St. Joe Travel Management Plan Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review, Comments
Oct 5, 2009

United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service

NEWS RELEASE

Idaho Panhandle National Forests
St. Joe Ranger District
222 S. 7th, Suite #1
St. Maries, ID 83861

(208)245-2531
 

DATE: October 1, 2009
FOR DETAILS CONTACT: Mary Price (208) 245-6022
Chuck Mark (208) 245-6072


ST. JOE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW, COMMENTS


ST. MARIES (October 1, 2009) - The environmental assessment (EA) for the St. Joe Ranger District's travel management plan is available for public review and comment. After reviewing the comments, District Ranger Chuck Mark will select an alternative.

An Open House is scheduled on Thursday, October 15, 2009 to provide information and answer questions about the project and EA. The meeting will be held at St. Maries High School Multi-purpose room from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

"We appreciate the contributions of the St. Joe Focus Group and the greater public who provided input during the development of alternatives for motorized travel management on the St. Joe Ranger District," said District Ranger Mark.

Copies of the St. Joe Travel Management EA summary and maps are available for public viewing at Idaho Panhandle National Forests offices in St. Maries, Avery, Smelterville and Coeur d'Alene (Supervisor's Office on Kathleen Avenue), and Potlatch (Palouse Ranger District, Clearwater National Forest) in Idaho; and in Superior, Montana (Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest). The EA and related maps are available on compact disk (CD) and on the Forests' website at: www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/stjoe/travelplan/.

The 30-day comment period ends October 13, 2009. Comments may be submitted in writing, orally, or electronically. Written comments can be sent to: Charles A. Mark, District Ranger, St. Joe Travel Management EA, St. Joe Ranger District, 222 S 7th Street, Suite 1, St. Maries, ID 83861. Comments can be faxed to (208) 245-6052. Electronic comments may be sent to: comments-northern-idpanhandle-stjoe@fs.fed.us. The subject line must contain "St. Joe Travel Management EA."

Chuck Mark said, "When you submit comments on the EA, please provide specific information along with supporting reasons that you believe I should consider in reaching a decision".

The District's project planning team developed the EA as required by the Forest Service's Travel Management Rule, finalized in November 2005. The Final Rule states that the Forest Service must designate roads, trails and areas open to motorized use by vehicle type and if appropriate, by season. Upon finalization of the Travel Plan, motorized access on the St. Joe Ranger District will only be allowed on designated routes. Cross-country travel will be prohibited. The plan does not include over-snow travel with tracked vehicles, so snowmobile use would not change with this project.

The Travel Management Final Rule requires the Forest Service to issue a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that displays designated motorized routes by type of vehicle and season of use. The MVUM will be used to enforce motor vehicle regulations. The map will be free and available in hard copy and on the internet.

The St. Joe Ranger District MVUM should be available to the public for the 2010 season.

Members of the project planning team are available to meet with individuals or groups to further explain the proposed Travel Management Plan alternatives and answer questions. If interested, please contact the St. Joe Ranger District at (208) 245-2531.

Recent Events

10/15/09 - St. Joe Travel Management open house

Links

IPNF St. Joe District Travel Management [details]

St. Joe Travel Management Plan Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review, Comments - USFS press release 10/1/09 [details]

Organizations

Idaho Panhandle NF - St. Joe District

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