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SOURCE: Federal Register, June 8, 2001
Forest Service
Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan EIS
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is preparing an
environmental impact statement (EIS) to establish management direction
for the land and resources within the Giant Sequoia National Monument
(GSNM) created by Presidential Proclamation on April 15, 2000. The
agency is to develop a management plan within three years of the
signing of the Proclamation. The Forest Service, as the responsible
agency, proposes to amend the Sequoia National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan (FLMP) to provide for the protection of the objects of
interest identified in the Proclamation.
DATES: The public is asked to submit any issues (points of concern,
debate, dispute, or disagreement) regarding potential effects of the
proposed action by July 24, 2001. The draft EIS is expected to be
available for public comment in February 2002 and the final EIS is
expected to be published in September 2002.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Jim Whitfield, EIS Team Leader,
USDA Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, 900 W. Grand Avenue,
Porterville, CA 93257.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Whitfield, EIS Team Leader,
Sequoia National Forest, at the address listed above. The phone number
is (559) 784-1500. Information regarding the monument and the planning
process can also be found on the Giant Sequoia National Monument
website located at www.r5.fs.fed.us/giant_sequoia. Public meetings will
be held during the scoping period (July 10 in Los Angeles) to allow the public to
gather information prior to submitting comments. Information on the times,
dates, locations, and agendas for these meetings will be provided in
local newspapers, on the website, and by direct mailings.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On April 15, 2000, a Presidential Proclamation creating the Giant
Sequoia National Monument was signed. The Proclamation designated
327,769 acres within the boundary of the Sequoia National Forest as a
National Monument to provide protection for a variety of objects of
historic and scientific interest, including giant sequoia trees and
their surrounding ecosystem. The President directed the Secretary of
Agriculture to prepare a management plan within three years, and that
the plan is to include a transportation plan. The plan will provide for
and encourage continued public access and use consistent with the
purposes of the Giant Sequoia National Monument. A range of
alternatives will be analyzed, including the no-action alternative,
which is the management direction provided by the current Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan, as amended.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Presidential Proclamation identifies the need to take action
regarding two critical problems facing giant sequoias and their
ecosystems: (1) The heavy buildup of surface fuels and woody debris,
leading to an increased hazard form wildfires, and (2) a lack of
regeneration of young giant sequoias to ensure long-term sustainability
of the species. The proclamation also clearly identifies opportunities
for scientific research, interpretation, recreation, and the need for a
transportation plan. We are committed to preparing a management plan
that is responsive to these needs and opportunities and that provides
proper care for the objects of interest as identified in the
proclamation.
[Webmaster's Note: Federal Register contains 4 additional pages of information]
[The public meeting in Los Angeles will be on
Tuesday, July 10, 2001, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles River Center
570 West Avenue 26
Los Angeles, CA 90065]
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