PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Environmental Analyses and Decisions
As directed by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, all "major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment" must be supported by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before they can be implemented. Many other projects require an Environmental Assessment (EA) that is used to determine whether the proposal is a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Still other projects are categorically excluded from documentation in an EA or EIS because they involve activities that have been determined not to be major federal actions. The menu below provides information about current EIS's and EA's as well as decision memos for categorically excluded projects. Note that projects that are categorically excluded from documentation in an EA or EIS may move directly from the scoping phase to decision without further opportunities for public review or appeal. Other projects typically move through the process from top to bottom as displayed below.
Note that projects tagged with "(PDF)" are provided in Portable Document Format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download Acrobat Reader, free of charge, from Abode at: www.adobe.com/acrobat/readstep.html.
Electronic Comments: We are now beginning to implement a process that will allow you to make comments or file an appeal by e-mail. Please use the e-mail links provided on the project pages and always make sure your subject line names the project. Please do not comment on multiple projects in a single e-mail message. If you have general comments on this website or the overall project analysis effort on the Fremont-Winema National Forests, please use the following e-mail address: comments-pacificnorthwest-fremont-winema@fs.fed.us.
Scoping Phase
- Crane Creek Restoration Project [Comments Due May 31, 2008]
The proposed action is to restore connectivity between Mare’s Eggs Springs to the upper sections of Crane Creek. Specifically, the proposed action will restore the 0.5 mile reach of Crane Creek to its original channel between the confluence of Mare’s Egg Spring to Sevenmile Road, by improving habitat features and reconnecting plugged meanders to the existing channel. Improving habitat in this reach will improve habitat conditions for a variety of life stages of native fish and wildlife species, as well as create or enhance wetlands and wet meadow areas adjacent to the stream channel. (Klamath Ranger District)
- West Side Fuels Reduction Project [Comments Due April 21, 2008]
The primary focus of the Westside project is fuels reduction; the project is also being designed to enhance old-growth forest characteristics and to protect and improve habitat for threatened, endangered and sensitive species, primarily spotted owls, bald eagles and Lost River and shortnose suckers. (Klamath Ranger District)
- Bly Ridge WUI [Comments Due April 4, 2008]
Bly Ranger District proposes to reduce fuel loading in the Bly Ridge WUI project by using prescribed fire on approximately 9,315 acres. The northern edge of the area (3,050 acres) was burned as part of the Compound prescribed fire in 1988. The majority of the perimeter of this area (4,570 acres) was burned as part of the Whiskey burn in 1997. The area also includes 4,745 acres which have not previously been treated with prescribed fire. Pre-commercial thinning and timber salvage projects were completed on 55 acreas of the area in 1988 and on another 2,444 acres of the area in 1995-96. Prescribed burning would reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfire and change the conditions of the stand to more closely resemble historic conditions. Burning may take place over multiple years and may occur in the spring or fall as fuel and weather conditions dictate. (Bly Ranger District)
- Glory Hole Proposed Plan of Operation [Comments Due December 28, 2007]
This project proponent proposes exploratory excavations not to exceed 6' long x 6' wide x 6' deep, with no more than two areas open at the same time. Soil and rocks removed would be placed immediately adjacent to test holes to be used for surface reclamation. Tree cutting would not be necessary. The proposed season of use is from May - October. The claim holder is also proposing to construct a 1,500 foot long native surface road to access the mining claim site. (Bly Ranger District)
- Coyote Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project (HFRA) [Collaborative Efforts Now Underway]
This project is being initiated under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003. Under HFRA, the collaborative process begins early, before the development of a proposed action. The Forest Service (FS) develops the proposed action, using this early input. This is designed to allow a proposal to be developed that reflects input from a variety of stakeholders and is expected to enable the FS to limit the number of alternatives which will need to be fully analyzed. (Silver Lake Ranger District)
- Invasive Plants Treatment and Restoration EIS [Comments Due April 9, 2007]
The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to document and disclose the potential environmental effects of proposed invasive plant treatments on the Fremont-Winema National Forests. Treatment methods would include manual, mechanical, cultural, biological, and chemical control. Combinations of methods may be used. Treatments would focus on 4,274 known invasive plant sites currently infesting approximately 7,730 acres. The Proposed Action also includes an Early Detection/Rapid Response (EDRR) process to allow treatment of new or previously undiscovered infestations. Under the EDRR approach, new sites would be evaluated to ensure that effects are within the scope of those already analyzed in the EIS. (Forestwide)
