The Coronado National Forest, located in southeastern Arizona, is proposing changes to the motorized transportation system on the Sierra Vista Ranger District. The system that is currently in place was originally established according to direction in the Coronado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan; 1986, as amended). The first step in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process is "scoping," during which the public is asked to help identify issues, concerns and reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. Comments
The Coronado National Forest, located in southeastern Arizona, is proposing changes to the motorized transportation system on the Sierra Vista Ranger District. The system that is currently in place was originally established according to direction in the Coronado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan; 1986, as amended).
The first step in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process is "scoping," during which the public is asked to help identify issues, concerns and reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. Comments received during scoping will be reviewed and used by Forest resource specialists to analyze project effects, and as necessary, to develop mitigation measures, issues and alternatives. Other opportunities for public involvement in the NEPA process will be offered by future meetings and document reviews.
Maps showing the proposed changes are available for public review at the District Office in Sierra Vista (address below), at the Forest Supervisor's Office in Tucson (300 West Congress Street), and on the Forest's public website at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36560.
Comments should be submitted by February 28, 2012. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail to Ms. Peggy Wilson, Travel Management Project Leader, Sierra Vista Ranger District, 5990 S. Hwy 92, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650; by facsimile to (520) 378-0519, ATTN: Sierra Vista Travel Management NEPA; and by email to comments-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us with " Sierra Vista Travel Management NEPA " in the subject line. Email comments may be sent in the body of the message, in rich text format (.rtf) or in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx). Please direct telephone comments to Peggy Wilson at (520) 378-0311.
Comments may also be submitted electronically through the Coronado National Forest's website at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36560. To do this, select "Comment on Project" in the blue "Get Connected" box. At the same location, you may also elect to receive electronic updates about this project by selecting the "Subscribe to Email Updates" link.
As part of this scoping process, the Forest Service will host open houses in Tucson and Sierra Vista, Arizona. Comment forms will be available at these meetings, which everyone is welcome to attend. Notices of the times and places of these open houses will be posted on the Forest public web site at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado and in the Tucson and Sierra Vista local newspapers.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists. 1-800-BlueRib - www.sharetrails.org
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