Still another factor to consider is that as the old guard resource oriented employes are retiring or other wise leaving, the new, younger employes taking their place are more likely to be brainwashed by the environmental movement and are more likely to have the attitude of “Oh, we’ve been appealed, we can’t do it” or “There’s no use trying that. We’d just get appealed” instead of standing up and trying to fight for what is right. This especially extends to the government lawyers who will look at an appeal and say “We aren’t going to bother fighting it - we’ve got bigger fish to fry.” It’s enough to make folks say, “Yeah, whatever, ok.” when a new edict comes down from Washington. (And, I will admit, there are way too many of the new breed all to ready to push whatever new scheme the overlords send their way....)
Well said...That is becoming more of a factor with federal and state forestry and land management agencies. Also many newer employees are environmentalists (some pretty radical) and some have been in agencies long enough to be in management positions.