When I finished my BWCA usage survey, I added a short comment regarding the BWCA chaos of 2020. I assumed my comments would be lost in the bureaucratic abyss. But I received this email on Monday from the BWCA program manager. I assume others got it, too. It might (and probably is) a form letter, but still...it's a response and confirms that they are looking at all the comments. I appreciate it.

Mike

Good afternoon.

I appreciate your comments from this past summer and your patience in waiting for a reply. It’s comments like yours and your commitment to improving the wilderness experience that help keep wilderness management current and inspire needed change.

I have been pouring through hundreds of comments from not just 2020, but also from previous years back to 2011 to help assess social and physical resource conditions, and staffing and field project needs into the future. Although I do not have specific news yet to share with you concerning the possibilities of change, I want you know that Forest leadership has seen your comments and that we are discussing/planning next steps with staff. Your comments did not fall into a black hole and are vital.

Best of wishes for the new year, stay healthy and we hope to see you in 2021.

Well...at least you got a response!

I’d say well done Forest Service.

Boppasteveg: "Well...at least you got a response!"

I agree! It was a nice gesture and appreciated.

MT

The person you received your email from, Ann Schwaller, is a long time and dedicated employee of the FS. She is our best hope in forming policy that will help to protect the BWCA. She is also one of the few Gov’t workers that will openly communicate and reply to emails.

In order to form better policies about usage, campsites, maintenance, whatever BWCA related, she should be a first contact. It is important for the FS to hear from people and hear their opinions about the current management of the BWCA. I know she knows where I stand based on my cordial conversations with her.

2020 should not happen again in the BWCA and without the publics’ voice, it could.

Tom

I quit trying to contact these people. They never get back to me. It was probably my fault though, I only gave them my name, address, two telephone numbers, email address.

Savage Voyageur: "I quit trying to contact these people. They never get back to me. It was probably my fault though, I only gave them my name, address, two telephone numbers, email address. "

For best results make sure to include the 9 digit number on your government issued micro chip in all formal communications. That way they know which citizen number they are communicating with. I find it really speeds up the response time.

nofish: "

Savage Voyageur: "I quit trying to contact these people. They never get back to me. It was probably my fault though, I only gave them my name, address, two telephone numbers, email address. "

For best results make sure to include the 9 digit number on your government issued micro chip in all formal communications. That way they know which citizen number they are communicating with. I find it really speeds up the response time. "

You have a 9 digit chip!?!? The one I have goes to 11.

When I was prodding them for scientific, evidence-based rationale and source citation supporting their specific food container requirements for the Alpine Lake area this summer (I never got any satisfactory responses), I didn't necessarily get prompt responses, but I usually did get responses within a matter of days. Eventually Ann chimed in herself as well. I was still quite disappointed in the end, but the point is that I was able to communicate with real people rather easily, and I am grateful for that.

airmorse: "

nofish: "

Savage Voyageur: "I quit trying to contact these people. They never get back to me. It was probably my fault though, I only gave them my name, address, two telephone numbers, email address. "

For best results make sure to include the 9 digit number on your government issued micro chip in all formal communications. That way they know which citizen number they are communicating with. I find it really speeds up the response time. "

You have a 9 digit chip!?!? The one I have goes to 11."

You must have the new L.O.U.D. chip.

Savage Voyageur: "I quit trying to contact these people. They never get back to me. It was probably my fault though, I only gave them my name, address, two telephone numbers, email address. "

I have had the same experiences as you. To be fair it seems to be more of a public employee problem than just the FS,

Savage Voyageur: "I quit trying to contact these people. They never get back to me. It was probably my fault though, I only gave them my name, address, two telephone numbers, email address. "

It never hurts to mention that you document your request and that you are in contact with a senator or two over their response.