Avalanche of hostility over environmental analysis re-do

If you didn’t know any better, you might think you walked in on an angry game of dodgeball between Plumas National Forest officials and local residents last week in Quincy. However, it was really a townhall meeting in the Mineral Building on the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds stemming from a 2013 court settlement between the U.S. Forest Service and Snowlands Network, Winter Wildlands Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity. A condition of that settlement requires the Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region to re-do an environmental analysis of over-snow vehicle use under the National Environmental Policy Act. The study will result in the designation of National Forest System roads, trails and areas for over-snow vehicle use with minimal impact to natural resources. “The previous analysis we did was found to be inadequate,” said Bart Lander, a Forest Service environmental coordinator. “It’s unfortunate we didn’t do an adequate job the first time.” Five national forests are impacted by the agreement: Eldorado, Tahoe, Stanislaus, Lassen and Plumas. Area residents are concerned this may take its toll on winter recreation and industries including snowmobiling, downhill and cross-country skiing, trails, grooming, tourism and more. Before the $1 million “enterprise phase” of the second analysis gets underway, Forest Service officials told the standing-room-only crowd they needed public input. “The need is for you guys to better do your jobs,” countered area resident Gordon Hardgrave. “Why are we spending a bunch of money to re-do an analysis we’ve already done?” asked Kyle Felker, of Quincy. “Another nail in the coffin affecting our economic development,” added Portola Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Gault. As officials explained, apologized and pledged to do better, they were often booed, heckled, subjected to name-calling and made targets of offensive language. “This is probably the most contentious (project) I’ve worked on and I’ve been doing this for 12 years,” said Lander. “Most of my colleagues do five in a career; I’m doing five all at once. We can only do the best job we can.” Four of the five national forests have already hosted townhall meetings on the issue. Tahoe National Forest representatives say they will schedule similar meetings after the NEPA process begins next month.  Source