If you haven’t commented on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Stanislaus National Forest Travel Management Rule, there’s still time. About 2 weeks additional time has been granted by Susan Skalski, Forest Supervisor. Thanks, Susan!
If you do comment, make sure you are familiar with the alternatives and address the issues that concern you. It’s about much more than off-road vehicles. It’s about how you are allowed to access and use it: how far off a road you can drive (proposed to be one car length), how you can get to dispersed campsites (if the road is closed, access will have to be by non-motorized means), what time of year you can drive on the roads, etc. If you’d like a copy of the Board’s comments that was approved (4/1, Liz Bass opposing) and submitted last week, please email me at info.
Here are a few observations:
- It is important to understand that the system is being evaluated from the standpoint of presently authorized roads, not all existing roads. That makes a lot of difference.
- There are five proposed alternatives, each with drawbacks and advantages. The best choice may be a combination of several alternatives.
- Alternative 2 has been called the “no action” alternative. However, that doesn’t mean that the status quo would be left intact, but that every road that is not presently authorized would be closed: many, many miles fall into that category.
- Each alternative notes that a certain number of miles is proposed to be added and a certain number of roads/miles, closed. The roads added number means added to the official authorized system, not new miles of roads added, and roads/miles closed means existing roads, blocked and off-limits forever or until NEPA analyses are done, whichever comes first.
- There are obviously some roads that users created that should be closed because of their condition and the harm their use causes to sensitive areas. But there are many that are proposed to be closed because the USFS doesn’t have the budget to maintain them.
So again, please invest the time to provide informed and meaningful comments.
Here’s the press release from the Stanislaus National Forest:
Motorized Travel Management Comment Period Extended
Sonora, Calif., (May 1, 2009)…The Forest Service today announced that the sixty day public comment period on the Stanislaus National Forest Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been extended for an additional 15 days. Comments on the DEIS are now due by Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
Since the March 6 beginning of the DEIS 60-day public review and comment period the Forest has conducted a total of six public meetings, a series of four open house workshops, and an internet “webinar” teleconference. Copies of the DEIS and newly published Errata are available at all Stanislaus National Forest offices.
The Stanislaus National Forest Motorized Travel Management project is part of a national effort to define transportation systems on every National Forest. The goal is to develop a sustainable system of routes that provide an array of opportunities for access and recreation on National Forest lands, as well as protection of various resources by curtailing motorized cross country travel.
Comments are invited on the DEIS, and to be considered, and must be received by the Stanislaus NF no later than Wednesday, May 20 2009.
While comments may be submitted anytime during the analysis process, only those individuals and organizations who provide comments during the comment period are eligible to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 215.
Comments may be submitted to Stanislaus National Forest; Attn: Motorized Travel DEIS; 19777 Greenley Road; Sonora, CA 95370. Electronic comments may be submitted to comments-pacificsouthwest-stanislaus with Subject: Motorized Travel DEIS. Comments may be submitted by FAX (209) 533-1890; or, by hand-delivery to the address shown above, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Oral comments may be provided by calling (209) 532-3671 ext. 350.
The project web page [http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/projects/ohv] includes the latest project updates, schedules for public meetings, and other information. To request additional information regarding this project, contact Sue Warren, Team Leader; Stanislaus National Forest; 19777 Greenley Road; Sonora, CA 95370; or, e-mail swarren (to ensure a timely response, it is important to include “Information Request” in the subject line).
Compact Discs containing the DEIS documents, resource reports, supporting documents and maps are available by request. The DEIS is also available for review at the Forest Supervisor’s Office; 19777 Greenley Road; Sonora, CA 95370; or, online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/projects/ohv.
A Final Environmental Impact Statement and decision by Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski are expected this summer, with a Motor Vehicle Use Map scheduled for release by the end of 2009. Following the designation of specific motorized routes, motor vehicle use off designated roads and trails would be prohibited, unless under special use permit.
Board of Supervisors’ Comment Letter Approved May 28, 2009
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Forest Travel Management Rule Plan comment period extended
If you haven’t commented on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Stanislaus National Forest Travel Management Rule, there’s still time. About 2 weeks additional time has been granted by Susan Skalski, Forest Supervisor. Thanks, Susan!
If you do comment, make sure you are familiar with the alternatives and address the issues that concern you. It’s about much more than off-road vehicles. It’s about how you are allowed to access and use it: how far off a road you can drive (proposed to be one car length), how you can get to dispersed campsites (if the road is closed, access will have to be by non-motorized means), what time of year you can drive on the roads, etc. If you’d like a copy of the Board’s comments that was approved (4/1, Liz Bass opposing) and submitted last week, please email me at info.
Here are a few observations:
So again, please invest the time to provide informed and meaningful comments.
Here’s the press release from the Stanislaus National Forest:
Motorized Travel Management Comment Period Extended
Sonora, Calif., (May 1, 2009)…The Forest Service today announced that the sixty day public comment period on the Stanislaus National Forest Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been extended for an additional 15 days. Comments on the DEIS are now due by Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
Since the March 6 beginning of the DEIS 60-day public review and comment period the Forest has conducted a total of six public meetings, a series of four open house workshops, and an internet “webinar” teleconference. Copies of the DEIS and newly published Errata are available at all Stanislaus National Forest offices.
The Stanislaus National Forest Motorized Travel Management project is part of a national effort to define transportation systems on every National Forest. The goal is to develop a sustainable system of routes that provide an array of opportunities for access and recreation on National Forest lands, as well as protection of various resources by curtailing motorized cross country travel.
Comments are invited on the DEIS, and to be considered, and must be received by the Stanislaus NF no later than Wednesday, May 20 2009.
While comments may be submitted anytime during the analysis process, only those individuals and organizations who provide comments during the comment period are eligible to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 215.
Comments may be submitted to Stanislaus National Forest; Attn: Motorized Travel DEIS; 19777 Greenley Road; Sonora, CA 95370. Electronic comments may be submitted to comments-pacificsouthwest-stanislaus with Subject: Motorized Travel DEIS. Comments may be submitted by FAX (209) 533-1890; or, by hand-delivery to the address shown above, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Oral comments may be provided by calling (209) 532-3671 ext. 350.
The project web page [http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/projects/ohv] includes the latest project updates, schedules for public meetings, and other information. To request additional information regarding this project, contact Sue Warren, Team Leader; Stanislaus National Forest; 19777 Greenley Road; Sonora, CA 95370; or, e-mail swarren (to ensure a timely response, it is important to include “Information Request” in the subject line).
Compact Discs containing the DEIS documents, resource reports, supporting documents and maps are available by request. The DEIS is also available for review at the Forest Supervisor’s Office; 19777 Greenley Road; Sonora, CA 95370; or, online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/projects/ohv.
A Final Environmental Impact Statement and decision by Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski are expected this summer, with a Motor Vehicle Use Map scheduled for release by the end of 2009. Following the designation of specific motorized routes, motor vehicle use off designated roads and trails would be prohibited, unless under special use permit.
Board of Supervisors’ Comment Letter Approved May 28, 2009