ARIZONA - FS Proposing Changes to Douglas Ranger District Motorized Travel System
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
The Coronado National Forest, located in southeastern Arizona, is proposing changes to the motorized transportation system on the Douglas 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 Douglas (address below), at the Forest Supervisor's Office (300 West Congress Street in Tucson), and on the Forest's public website at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36555.
To be most useful, your comments should be submitted by May 12, 2012. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail to Mr. Ruben Morales, Travel Management Project Leader, Douglas Ranger District, 1192 W. Saddle View Road, Douglas, AZ 85607; by facsimile to: "ATTN: Douglas Travel Management NEPA" at (520) 364-6667; and by electronic mail (email) to comments-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us with "Douglas 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 Mr. Morales on (520) 364-6800.
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=36555. To do this, select "Comment on Project" in the blue "Get Connected" box. You may also indicate here that you would like 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-house meetings in Tucson and Douglas, 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 website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado and in the Tucson and Douglas local newspapers.
Questions about the NEPA process may be directed to Ms. Andrea W. Campbell, Forest NEPA Coordinator, at (520) 388-8352.
Thanks in advance and, as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
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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