BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
Forest Service Seeks Public Input on Travel Plan EA
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) in northern Wisconsin is proposing changes to their motorized travel system and is requesting comments on their Travel Management Project Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA is available for public review during the 30-day comment period, which began July 18, 2008.
The EA documents the analysis of three alternatives involving site-specific designations regarding motorized vehicle use within the boundaries of the Forest. Vehicle classes allowed include All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and highway legal vehicles. Motorcycles are included in the definition of ATVs.
The outcome of the CNNF Travel Management Project will be a designated system of roads and trails available for public motorized vehicle use on the Forest. The purpose of this project is only to determine (designate) which roads and trails will be included on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
COMMENTS CONCERNING THIS ACTION WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL AUGUST 18, 2008.
Comments received during the 30-day comment period will be considered by the Forest Supervisor prior to making a final decision this fall. Implementation will occur in January 2009 with the publication of the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The MVUM, showing the designated system, will be available online and at District Offices free of charge.
A copy of the Environmental Assessment and maps of the alternatives are available at the following link:
www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/rec/tmr/6302_CNNF_TMR_Environmental_Assessment_v06272008.pdf. For more information about the project, call Joan Marburger, Project Leader, at 715-762-5178.
HOW TO COMMENT:
Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this action will be accepted until August 18, 2008.
Written comments must be submitted to: Responsible Official Jeanne Higgins, Forest Supervisor, Attn: Travel Management Project EA, 1170 4th Avenue S, Park Falls, WI 54552; or FAX 715-762-5179. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Verbal comments must be provided during normal business hours via telephone or in person. See list of individuals accepting comments, how/where to contact them and their normal business hours below.
Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc) to comments-eastern-chequamegonnicolet|removethispart|@fs.fed.us. Please include 'Travel Management Project' in the subject line. 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.
It is the responsibility of persons providing comments to submit them by the close of the 30-day comment period. Only those who submit timely comments will have eligibility to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 215. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to appeal must meet the information requirements of 36 CFR 215.6.
Individuals accepting verbal comments for the CNNF Travel Management Project EA:
Spring Rosales, Washburn District Ranger, 113 Bayfield St. East, Washburn, WI 54891, 715-373-2667, Normal business hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays
Constance Chaney, Great Divide District Ranger, 10650 Nyman Ave., Hayward, WI 54843, 715-634-4821, Normal business hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays
Bob Hennes, Medford Park Falls District Ranger, 1170 4th Avenue So., Park Falls, WI 54552, 715-762-2461, Normal business hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays
Harv Skjerven, Eagle River Florence District Ranger, 1247 E. Wall St., Eagle River, WI 54521, 715-479-2827, Normal business hours: 7:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays
Jeff Seefeldt, Lakewood Laona District Ranger, 4978 Hwy. 8 W, Laona, WI 54541, 715-674-4481, Normal business hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays
