By Woody Cline, Chairman Gila County Board of Supervisors Editors’ note: Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline spent nearly two decades with the United States Forest Service working in fire and range management, served as President of the Gila County Cattle Growers from 2016-2018 and is on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Cattle Growers Association. His personal experience with public land use and management is a valuable asset to the Board of Supervisors. A lifelong resident of Young, AZ, Supervisor Cline and his family work their ranch, hunt, and enjoy riding the range when spare time allows. In the following editorial, he urges Gila County residents to review and comment during January-February public meetings listed below.

“The Tonto National Forest has released the Draft Land Management Plan for public review and comment. This is a very important document to all of us as it will dictate how we use the forest for many years to come, and I encourage all citizens to take the time to attend one or more of these meetings -- ask your questions -- and take the time to submit comments regarding this very important document. A few of the most local and convenient opportunities are a ‘Public Working Day’ in Tonto Basin on Jan. 22 in the Ranger District Office from 11 a.m. until 2 pm; on that same day there’s an evening open house public meeting in Payson (Jan. 22) from 5-8 pm at Julia Randall Elementary School. Another evening meeting in Superior is Jan. 23 at the Junior-Senior High School, and the final evening open house is in Globe on Feb. 6 from 5-8 pm at High Desert Middle School. The comment period ends March 12.” “We all have questions about this proposed Land Management Plan – you can read two dozen questions, plus answers from the Forest Service, and lots more detail at fs.usda.gov/goto/tontoplan, or read the plan at local libraries in Globe, Miami, Tonto Basin, Payson, Pine, Young, and Superior. The document is also available for your review at Tonto National Forest Ranger District offices throughout Gila County, and public comments will be accepted until March 12. Would you like to request a copy by mail? Call Tonto National Forest staff at 602-225-5200 According to the plan’s introduction, it is: “built on a foundation of public input, best available science, and emphasizes multiple uses supported by healthy ecosystems. These ecosystems provide clean drinking water for downstream communities and help to fuel the forest products, grazing, and mining industries.” Areas in the plan that are addressed:

· Maintain, improve, or restore ecosystems on the Tonto National Forest;

· Provide for plant and animal habitat diversity, including high-risks species;

· Increase resiliency of ecosystems and incorporate adaptive management;

· Sustainably manage water resources;

· Facilitate accessible, sustainable, and diverse recreation opportunities to a growing public;

· Preserve the unique cultural and historic character of the land while providing opportunities to engage with local heritage;

· Ensure the sustainability of key ecosystem services and forest attributes that contribute to values associated with the Tonto;

· Recognize and enhance the Tonto’s role in contributing to local economies;

· Emphasize on-going collaborative efforts and partnerships while striving to develop new and long-lasting relationships;

· Develop a monitoring strategy that provides information for rapid responses to changing conditions; and

· Allow for adapting to fluctuations in forest budgets over the life of the forest plan when planning towards desired conditions.

And, again, Forest Service staff who created this Land Management Plan have scheduled a series of meetings for you to ask questions and make comments.

Evening open house public meetings:

· Payson, AZ Jan. 22, 2020, 5 to 8 p.m. Julia Randall Elementary School

· Superior, AZ Jan. 23, 2020, 5 to 8 p.m. Superior Junior/Senior High School

· Cave Creek, AZ Feb. 5, 2020, 5 to 8 p.m. Desert Foothills Library

· Globe, AZ Feb. 6, 2020, 5 to 8 p.m. High Desert Middle School

Public working days at Tonto National Forest offices:

· Phoenix, AZ Jan. 16, 2020, 11 to 2 p.m. Tonto National Forest Supervisors Office

· Tonto Basin, AZ Jan. 22, 2020, 11 to 2 p.m. Tonto Basin Ranger District Office

· Mesa, AZ Jan. 23, 2020, 11 to 2 p.m. Mesa Ranger District Office