“The decision will
not affect our ability to protect the national forest and adjacent communities
from wildland fires.” SBF Supervisor Jody Noiron.
Record
of Decision for
Land Management Plan Amendment
SAN BERNARDINO, CA, November 4, 2014 ___ Forest Service officials today announced the
signing of the Record of Decision for the San Bernardino National Forest Land
Management Plan (LMP) Amendment.
The Amendment to the Land Management Plan is
part of the Settlement Agreement approved January 3, 2011, in the case of
California Resources Agency, et al vs. United States Department of Agriculture,
and Center for Biological Diversity, et al vs. United States Department of
Agriculture, which challenged the San Bernardino National Forest 2006 Land
Management Plan.
The Record of Decision maintains the 18,200
acres currently zoned as Recommended Wilderness while re-zoning 10,000 acres as
Back Country Non-Motorized. The decision allows for continued fuels
treatments around communities to reduce the threat of wildland fires. The
amendment also maintains existing public motorized access, and does not amend
any permits or contracts.
“My decision brings a higher level of protection
to the additional acres, yet allows for continued public recreational use,”
said San Bernardino Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron. “The decision will not
affect our ability to protect the national forest and adjacent communities from
wildland fires.”
To view all documents please visit the Southern
California National Forests Land Management Plan Amendment webpage at: http://go.usa.gov/76Xz
For
additional information, contact Forest Resource Officer Mary Beth Najera at 909-382-2720.
About the U.S. Forest Service:
The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain
the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands
to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193
million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private
landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the
world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion
to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands
provide 20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at
$7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in
stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the
U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans
live. Learn more athttp://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf