California sues forest service
The State of California filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service Feb. 28 alleging that its forest management plans are illegal and harmful to four federally managed forests in California, including the Los Padres National Forest.
By Bill Lascher 03/06/2008
The State of California filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service Feb. 28 alleging that its forest management plans are illegal and harmful to four federally managed forests in California, including the Los Padres National Forest.
The Los Padres covers much of Northern Ventura County and is the second largest national forest in California.
The state’s case challenges plans for road construction and oil drilling leases in the forests, and was brought by Attorney General Jerry Brown and California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman.
Los Padres ForestWatch, a nonprofit watchdog organization, applauded Brown’s move.
“The revised forest plan favors development and resource extraction at the expense of our local backcountry,” said Jeff Kuyper, ForestWatch’s executive director in a press release. “We applaud the State of California for taking a firm stand against this administration’s assault on our public lands.”
The ForstWatch release claimed that the federal management plan would open up 94 percent of the 595,000 acre Los Padres Forest to roadbuilding activities, threatening scenery, wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities throughout the forest.
“The Los Padres National Forest is a haven for our region’s wildlife, providing unique and irreplaceable habitat for the California condor, steelhead, and other rare plants and animals,” said Kuyper. “It’s a place deserving of the highest levels of protection, and we’re hopeful that today’s action will restore a sense of balance to these ecologically critical lands.”
In the announcement of the case, the attorney general’s office said the four forests involved (in addition to the Los Padres they include the Angeles, Cleveland and San Bernardino national forests) provide habitat for 31 threatened and endangered animals as well as 29 plant species, and an additional 34 animal species and 134 plant species recognized as sensitive.
It also noted that the Los Padres is home to the California Condor, the state bird whose habitat is located in Ventura County’s Sespe Wilderness. The plans under scrutiny would allow drilling for oil and gas on 52,000 acres of land in or near the Los Padres and could threaten the condor habitat.
Brown said the Forest Service violated the National Forest Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, which required forest plans to be developed in coordination with state laws and policies. He also said the service ignored public comments and recommendations, including those from scientists.
The lawsuit is available on the attorney general’s Web site at ag.ca.gov.
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