Forest marks 100 years
Managers must balance interests of people, land
By Mike Lee, San Diego Union Tribune, June 29, 2008
When managers of the Cleveland National Forest tried to limit access at four sites last year to protect nesting raptors, rock climbers protested, saying they would be locked out of areas popular for their sport.
The strong opposition – some of it rallied from climbers across the country – surprised the U.S. Forest Service. Officials retreated and have yet to adopt a plan for balancing the interests of birds and climbers.
It’s the kind of conflict that has become increasingly common and intense as once-remote federal lands are besieged by growing numbers of users.
Besides climbers and wildlife advocates, the Forest Service must juggle demands from telecommunications companies, hunters and campers, utilities, off-road-vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, horse riders, neighbors and others. The forest offers attractions in every season, including winter snows that draw carloads of visitors to its mountains.
“We are getting pressure from all sides,” said Cleveland National Forest Supervisor Will Metz. “It’s so divisive and it’s so emotional.”
The forest marks its centennial Tuesday. Opinions vary about how those who manage its 438,000 acres of open space in San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties are performing.
Some users said officials are willing to work with them. Others said the managers lack commitment to helping endangered species rebound. Still others said the agency’s staff is ambivalent about making sure people can enjoy the public’s land.
Another compounding factor is population growth. About 10 million people live within an hour’s drive of the three districts that make up the Cleveland National Forest. … [more]