It’s a question of accountability
The recent environmental disaster known as the Kootenai Complex forest fire highlights the failure of Washington, D.C.‘s grand design for our local forests.
Their secret weapon is “jurisdiction,“ in other words, “you don’t count, butt out!"
The fire became a “complex“ because the forest service neglected to respond when the fire was small (5 acres), and easy to extinguish. Then they failed to anticipate the potential disaster. Your homeland burned as no firemen showed up. They were derelict of duty.
Irreparable damage was done to the health and lifespan of people with lung and heart disease because the Forest Service intentionally let it burn.
It ruined family camping, dining outdoors and hunting plans. Our watersheds heated up and our valuable timber robbed.
Big game animals, including endangered species like grizzly, lynx, fisher and caribou, were possibly burned alive, caught between merging fires, while their very limited habitat burned for no good reason. The victims of bureaucracy.
Small game, like squirrels, bobcats, Martin, raccoons, marmots, game birds, etc. had their entire ranges fire-bombed. All wildlife is owned by the state, thus the people; who are victims of this neglect. Idaho Fish and Game has a lawsuit on behalf of itself and the people of Idaho because they (Forest Service) let it burn.
Every business connected to tourism, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, suffered losses as the smoke drove tourists away, precisely because the USDA intentionally let it burn.
Our payback funds from federal timber harvest were diminished. Our county government incurred extra expenses and was unnecessarily distracted from county function because Forest Service policy said “let it burn.”
When intentional acts caused damage, it is tantamount to negligence; and should be subject to civil justice with legislative reform following.
This could only happen if several class action lawsuits and tort claims are filed by principled constitutional attorneys willing to work hard. Large and small financial contributions would be necessary as well as some media reporting and campaigning.
They will fight to keep their power but maybe there is a crack in their armor.
Think about this: it took only one man and a lawsuit to remove prayer from schools, followed by stripping down the Pledge of Allegiance.
T.D. BROWN
Naples