The roads they were gonna "Keep Open" were state highways and county roads that had regular vehicular traffic because they went to another town, or to where people lived. They couldn't close those if they wanted to.
They were going to close all other roads.
I fought that battle in 2011...
The main difference between now, and when the Natl. Forests were actually managed well is not only depleted funds from fighting fires, but lawsuits from organizations like CBD and a dozen others that they pay off.
If the forest were allowed by the environmental terrorist groups to be managed properly, there would be FAR LESS fires to suck the money from the budgets. FAR LESS.
The forests are NOT being managed properly. The radical environmental groups see to it.
The next big difference is upper management to regional management. You used to have older folks with large amounts of common sense running things. Now, as they retire, you get college educated radical environmentalists running things to suit THEIR agenda.
I guess you're saying their "preferred alternative" leaving 3323 miles of road open was ALL state highway and county roads? All in one NF. That's a bunch.
According to the article, if they took no action 4604 miles of road would remain open, which by my calculations means there were only 1300 or so miles of what I'll call "real" forest roads coming off those county and state roads. Wow, your county and state sure had a big interest in getting through and around in that forest. Like 3/4 of all the roads in there were state/county "owned".
I don't know the whole story so I'll go with what you say for now. Just seems a bit implausible.
I'll agree that the forests ARE NOT being managed properly and that a major reason is the lawsuits, they tie up bunches of money, and impact the workers in that they have to be very careful in what they say, what they put in documents and emails, and what rules they might like to establish.
And for sure, the influx of new folks overtaking the old guard has had a major influence also, I saw the results in the USFWS.
Thanks again,
Geno
