Sen. John Barrasso - Ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Sen. John Barrasso - Ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), has expressed concerns regarding the U.S. Forest Service's (U.S.F.S.) old growth amendment proposal, which is being drafted without state and local input.
In December 2023, the U.S. Forest Service released a Notice of Intent proposing to amend 128 land management plans for units of the National Forest System to include “consistent direction” on old-growth forest conditions. According to Barrasso, this approach undermines Wyoming’s role in forest management and could harm forest health while increasing wildfire risk across millions of acres of federal land.
Senator Barrasso raised these concerns during a full committee hearing on May 16, 2024. "This old growth amendment proposal seemingly abandons U.S. Forest Service policy when it comes to public input, transparency, local knowledge, and the importance of locally-led decisions," wrote Senator Barrasso. "Responses from the U.S. Forest Service have lacked detail and have yet to provide meaningful opportunities for engagement."
In his letter to U.S.F.S. Chief Randy Moore, Barrasso emphasized significant concerns with amending 128 land management plans through a single Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). He highlighted that this top-down approach undermines Wyoming's state and county roles and violates the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219).
The 2012 Planning Rule mandates that responsible officials engage the public—including Tribes, other Federal agencies, State and local governments—early and throughout the planning process. However, Barrasso claims that this requirement is not being met in the current proposal.
State and local government agencies in Wyoming have requested cooperating agency status and sought more information on engaging as the EIS process moves forward. Responses from the U.S.F.S., according to Barrasso, have been lacking in detail and failed to provide meaningful engagement opportunities.
Barrasso also noted that during Chief Moore's appearance before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 16, 2024, he did not answer questions about whether Carbon and Johnson Counties would be granted cooperator agency status.
To address these issues, Barrasso has requested written responses from the U.S.F.S. by June 14, 2024:
1. How has the U.S.F.S engaged State and local governments in Wyoming in developing the EIS?
2. Provide all documents and communications between December 20, 2023 to present between U.S.F.S. and State/local government officials in Wyoming.
3. Which State/local government agencies have been granted cooperating agency status in developing the EIS?
4. Has a cooperating agency meeting been proposed? If yes, provide details.
5. Will cooperating agencies be able to give input on developing the EIS?
6. Will cooperating agencies' information relevant to the EIS be included?
7. Does U.S.F.S believe existing land management plans in Wyoming do not adequately address old growth management?
8. How will this process impact ongoing land management plan revisions for three national forests in Wyoming?
9. Provide guidance given to national forests undergoing plan revision.
Barrasso emphasized urgency due to an expedited timeline for releasing the EIS.
Sincerely,
John Barrasso
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