Keep calm and debate on

When we at the Saratoga Sun found out there were going to be public meetings for the West Side Snowy Range Travel Management Notice of Proposed Action (NPA), we were excited. Giving the public a chance to speak their concerns is a vital component of the NEPA process.

This project stirs up a lot of emotion. We have heard many of these perspectives from the public; folks that grew up camping, hunting and fishing in these regions. Seeing roads that have been driven on for decades on the chopping block upsets a lot of people. That’s perfectly understandable.

However, emotional, angry responses are not going to get anyone anywhere. Emotion is not fact; the district’s budget isn’t going to increase because you are angry; this Travel Management project isn’t going to be screamed from existence.

For the remainder of public meetings, we need to remind everyone that the very reason that Melanie Fullman, Brush Creek/Hayden District Ranger, did not want to hold any public meetings was because emotions get high and people tend to get riled up.

Provide well thought out, calm and concerned comments. One can make a message clear without rage getting in the way. And if you have something to say, speak up. Having a meeting where attendants present concrete issues is much more productive than a few people yelling while the majority remains silent.

When you have a productive and educational public meeting, you are not only informing the Forest Service, you are informing the rest of the public on information they may not be aware of. Many have heard about the project from a person who met with Fullman privately. From there, word travels from person to person and the true message gets misconstrued.

Even if you have no specific concerns about the NPA, go to the public meetings. Educating the community on this issue is unbelievably important. Learning about the changes directly from the source is much better than from hearsay.

It is obvious to us that Fullman doesn’t want to close roads. She doesn’t take pleasure in upsetting the entire community she resides in; it is her job, and from what we have seen, she is very good at it.

So help Fullman and the rest of your community by thinking about what you are going to say before rage and emotion boils up during the meeting. If you want to see change, be the person who brings up clear and concise comments that people can stand behind.

 

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