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Hearing Hearing Date: June 26, 2018 2:00 pm 2154 Rayburn HOB

Access to Public Lands: The Effects of Forest Service Road Closures

Subject
Access to Public Lands: The Effects of Forest Service Road Closures
Date
June 26, 2018
Time
2:00 pm
Place
2154 Rayburn HOB
PURPOSE:
  • To examine how Forest Service policies affect access to public lands, as well as the impacts of road closures on nearby communities.
BACKGROUND:
  • The Forest Service manages nearly 200 million acres of land across the United states, most of which is located in the West.
  • Congress directed the Forest Service to manage the land it administers for multiple use, including “recreation, livestock grazing, and wildlife and fish habitat.” Unfortunately, the Forest Service has closed roads and restricted access to public lands that should be open to the public.
  • The trend towards road closures and restricting access to Forest Service lands impacts local governments, small-town economies, and the way of life for many Americans who live near Forest Service land.
Witnesses and testimonies: The Honorable Kerry White

Representative
Montana House of Representatives

Document

Mr. Bill Harvey

Commission Chair
Baker County, Oregon

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Ms. Amy Granat

Managing Director
California Off-Road Vehicle Association

Document

Mr. Jim Furnish

Consulting Forester


Document