GRANGEVILLE – Save Idaho County Forests is holding a free letter writing workshop to assist citizens with submitting comments to the United States Forest Service regarding the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange.
This letter writing workshop is set for this Saturday, February 11, noon to 4pm at the Grangeville Centennial Library located at 215 West North Street / corner of West North and College Street. Turn north at Radio Shack and you’ll see the library one block north on the North East corner.
Questions? Email Ray Payton at [email protected]
The Forest Service commenting period for the Supplement Draft Environmental Impact Statement known as Alternative F, ends February 15th. All comments by citizens must be postmarked by that date.
Idaho County Commissioners proposed a land swap of 45,000 acres of Idaho County public lands closest to Grangeville, Harpster, Lucile and Riggins Idaho in response to their opposition of the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange. To many Idaho County Citizens, the Commissioners failed to embrace the people and instead, took matters into their own hands that seems more like a strategy to jump from the frying pan into the fire.
Western Pacific Timber would become the private owners of this treasured public land if the swap – according to the Idaho County Commissioners proposed acre for acre exchange – were approved and became the official Record of Decision by Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell. An acre for acre exchange requires Congressional approval, and Commissioner Skip Brandt thinks he has that approval in the bag.
If you value public lands in the vicinity of Grangeville, Harpster, Lucile and Riggins Idaho, let your concerns be known. Stop at the Grangeville Centennial Library this Saturday so we can help you write and mail your comments to Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell, as well as Congressional representatives.
Your voice counts. Let us all join forces to fight together against the senseless looting of our treasured public wealth by deceptive land pirates like Timothy Blixseth, owner of Western Pacific Timber. Our Idaho County Commissioners propose to exchange our beautiful timbered lands known as Cove Road area, Fish Creek, Earthquake Basin, and The Island (west of slate creek down to Rapid River) which robs the Idaho Taxpayers of its public wealth in exchange for less valuable land in the Upper Lochsa Drainage.
The movement to stop the swap and save Idaho County Forests are composed of people who are NOT AGAINST LOGGING and who are NOT ENVIRONMENTALISTS. It is a movement composed of people across party lines who are collaborating together to fight this and many other land exchanges planned for Idaho.
I’ll be at the library this Saturday, volunteering to help citizens with their comments and letter writing. All stamps, paper and envelopes will be supplied.
See you then!
Sincerely
Mary Mangold
StopTheSwap.net
