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Appeals to national forest plan continue to grow

By MERRILL GONZALEZ Era Reporter

Appeals to the Allegheny National Forest’s forest plan continue to grow in number as Warren County Commissioner John Bortz has announced that he sent in an appeal.

Published reports say Bortz filed the appeal on his own, without the two other commissioners he works beside.

The report said Bortz’ appeal revolves around the procedure the Forest Service administration followed in drafting the plan and not giving public officials the opportunity to provide more input until late in the revision process.

Bortz is reported to have said revision of the plan started in the late 1990s, but county commissioner meetings were not held until 2005.

An appeal made by Allegheny Forest Alliance Executive Director Jack Hedlund last week suggested the same type of complaint among others.

A need for change was initiated by the Forest Service in 1997. The record of decision for the final environmental impact statement provided by the forest service suggests that more than 600 comments were received at that time.

Three issues were identified from the need for change comments including recreation, vegetation management and habitat diversity.

Allegheny National Forest Public Affairs Officer Steve Miller explained Tuesday that those issues identified were what the public and the forest service saw as areas needing a closer look while the forest service developed the final plan.

Hedlund said Tuesday that had the forest service met with local oil and gas companies, municipal leaders and other large groups affected by the final plan they might have been concerned with other issues than those mentioned.

Bortz told reporters the fact that the Forest Service did not provide “early and frequent opportunities for input” suggests the plan is “fundamentally flawed.”

According to reports, Bortz said the agency ended up adopting a plan a plan that “leaves Warren County hamstrung” when it comes to recreational development.

Bortz in the past has been very vocal about making sure the possibility of a resort in the Kinzua Beach area remained an option during forest plan revision.

In order for a resort to be considered in that area, a developer needs to approach forest officials with their intentions.

To date, no developer has approached the Forest Service.

Other groups filing appeals to the forest plan include the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and a collective group of Allegheny Defense Project, Heartwood, Tionesta Valley Snowmobile Club and five individuals through the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Environmental Law Clinic.

There may be additional appeals filed, but that number is not yet known.

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