Senators urge Forest Service to extend comment period for proposed National Environmental Policy Act rule
A group of Democratic and Independent senators recently sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service urging officials to listen to the input of wildland firefighters and forest managers and extend the public comment period for its proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule.
“The proposed NEPA rule would impact management decisions on all 193 million acres of land in the National Forest System,” the senators wrote to U.S. Forest Service Chief Victoria Christiansen. “It is critical the public be provided ample time to thoroughly review and comment on a rule that would not only alter how the Forest Service manages our National Forests but significantly change one of our nation’s bedrock environmental laws.”
The senators said that Congress recently provided new authorities to streamline work progress in National Forests, but the proposed NEPA rule goes beyond these agreements and therefore requires thorough input and review from the public and those most impacted by the proposal. In their letter, the senators requested an additional 46 days for the public comment period.
“The additional time gives the public— particularly those on the ground managing our forests and fighting wildfires, conducting field studies of species or managing recreation businesses on these treasured lands during the summer months— the time they need to review and provide comment on a rule that could considerably change current management practices,” the senators wrote.
