Déjà Vu in the Blues: Why the Forest Service Is Repeating the Mistakes of the Past
- keepitopenfafa
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
The Forest Service has announced a new round of public meetings in July to gather input on the Preliminary Draft Forest Plan for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. At first glance, this may seem like a step forward in revising land management policies that date back to 1990. But for those of us who’ve been through this before, it’s a frustrating case of déjà vu — and an alarming signal that the agency has learned little from past failures.
Let’s not forget that in March 2019, then-Acting Deputy Chief Chris French directed the withdrawal of the prior Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision because it fundamentally failed to meet the standards of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Forest Service regulations, and the agency’s own planning directives. In his objection response, Mr. French pointed out that the previous plan lacked public trust, transparency, and collaboration — foundational elements that must guide any legitimate land management planning process.
Yet here we are again. Despite clear instructions to the contrary, Forest Service staff have now brought forward a Preliminary Draft Forest Plan that, by their own admission, recycles over 80% of the content from the very plan that was pulled back in 2019. This raises serious concerns about whether the agency is simply rebranding a failed plan and pushing it forward without meaningful revisions or genuine public engagement.
To make matters worse, the Forest Service is hosting public meetings during peak summer season, with short notice, minimal local outreach, and just days before the official comment window opens. This scheduling effectively sidelines the working families, ranchers, timber workers, and recreational users who rely on these lands for their livelihoods and quality of life.
The 2012 Planning Rule, under which this new revision is being conducted, demands collaboration, scientific integrity, and responsiveness to public input. The draft plan fails on all counts. Reusing outdated content, bypassing meaningful engagement, and front-loading decisions about wilderness, roadless areas, and motorized access directly contradict the principles of transparency and local accountability.
Forest Access For All (FAFA) calls on the Forest Service to halt this flawed process until it can assure the public that:
Since the Forest Service is not providing a copy of the Preliminary Draft Proposed Land Management Plan for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, we will make it available. This document was distributed in January 2025 to the Eastern Oregon and Southeastern Washington County Commissioners, Tribes, and at least one Environmental Non-Profit (all part of the Blue Mountains Intergovernmental Council). Click Here for the Draft Document ->
Forest Service staff have failed to incorporated feedback from local governments, Tribes, permittees, and citizens, dating back to 2012;
In our option these efforts do not comply with NEPA, the 2012 Planning Rule, and internal policy direction from Forest Service leadership.
If you care about your roads, your forests, your rights — this is your moment to speak up. The Forest Service needs to hear from the people who live, work, and recreate in the Blue Mountains. The future of our forests depends on it.
👉 Take Action:
Attend a public meeting
Submit your comments to: sm.fs.bluesforests@usda.gov
Share your concerns through the USDA Lawfare Complaint Portal: https://www.usda.gov/lawfare
This is our land. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
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