The National Association of Forest Service Retirees (NAFSR) have called the USDA Forest Service policies and procedures for forest health and wildland fire suppression unsustainable! They have offered up a 10-point plan of actions to clarify and improve the current fire policy situation. In abbreviated form, it calls for:
1. More active management of forests and grasslands;
2. Reduced fuel loading and more prescribed fire;
3. Review and learning from past big fires like Yellowstone, 1988;
4. Clarification of fire policies concerning when to implement aggressive initial attack;
5. Fire leadership adequate training;
6. “Hot” fire reviews and more accountability;
7. Pursue adequate fire suppression funding;
8. Ensure all USFS employees have a role in fire emergencies;
9. Develop more leadership succession planning to replace experienced retirees;
10. Streamline environmental planning and reduce legislative conflicts.
For years I have felt, personally and professionally that our public lands have become tied down in bureaucracy and unnecessary legislative silliness and environmental radicalism. I see this report from an esteemed membership as encouragement for a better future for our public lands -- if someone listens.
Read the whole report here: http://www.delalbright.com/nafsr position paper.pdf
Del
Del Albright
Director of Operations, BlueRibbon Coalition www.sharetrails.org
Founding Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon www.rubiconfriends.com
Environmental Affairs, CA4WDC www.cal4wheel.com
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