Date: 02/05/2009 strongBLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!/strongbr /br /br /br /strongDear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, /strongbr /br /strongCarson National Forest Seeking Comments on Travel Management/strongbr /br /The Carson National Forest, located in north-central New Mexico, is formulating a new travel plan that will limit ALL motorized wheeled vehicle use to designated roads, trails and areas. br /br /The first step in the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process is called "scoping," and is designed to guide the development of a range of Alternatives. The Alternatives will then be presented to the public via the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), along with the "Proposed Action," for review and comment. The Forest Service (FS) is asking for your input on the Proposed Action in the scoping phase during a 30-day public comment period.br /br /strongIMPORTANT:/strong br /People often ask what kind of comment is important for the scoping phase. We promote the "tell them where you go and why" comment for all stages of the planning, including scoping. Comments telling the agency why you value a route are really important at all stages in the planning. Time spent looking over the Proposed Action, and comments on how it will affect you and your family, is time well spent. br /br /Also, consider requesting that the agency develop a "pro-recreation" alternative. The scoping phase is also used to develop "planning issues" and Alternatives. Tell the agency that the OHV community will not tolerate being presented a "range" of Alternatives that all reduce opportunity for OHV use. br /br /You can find the Proposed Action and more info here: strongLEARN MORE ON THE WEB/strong Paper copies of the maps are available for review at ranger districts, the supervisor's office and public libraries in the vicinity of the Carson National Forest. br /br /Public involvement will be ongoing throughout the process. However, written scoping comments should be received by February 28, 2009. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal and will be available for public inspection.br /br /The comments received from the public will be used to identify issues and develop alternatives to the proposed action that will be considered in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).nbsp; The DEIS, expected to be released in spring 2009, will be followed by another comment period.br /br /strongCOMMENT DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 28, 2009/strongbr /br /strongSend written comments to: br //strongnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Carson National Forestbr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Travel Management Proposed Actionsbr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; 208 Cruz Alta Roadbr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Taos, NM 87571br /br /strongEmail comments to:/strongbr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; carson_trvl_mgt@fs.fed.usnbsp;nbsp;nbsp; br /br /Please put "strongCNF Travel Management/strong" in the subject line. Electronic comments must be in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), MS-Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf).br /br /strongFax Comments to:/strongbr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; (575) 758-6213br /br /If you have questions about the NEPA process or the process for submitting comments, please contact the Travel Management Team, Paula Cote at (575) 758-6284 or Jack Carpenter at (575) 758-6221.br /br /strongJUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!/strongbr /br /strongThanks in advance for your support,/strongbr /Ric Fosterbr /Public Lands Department Managerbr /BlueRibbon Coalitionbr /208-237-1008 ext 107
Link
Link
