March 29, 2002

TO: FSEEE members
FROM: Andy Stahl, Executive Director
RE: The Angeles National Forest, Off-Highway Vehicles and the Wrongful Suspension of a Dedicated Forest Service Employee

I write to you on behalf of Bob Libershal, a 23-year Forest Service employee on the Angeles National Forest. Bob needs your help.

As a forest protection officer, Bob patrols his district ensuring that public use of the national forests is safe and responsible. He puts out fires, picks up litter, provides visitor information, and issues citations when rules are broken.

Two years ago, Bob noticed new "off-highway vehicle" signs posted on a road he knew was closed to OHV use (off-highway vehicles include dirt bikes, quads, three-wheelers, and other all-terrain vehicles). The 1987 Angeles Forest Plan authorizes only certain roads and trails for OHV use – they are banned from all other routes to protect public safety and the environment.

None of Bob’s superiors could explain where the unauthorized signs came from or who posted them. About a year ago, Bob started removing the inappropriate OHV signs and replacing them with accurate signs barring OHV use.

Last October, Bob’s bosses told him to reinstall the OHV signs that he had removed. He asked his bosses if there was any authority for these signs. The bosses refused to answer his many questions. Bob said he couldn’t follow his bosses orders, knowing that they were telling him to act contrary to the Angeles Forest Plan and, thus, violate the National Forest Management Act.

On March 21, 2002, Angeles forest supervisor Jody Cook told Bob he would be suspended from work without pay for three days "for failure to follow a direct order" to reinstall the OHV signs. Cook never explained why the OHV signs are legal. In two years, Libershal has yet to get a straight answer from any official. By the way, Cook refuses to return my phone calls, too. I’ve attached copies of FSEEE’s letter defending Bob’s actions and Cook’s suspension letter.

Our investigations have revealed that the Angeles’ management of OHVs is out-of-control. Bob knows that the one road from which he removed signs is only the tip of the iceberg.

To break this logjam and get the Forest Service to do the right thing, we need pressure from Congress. That’s why I’m writing to you today.

Congressman Adam Schiff, who represents the Pasadena area and neighboring towns, is in the best position to help us. But he needs to know that resolving the OHV nightmare on the Angeles is a priority for his constituents. Please call or write Congressman Schiff today at:

Braley Building
35 S. Raymond Ave. #205
Pasadena, California 91105
Phone: (626) 304-2727
Facsimile: (626) 304-0572

Ask Congressman Schiff to "help Forest Service protection officer Bob Libershal do his job enforcing OHV rules designed to protect public safety and the environment. Don’t let the Forest Service suspend its dedicated public servant for blowing the whistle on illegal OHV use."

If we are to get Congressman Schiff’s attention, we need each and every one of our members who receive this letter to call or write. Bob and I thank you for your help.

Sincerely,



Andy Stahl
Executive Director
andy@fseee.org

Letter informing Libershal of his suspension.

Libershal's response with FSEEE as his representative.