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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2016)
10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 Local USFS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Harvey also had a list of prepared questions for Montoya, and he read from that list: “Have members of your staff reviewed the Baker County Natural Resource Plan as required for your Line Officer?” Montoya said, “They have started that process, but I don’t think they have completed it.” Harvey continued: “Have members of your staff reviewed Baker County’s comments from August 2014, and have they made any efforts to address the inconsistencies with the Baker County Plan?” Montoya said, “They have reviewed the com- ments, and we’ve provided some of that today, to try and understand where you were coming from.” Harvey said that review- ing the NRP would have helped. Harvey continued: “No current or future plans within Baker County should be approved, with- out going through the full Coordination process with Baker County, to come to consistency with our Natural Resource Plan.” He said, “That’s all in the law.” Harvey continued: “In your Fall newsletter (newsletter-type updates are released periodically, followed by conference calls), you share examples of Forest Service staff recommendations on back- country areas, recommend- ed wilderness, wildlife corridors, and designated routes. Why have you not used Baker County’s recommendations for these issues?” Montoya said, “Because, that’s a Forest Service decision.” Harvey said, “Not com- pletely.” Montoya said, “It is.” Harvey continued: “Your newsletter also references the 2005 Travel Management Rule. This rule has been repealed, so why are you still referring to it as if it’s still in place?” Montoya said, “Not to my knowledge, it hasn’t (been repealed).” Harvey said, “It has.” Harvey continued: “In your briefing paper (which Harvey had, and displayed) referring to the Forest Plan Revision, it states the Subpart A process does not result in a decision, but the resulting report must be consistent with, and sup- port the objectives found in the relevant land and resource management plan. Who’s plan and who’s ob- jectives? This has not been done by coordinating with Baker County, as required by the Law of Coordina- tion. Why not, and, when will you?” Montoya said, “Subpart A was worked through the 1990 Plan...” Harvey continued: “Your briefing paper also states that, ‘Designation decisions are made locally, with public input, and in coordination with state, local, and tribal govern- ments.’ This also has not been done. Can we, as a County, expect that your agency will now work with Baker County on Supbart B, through the Coordination process, with Baker County, as the law requires?” Montoya said, “When we get to Subpart B, we plan to work with all of the counties.” Harvey continued: “The requirements of NEPA, Multiple-Use Sustained- Yield Act of 1960, and Travel Management, all state that they shall be developed through Coor- dination, and, since the Forest Plan Revision is so interconnected, this must also be developed through the coordination process, with Baker County, within our jurisdiction. “All of these require- ments support the stance that Baker County has taken: that this plan cannot move forward, without following the full coordi- nation process, as the law requires. “Will you, as an agency, suspend your timetable for completion of the Forest Plan Revision, and begin to work directly with Baker County in Coordina- tion, so that we, together, can bring a conclusion to this planning effort?” Montoya said, “I will say no, we will not suspend our process. We’re mov- ing forward with that pro- cess. We will work with you, and try to coordinate with the Resource Plan, but I, cannot, at this point, suspend that process. That process is actually the Regional Forester’s (Jim Pena) process.” Harvey said, “I under- stand that, but the law also requires consistency, and if you haven’t got consis- tency, how can you move forward?” Montoya said, “We’re trying to do that.” Books make great gifts for Christmas! Order any Black Lyon book through your local bookstore or Amazon.com—or visit www.BlackLyonPublishing.com HOLIDAY HIGH TEA December 10 and 17 OPERA PARTY December 13 and 20 CHRISTMAS FEAST Sunday, December 25 Reservations please. 541.523.1889 | Open daily 7a-9p
