profdant139 wrote:
... By contrast, the USFS is supposed to represent everyone in the country, not just the folks who happen to live near the forest...
Some of us remember about 20(?) years ago when several northern California National Forests were revising their management plans and a number of issues were raised by southern CA environmental groups. The L.A. Times responded to local complaints about outsiders interfering in local affairs, with an editorial about forests belong to everyone, everybody deserves a voice, etc.
It was not six months later when some northern CA groups submitted responses to a Santa Monica Mountains proposed plan. The L.A. Times then published another editorial, railing against outsiders interfering in local affairs.
It works both ways...