The Forest Service plans to submit a rule that would make it easier to explore oil and gas drilling, as well as mineral mining, in National Forests.
“It is in the national interest to promote clean and safe development of our Nation’s vast energy resources, while at the same time avoiding regulatory burdens that unnecessarily encumber energy production, constrain economic growth, and prevent job creation,” the rule notice reads.
“The intent of these potential changes would be to decrease permitting times by removing regulatory burdens that unnecessarily encumber energy production. These potential changes would promote domestic oil and gas production by allowing industry to begin production more quickly,” the notice reads
I assume that any such burdens are in place because someone thought they were “necessary,” and I hope there is a good discussion of why they are no longer so.
For mining,
“Increasing the consistency of the agencies’ procedures and rules would benefit persons who conduct locatable mineral operations on the public lands managed by the [Bureau of Land Management] as well as on National Forest System lands managed by the Forest Service,” the notice reads.
Interesting how they are not even paying the lip service that usually sounds like this: “while protecting the environment and other national forest uses.” I look forward to their analysis of effects on global warming.
An essay in SAF’s upcoming book “193 million acres” (publishes next month!) will explore the possibility of developing the vast un-tapped renewable energy resources on national forests.
“Interesting how they are not even paying the lip service that usually sounds like this: ‘while protecting the environment and other national forest uses.’”
Perpetual war will do that.
We need all our natural resources available for immediate extraction to fuel the coming world war over natural resources.
Climate change? Why bother; it wasn’t an issue when the 1872 Mining law was enacted. That wonderful law is still in effect.
As a former USFS forester I’m so fed up with what is too often, simply lip service paid to whatever NON-EXTRACTIVE resource value is being discussed that I may be ready for some fresh air.
Please, district ranger or forest supervisor stop smiling and telling me that you understand my concerns because, frankly I know that your sale volume target is all that matters to you and your boss!
Just tell me the truth; “bend over please and get ready to take it in the shorts again!”
I just got home from a collaborative group meeting where the interdisciplinary team members did their best to revamp their timber sale purpose and need statement, on the fly, to the latest version that will enable them to get hit the volume target their smiling district ranger is leaning on them to produce.
I’ve been around National Forest management since 1973 and I’ve eaten enough crap sandwiches as an agency forester, staffer for a special use permittee and interested citizen that I’m done screwing with the USFS. I was once proud to be part of the agency; now I think it’s time to walk away from the sorry mess that is now the USFS.
As for keeping our natural resources readily available some of the earlier commenters may want to consider “harvesting” all of the material that our society has buried in landfills during the past 50 years.
Here’s the USFS press release. Interesting data: “In fiscal year 2017, over $1.2 billion dollars’ worth of oil and gas were produced from National Forest System lands, resulting in payments to local, state and federal governments of approximately $145 million, creating significant value for many communities.”
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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: (202) 205-1134
Twitter: @forestservice
USDA Forest Service seeks public comment on improving management of mineral, oil, and gas resources
WASHINGTON, DC — Sept. 13, 2018 — Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service published Advance Notices announcing its plan to revise two parts of the agency’s locatable mineral regulations. The Forest Service seeks public comment on its work to improve outdated and inefficient regulations for locatable minerals and oil and gas resources on national forest lands.
“This is one of many efforts that our agency is undertaking to focus on our priority of regulatory reform,” said interim Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “Our goal is to make our processes as simple and efficient as possible while ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.”
In fiscal year 2017, over $1.2 billion dollars’ worth of oil and gas were produced from National Forest System lands, resulting in payments to local, state and federal governments of approximately $145 million, creating significant value for many communities. Outdated regulations are still a barrier however. For example, there is a backlog of nearly 2,000 pending Expressions of Interest in leasing oil and gas on about 2 million acres. Updated regulations and procedures are needed to ensure the Forest Service and stakeholders have an efficient process to support local economies and protect and conserve valuable environmental resources.
Locatable minerals produced from National Forest System lands are important for medical and infrastructure development as well as cars and common household items, including appliances, smart phones, and computers. Forest Service economists estimate that the revenue generated from mining locatable minerals topped $1 billion in 2016 and supported more than 1,500 direct and 5,500 indirect jobs.
“We want to strengthen communities and provide jobs,” said Christiansen. “At the same time, we are committed to protecting water supplies, supporting aquatic and wildlife habitat, and ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.”
The public has until October 15, 2018 to comment on two Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register. One notice addresses locatable minerals and the other oil and gas resources. Instructions about how to comment are included in the Federal Register notices online at the following links: Oil and gas resources; Locatable minerals.
For more information about the U.S. Forest Service visit http://www.fs.fed.us/.
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QUOTE: Here’s the USFS press release. Interesting data: “In fiscal year 2017, over $1.2 billion dollars’ worth of oil and gas were produced from National Forest System lands, resulting in payments to local, state and federal governments of approximately $145 million, creating significant value for many communities.”
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Why not, don’t even environmental groups also take large donations in the millions of dollars through anonymous donors which have turned out to be big oil & coal ???
“… At the same time, we are committed to protecting water supplies, supporting aquatic and wildlife habitat, and ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.”
There’s that lip service. The PR people had to do a little damage control. I don’t think they get involved in writing Federal Register Notices.