Forest Service to host summer field trips for Travel Management

http://www.examiner.com/x-1197-Boomer-Biker-Examiner~y2009m6d2-Forest-Service-to-host-summer-field-trips-for-Travel-Management

The Mountain City, and Jarbidge & Ruby Mountains District Rangers (Elko, NV) announced today that they are planning six consecutive Saturday field trips, and are open to scheduling some additional field trips during the week if requested.
This series of field trips will concentrate on looking at roads and trails and discussing resource issues and public recreational travel needs as part of the ongoing Travel Management scoping process initiated back in January...

...One seasonal topic that may arise on these trips and that we would like to address is a concern that was discussed in Wednesday's commissioners meeting. The topic was closed roads and fire access. Elko County residents should know that the 2005 Travel Management Rule allows firefighters to travel on any road or cross country to respond to wildfires on the National Forest. The exception is Congressionally designated wilderness areas, which requires prior approval.
The public needs to know that the Forest Service will continue to suppress all human-caused wildfires to protect firefighters and provide for public safety. Fire emergencies allow agencies the use of a full complement of equipment and aircraft to manage the fire, including helicopters, fire engines, dozers, or retardant planes. The Forest Service and our inter-agency partners will work to keep wildfire away from structures and communities - using whatever equipment is available and necessary to get the job done...

"What a great way to gain input from the general public, enabling citizens who use the roads to offer comments and concerns on location."--aggie castronuevo

FORESTS: 'Lightning rod' undersecretary looks back without regrets

http://www.eenews.net/public/Greenwire/2009/01/20/12

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/05/06/06greenwire-career-conservationist-picked-to-oversee-fores-19116.html

Career conservationist picked to oversee Forest Service.
President Obama nominated a career Agriculture Department employee yesterday to a political post overseeing the Forest Service and farmland conservation programs.
If confirmed by the Senate, Homer Lee Wilkes -- currently the Mississippi state conservationist and a 28-year veteran of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) -- would be undersecretary for natural resources and environment. The post directs the Forest Service and conservation projects at NRCS.
The selection of a career NRCS employee for the job is a shift from the previous two administrations. Jim Lyons, who had worked on forestry issues on Capitol Hill and for the Society of American Foresters, held the post during the Clinton administration. A former timber lobbyist, Mark Rey, held the job in the Bush administration.

Invasive Species: Pepperweed

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/news/2009/04/pepperweed.shtml

This invasive plant is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. Accidently introduced around 1900 through a shipment of sugar beets, the plant is aggressively spreading throughout the west, including California.--aggie castronuevo