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Stop pushing development next to Cleveland National Forest
Why am I not suprised to discover that the spokesman for the Center for Biological Diversity knows nothing about our County land use planning, very little about the new forest plan and is completely off base regarding habitat management. First, all private lands within the Cleveland National Forest have been for over 15 years designated one house per 40 acres. The new proposed General plan changes this to 40, 80 and 160 acre per house. The only exception are the village cores. The new Forest plan has closed most areas of the Forest to any motorize access, allows only administrative access on most routes and except for a couple of small areas, allows public access on but a few routes. The Forest has been shut down. How ironic that Hogan's primary tour of the Cleveland was through the vector he opposes most: a motorized vehicle. As far as vegitation management, he is correct on one point; Brush is not the enemy. The real enemy are the misguided groups and individuals who promote preservation management of the forest, claimimg that only "naturally started" fires have any positive impact to the vegitation and have promoted a failed system of management based not on promoting the flora and fauna but through "preservation" based soley on eliminating any and all of man's influences on the land. Since the time of the ancient Kumeyaay, Spainards, Vaqueros and turn of the century ranchers, man has managed these lands through purposely burning, thinning and harvesting the plants and animals, in general nurturing and caring for the land. It is only the late 20th century environmentalists who have promoted this scheme of non-impact and what a failure it has become. Hogan should drive through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to see the results of preservation management. The pine forest that has existed since time began has been virtually wiped out and is being replaced by chapparrel. The lack of fire has allowed bark beetles to infest these trees and what should have been nothing more than a quick healthy burn has incinerated the habitat and we have lost this forest forever. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park has been one of the most "preseved" managed lands in the entire State with no motorized use, no cutting or thining, no grazing, State designated wilderness and more. The Center for Biological Diversity is not a typical environmental group that orchestrates clean ups, habitat restorations or land aquisitions. They are more like the attorney who sues businesses for obscure ADA violations then reaps financial windfalls when the opposing party caves in to their demands. Let's hope the Forest Service stands up to these environmental bullies and defend the Forest Services multiple use guidlines.— July 26, 2008 11:46 a.m.