Senator Lee Heinrich
Idaho State Legislature
P.O. Box 1092
Cascade , Idaho 83611
Phone: (208) 382-3244 or Cell: (208) 271-6243
For Immediate Release : May 30, 2007
Cascade, Idaho : Senator Lee Heinrich respectfully requested at least a 30 day extension of the comment period for the Payette National Forest Travel Management Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The changes in this document from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to FEIS are significant.

"I am very concerned that it is now the Forest Service policy to determine that any road not depicted on the travel plan map is closed. This policy affects all National Forests." Senator Heinrich explained "Any decision, rule or regulation which designates a road closed unless it is placed on a map, denied the very basis of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)."

"It is my view that the people whose lives are directly affected by land management decisions and policies should be the people with the most to say in how our lands are managed" As Senator Heinrich has said before, "It is apparent that the one-size-fits-all, Washington, DC-based-approach has ignored local experience, input and impacts, and the fact that many of the access routes are used by local citizens for a variety of reasons".

The recreation community organized because roads and trails that have been used for generations are being closed. The state and counties depend on access to the public lands for economic benefit, recreation, and to provide emergency services.

These public lands comprise a very large percentage of the land, the need for balance and access necessitates genuine consideration. It is impossible to cross the state without crossing public lands. These routes are important to the people and economy of the state. We are talking about the very heart of the state. "I encourage everyone to get involved, review the travel planning documents and comment. That's the way locals stay involved," concluded Senator Heinrich.

 

If you have any thoughts about this or any other issue Senator Heinrich welcomes your comments. He can be contacted by email at lheinrich@senate.idaho.gov or by mail at Senator Lee Heinrich, Idaho State Legislature, State Capitol Building, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0081. Contact numbers during the legislative session are: 208-332-1000 or toll free 800-626-0471 and for the hearing impaired 800-626-0472, fax number 208-334-5397. After the legislative session Lee can be contacted at 208-382-3244 or mail to P.O. Box 1092, Cascade Idaho 83611.