Sonora, Calif., November 13, 2014…The public is invited to comment and learn more about an upcoming Stanislaus National Forest restoration project at an open house on November 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Calaveras Ranger District Office.
The purpose of the Hemlock project is to improve ecological resilience of the landscape by: producing different forest stand structures and densities; reducing the forest’s susceptibility to insect, disease, and drought related mortality; reducing surface fuels, increasing the height to canopy, and decreasing crown density; retaining large, fire resistant trees; maintaining and enhancing important wildlife habitat; enhancing the extent and connectivity of aspen stands; and improving resource and watershed conditions
A scoping package that provides information related to the proposed action, the scoping process and how to submit comments is available at the Calaveras District Office or online at:http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45690.
This project is subject to comment pursuant to 36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B (rule). As such, we (the Forest Service) are requesting your specific written comments during this initial 30-day designated opportunity for public participation (November 13 through December 15, 2014). Specific written comments are those submitted to the Responsible Official or designee during a designated opportunity for public participation (26 CFR 218.5(a)). For the purposed of this rule, specific written comment should be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider.
Submitting comments at this early stage is important and will allow the development team the opportunity to incorporate your thoughts, concerns and issues into the analysis. The Forest Service may use your comments to help identify issues or alternatives while preparing an Environmental Assessment, expected to be available for a 30-day opportunity to comment in May 2015. A final decision is expected in October 2015.
In addition to the open house, official comments can be submitted via the following methods: mailed to the Calaveras Ranger District at - Attn: HEMLOCK; P.O. Box 500, Hathaway Pines, CA 95233; hand delivered to 5519 Highway 4, Hathaway Pines, CA 95233, during business hours (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm); or, submitted by FAX (209) 785-6849. Submit electronic comments, in common (.doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf, .txt) formats to:
comments-pacificsouthwest-stanislaus-calaveras@fs.fed.us with subject: HEMLOCK. Names of commenters will be part of the public record.
For additional information regarding this project, contact Kendal Young at the Calaveras Ranger District, P.O. Box 500, Hathaway Pines, CA 95233; or call (209) 795-1381 ext. 355
Hemlock Landscape Restoration Scoping Begins on Stanislaus National Forest
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