brings about some positive change. But....
ATB
ATB
05-15-2015, 04:17 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,952
