Draft SNFPA Management Review and Recommendations

Community Impacts

Background

The Review Team was tasked by the Regional Forester to review the impacts on communities of the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment decision. These impacts are primarily economic in that many rural communities are dependant in large part on the output of goods and services from the National Forests in the Sierra. The economic contribution includes forest product outputs such as timber, and biomass (burned to produce energy). In addition, the broad arena of outdoor recreation provides entrepreneurial opportunity, and supports the local service sector. Grazing permits play an important role in maintaining viable ranching operations that support local economies and rural lifestyles and land uses as well.

During the review, it became apparent to the Team that resolution of several other key focus area issues (fuels, recreation, grazing) would possibly reduce adverse economic impacts to communities. The Team reviewed the administrative record of the SNFPA and the SNFPA appeal record. The Team also listened to local community perceptions to gain a first hand feel for local impacts.

The Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) worked with the Review Team to organize and schedule three public workshops/meetings to explore the relationship of the National Forests to the small rural communities scattered through out the mountain range. These events helped the Team develop an understanding of the SNFPA as seen from the perspective of people living and working in different areas of the Sierra Nevada. Federal, state, and local elected officials also participated. The events were located in Quincy, Sonora, and Nevada City.

The Team was impressed with the passion and commitment expressed by many people at these events. A common theme that seemed evident was a core value of conservation and use of this unique mountain range. While different people seemed to hold different opinions about appropriate levels of use, all voiced a common desire to ensure that the resources of the national forests are conserved to provide continuing benefit to current and future generations.

Another aspect that became apparent to the Team is that these rural communities are an integral part of a larger system that provides benefits of renewable natural resources to people, while also maintaining and protecting the land that produces them. Maintaining all of the parts of this system is vital to ensuring balance and integrity of the larger system and its other components, including the national forests.

USDA Forest Service · Pacific Southwest Region