- Sycan Weir Removal - Private Land Project
The Nature Conservancy proposes to remove two weirs from the Sycan River on their property to allow fish passage. The Fremont-Winema Resources Advisory Committee proposes to fund this project under Title II of the Secure Rural schools Act. Since these are federal funds which the Forest Supervisor must approve for expenditure, the project is subject to the procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act. (Paisley Ranger District)
- VanHulzen Private Road Easement [Comments Due September 21, 2006]
An existing native surface road is located across National Forest lands, that reaches the VanHulzen property. The Forest Service would have to identify road operation and maintenance measures needed for the protection of the adjacent National Forest land.(Bly Ranger District)
- Upper Sycan Vegetation and Fuels Treatments
Purposes of this project include: reduce fuel loading and ladder fuels; reduce excess and encroaching vegetation to increase vigor, health, and growth rates in the forest ecosystem; improve the quantity and quality of specific wildlife habitats, including goshawk nesting and foraging, bald eagle foraging, deciduous trees, and non-forested mosaics of sagebrush and other forbs/shrubs habitats; and achieve consistency with the Fremont National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) within the Upper Sycan Project Area, including visitor safety on Forest Service roads and the provision of commercially valuable timber as a byproduct of restoration treatments. (Paisley Ranger District)
- Wild Goose Gates and Road Closure Project
This project is designed to use a seasonal closure order and to install gates on three roads in the vicinity of Sevenmile Creek and Dry Creek on the Klamath Ranger District. The purpose of the closure is to lessen disturbance to elk using the area for calving. The gates would be locked closed from May 1 through June 30 each year, and open the remainder of the year. The Forest Roads to be gate are the 3213, 3228, and 3208 Roads. If funds permit, an older gate near the intersection of the 3228 and 3213 road may also be removed. (Klamath Ranger District)
- Rock Creek Restoration [Comments Due October 29, 2007]
This project will restore historical channel continuity and large woody habitat on sections of Rock Creek. This will be done in conjunction with matching restoration efforts on adjacent private lands. The project will include culvert installations, excavation of main channels, meander configuration of straight stream stretches, and placement of large logs. Benefits will be to bull trout and redband trout populations. (Klamath Ranger District)
- Pelican Guard Station Restoration and Enhancement
The Forest has received grant funding to develop a small rest area at the site of the old Pelican Guard Station near the intersection of Hwy 140 and the Westside Road. This will be done as part of the Scenic Byway Corridor Plan for the Volcanic Legacy All-American Road. Initial plans call for replacing the existing toilet, adding parking areas and picnic sites, and construction of an interpretive sign kiosk. Historic structures will be evaluated, and possibly restored. (Klamath Ranger District)
- Antelope Cattle Allotment Boundary Fence Project [Comments Due June 3, 2005]
The proposed fence would be installed to prevent cattle access along the middle section of Jack Creek. (Chemult Ranger District)
- Three Creek Fuel Reduction and Habitat Protection Project
The Three Creek project area is designated as bald eagle nest sites and replacement habitat. Project emphasis is for retention and protection of mature and old growth ponderosa pine stand structures and individual large ponderosa pine trees. Two decision are anticipated. (Chemult Ranger District)
- Pothole/Scott Creek Aspen Regeneration
Thinning is proposed to enhance riparian hardwood habitat by removing competing conifers from aspen patches. (Chemult Ranger District)
- BOPU Thinning
This project will thin small lodgepole pine trees on two sites to prevent development of 40 percent or greater canopy cover and subsequent pumice grapefern (BOPU) population decline. The project will be monitored to determine the long-term effects of thinning on the two populations of this plant. (Chemult Ranger District)
- Big Jack Restoration Projects [Comments Due June 7, 2002]
Proposed activities include removal of lodgepole encroachment in meadows, aspen regeneration, willow planting, reduction of hazardous fuels, salvage of dead and dying trees, and tree thinning to develop habitat. (Chemult Ranger District)
- Threemile Creek Rehabilitation Project [Comments Due May 12, 2000]
Proposed activities include obliteration of the portion of Forest Road (FR) 3413 west from the intersection of FR 3413.110 to its intersection with FR 3449, installation of a gate on FR 3449 at its intersection with spur road 230, installation of a gate on FR 3413 at its intersection with FR 3414, repair FR 3449 stream crossings and improvement of drainage structures on FR 3414. (Klamath Ranger District)
Projects available for Public Comment
- Lost and Sprague River Watersheds Grazing Allotments [Comments Due Feb 13, 2009]
The Bly and Lakeview Ranger Districts are seeking public comments on the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Lost River and Sprague River Watersheds Grazing Allotments. The project would authorize livestock grazing and associated activities on six allotments in the Lost River and Sprague River watersheds. The grazing allotments that are evaluated are Barnes Valley, Arkansas, Pitchlog and Horsefly located in the southeast portion of the Bly Ranger District, and Wildhorse and Yocum Valley allotments located in the southwestern portion of the Lakeview Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forests in Oregon.
