June 8, 2024 - SONORA, Calif. - The Stanislaus National Forest has published the Social and Ecological Resilience Across the Landscape (SERAL) 2.0 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The project includes vegetation management to reduce fuels and shift forest structure and composition towards a range of natural conditions (natural range of variation) where ecological processes and adaptive capacity can evolve together. That will result improved habitat, reduced risk of wildfires, a reduction of invasive weeds, improvement of old-growth forest conditions, and commercially marketable timber to support the local economy.
“The publication of this FEIS is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of Tribes, an incredibly diverse group of stakeholders, government agencies, and our community,” said Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken. “We truly have a product that all of us can be proud of. While not everyone got everything they were looking for and trade-offs have been made in a collaborative effort to serve the greatest good, this decision represents a huge step forward in rebuilding forest resilience and reducing the risk to our communities from catastrophic wildfire.”
Because this project utilizes the Western Firesheds Emergency Action Plan, the Stanislaus National Forest is taking a deliberate approach on which aspects of the proposed action are included in this decision and which actions will have additional administrative review/objection opportunities.
In an effort to expedite work on the ground and further understand and analyze public concerns, this decision will include only those proposed actions that fit the criteria for using the emergency authority. Additional decisions based on the SERAL 2.0 EIS will address, with proper consideration, different aspects of the implementation and include opportunity for an administrative review process.
To view the FEIS and supporting documents visit the project website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63557.
For more information please contact Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel at Benjamin.cossel@usda.gov or 209.288.6261.
Source: Stanislaus National Forest
