More information can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino/plan-revision.shtml or if you have questions, please contact: Ms. Yewah Lau at 928-527-3411.
A draft revised versionof the Coconino National Forest’s Land and Resource Management Plan (forest plan) is now available for public review and input on the plan revisionweb site (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino/projects/plan-revision/imputs2.shtml)! Public meetings are scheduled in March to discuss elements of the draft revision forest plan. The public will have the opportunity to learn more about specific aspects of the draft revised forest plan and offer feedback on the language in the draft revised forest plan that may also be considered in the development of alternatives to draft revised forest plan.
Two meetings will be held between 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 – Flagstaff
o Radisson Woodlands Hotel, 1175 West Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 – Camp Verde
o The Lodge at Cliff Castle, Conference Center, 333 Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Please note that the public meetings will commence precisely at 6:00 p.m. to allow as much time as possible to cover the session topics. There will be two simultaneous “tracks” occurring throughout the evening; the public will have the choice of topics about which they’d most like to learn. Pre-work for the meeting sessions is also listed on the web site ( http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino/plan-revision.shtml ) and while not required, reading through the pre-work materials will better prepare attendees and allow for greater understanding of the discussion topics.
For those unable to attend the March 1 or 2 meeting, or for or those who would like to have a one-on-one discussion with a member of the Plan Revision Team about topics not covered in the public meetings, “office hours” will be held during the following dates/times at the locations indicated below:
February 24, 2011, noon – 3:00 pm: Flagstaff Public Library
o Main Library, 300 West Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff
February 26, 2011, noon – 3:00 pm
o Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona
March 4, 2011, noon – 3:00 pm
o Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Blue Ridge Office, 8738 Ranger Road, Happy Jack, AZ
March 8, 2011, noon – 3:00 pm
o Red Rock Ranger District, 8375 State Route 179, Sedona, Arizona
The following Public Meeting Pre-work is available athttp://www.fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino/plan-revision.shtml.
Draft Revised Forest Plan and User’s Guide/Comment Sheet Wilderness Session
Draft Potential Wilderness Area Evaluation Report
Draft Coconino National Forest Wilderness Need Evaluation
East Clear Creek, Anderson Mesa, Long Valley Geographic Area Session
Landscape Character Description, Maps
Verde Valley Geographic Area Session
Landscape Character Description, Maps
Wildlife, Fish and Rare Plants Session
excerpted Ecological Sustainability Report
Recreation Setting and Scenery Session
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum User’s Guide
Tell us what you think!
To allow for maximum consideration during the next step in the planning process, comments related to the subjects of the March meetings should be submitted by March 14, 2011 by email at: coconino_national_forest_plan_revision_team@fs.fed.usor written comments may be sent to Coconino National Forest, Attn: Plan Revision, 1824 S. Thompson, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
Please note that comments are always welcome and will be considered in subsequent steps of the plan revision process. Names and addresses submitted in response to any request for comments are also considered part of the public record for this project and may be released to the public if requested under the Freedom of Information Act. Providing contact information is optional.
The Forest Plan revision process is following an aggressive schedule, yet opportunities for public involvement will be available throughout the revision process.
NOTE: Although it does not pertain to the Coconino National Forest’s current plan revision effort, the Forest Service has issued a proposed 2011 Planning Rule. For more information on that proposed Planning Rule, please visit http://fs.usda.gov/planningrule.
Sincerely,
Coconino National Forest Plan Revision Team
As summer draws to a close, the Forest Plan Revision process is rocking and rolling along! So here is the New as of September 2011~
In early summer, the Plan Revision Team worked with the Coconino National Forest leadership and resource specialists to incorporate the input received from the public during our most recent phase of informal comment (February/March 2011) into the proposed revised forest plan. Per the environmental analysis process (NEPA process), we also developed alternatives that addressed the public input that wasnt incorporated into the proposed revised plan.
At this time, the Plan Revision Team is hard at work drafting the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Upon the release of the proposed revised plan and Draft EIS, you will have 90 days to provide your official comments. Once the 90-day comment period has concluded, we will update documents in response to comments received and release the Final EIS and a Record of Decision (ROD), finalizing the Forest Plan. No decision is final until the ROD is signed (currently anticipated at the end of 2012).
As always, we appreciate your interest in our plan revision effort and look forward to continuing to work together to create a strong and sustainable Coconino National Forest! Please share your comments or questions via email at the following address: coconino_national_forest_plan_revision_team@fs.fed.us. For more information on the Coconino National Forest Plan Revision, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/plan-revision.shtml.
Sincerely,
The Coconino National Forest Plan Revision Team