San Gabriel Mountains National Monument plan nears completion

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Final Environmental Assessment (EA), draft Decision Notice, and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Plan are complete. The final EA presents the environmental consequences of three alternatives analyzed in detail, including a no action alternative. The proposed monument plan respects and conserves the significant, unique landscapes, vistas and features of this special area, while it will continue to allow existing land uses and provide the experiences, jobs and services that boost the local economy. The plan will provide guidance for the Angeles National Forest to manage the area’s unique ecological, social, and cultural resources for many years to come.

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument was established in 2014 by Presidential Proclamation and encompasses over 346,000 acres of high use public land managed by the USDA Forest Service as a part of the Angeles National Forest. The San Gabriel Mountains rise from coastal lands to the west and desert to the east to provide some of the most breathtaking vistas Southern California has to offer. Over 15 million people live within 90 minutes of the San Gabriel Mountains, which provide area residents roughly 30 percent of their water and 70 percent of their open space.

“We are excited to have this analysis to the finish line,” Forest Supervisor Jeff Vail stated. “The collaborative effort with our many partners has been outstanding, and we will soon have a final decision once the objection period has concluded.”

According to federal planning rules, the next step is to offer an objection period to provide those interested in or affected by this action an opportunity to object to the proposed Monument Plan prior to a final decision being made. The forest supervisor of the Angeles National Forest will decide whether to amend the land management plan as proposed in Alternative 3 of the environmental assessment, or make adjustments based on objections received during the objection period.

The 45-day official objection period begins on April 20, 2018. As a reminder, objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted substantive formal comments specific to the proposed plan amendment during any previous public comment period.

You may submit electronic objections in common formats such as .doc, .docx, .rtf, .pdf, or .txt. to objections-pacificsouthwest-regional-office@fs.fed.us. Objections may also be faxed to (707) 562-9229 to the attention of “OBJECTION: San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Plan Amendment,” sent by mail to the following address: Barnie Gyant, 1323 Club Dr. Vallejo, CA 94592; or hand-delivered during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

A copy of the final EA and decision notice/FONSI is available at the Angeles National Forest Supervisor’s Office and on the project website.

Please contact Rachel Smith, Forest Supervisor (Acting), (626) 574-5215, for additional information. Printed copies of any documents are also available.