BILL ENGLISH RESPONDS TO FOREST SERVICE'S OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION STRATEGY

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2007—Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell today announced the release of the Forest Service’s Open Space Conservation Strategy.
“Our vision for the 21st century is an interconnected network of open space across the landscape—one that supports healthy ecosystems, renewable resources, and a high quality of life for Americans,” said Chief Kimbell. “We plan to achieve this through collaboration and partnerships—by working with willing landowners, conservation groups and state and local governments to promote voluntary land conservation.”

Yes, and if you believe this one then I have beach front property in Sierra Vista, Arizona I sell you cheap!

Ok, my father did, but that’s another story. In the mean time it would seem that once again the U.S. Forrest Service is trying another tactic and lie to grab land, reduce the growth of population centers, and … dare I say it… gasp! Fall into accord with the Kyoto Travesty…I mean treaty. They are lying to us. There is absolutely no question in my mind to that.

What galls me the most about this, is the fact that while they say they took polls and had open meetings; why didn’t we see or heard about any of this here in Otero County? I guess that perhaps they didn’t announce it, or if they did it was on a street corner at midnight with an agent at the Forrest Service whispering it under his or her breath.

Then again, perhaps its because they knew that if they did an honest job of it and did have open meetings that the citizens of Otero County would tar and feather them. The thought occurs to me that the Emperor Nero had a rather unique solution for lighting the main thoroughfare into the city of Rome when he tried to lay the blame for its burning on the Christians. Only in this case instead of lining the Apian Way with burning Christians, we should use Forestry Service personnel.

I must, however, applaud their attempt at a sense of humor. Willing Land Owners?? To be sure they may find a few land owners who are willing to fall for their lies, but what about the not so willing? Let’s see… oh yeah that’s what the conservation groups are for. They are the ones who will file the lawsuits and see to it that the landowners cannot use or even sell their land because it will endanger the existence of a fly, or cockroach. Something as obnoxious as an environmentalist.

This is one that has to be fought folks, and as usual the ones who most likely will, will be us here in Otero County. Experience has already taught us that we cannot trust anything the Forest Service says.