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.
