Restoration Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Piute Fire

US Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest
Contact: Cindy Thill, Public Affairs/Fire, (760) 376-3781, # 625
Restoration Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Piute Fire

Porterville, CA., November 4, 2009...Sequoia National Forest Supervisor Tina Terrell announces the release, this week, of the Piute Fire Restoration Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The draft EIS discloses the potential environmental effects of the proposed action and its alternatives. A 45 day comment period, ending in December 2009, follows the release.

The Piute Fire began on June 28, 2008, and burned approximately 37,025 acres on the Sequoia National Forest, Bureau of Land Management and private lands.

The Notice of Intent for an Environmental Impact Statement was published on January 2, 2009, in the Federal Register, followed by a 45-day comment period ending on February 23, 2009. In moving forward with the next phase, Forest Service officials announce they have scheduled three public workshops focusing on explaining the proposed actions and reviewing the public comment process.

Supervisor Terrell stated, "We encourage public participation in this decision making process. Workshop attendees will benefit by furthering their knowledge and understanding of the proposed projects, while actively contributing to the decisions and future of our forests." Terrell went on to say, "Anyone who currently uses or has an interest in the forest, particularly the Piute Mountains, should plan on attending a workshop." There are three alternatives considered in detail in the Piute Fire Restoration DEIS.

The first workshop is scheduled in Ridgecrest on Monday, November 16, 2009, at the Kerr-McGee Center, 100 W. California Avenue, Ridgecrest, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The second workshop will be held in Kernville, on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the Oddfellows Hall, 50 Tobias Road, Kernville, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The third workshop is scheduled in Bakersfield, Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the East Bakersfield Veteran's Hall, 2101 Ridge Road, Bakersfield, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For further information, please contact the Kernville Ranger Station at (760) 376-3781 or the Lake Isabella Office at (760) 379-5646.