Where I Stand — Robert Vaught: Forest is a great asset

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000 | 9:29 a.m.

Editor's note: In August Where I Stand is written by guest columnists. Today's guest, Robert Vaught, is supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Vaught recently replaced Gloria Flora, who resigned because of what she believed was anti-government hostility condoned by local and state officials.

In February of this year I was selected as the new forest supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the largest national forest in the lower 48 states. I am pleased and proud to be here. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest encompasses an impressive 6.3 million acres, including 800,000 acres in California, and contains some of the most spectacular natural resources and landscapes in the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Our annual 5 million visitors often sightsee, hike or camp just 35 miles outside of Las Vegas at the forest's Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Recreationists also seek more solitary venues and experience the breathtaking mountain views -- largely undeveloped and pristine -- at our Santa Rosa, Mountain City, Jarbidge, Ruby Mountain, Ely, Austin, Carson, Bridgeport, and Tonopah ranger districts.

As one of the top recreation forests in the country, we offer 6,000 miles of roaded access, 500 miles of off-road vehicle trails and 2,000 miles of hiking trails. We manage 17 wilderness areas that total 800,000 acres. Although our fellow Bureau of Land Management partners have an extensive wild horse and burro program, the forest also manages 20 wild horse territories.

While our recreation and wilderness program provides countless outdoor opportunities, we are equally proud of the work we accomplish in watershed protection, wildlife and fisheries habitat, and fire management. Our watershed stewardship role includes management of 5,000 miles of perennial cold water streams -- rating us the fourth largest cold water fishery in the National Forest System. The wildlife and fisheries habitat program monitors over 102 threatened, endangered or sensitive plants and animals. Fire personnel collaborate with federal, state and county officials to protect communities and our wildlands. The recent 2,000-acre Buck Springs fire demonstrated that cooperative effort.

Another tremendous resource is our employees. The almost 300-employees-strong forest workforce brings a tremendous amount of expertise and dedication in caring for your public lands. Our employees live and work in both urban and rural communities throughout Nevada. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is a magnificent, important and enduring resource for the state of Nevada.

But as with any important resource, there are different and opposing perspectives in how those resources should be used. I would like to share mine. For many years the Forest Service has used the slogan "Caring for the Land and Serving People." Our objective is to provide healthy, sustainable and diverse ecosystems for public benefit and use.

I support all national forest uses, including grazing, mining, and recreation of all kinds. I also support the necessary regulation of those uses so that the land remains healthy and sustainable for our children and grandchildren.

I pledge my continuing support to work with local communities, counties, environmental groups and all others who wish to be a part of this dynamic and democratic process. I believe that together we can identify and implement strategies that follow the laws passed by Congress and are both good for the land and good for the people.

However, I also see some disturbing trends. I am concerned when some seek conflict rather than cooperation. I am concerned when some would rather break laws designed to protect the environment rather than look for solutions. I am concerned when some would resort to name calling and poor treatment of Forest Service employees. I believe that these are the opinions of a small but vocal minority.

I consider myself a Nevadan at heart. I first came to Nevada in 1984 when I worked for the Forest Service in Mountain City in Elko County. I worked in Austin as district ranger from 1987 until 1991. My two children spent most of their childhood here. As an integral part of rural Nevada life, I learned to respect the people, the culture and the lifestyle. I have roamed the national forest from the Jarbidge and the Ruby Mountains to Mount Charleston near Las Vegas to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and most points in between.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is an important asset to our state and to our future. I encourage you to work with me and the many dedicated Forest Service employees on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. I believe if we work together on the issues we face, we will find solutions that will benefit us all.