FAIR

A Message from FAIR...

National forests, parks, and other public lands are the lifeblood for many Americans. They are where we connect to nature, exercise, and socialize. Access to these areas is why many people visit, move to, and stay in, rural communities like Bend, Oregon. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the forests, mountains, and rivers help define who we are as individuals and as a community. Recreation access sustains our rural economies and generates support for the conservation of our public lands.

We believe that access to public lands is a right that comes with responsibility. We must treat the land and those who use it with respect. At the same time, our access must be abridged only through processes that are legally, ethically, and scientifically sound.

Here in Central Oregon, we entrust this treasured resource to Deschutes National Forest employees, whom we pay to manage this public land. Through a Freedom of Information Act process, we have learned that the Deschutes NF is knowingly mis-using federal regulations to deny access. Forest Service staff themselves have called the restrictions inappropriate and a bluff. Moreover, the Forest Service has not followed basic principles of recreation management. We have worked with the Deschutes NF for the past 3+ years and raised these specific concerns in April. The Deschutes NF leadership has shrugged them off.

On the surface, this is about how one national forest restricts the access of one large and important group – dog owners. But we believe this disregard for the law and for good management also affects many others, on the Deschutes NF and on other public lands. If you care how your public lands are managed – how your rights to access those lands are restricted – then please take action.

More Information Coming Soon...

In the meantime, please click here for our first letter to the editor and click here for background on the legal foundation.

Send an email to the Forest Service (middle column), join us on Facebook (right column), or email us with your thoughts.

Take Action Now...

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Dear Chief Tidwell,

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I believe that access to our public lands should follow the law of the land.  The Forest Service appears to agree, with one of its guiding principles being: "We follow laws, regulations, executive direction, and congressional intent."

DogPAC has uncovered documents indicating that the Deschutes National Forest is knowingly mis-using federal regulations to deny access to public land.  The three local orders (DES-2003-003, -005, and -013) rely on 36 CFR 261.58(s), which clearly does not apply.  The Deschutes NF's chief law enforcement officer at the time the orders were developed stated: "In no case is 261.58(s) an appropriate regulation for managing domestic dog issues."  Another Forest Service employee called the restrictions a "bluff".

Access to national forests is important to us as individuals, to our rural economies, and to public support for the conservation of our public lands.  This access must be abridged only through processes that are legally, ethically, and scientifically sound.

I believe the Deschutes National Forest should follow the law and stop bluffing citizens.  Please let me know what steps you will take to address this injustice.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Information]

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Call the Forest Service...

Call Assistant Director Lorette Ray in the regional office. Ask her to ensure that the current restrictions are repealed and that future access decisions comply with the law and follow good management principles.
503.808.2251

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