Information from a records request was recently obtained regarding the partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and Salmon Valley Stewardship (SVS). The essence of the partnership was to create a website called Your Forests Your Future (YFYF). Because the document is well over 800 pages, is not in chronological order, and contains repetitive information, it has been broken down into four time frames. This will be a four part series on some highlighted information that was obtained from the period of January, 2017 through June, 2019. The complete document can be viewed here. On page 132 in the complete document, it states, "The Salmon Valley Stewardship Board of Directors has identified forest plan revision as a key opportunity to align Salmon Valley Stewardship mission to ongoing planning process over the next 10-15 years". Seems pretty clear this website, paid by tax dollars, was intended to promote the SVS mission for land protection. while leaving citizen involvement out. Much of the financial graphics are not listed in these posted documents but can be found in the complete document. From January to June, 2017 a series of emails between Elizabeth Townley, USFS, Toni Ruth, SVS, and Mindy Crowell, SVS, provide the backdrop to the creation of the YFYF website with other USFS employees involved in the communications. Amazingly, none of the forests covered on the website included the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Ms. Ruth has been, and continues to be on the coordinating committee of the High Divide Collaborative, which has included other non-governmental organizations, USFS, land trusts, and US Fish & Wildlife Service. Perhaps the collaboration and discussion for this website began on this committee for purposes of being created during the forest revision plan. Below, on page 1 from the 2017 summary, is part of the agreement between the USFS and SVS. F clearly states that permission to use the USFS insignia must be obtained from the USFS Office of Communications. Citizen complaints about the use of this logo on the YFYF website was an issue never really addressed, nor was there any communication that approval was obtained from Ms. Townley to Ms. Ruth. Page 2, U, indicates SVS was encouraged to give public notice of this agreement, this also not being done. On page 3, GG, SVS was given permission to "sell" any publication developed from this agreement, which means your tax dollar to create "products" for a website could be used for the monetary benefit of a non-profit. Early on, page 19, there was outreach to More Than Just Parks, a multimedia organization to help produce videos and podcasts for the website, and outreach to Pew Charitable Trusts on page 22. While there were several modifications in funding during the full time period, on page 23 an additional $128,040 was requested by SVS. Invoices submitted by SVS are on page 20 and 40. A brief description of the website's purpose is on page 26, stating it "was started by the USFS to engage diverse voices to conversations surrounding public lands, specifically public lands planning". One of the concerns expressed about this website was the bias towards protection and non-use. From page 27-30, federal agencies and employees were notified about the launch of the website. And on page 31, Ms. Townley apparently changed her title to Wilderness Specialist and YFYF Coordinator, admitted to by Ms. Townley on page 32. More specifics are given about partnering with Pew Trusts on page 44 followed by possible partnering with Patagonia and REI on page 45. In Part 2, January to June, 2018 will be covered.
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