This is part of our Wolf Creek Files blog series. Each post explains, in detail, the context behind an email or string of emails: who is writing, what is being discussed, and why it concerns us.

Click here to see previous exhibits.

WHO:

• Tom Malecek, District Ranger, Divide Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest
  Project Manager for the Wolf Creek Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)*
• Red McCombs, Village at Wolf Creek developer
  Texas-billionaire who owns a inholding on Wolf Creek Pass on which he hopes to build an 8,000-person resort
• Harris Sherman, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment
  Oversees the United States Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service

WHAT:

This email is from District Ranger Tom Malecek to the Forest Service employees working on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Wolf Creek land exchange that would allow for construction of the 8,000-person “Village at Wolf Creek.” Mr. Malecek indicates that the “project proponent,” in this case the developer, Red McCombs, is insisting on a meeting with the Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service because he is unhappy with the proposed process. See the full email chain here.

WHY:

As a party interested in the results of the Forest Service’s EIS, Red McCombs is allowed to inquire about the process. He is not, however, allowed to use his relationships with “higher ups” to influence the project. This email suggests that McCombs is threatening to “consult with Undersecretary Sherman” because he doesn’t like the direction the local Forest Service is taking the analysis.

We have filed two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests about the Wolf Creek land exchange EIS**. So far, the Forest Service has withheld documents from higher offices, including Under Secretary Sherman’s, on the grounds that these offices had no involvement in the EIS process. This email indicates that Under Secretary Sherman may have been involved. Fortunately, on January 29, 2016, Federal Judge William Martinez agreed with our position and ordered the Forest Service to conduct a reasonable search of Undersecretary Sherman’s office for these relevant records!

* When the Forest Service considers a change to Forest Service land that would potentially negatively impact the environment they are required to do an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

** Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests can be filed by the public (anyone) to obtain records (emails, reports, phone records, etc.) relevant to how a public agency came to a certain decision. The law’s intent is to create transparency regarding how the government is acting on the public’s behalf.