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Subject: Appeal Reviewing Officer Recommendation Appeal No. 98-13-00-0014-A215

To: Deciding Officer

This is my review of the substantive quality of the January 30, 1998, decision made by Regional Forester Robert W. Williams to authorize limited vehicular access to private property within the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon. This decision selects Alternative 3 of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) released in November 1997.

As part of my review, I considered the arguments presented in the appeal filed by Barbara Ullian representing the Siskiyou Regional Education Project (Siskiyou Project), et al. I also reviewed the decision documentation and the FEIS.

Appeal Summary

(a) Appellants objections

The appellants object primarily on the basis that the Record of Decision (ROD) violates the following: (1) the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); (2) the Wilderness Act; (3) the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; (4) the National Forest Management Act; and (5) the Clean Water Act.

(b) Informal meeting results

There is no documentation of an informal meeting.

(c) Interested party comments

Barbara Ullian, representing herself, submitted a statement in full support of the appeal by Siskiyou Project, et al. She also submitted a revised copy of the appellants' appeal. In addition, Ullian provided photographs, notes, and personal observations relative to the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the road from Onion Camp to the Little Chetco River.

Findings

Based upon a thorough review of the record, I find that the FEIS prepared by the Forest Service met all the Council on Environmental Quality and Agency requirements for NEPA compliance. Sufficient evidence and analysis was provided in the FEIS for determining that the proposed activity will not have a significant effect on the quality of the wilderness values and attributes or on the quality of wild and scenic values of the Chetco River. The detail disclosed in the FEIS was sufficient for the scope of this proposed action and appropriate to support the Regional Forester in making an informed decision.

The ROD properly reflected the conclusions drawn in the FEIS, and Regional Forester Williams clearly stated his decision and the reasons for making it. The public had ample opportunity to be involved in this action proposal and all significant issues raised were properly considered in the analysis. The ROD discloses the required mitigation measures to minimize the environmental effects of this project.

The need for this action is to provide reasonable access for a landowner to his property located in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness without undue degradation to the wilderness environment. This decision is consistent with applicable laws, Agency policy, and the goals and direction of the Siskiyou National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

Recommendation

I recommend that the Regional Forester's decision be affirmed.

As a result of my review, I find that the issues raised by the appellants were adequately addressed in either the decision or its supporting documents. Further, the decision made by the Regional Forester was appropriate and fully supported by the appeal record.

/s/ Larry O. Gadt

LARRY O. GADT
Director of Minerals and
Geology Management