ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Adventure (Let's GO WHEELING!) => Topic started by: ebewley on July 20, 2009, 09:03:46 AM
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BLUERIBBON COALITION LAND USE UPDATE!
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
Kootenai National Forest - Three Rivers Ranger District Releases Motor Vehicle Use Project EA
The Kootenai National Forest, located in northwest Montana and northeast Idaho, has completed the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Three Rivers Ranger District's Motor Vehicle Use Project. The EA is being considered for implementation, and the Forest Service is asking for your comments during a 30-day comment period, which began on July 5, 2009, and will end August 4, 2009.
Alternative C has been identified as the agency's preferred alternative and includes designating as legally open to motorized travel, approximately 500 miles of currently open road, adding and designating 13 routes (1.79 miles) to the National Forest road system, a motor vehicle prohibition on 161 miles of trail, and a prohibition for cross-country motor vehicle use on 42,000 acres of District land in Idaho. It also includes site-specific designation of routes allowing 300 feet of cross-country motor vehicle use for dispersed camping. The proposed action would include a site-specific Forest Plan amendment allowing cross-country motor vehicle use within specific riparian areas for accessing dispersed camping sites. Design features are included to protect resources.
A copy of the EA is available by contacting the district office or by visiting the Kootenai National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/kootenai/projects/projects/motorized-use-map/index.shtml. Forest Supervisor Paul Bradford is the decision maker for this project.
Comments on the EA will be most helpful if they identify the specific actions you think are needed, why those changes should be made and how such a change would better meet your interests. Persons who comment on the EA should include: (1) their name, address, telephone number and organization represented, if any; (2) title of the document on which the comment is being submitted (in this case, the "Motor Vehicle Use Project"); and (3) specific facts and supporting reasons for the responsible official to consider.
WRITTEN COMMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO:
Mike Herrin, District Ranger
Three Rivers Ranger District
12858 Highway 2
Troy, MT 59935
Attn: Motor Vehicle Use Project
For more information, contact Timory Peel, Team Leader, or Kathy Mohar, Environmental Coordinator, at the Three Rivers Ranger District:(406) 295-4693.
COMMENT DEADLINE IS AUGUST 4, 2009
JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!