The Cibola National Forest (CNF) is Acting in Violation of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA)

The government proposal to log and burn nearly 17,000 acres for forest and watershed health while generating wood products, including biomass, was met with an official objection by a least 17 area residents and Forest Service officers.

The Tajique Project planned for the Cibola National Forest is only the third time the Forest Service has used the new Healthy Forest Restoration Act in New Mexico and residents contend it is being driven more by economics rather than ecological conditions. The Citizen’s Alternative presented to the Forest Service, was largely ignored. The citizen’s alternative called for greatly reduced thinning, 75% less, no new road construction, and local labor contracting only.

The government proposal to log and burn nearly 17,000 acres for forest and watershed health while generating wood products, including biomass, was met with an official objection by a least 17 area residents and Forest Service officers. The residents, joined by WildEarth Guardians, contend the logging and thinning will only cause increased fire hazard and water quality problems and the likelihood of catastrophic fire burning down homes is statistically very low. The coalition’s official objection was filed before the Wednesday deadline.

Read the Citizens' Objection 11/15/05 (PDF)

Objection by Reviewing Officer USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region It can be seen that the entire project area does not fall within any of the definitions of a wildland-urban interface area and therefore the project does not comply with Sec.101(1)(A)(i) of the HFRA. We recommend a re-evaluation of the criteria for a wildland/urban interface as it applies to this project. If criteria are not met, conduct a standard NEPA process outside the HFRA.

Read the Objection 11/15/05 (PDF)

Objection by Reviewing Officer USDA Forest Service, Region 3 The Forest Service action, proposing to implement a restoration project under the HFRA as described in the Final EIS for the Tajique Watershed Restoration Project, is arbitrary and capricious. The Agency’s action directly contravenes the HFRA, as discussed below. The USFS fails to consider a number of critical environmental factors and makes conclusory statements contrary to scientific statements.

Read the Objection 11/15/05 (PDF)


 

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