- Red Zone Safety Project [Comments Due Jan 12, 2009]
The Fremont-Winema National Forest is seeking public comments on the preliminary environmental assessment for the Red Zone Safety Project. The project would implement vegetative treatments in the corridors of approximately 199 miles of well-traveled forest roads and within 25 recreation sites on the Paisley and Bly Ranger Districts. The proposed project is a response to a mountain pine beetle epidemic in south central Oregon. The project is designed to improve public and employee safety. It is expected that the project would also, in the long-term, reduce future mortality that could perpetuate the presence of danger trees in roadside areas and hazard trees at recreation sites.
- Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline Project [Comments Due Dec 4, 2008]
This FERC Lead Project is available for Comments. Comments to the Draft EIS are due to FERC by Dec 4, 2008.
Attached is a letter explaining the project. The DEIS can be located at http://www.ferc.gov/industries/lng/enviro/eis/2008/08-29-08-eis.asp
This project is part of an effort to install a 36 inch diameter natural gas pipeline from a proposed Liquefied Natural Gas terminal at Coos Bay to the existing natural gas pipelines near Malin, OR. The Umpqua National Forest will be the lead Forest for the analysis for this project, and the Bureau of Land Management will be the lead Agency for the environmental analysis. Approximately 3 miles of the proposed line would cross the Klamath Ranger District at T37S, R5E, Section 32, and T38S, R5E, Sections 3, 4, and 31. (Klamath Ranger District)
- West Drews Vegetation Management Project [Comments
due by September 15, 2008]
If implemented as proposed, this project would treat approximately 15,000 acres of National Forest System lands by thinning conifers (including small diameter tree thinning); remove juniper from approximately 2000 acres in sagebrush plant communities and treat an additional 13,000 acres of sagebrush plant communities where juniper are encroaching. The Forest Service is also proposing to amend the Fremont Forest Plan to allow harvest of white fir greater than 21 inches in diameter to benefit restoration of ponderosa pine.
- Lower Jack Restoration Project [Comments due by September 8, 2008]
The Chemult Ranger District is seeking public comments on Lower Jack Restoration Project within the Jack Creek watershed. The project is designed to restore ecosystem health and treat hazardous fuels in fire-adapted forests. The project proposes harvesting and thinning of green trees, salvaging dead trees, and removing encroaching conifers in meadows. Fuels would be treated with prescribed fire, mechanical treatment, and hand treatment. Legal location of the project is T29S, R10E, Sec. 1-4, 9-17, 19-23, 26-29, 33 and 34; T29S, R11E, Sec. 7, 8 and 17; T30S, R10E, Sec. 4, 5 and 9.
Note: Reply due dates are provided here for your convenience. While we do our best to insure accuracy, the publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file your comments. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source, including this website.
Decision and Appeal (or Objection) Period
- No projects in this category at the moment.
Note: Appeal and objection due dates are provided here for your convenience. While we do our best to insure accuracy, the publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an appeal or objection. Those wishing to appeal or object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source, including this website.
Appeal (or Objection) Process
Litigation
- Toolbox Fire Recovery Project [Decision Affirmed by Regional Forester on Appeal, Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction Denied by District Court and 9th Circuit Court, Litigation proceeds, as do project activities]
This project will assist the recovery of areas burned in 2002 by the Toolbox Complex Fires (includes Toolbox Fire, Silver Fire and small portion of Winter Fire). This includes salvage of burned timber, re-forestation and projects to alleviate the potential for future damage to riparian and aquatic resources as a result of the fires. The 48,000 acre project area is located on the Silver Lake Ranger District and is centered approximately 13 miles south of Silver Lake, Oregon, within the Silver Creek, Silver Lake and Summer Lake Watersheds. This project has been granted an emergency exemption from stay and was implemented during the appeal period. (Silver Lake Ranger District)
Decisions
After the Decision Memo, Decision Notice or Record of Decision is signed and the appeals and litigation processes are exhausted, the project information is moved to our Decisions page and the project is ready for implementation.
|
|
