Comment to the BTNF Environmental Assessment:
We identified procedural and legal failures in BTNF compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, which are ripe for appeal and subsequent litigation. Stubborn persistence for selling this land to the highest bidder will result in legal opinions that limit future legitimate use the enabling legislation.
Letter writing campaign:
We write personal letters to the folks who can make a difference:
- letters to decision-makers re: No one thinks this is a good idea–
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letters to decision-makers re: Bad Headlines–
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letters to every member of Congress re: We need your help–
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letters to other Public Interest Groups re: Please get involved–
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Newspaper ads and fliers:
and see our most recent ad in the JHN&G: Hello Washington
Advisory Committee request:
The Forest Service needs all the public participation it can get before it decides to sell its high-dollar land in downtown Jackson to commercial real estate developers. So we asked for an advisory committee pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to better inform decision-makers.
Our request for a formal advisory committee–DENIED without reason.
Therefore, citizens form their own ad hoc committee.
Engage Congressional Field Reps:
Funding for Forest Service construction must come from some other federal source, not selling our public assets. In order to educate our US Senators and Congresswoman, we have engaged their local field representatives.
Aullman, P. letter 12-8-09 / Bebout, R. letter 12-8-09
NEPA Stay Request:
The Forest Service refused to allow more time for citizens to participate.
- We requested a stay in its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning process (BTNF - NEPA stay letter 8-10-09).
- The Forest Service denied our request (BTNF – response 9-3-09).
- We submitted our request for reconsideration (BTNF – stay reconsideration letter 9-9-09) and published our concerns(Position Statement – stay of NEPA process (8-15-09).
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Our request for reconsideration–DENIED (BTNF – reply 9-17-09).
FOIA Request:
In order to better understand Forest Service rationale, we filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (BTNF – FOIA request 8-10-09).
- The Forest Service reported it was unable to process our request without additional information (BTNF – FOIA response 9-9-09).
- We filed addtional information in support of our fee waiver request (BTNF – FOIA reply 8-15-09).
- Now, we are in the process of shifting through boxes of documnets responsive to our request.
Nelson Site Plan defeated at Town Council & County Commission:
- In August, Forest Service planners sought approval for its plan to sprawl 26 more houses at the Putt-Putt trailhead (link pending);
- The Town Council & County Commission heard citizens concerns and demurred (link pending);
- Instead, they endorsed a resolution favoring a plan that “protects critical wildlife habitat”, and “uses the smallest footprint possible”;
- See joint resolution, as amended, approved by Town Council & County Commission, Oct. 5, 2009 at Resolution 10-5-09.
Prepare for litigation:
