Four Forest Restoration Initiative update

Forest Service Provides Early Opportunity to Preview 4FRI Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Coconino National Forest

As avid hikers, we should all be aware of restoration and woodland health efforts planned for the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.   Today, the forest service released to the public a draft of the plans and how they may impact the landscape.  Our input is encouraged.  Let's be proactive in assuring forest health is maintained while protecting access to public lands.  Here's the press release and link to the draft statement:

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Forest Service is providing the public with an early opportunity to preview the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI).  The DEIS for the first analysis area on the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests has been posted to the 4FRI website at www.fs.usda.gov/main/4fri/planning.

In response to public input, the Forest Service will offer a 60-day formal comment period on the DEIS, which will begin with the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register.  The NOA is expected to be published in late March.

In order to allow additional time for public consideration of this extensive document, online access to the DEIS is being made available by the Forest Service prior to the official start of the formal comment period.

“There are numerous individuals and groups with an interest in this document,” said Coconino National Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart.  “We wanted to provide as much time as possible for people to digest the information and begin to form comments and questions.”

When the official NOA is published, the Forest Service will announce dates for public meetings.  The public meetings will provide interested individuals the opportunity to learn more about the DEIS and comment on its contents.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/4fri/planning