Appendix C 



ATTACHMENT NO. 1 



Proposal to Establish 



ROCK CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE 



Deerlodge and Lolo National Forests 



Need 



The Rock Creek drainage, located on the Lolo and Deerlodge National 

 Forests, is a focal point of controversy regarding Forest Service 

 management. A major problem has been a polarization of attitudes 

 and opinions between various interest groups. Over the past, the 

 two Forests have developed Coordinating Requirements for planning 

 in the drainage, and specific project proposals. These Coordinating 

 Requirements and proposals have been met with equally strong 

 opposition and support. Opposition to the proposals developed into 

 a formal Appeal being filed against the respective Forest Supervisors. 



It is probable that polarizations became strong enough that interested 

 parties became partially engrossed in philosophical discussions 

 rather than looking at the capabilities of the land to produce 

 various alternative mixes of resources and/or uses. Multiple Use 

 management has occurred in the drainage in the past. Currently, 

 future management planning and project proposals are essentially 

 stalemated. 



The Rock Creek drainage has recently been sub-divided into planning 

 units in line ^with our new Multiple Use Area Planning concept. It 

 is felt that the procedures we will be using in preparing the new 

 Multiple Use plans will re-focus issues back to the land proper. 

 Involvement of the interest groups is mandatory. We feel this can 

 best be accomplished by the establishment of a Public Advisory 

 Committee for the entire Rock Creek drainage. 



Purpose of the Committee 



The primary purpose of the Advisory Committee will be to provide 

 advise to the Forest Supervisors on the over-all aspects of policies, 

 planning and programs in the Rock Creek drainage. The Committee 

 will also provide a forum for discussing policy matters pertinent 

 to management of the drainage which may be raised by either the 

 Forest Service or Committee members. Through involvement, it is 

 anticipated the Committee will be particularly helpful in developing 

 and reviewing management alternatives which consider the capabilities 

 of the land and the needs of the people from the local, regional 

 and possibly national standpoint. Although the Forest Supervisors 



