Big Bear Lake, CA, March 24, 2013 – Forest Service officials are seeking public comments by May 16 on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for a Proposed Amendment to the Land Management Plans for the four Southern California national forests (the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino).
The SEIS analyzes the proposal to modify existing land use zones in roadless areas to include more back-country, non-motorized and wilderness areas. It also evaluates the proposal to modify the monitoring framework for the land management plan. The environmental impact statement can be found at www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35130.
This Proposed Amendment to the Land Management Plan is part of the Settlement Agreement approved January 3, 2011, in the case of California Resources Agency, et al vs. United States Department of Agriculture, and Center for Biological Diversity, et al vs. United States Department of Agriculture.
The four national forests will be hosting multiple open houses during the 90-day comment period that ending in May. Meetings will begin with an open house where Forest Service staff will be available to answer questions about the Draft SEIS. A brief presentation will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions. Maps will be available for viewing, and Forest Service staff officers will be available to answer questions. The meeting regarding the San Bernardino National Forest is scheduled for March 28, 2013, 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408 (the San Bernardino National Forest Headquarters).
The public is encouraged to participate in the process. In lieu of attendance at the meeting, comments may be filed through the project web page at www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35130 or e-mailed to socal_nf_lmp_amendment@fs.fed.us.
