USFS plans to give access to "Village" development

The Forest Service intends to give the Village at Wolf Creek road access: The Rio Grande National Forest announced its intention on July 19 to circumvent a federal court ruling that invalidated prior approvals for the controversial Village at Wolf Creek real estate development. As you know, a Colorado federal district court set aside the Forest Service's approval of a land exchange to facilitate the development in May of last year. "The Forest Service cannot abdicate its responsibility to protect the forest by making an attempt at an artful dodge," the court declared. Now, the Forest Service hopes to use the same artfully dodged analysis, previously deemed in violation of multiple federal laws, to approve a different means of providing the developers access. "We anticipated backroom pressure to bend to the billionaire's demands, hence over 2,300 people recently contacted Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor Dan Dallas encouraging him to stand up for the public interest," said Tehri Parker, Executive Director. "We are disappointed he chose the wishes of a Texas developer over local forest protection advocates." Read our full press release about this revelation: http://www.friendsofwolfcreek.org/press-release-conservation-advocates-promise-continued-scrutiny-of-village-at-wolf-creek-vow-to-challenge-latest-attempt-to-avoid-public-review/ The Forest Service is limiting objections: The Forest Service is also trying to severely limit who can comment on this action by limiting objections to those who "previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or comments on the draft EIS" in 2012. If you did comment during the scoping or comment periods on the draft EIS in 2012, you can submit an objection here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=35945 We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to comment on changes to their public lands. What we are doing and what you can do: We have already filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to see how the Forest Service came to their decision. We will share what we find. Our legal team is also preparing an objection to the decision. Even though the Forest Service has said that it will not consider objections from those who did not comment during the scoping and comment periods, we are encouraging you to object anyway. Our partners at San Juan Citizens Alliance are working to put together talking points for your comments, which we will send out as soon as they are ready. Our partners at Rocky Mountain Wild will be arranging at least one comment writing party to help people who need help forming their objections. News articles: "Forest Service gives Village at Wolf Creek road access" The Durango Herald, July 19: https://durangoherald.com/articles/232567-forest-service-gives-village-at-wolf-creek-road-access "Draft Forest Service Decision Once Again Designates 'Village' Access Atop Wolf Creek Pass" Pagosa Daily Post, July 20: http://pagosadailypost.com/2018/07/20/draft-forest-service-decision-once-again-designates-village-access-atop-wolf-creek-pass/ "New leadership at EPA, same rollbacks" The Durango Herald, July 21: https://durangoherald.com/articles/232843 Thank you for supporting the fight to keep Wolf Creek Pass wild! Stay tuned for further action. #NoPillage