The leader of the Sequoia National Forest (which surrounds the Kern River Valley) and the Giant Sequoia National Monument (just northwest of the valley) plans to take a “proactive” approach to getting the public involved in the monument planning process.

Tina Terrell, Forest Supervisor, issued a media statement on Nov. 27 in which she said the new management plan in progress will involve a “new collaborative process” to meet environmental regulations.

“From the Forest's perspective this means sharing power, engaging in ongoing conversations rather than relying solely on the often-frustrating public commenting process, and being open to any possibilities that are legal, fair, and practicable,” said Terrell.
“From the public perspective, this means representatives of constituent groups would have the opportunity to be a part of defining objectives, crafting alternatives, guiding the analysis of alternatives, and ensuring that the Forest Service's efforts are transparent to the public and easy to understand – every step of the way.  I completely understand that this approach means a lot of work, but for those who stick with it, it is the best way to help shape the new plan.”

Sequoia National Forest and the Monument have retained a group called the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, which Terrell says is “a third-party independent and impartial federal organization with a mission and history of helping people find workable solutions to tough environmental conflicts.”

However, the leader of a local environmental group is not expecting much from this process.
Ara Marderosian of Sequoia ForestKeeper, headquartered in Kernville, said,  “The Forest Service had an opportunity to work with the stakeholders beginning in 2000, but they ignored many stakeholder suggestions and defined a logging plan for the monument that was ruled illegal.”

A meeting is scheduled in Visalia on Dec. 13 during which other interested groups and individuals may discuss the management plan.

The distant meeting is another thing that displeases Marderosian. “Some stakeholders, such as Sequoia ForestKeeper, have limited resources and time to spend in sessions where our suggestions are ignored.

“Sequoia ForestKeeper may have to focus on comments, appeals, and lawsuits for other projects, rather than participate in the collaboration,” continued Marderosian, “but we will participate in the NEPA process for the management plan when scoping begins.”

If you are interested in attending the meeting, please e-mail Carie Fox at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for information.