Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Seeks Comments on Motorized Routes
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, located in north-central Washington, is formulating a new travel plan that will limit ALL vehicle use to designated roads, trails and areas. The Forest Service (FS) will be hosting a series of public meetings on the travel planning process during the month of April 2009. (See schedule below)
On March 24, 2009, the FS published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a Proposed Action to implement the Travel Management Rule to designate a system of roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use. This NOI initiates the scoping process, which guides development of the Environmental Impact Statement.
The Forest is asking for your comments on the proposed action during a 45-day public scoping period. Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received by May 7, 2009, so they can be fully considered. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is scheduled for completion by December 2009. The FS plans to have the Final EIS completed by July 2010.
Comments are most valuable if they are site-specific. Comments about existing or proposed conditions on individual routes, desired motorized or non-motorized recreation opportunities, uses and impacts, and route designations are being sought.
Public meetings to explain and gather comments about the proposed action will be held at the following locations and dates from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.:
Ellensburg, WA, April 6, 2009 Hal Holmes Community Center.
Yakima, WA, April 7, 2009 Howard Johnson Ballroom.
Cashmere, WA, April 8, 2009 Apple Annie Antique Gallery.
Okanogan, WA, April 9, 2009 Okanogan County Agriplex.
Seattle, WA area: To be announced and posted on the Travel Management website
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/okawen/travel-management.
It is important that you submit comments to make sure that there is a public record of support for maintaining motorized and mechanized access. Comments are most useful if they are specific.
Involvement from OHV enthusiasts in the scoping process is critical. If you want to protect your favorite trails and routes in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, be sure to attend one or all of these meetings and make your voice heard.
Your feedback is important to this process. If you have comments, you may submit through any of the following methods:
Mail Comments To:
Travel Management Planning Team
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
215 Melody Lane
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Email Comments To:
okawen-travel-management|removethispart|@fs.fed.us
COMMENT DEADLINE IS MAY 7, 2009
