The decades-long practice of stamping out all forest fires is blamed for the large destructive forest fires of recent years. A new strategy would allow planned burning and logging to prevent such disasters. Some environmental groups oppose the plan.
For 90 years, forestry officials have raced to extinguish any fire on public lands, part of a federal policy that saw forest fires as an enemy that warranted constant vigilance. But state and federal officials now acknowledge that those policies were misguided and must be replaced by a new strategy focused on preventing out-of-control fires... Experts believe that thinning the forest will minimize the chances of a fire burning out of control by giving it less fuel to burn. It also will help restore open spaces to the nation's forests, much as they were before the region was The strategy faces political opposition from some environmentalists who believe it is a way to advance logging interests by allowing trees to be removed from forests.settled...
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
Read the full story: Forest plan marks shift in philosophy
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
This MA town is drowning in its own sewage — and residents like it that way
Susan Murcott, a waste water expert, said if Carlisle didn't address their leaking sewage, the problem could turn “deadly.”
Iowa taxpayers are paying thousands to clean manure out of their water
While the Clean Water Act makes states responsible for regulating factory farms that discharge pollutants, Iowa has turned a blind eye to the polluting farms.
Amtrak cuts ribbon on Seattle Airo maintenance facility
The $250 million, nearly 100,000-square-foot building can house an entire Cascades Airo trainset.
To power data centers, Google seeks autonomous control of thousands of homes’ electricity
The tech company has signed a deal to indirectly pay Mid-Atlantic residents to reduce their power demand when the grid is strained.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello