USFS potential campground closures

USFS to study public input on potential campground closures
BY DAN BERMAN, E&E NEWS PM, 01/26/07

In response to negative media attention and congressional inquiries, the Forest Service today announced it would take two months to review and improve public participation in studies to determine whether or not to close campgrounds and recreation sites nationwide.

A national review team will study the public participation in the Forest Service's ongoing Recreation Site Facility Master Planning process, Forest Service Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop told reporters today.

"During the last few months, some of the preliminary results have received media attention," Holtrop said. "Questions have been raised about the level of public involvement."

In November, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) asked the Northern Regional forester to hold public hearings throughout Montana on plans to close campgrounds (Land Letter, Nov. 30, 2006). The regional chief, Gail Kimbell, is scheduled to take over as the new Forest Service chief early next month.

The assessment process is designed to determine the fate of thousands of campgrounds, picnic areas and other recreation facilities in national forests, something critics say will lead to the closure of smaller, less-visited areas that may not be seen as profitable.

Holtrop said there is no cost-savings target for the program and maintained the agency is attempting to better understand visitor needs. "This process is an analysis process to help us recognize what the public needs and desires," Holtrop said.

A decisionmaking process will utilize the National Environmental Policy Act, he said. NEPA does not guarantee public involvement as the Forest Service has increased the use of categorical exclusions in recent years.

The review team, headed by Pacific Southwest Deputy Regional Forester Beth Pendleton, will deliver its findings by April 2, and final decisions on closures will not occur until the planning process is complete.