Northern Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant Management Project
The Almanor Ranger District (ALRD) of the Lassen National Forest (LNF) has drafted and environmental assessment (EA) to analyze the potential effects for the Northern Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant Management 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. 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 effected 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.
Pursuant to 36 CFR 218, you are invited to comment on this proposal during a 30-day comment period. The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. Written comments must be postmarked by the Postal Service, faxed, or sent via electronic mail by 11:59 pm on the 30th calendar day following publication of this legal notice of the opportunity to comment. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period.
Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object to this project must provide, during the 30-day comment period, name, address, and comments on the proposed actions along with supporting reasons that the Responsible Official should consider in reaching a decision. A signature or other verification of identity must be provided upon request (36 CFR 218.25(3)(iv)). In cases where no identifiable name is attached to an electronic message, a verification of identity will be required for objection eligibility. A scanned signature is one way to provide verification.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this project, and will be available for public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however those who submit anonymous comments will not have standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 218.
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] Subject: Northern Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant Project. Written comments should be mailed to Russell Nickerson, District Ranger, ATTN: Northern Storrie Watersheds Invasive Plant Management 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].