1997, California. Fueled by closures like the 1994 Desert Protection Act (8 million acres of CA) and the loss of access to all types of outdoor sports, a small group was formed to orchestrate a better future for CA outdoors—the Resource Education Network, facilitated by Del Albright, CA4WDC, and others.
REN was formed to educate the public and elected officials in California about outdoor recreation needs and opportunities. Communication (education) was a primary goal, with proactive planning and action as the outcomes.
Original founding member groups included 4wheel drive, quail hunters, archers, ATV riders, off-road.com, dirt bikers, hunters, and tourism directors. Some founding members included: Del Albright, Don Amador, Ron Schiller, Karen Ward, J.Rod McGinnis, Mike Ahrens, Dave Marx, Dick Haldeman, Liz Arnold, Wayne Roupe and Pat Davidson.
Named groups included: CA4WDC, BlueRibbon Coalition, Calif. Wildlife Federation, Land Use Network, Safari Club International, People for the West, Calif. Forestry Assoc., Mammoth Town Council, AMA Dist. 37, Quail Unlimited, Tri-County Houndsmen, United Anglers, Calif. Bowmen Hunters, Chambers of Commerce, Eastern High Sierra Packers Assoc., Mammoth Lakes Snowmobile Assoc., High Desert Multiple Use Coalition, American Rights Coalition, Calif. Outdoor Enthusiast Coalition, and the Calif. Sportsmen's Lobby.
REN included the original SAMS Coalition -- Sierra Nevada Access, Multiple-Use & Stewardship Coalition based in Lakeshore, CA, with dozens of member groups in their ranks.
By 1999, REN transitioned to dealing solely with the Sierra Nevada Framework, a Forest Planning process that resulted in the 2004 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment.
The Sierra Nevada Framework, officially known as the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA), was a comprehensive effort initiated by the U.S. Forest Service in the late 1990s to address environmental and resource management challenges across 11.5 million acres of national forest land in California's Sierra Nevada region. The process culminated in the adoption of the Record of Decision (ROD) in January 2001.​
Key Historical Highlights:
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1992: The publication of the California Spotted Owl Technical Report highlighted the need to shift forest management practices from clear-cutting to the protection of owl nesting areas, large trees, and canopy cover. ​
1995: The Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project (SNEP) was commissioned by Congress to conduct a scientific assessment of the Sierra Nevada's ecological conditions, providing a foundation for future management strategies.​
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1999: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment was released, outlining proposed changes to forest management practices aimed at balancing ecological health with human uses. ​
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2001: The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the accompanying Record of Decision (ROD) were issued, establishing new management directives focused on:​ Protecting old forest ecosystems and associated species, including designating key core areas for the California spotted owl and Northern goshawk; Implementing measures to reduce wildfire risks through strategic fuels management; and Enhancing aquatic, riparian, and meadow ecosystems.
The development of the Sierra Nevada Framework involved extensive public participation. Over 60 public meetings were held before the draft EIS, and an additional 60 meetings were held between the draft and final plans. ​
In 2004, the Forest Service revised the 2001 Framework, leading to legal challenges from various environmental organizations. These disputes were eventually settled in October 2014, ending 13 years of disagreements over land management directions. ​
The Sierra Nevada Framework represents a significant shift in forest management philosophy, emphasizing ecosystem health and species protection alongside traditional resource uses.
(Author's Note: These things change with the tide - and Administrations. So always stay tuned in and engaged with your favorite organizations to ensure your voice is heard).
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October 21, 1997 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS/MEMBERS OF REN:
Ahrens, Mike - CA4WDA
Albright, Del - Land Use Network
Amador, Don - BlueRibbon Coalition
Anderson, Dennis - Safari Club International
Arnold, Liz - People for the West
Bischel, Dave - Calif. Forestry Association
Cage, Kathy - Mammoth Town Council
Campbell, Barbara - Sierra Nevada Dog Drivers
Conner, Don - Calif. Wildlife Federation
Counts, Jerry - AMA Dist. 37
Davison, Pat - People for the West
Fuller, Tracy - Town of Mammoth Lakes
Haldeman, Richard - Quail Unlimited
Hollingsworth, Dennis - Riverside County
Hunt, Natasha - Tri County Houndsmen
Inwood, Ed - Calif. Wildlife Federation
Landowski, Lowell - CA State Parks OHV
Lingle, Ralph - San Luis Obispo
Majourau, Richard - United Anglers
Marx, David - Cyber Force, Burney, CA
McGinnis, Catherine - CA Bowmen Hunters
McGinnis, J.Rod - Safari Club International
McMullen, Ralph - Mammoth Lakes Visitors Bureau
Noles, Dick - People for the West
Payne, Paul - Lone Pin Chamber of Commerce
Poplin, Steve - Sportsmen
Price, Frank - Tulare County Sportsmen
Rake, Don - People for the West
Raupe, Wayne - State Archery Association
Roeser, Lou & Marye - Eastern Sierra Packer's Assn.
Sauser, Bill - Mammoth Lakes Snowmobile Assn.
Schiller, Ron - High Desert Multiple Use Coalition
Starr II, CM Bud - Outdoor Sportsmen Coalition of CA
Stehsel, Don - National Rifle Association
Stockman, Ron - Mother Lode Research Center
Thomas, Trudy - American Rights Coalition
Ward, Scott & Karen - CA Outdoor Enthusiast Coalition
Zea, Donn - CA Forests
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MORE HELPFUL LINKS:
DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)
WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)
PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)
More land use and volunteerism help here:
#landuse #stewardship #conservation #motorizedrecreation #jeep #jeeplife #volunteerism #volunteers #leadvolunteers #delalbright #BuiltOnBFG #cloakedrepublic #savetrails #leadership
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