The Conservation Alternative
The Conservation Alternative Story
(2019-present)
Why the MLNF Needs to Produce a Supplemental Draft EIS
2019
Since 2019, several non-governmental conservation organizations have been contributing to the development of a Conservation Alternative to the Manti-La Sal NF (MLNF) initial draft plan. It is a comprehensive vision of how the Manti-La Sal NF could be managed and cared for by the Forest Service and users in the coming 10-15 years.
2020-2021
The Manti-La Sal NF (MLNF) posted a draft plan to the public on October 1, 2020, and almost a year later, on August 24, 2021, initiated a 60-day public scoping period on that plan, during which we submitted the Conservation Alternative for inclusion in the Draft EIS. At the same time, we submitted proposals for Wilderness, Wild & Scenic River segments, two additional Species of Conservation Concern (Western Bumblebee and Pinyon Jay), and establishment of four special areas.
2022
On August 17, we submitted a Revised Conservation Alternative. No substantive changes were made, but only slight formatting edits to conform to USFS wording regulations.
2023
The Forest released a Draft MLNF Management Plan (i.e., Alternative B in the Draft EIS) and Draft EIS for the forest plan. Without citing any specific reasons or examples, the DEIS excluded the Conservation Alternative from public comment as an alternative. The MLNF roposed its Management Plan as “Alternative B” and offered alternatives for less than 10% of those provisions. In other words, more than 90% of the plan for management of this entire national forest has now been set at the Draft EIS stage, with no options for the public.
Compared to the MLNF proposed Management Plan the Conservation Alternative places greater emphasis on the following:
Reasonable sideboards (objectives, standards, and guidelines) on how the forest will manage the MLNF and the public will use the forest’s natural resources.
Conserving MLNF’s native species and habitats over heavy commercial extraction and recreational pressure.
Including Tribal perspectives and proposals in planning and management of the entire MLNF.
Making key commitments to public evidence and input throughout the life of the plan
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