Forest Service Proposes Revising NEPA Process

Letter sent to nepa-procedures-revision@fs.fed.us

Thank you for considering my comments regarding revision of the NEPA process. 

https://www.fs.fed.us/news/releases/forest-service-seeks-comment-work-increase-efficiency-national-environmental-policy

First and foremost: the NEPA process doesn't work when you have renegade forest rangers who deliberately exclude the public from the process altogether.

Such as the Payette National Forest closing Sugar Creek Road without holding a single public comment period required by NEPA and other federal laws, before unilaterally declaring it closed, gating it, and obliterating large portions thereof.

Formal Letter to Senator Mike Crapo - Congressional Investigation Request

Formal Letter to Senator Mike Crapo - Congressional Investigation Request To: The Honorable Senator Mike Crapo From: Scott Amos XXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXX Senator Crapo, I and those cc'd (or bc...

Senator Mike Crapo intervened after Valley County successfully sued the Payette National Forest for violating federal laws. Crapo helped institute a Collaborative. 

Payette National Forest management initially agreed to adhere to the Collaborative,  but then went back to destroying roads before the Collaborative even had time to review them.

Showing the world that the Payette National Forest is not interested in serving the public. Only their agenda for locking it all up to watch it all burn. 

That is why I have joined 12 members of the Collaborative and dozens other community members in calling for a congressional investigation into the Payette National Forest management and their lawless behavior, disdain for public interests.

Sincerely, 

Scott Amos 

208.297.0634

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

----- Forwarded Message -----

To:

The Honorable Senator Mike Crapo 

From:

Scott Amos 

208.297.0634

Senator Crapo, 

I and those cc'd (or bcc'd) would like to thank you for your continued efforts regarding issues involving the leadership of the Payette National Forest. 

The Collaborative you helped institute was a positive step forward in what has always been a confrontational relationship between the Payette National Forest and Valley County, plus the communities encompassed therein. 

However, it has come to my attention that the Payette National Forest leadership has abused the trust of the Collaborative, and has not been adhering to guidelines which they initially agreed to.

Furthermore, a lawsuit ending in 2014 against the Payette National Forest by Valley County and concerned members of the community found that the Payette National Forest blatantly violated NEPA and other federal laws. 

The lawsuit was ended on the terms that the Payette National Forest would follow NEPA, and assign Cooperative Agency Status to Valley County. 

The Payette National Forest went back on promises they made, by destroying Sugar Creek Road and other RS-2477 rights of way  without any opportunity for public scoping comments from either the Collaborative or members of the affected community. 

The attached letter is a formal response to the blame-game letter Payette National Forest Supervisor Keith Lannom sent you back in September. 

I believe that the actions of Keith Lannom and Anthony Botello warrant further investigation by the Office of Inspector General and Office of Special Counsel, in that the aforementioned were made aware of their actions exceeding the authority granted to the Forest Service by Congress. Especially since a federal court declared such. Which has not stopped unlawful road closures by the Payette National Forest. 

I would like to formally request that a Congressional investigation be instituted into the lawless conduct of Payette National Forest Supervisor Keith Lannom, and Krassel District Ranger Anthony Botello.

Thank you again for your time and efforts regarding this matter.

Please accept this email as my electronic signature. I will be mailing or hand delivering a paper copy to your office in the coming days.

Scott Amos 

208.297.0634

P.S.: I formally request that any responses to this letter also be sent to Valley County Commissioner Gordon Cruickshank and those listed as cc'd in the attached letter.