Giant Sequoia National Monument Association

In his proposal to shift management of Giant Sequoia National Monument to the National Park Service, Representative Farr states that the Trail of 100 Giants is at risk from logging supported by the Forest Service and under National Park Service management, the Trail would be protected from logging.

This false allegation stems from a project to re-open the Trail of 100 Giants where dead trees were removed as they presented a hazard to to the public.

Representative Maurice Hinchey requested that the Office of Inspector General review issues (six allegations of wrong-doing) raised by this public safety project.

After an exhaustive review, the OIG did not substantiate the six allegations presented and related concerns pertaining to the Forest Service actions.

Click here to read the complete OIG Giant Sequoia National Monument – Trail of 100 Giants letter to Representative Hinchey.

Does the Forest Service engage in logging in the Giant Sequoia National Monument? According to the OIG, this allegation has been investigated and found to be false.

The proposal by Representative Farr to shift Giant Sequoia National Monument from the the Forest Service care to the National Park Service introduces a question to ponder –

What is the difference between a National Forest, National Monument and a National Park?

Below is an excerpt from a Forest Service document “FOREST, MONUMENT, OR PARK?” providing a brief description of the differences.

National Forests, managed under a “multiple use” concept, provide services and commodities that may include lumber, livestock grazing, minerals, and recreation with and without vehicles. Forest employees work for the U.S. Forest Service, an agency in the Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Forest Service was created in 1905.

National Monuments can be managed by any of three different agencies: the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, or the Bureau of Land Management. They are created by presidential proclamation and all seek to protect specific natural or cultural features. Giant Sequoia National Monument is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is part of Sequoia National Forest. It was created by former President Bill Clinton in April of 2000.

National Parks strive to keep landscapes unimpaired for future generations. They protect natural and historic features while offering light-on-the-land recreation. Park employees work for the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service was created in 1916.

Forests, Monuments, and Parks may have different rules in order to meet their goals. Read “Where can I…” below to check out what activities are permitted where within the Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Despite confusion over names, these areas provide a wide range of opportunities.

For over 100 years the lands that now make up the Giant Sequoia National Monument have been managed by the U.S. Forest Service, long recognized as the world’s premiere conservation agency, utilizing the best available forest management practices consistent with its mission. In creating the Monument in 2000, then-President Bill Clinton recognized the expertise of the U.S. Forest Service in managing the Giant Sequoias, and he entrusted the U.S. Forest Service to continue its stewardship, although he could have transferred the Monument to the National Park Service at that time. Mr. Clinton determined that these forest lands should remain under U.S. Forest Service management because of its history as a “can-do” conservation agency, and after hearing local constituent input during several months of study and public meetings.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter to the President submitted, Representative Sam Farr (D-CA 17th District) is soliciting support for a Presidential Proclamation to shift management of the Monument from the Forest Service to the National Park Service; bypassing Congress and the will of the people.

Congressman Farr, who is not one of our local Representatives, is relying on misleading allegations that are based on incorrect information. Without having first-hand knowledge of the area, he attacks the U.S. Forest Service for mismanaging the Giant Sequoias, and criticizes it for removing over 100 dead and dying human-hazard trees that had led to closure of the Trail of 100 Giants due to public safety concerns when hazard-removal funding was not available.

The Giant Sequoia National Monument Association stands in opposition to this proposal and has submitted a letter stating our position to President Obama.

We encourage you to submit your own letter of opposition to the President. Help keep the Monument under Forest Service management and open for public access.