Washington
DC Office
307 Dirksen Senate
Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-6441
Fax: 202-224-1724
Wyoming Office
P.O. Box 22201
Casper, WY 82602
307-261-6413
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Contact: Cameron Hardy
202-224-6441 |
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Thomas Backs USFS in Fight Over Forest Ruling
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October 18th, 2005 - WASHINGTON – In urging the USDA to fight a recent federal court ruling that would halt many public activities on the forest land, U.S. Senator Craig Thomas said he will fully back the agency in their efforts to overturn the California court ruling.
“I’m urging the Forest Service to appeal the ruling and battle it head on,” Thomas said. “The forest managers should know that there are many folks in Congress who will stand with them to provide the resources they need to knock the decision back down.
In a letter today to U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, Thomas urges the U.S. Forest Service to fight the ruling using every available avenue. The senator also requested a scope of impact analysis, so that people living near the forest will have know exactly what the potential impacts might be.
“Folks in Sundance, Upton, and Newcastle need to know that the forest near their home is going to be well managed,” Thomas said. “Whether it’s access to the forest for recreation or tree cutting permits, or just some assurance about fire mitigation practices – it’s important for people to know.”
“Forest Service officials need to have tools at their disposal to keep the land and the people who live nearby safe. Fire mitigation efforts reduce fire buildup near homes and a court shouldn’t be threatening those important duties.”
Thomas blasted the court ruling as “absurd,” last week saying that if a federal court had its way it would stop public rights on public lands – even so far as the permitting for Christmas trees in the Black Hills National Forest in Northeastern Wyoming.
Thomas is reviewing legislative options in the Senate, in case there is not a quick resolution to the problem created by the court.
“This is why courts shouldn’t be managing forests. I’m doing all in my power to get the administration to fight the District Court ruling in California that has put a stop to these important forest projects,” Thomas said.
“People of Wyoming understand that our public lands are meant for everyone to enjoy. Clearly a California court does not. The management of our vast national forests is already a tough job, without some court in California trying to make it more difficult.”
On Sept. 21, a federal judge in the Eastern District of California halted projects on Forest Service lands nationwide retroactive to July 2, mandating an appeal for each request for permitting. The court issued an order which clarified an earlier judgment from July 7, 2005 by saying that the July judgment would apply nationwide.
Click here to view Thomas' letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth.
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| 18th - |
current Press Release |
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