(FOIA) Freedom of Information Request: Regarding The Title Transfer of Alberta Park ~ 3/15/12 ~

For an update see: http://no-villageatwolfcreek.blogspot.com/2012/05/usda-forest-service-decision-notice-and.html


I've decided to share my Freedom of Information Act request to the Rio Grande National Forest:

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 3/15/2012

Under the Freedom of Information Act I would like to request records of the Saguache District, Rio Grande National Forest land trade proposal by Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture.  Wherein he proposed to trade out three private parcels within the Saguache District for a large section of Alberta Park (near Wolf Creek Pass) - Rio Grande National Forest land. . .



To the best of my knowledge this land trade request by LMJV was rejected by Rio Grande National Forest officials, then sent on to Washington DC through Department of Agriculture.  Subsequently, and with no official explanation or notification said decision was reversed and returned to the Rio Grande National Forest with instruction to Deed the Alberta Parcel to LMJV.

Unfortunately public references to this transaction seem to have disappeared from the record, to the point that the Rio Grande National Forest management team doesn’t even know what happened and are unable to education the interested public on the details of said transaction.

In short, under the Freedom of Information Act I request a paper trail of the
LMJV land trade application -
The decision of the Rio Grande National Forest Superintendent - 
The path that decision followed as it was processed by the Department of Agriculture -

The (and reversed) decision that was returned to the Rio Grande National Forest -

Any official justification for the reversal of the Rio Grande National Forest’s decision.

I am a private citizen with an established, long standing, personal interest Alberta Park and its protection.  My funds are limited though I am prepared to pay reasonable processing fees, for the information I’m seeking.

Sincerely,

Peter Miesler
citizenschallenge@gmail.com

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The following is from the
Saguache Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest - scoping letter
April 13, 2011
RE: Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange Proposal

“In 1986, a Decision Notice for the Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Wolf Creek Land Exchange allowed the conveyance of 300 acres of National Forest System (NFS) land adjacent to the Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA) in exchange for non-Federal lands located within the Saguache Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest.”