| | Draft Plumas National Forest Travel Management Environmental Analysis Available
Dec 29, 2008News Release
United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service
Plumas National Forest
P. O. Box 11500
Quincy, California 95971
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2008
Contacts: Michele Jimenez-Holtz (530) 283-7744
Lee Anne Schramel Taylor (530) 283-7850
News Release #09-12
Draft PNF Travel Management Environmental Analysis Available
Following 4 years of work and over 20 public meetings and workshops, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Plumas National Forest Public Motorized Travel Management Project is available for review and comment according to Alice Carlton, Forest Supervisor. The DEIS, maps and Federal Register notice may be viewed on the Forest website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas. Compact Discs are available at District Offices or by mail. Maps are available for viewing on the internet, on CD and at District Offices.
This project is part of a Nation-wide process to authorize off highway vehicle use on those existing trails, roads and areas, which would provide for a variety of recreational experiences in a safe and ecologically sustainable manner. The authorized use would also include the current restriction on travel between trails, roads, and areas (cross-country) unless some type of permit is in place that allows otherwise.
A final environmental impact statement and decision on this project is expected later in the spring of 2009 with a motor vehicle use map scheduled for later in the year.
Comments are invited on the DEIS
The purpose of the comment period is to give the public an opportunity to provide early and meaningful participation on the proposed action prior to the project decision to be made by Plumas National Forest Supervisor, Alice Carlton.
The 45-day comment period begins Monday, December 29, 2008, the day the Notice of Availability (NOA) for this project is published in the Federal Register. The comment period ends February 11, 2009 as noted in the Federal Register.
While comments may be submitted anytime during the analysis process, only those who submit timely comments or otherwise express interest during the comment period will have eligibility to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 215.
Written comments must be submitted to:
Pete Hochrein, Interdisciplinary Team Leader
Plumas National Forest
PO Box 11500, Quincy, CA, 95971
Or hand-delivered to same at:
159 Lawrence Street, Quincy, CA
8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Oral comments must be submitted to:
Pete Hochrein (530) 283-2050 during business hours above or in person at the address above, or at an official agency function (i.e. public meeting) that is designed to elicit public comments.
Electronic comments:
Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc) to: plumas_ohv_mail_in_database@fs.fed.us.
In cases where no identifiable name is attached to a comment, a verification of identity will be required for appeal eligibility. If using an electronic message, a scanned signature is one way to provide verification.
Open Houses:http://www.nepa.gov/nepa/Citizens_Guide_Dec07.pdf).
Key points:
1) The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Plumas National Forest Public Motorized Travel Management Project is available for review and comment.
2) The public will have 45 days to comment.
3) Contact the Public Services Officer at local Plumas National Forest offices for more information, or visit the Forest website http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas. 01/15/09 - Plumas NF Travel Management Open House - Blairsden 01/13/09 - Plumas NF Travel Management Open House - Quincy 01/08/09 - Plumas NF Travel Management Open House - Oroville Plumas NF OHV Route Designation - official site [details]  Draft Plumas National Forest Travel Management Environmental Analysis Available - USFS press release [details]
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