The Coconino National Forest announces Scott Russell, Acting Forest Supervisor, has signed the draft Record of Decision (ROD) for the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project!
Russell said, “We listened to the concerns brought forth during the DEIS comment period and have not only incorporated but also relied on public input in the formation of this decision. The draft ROD will meet the purpose and need for the project while also addressing concerns related to large tree retention, effects on the viewshed of Flagstaff, and impacts to the Mexican spotted owl.”
The draft ROD and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) as well as the Response to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and an Implementation Plan are now available on the Forest Service (USFS) project website here: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/FWPP.
A legal notice of the availability of the draft ROD and FEIS is anticipated to print in the Arizona Daily Sun on June 26, which will mark the start of the 45-day objection period. A copy of the legal notice will be posted on the USFS website above. Once the objection period ends, the USFS will go through a 45-day objection resolution period. After the objections are resolved, the USFS can issue a final Record of Decision, anticipated September 2015, and begin implementation. You can also find the Implementation Guide on the website above for more information about the implementation phases, estimated timelines, and steps necessary to implement and administer a timber contract.
If you have any questions about the project, the draft decision, the comment period or the FEIS, please feel free to contact FWPP USFS Project Manager, Erin Phelps, at (928) 527-8240 or by e-mail: ephelps@fs.fed.us.