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SNF Seeking Comments on Motorized Recreation Project’s Environmental Assessment

MOUNTAIN AREA — The Sierra National Forest (SNF) is initiating the formal public comment period for the Motorized Recreation Project (Project) Environmental Assessment (EA). The project area identifies roads, trails and areas across the SNF, outside of designated Wilderness areas, where approximately 29 miles of trails — and 12 “areas” (totaling 11 acres) can be added to the National Forest Trail System.

“Of those 29 miles of proposed routes, 1.7 miles are proposed to change from road to trail, or to mixed use road/trail,” said a release issued by the agency Friday.

The project is bound by the Kings River to the south, Merced River and Yosemite National Park to the north, east of the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas, within the confines of the SNF.

A detailed description of the need for the project and the alternatives analyzed are in the EA located here.

The Forest Service will be accepting comments on the project for 30 days.

“Commenters should not rely on dates or timeframe information provided by any other source,” said the release. “Only those who submit timely project-specific written comments during a public comment period are eligible to file an objection. Individuals or representatives of an entity submitting comments must sign the comments or verify identity upon request.”

Comments should be as specific as possible.

Provide comments by mail, fax, or email to the responsible official, Dean Gould c/o Jody Nickerson-Powell, Attn: Motorized Recreation Project at:

Mail: 1600 Tollhouse Rd, Clovis, CA 93612;
FAX: (559)294-4809.
Electronic comments, in common (.doc, .pdf, .rtf, .txt) formats, may be submitted to: comments-pacificsouthwestsierra@usda.gov with the subject: Motorized Recreation Project.

Names of commenters will be part of the public record subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

“Please include full citations for all referenced literature in your comment, as this will enable the Forest Service to best utilize your comments. The Forest Service reserves the right to request copies of any literature cited in comments.”

“We would like to invite you to join us on July 15 for a virtual public meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m.,” the release also stated.

“We encourage you to take this opportunity to ask Forest Service employees questions about the EA that would assist you in commenting during the comment period.”

Information on how to join the virtual meeting is located here under “Features”.

For additional information, please contact SNF Recreation Officer Jody Nickerson-Powell at jody.nickerson@usda.gov.

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