Draft EIS for Rim Fire Reforestation available for viewing

Sonora, Calif. (November 23, 2015)…The Stanislaus National Forest has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Rim Fire Reforestation, and is hosting a Dec. 3 open house from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Sonora. The DEIS describes a proposal for approximately 48,000 acres of treatments on National Forest System lands, public lands within the 2013 Rim Fire area, including: deer habitat enhancement; natural regeneration; noxious weed eradication; reforestation; and, thinning existing plantations. The DEIS discloses the direct, indirect and cumulative effects that would result from the proposed action, a no action alternative and three additional action alternatives.

The Forest will host an open house with Interdisciplinary Team members available at the Forest Headquarters in Sonora, CA, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on December 3.

Stakeholders are encouraged to view the Reforestation DEIS in order to consider the proposed project for reforestation, which incorporates changes based on ongoing public engagement. Forest staff will be available to discuss public questions and concerns at the open house.

This project is subject to the comment process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B (rule). The Responsible Official is requesting specific written comments during the 45-day designated comment period beginning with publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the DEIS in the Federal Register (expected on November 27, 2015); the Forest will post the actual NOA on the project web site address noted above as soon as it is available.

The DEIS, maps and other information are available online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=45612. A limited number of the printed DEIS and map packages are available by request at the Forest Supervisor’s office. The DEIS, maps and other project information will be available at the Dec. 3 open house as well.