Date: 12/09/2010 BLUERIBBON COALITION LAND USE UPDATE!
Huron-Manistee National Forests to Review Forest Plan
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
The Forest Service is beginning a formal review of the Land and Resource Management Plan of the Huron-Manistee National Forests.
As a result of a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Forest Service will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement to assess the environmental impacts of a proposed ban on firearm hunting, subject to existing rights, and snowmobile use on National Forest System lands within Semi-primitive Non-motorized Management Areas and a ban on firearm hunting, subject to existing rights, in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. This analysis will allow the agency to make a decision in accordance with federal regulations.
On September 29, 2010, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a favorable District Court ruling in a lawsuit involving the Huron-Manistee. Kurt Meister, a Michigan attorney, claimed that the Forest Service failed to address his concerns about noise created by gun hunters and snowmobiles in Semi-primitive Non-motorized Management Areas and the Wilderness.
Public involvement will occur during each phase of the review process. At a minimum, the process to consider a plan amendment includes:
Consultation with Native American tribes. Publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register and Michigan newspapers announcing a 45-day comment period. Analysis of the comments received and possibly develop additional Alternatives to respond to these comments. Preparation of a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and analyze effects of the Alternatives. Public review and comment period on Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Preparation of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Publication of a Decision Notice in the Federal Register. A 90-day appeal period. The public will be notified when the public comment periods will occur through news releases, legal notices, the forests' Website and the Federal Register. For more information, contact Kenneth Arbogast, Public Affairs Officer for the Huron-Manistee National Forests, at (231) 775-5023, Ext. 8726 or visit the forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/hmnf
BRC will forward information and updates as they become available via our action alert email system. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!
Link
Huron-Manistee National Forests to Review Forest Plan
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
The Forest Service is beginning a formal review of the Land and Resource Management Plan of the Huron-Manistee National Forests.
As a result of a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Forest Service will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement to assess the environmental impacts of a proposed ban on firearm hunting, subject to existing rights, and snowmobile use on National Forest System lands within Semi-primitive Non-motorized Management Areas and a ban on firearm hunting, subject to existing rights, in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. This analysis will allow the agency to make a decision in accordance with federal regulations.
On September 29, 2010, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a favorable District Court ruling in a lawsuit involving the Huron-Manistee. Kurt Meister, a Michigan attorney, claimed that the Forest Service failed to address his concerns about noise created by gun hunters and snowmobiles in Semi-primitive Non-motorized Management Areas and the Wilderness.
Public involvement will occur during each phase of the review process. At a minimum, the process to consider a plan amendment includes:
Consultation with Native American tribes. Publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register and Michigan newspapers announcing a 45-day comment period. Analysis of the comments received and possibly develop additional Alternatives to respond to these comments. Preparation of a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and analyze effects of the Alternatives. Public review and comment period on Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Preparation of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Publication of a Decision Notice in the Federal Register. A 90-day appeal period. The public will be notified when the public comment periods will occur through news releases, legal notices, the forests' Website and the Federal Register. For more information, contact Kenneth Arbogast, Public Affairs Officer for the Huron-Manistee National Forests, at (231) 775-5023, Ext. 8726 or visit the forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/hmnf
BRC will forward information and updates as they become available via our action alert email system. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,
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_______________________________________________________
As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!
Link