A group of 59 members of the U.S. House of Representatives has sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing concern with the U.S. Forest Service’s proposed forest planning rule. The representatives want the agency to – redraft the proposed rule to make it simpler and less encumbered with process and to eliminate provisions like the ‘species viability’ clause that surpass Congress’ statutory direction.

Dustin Van Liew, executive director of the Public Lands Council and director of federal lands for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says the proposed rule could – negatively affect ranchers for decades. The proposed rule contains requirements that would be difficult, if not impossible, for the Forest Service to achieve without precluding grazing and other multiple uses on NFS lands.

According to Van Liew, the proposed planning rule would require the Forest Service to – maintain viable populations of species of conservation concern within the planning area. However, he noted the phrase “maintain viable populations” does not appear in the National Forest Management Act.