Pretty Tree Bench Vegetation Project Appeal
On May 1, 2000 the Utah Environmental Congress (UEC) filed an
appeal with Regional Forester appealing the decision by Dixie National Forest Supervisor Mary
Wagner to use prescribed fire in portions of the Pretty Tree Bench area located northeast of the Box Death Hollow Wilderness Area.
The UEC appealed this decision on the grounds that the Forest Service ignored completely information provided to it by both the UEC and the US Department of
Interior regarding the presence of a plant species (Aquarius paintbrush) which is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. In addition, the Forest
Service ignored monitoring data it had in its possession regarding the presence of the plant in the area and the fact that populations were declining.
The UEC also appealed on the grounds that the Forest Service failed to adequately address impacts to the area that would likely result from continued livestock
grazing after Pretty Tree Bench was burnt. The Forest Service absolutely refused to consider as a mitigation measure the removal of livestock for a period of time
following burning until vegetation had reached a reasonable level of recovery.
The Pretty Tree Bench Prescribed Fire Appeal is the third filed by the UEC this year and the fourth appeal filed by the UEC since its founding 18 months ago.
We have won one appeal and have another currently pending before the Regional Forester.
