Lassen National Forest seeking scoping comments for the Northern Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant Treatment Project

The Almanor Ranger District (ALRD) of the Lassen National Forest (LNF)is seeking scoping comments for the North Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant Treatment Project. The project proposes to treat priority invasive plant infestations on up to 8 acres annually, using a combination of manual (e.g. hand pulling), cultural (e.g. seeding with native seed), and chemical methods within. These treatments would help reduce the spread of invasive species and prevent the establishment of new populations. The total project area encompasses approximately 13,617 acres within and along Butte, Colby, Yellow and Butt Creeks (T27N, R4E, Section 34, T27N, R5E, Sections 15-36, T27N, R6E, Sections 16-17, 19-22, 26-35, T26N, R4E, Sections 2-3, 10-14, 24, T26N, R5E, Sections 1-4, 10, 17-21, and T26N, R6E, Sections 2 and 6).

The project area includes the portion of the LNF that burned in the 2000 Storrie Fire, and the three HUC 6 subwatersheds, Soldier Creek-Butt Creek, Colby Creek-Butte Creek, and Upper Yellow Creek that were directly affected by the fire. On August 17, 2000, the Storrie Fire ignited on the Plumas National Forest (NF). Since streams and roads act as vector corridors for invasive species that allow the spread into uninfected areas, the project area was then expanded beyond watersheds effects by the Storrie fire because additional invasive plant infestations were discovered in vector corridors, many of which lead into the Storrie Fire area.

Invasive plants currently known in the project area include Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), Klamathweed (Hypericum perforatum spp. perforatum), ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), and hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum officinale). These invasive plants are found throughout the project area, but the highest concentrations are found within riparian areas along Yellow and Butt Creeks.

The purpose of this notice is to invite you to participate in the planning process. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared with a decision regarding this proposal expected in July 2021. The public is encouraged to submit input as it relates to the proposed action and identify any issues about the anticipated effects from the proposed actions.

For detailed information please visit the forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/lassen/landmanagement/projects. Electronic comments may be submitted to: [email protected] with Subject: Northern Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant Project. Written comments should be mailed to Russell Nickerson, District Ranger, ATTN: Northern Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant treatmetn Project, 900 E. Hwy 36, PO Box 767, Chester, CA. 96020-0767. For more information on the project, please contact Allison Sanger, Forest Botanist, by email at [email protected].

Please respond before January 11, 2021 so your input can be considered as we move into the next phase of the NEPA process.