Freel/Meiss Transportationshed Trail Access and Travel Management Plan Environmental Assessment: 

Cover letter from the Forest Supervisor

This document can also be seen in its original format. 

Interested Public:

Due to recent changes in the 36 CFR 215 Appeal Regulations, the completed Freel/Meiss Transportationshed Trail Access and Travel Management (ATM) Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) is being reopened for public comment for an additional 30-day period. Comments submitted during the first pre-decisional comment period will remain in the project record and will be considered in reaching a decision. If you commented during that period you need not resubmit those comments.

My decision, supported by this EA would authorize implementation of the Forest's Trail ATM. Based upon the risk to water quality, the ATM prioritized the Freel/Meiss project area for implementation of system trail conversion, urban trail designation, designation of use, trail upgrades, new construction, reroutes and decommissioning activities between 2004 and 2005 field seasons. The EA contains the "Proposed Action" that would upgrade or decommission trails on National Forest lands that are eroding and thus contributing to adverse water quality impacts. Implementation of the Proposed Action will benefit Lake Tahoe's clarity and water quality, as well as protect soil resources, while still providing safe and enjoyable recreational access to the National Forest. The No Action alternative is also considered in the EA. An additional alternative, Alternative 3, was created in response to issues raised during the public scoping process. Alternative 3 would conduct all activities described in the Proposed Action, except the Christmas Valley Trail (18E05 and 18E05A) would be closed to mechanized use. 

The EA has been finalized. The document is not a draft. If you notice a significant error or omission in the EA, I would appreciate having that brought to my attention. However, at this point I am most interested in your thoughts regarding the upcoming decision. Please submit your comments to: USDA Forest Service, L.T.B.M.U., Forest Supervisor, attn: Kristine Leep, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 96150-4500, (530)-543-2783, by FAX [(530)-543-2693] or by hand-delivery to the address shown above (Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30pm, excluding federal holidays). Electronic comments, in acceptable [plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf) or Word (.doc)] formats, may also be submitted to comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us. Provide your name, address and telephone number, the title of the EA, and your specific comments and supporting rationale that you would like considered in reaching a decision. 

Names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposed action, and will be available for public inspection. Only those who submit timely and substantive comments during this or the preceding 30-day comment period will have standing to appeal under the 2003 Forest Service regulation 36 CFR 215. Each individual or representative from each organization submitting substantive comments must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request. The comment period begins with the publication of the legal notice in the Tahoe Daily Tribune and ends 30 days thereafter.

Kristine Leep can provide you with additional information about this proposal. She can be reached during regular business hours at (530) 543-2783 and will ensure that I receive your comments. Please direct your written comments to the mailing address stated above.

Sincerely,

/s/ Maribeth Gustafson

MARIBETH GUSTAFSON
Forest Supervisor

Enclosures

Downloading the Forest Supervisor's Original Letter or the Environmental Assessment: 

The Forest Supervisor's original letter contains all the information you see above.  The only difference is the PDF document of the letter appears in its original form on Forest Service letterhead, and it is a bit more "Printer Friendly".

Please be aware the Forest Supervisor's original letter and the Environmental Assessment (EA) are in a PDF format.  The EA is 1.1M.  You will need to be patient as it may take several minutes for this file to open.  If you have difficulty accessing either of these files please Contact Us. 

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