Save Our Canyons is appalled at the action by the US Forest Service to issue a one-year permit extension to Wasatch Powderbird Guides (WPG).

This approval would violate the purpose and letter of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); disrupt, if not completely forestall, public participation in the permitting process; and reward Wasatch Powderbird Guides' clear attempts to circumvent its legal obligations to complete the Environmental Assessment process.

The Forest Service determined that an Environmental Analysis is needed, announced a time-line, held several meetings, received almost 300 written responses, and set deadlines. The public invested a lot of time and work in the preparation of comments and attended several public meetings. Then, at the sole request of Wasatch Powderbird Guides to stop the Environmental Analysis the Forest Service divorced the process from the normal legal (NEPA) procedures and has granted the extension. This action makes a farce of the Forest Service's legal responsibilities under NEPA.

Because there are controversial public safety issues, and because the WPG permit has the potential to significantly impact the environment, a NEPA process is required and a one-year extension is unsatisfactory.

For additional information, contact:

Mr. Alexis Kelner at 359 5387

or

Ms. Joro Walker, Attorney for Save Our Canyons, at 273 0249