Officials of the Coconino National Forest are seeking public input for a revision of the Forest Plan at a meeting next week. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend, but here's an interesting quote from Forest Planner Yewah Lau:

"The recreational element, which is perhaps the most important part of the forest's plan to the general public, will focus on what people are looking for as far as recreational experiences. It will inlude developed camping, dispersed camping and wilderness experiences. We want to know what's important as well as where."

You will notice that he says recreational use is the most important part of the plan "to the general public", which may not mean that it is the most important to the Forest Service, but it certainly shows that they recognize the public sentiment and hopefully will listen and act accordingly when the plan revisions are written.

Once again, Ed, your research has focused attention to a subject of importance to the NF community. The upside of Ed's finding is the community has the opportunity to propose revisions to a single NF's Forest Plan as it pertains to at least recreation. The downside is Ed's previous revelation about the FS Mission Statement lacking a reference to recreation.

Be that as it may, the NF community has an opportunity to influence the Coconino's plans for now and the future. Obviously, most of us won't have the chance to attend the revision meeting/workshop scheduled for November 8. See announcement at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/plan-revision.shtml. However, Coconino management is affording the community the opportunity to submit written comments by December 1 - see above link. Whether you live in the area or not or have ever visited the Coconino in Arizona, please seriously consider having your voice heard. For example, what is management's plan or attitude toward the maintenance/creation of campground potable water systems? What is your position? Another consideration is expressing the desire to make the "final draft" available to the public for comment. For your information, see the current Coconino Forest Plan at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/projects/plan-revision/current-plan.shtml.

Lastly, you could review the Coconino campground descriptions found at http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southwst/coco.htm to see if they jog any thoughts. It has been our experience that the business community will be all over this. It is just as important that Coconino management also hear from the recreating public . . . Fred