No small task for either but both pretty tedious at times. Of course, there are some very interesting things to be found in the files I’m working on, including copies of handwritten land deeds going back to the 1800’s. This isn’t the most exciting of projects to have had my nose buried in. That is why this end of year push for special use permits has been so much fun even if it can be more stressful at times.

With this last push has come more application for film and photoshoot, recreation events from trail runs to motorcycle rides, and even some noncommercial events like group dances and camping trips. All of these involve the ever important process of conducting NEPA or the National Environmental Policy Act which helps to ensure that people and resources are protected. This process usually involves the creation of an interdisciplinary team to address everything from the Endangered Species Act to the State Historic Preservation Office, allowing all specialists to bring their point of view and concerns to the table to be considered before a permit is issued. In a more involved project, this could involve actually having to do site visits to assess the proposed area. In a less involved project, a simple review of coordinates and maps will tell specialists all they need to know about a proposed area and any concerns they might have. As the permit administrator, my job in all of this is to listen and find solutions that I can relay to applicants so that we can issue their permit.

The best part of the NEPA process has been getting to work with and better know the specialists on the forest. Many people work remote, so the process of interacting with each specialist, even over email, to address any concerns around resource damage to the areas that are being permitted has helped introduce me to so many colleagues I haven’t worked with before. As someone who was very shy growing up and has had trouble making friends in the workplace, this has been a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and make some great connections. Though there is uncertainty around a future with the Forest Service at this time, I know that I have made connections and friendships that will follow me through whatever my future career path looks like.