Thunder Mountain Fire Recovery and Salvage, Okanogan National Forest, Okanogan County, Washington, Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

Resumo

Notice is hereby given that the USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposal to implement connected projects for the purpose of speeding recovery of the Thunder Mountain Fire burned area. Forest Service proposed projects includes: Timber sale of dead and fire damaged trees within the fire perimeter; rehabilitation of riparian areas and channels damaged by fire; and control of livestock to maintain pre-fire pristine character of streams and meadows. The EIS will develop and evaluate a range of alternatives for management of the resources within the fire perimeter. The alternatives will include a no action alternative, involving no timber harvest or road construction, and additional alternatives in response to issues identified during the scoping process. The proposed projects are consistent with the direction in the 1989 Okanogan National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) which provides the overall guidance for management of the area. The entire burned area and proposed project are within the Long Swamp Roadless Area. Implementation of proposed projects is scheduled for Fiscal Year 1995. The Long Swamp Roadless Area i