Opportunity to comment on the West Shore Community Wildfire Protection Project
Notice for Opportunity to Comment: West Shore Community Wildfire Protection Project Environmental Assessment (EA): The Almanor Ranger District of the Lassen National Forest has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the West Shore Community Wildfire Protection Project. A comment period is being provided for this EA pursuant to CFR 218.22 and is intended to provide those interested in this assessment to make their concerns known prior to a final EA to be decided upon by the Responsible Official.
The primary purpose of the proposed West Shore Project is to reduce wildfire risk to human life and property within the communities of Prattville, Lake Almanor West, and Big Meadows by thinning overstocked conifer stands and reducing hazardous fuels. The majority of the project area is within a wildland urban interface (WUI). The second priority purpose is to restore National Forest System (NFS) lands including conifer forest, aspen, and meadow areas within the project area to make them more resilient to drought, disease, and insect infestation, which would also reduce future risk of catastrophic wildfire. The third priority purpose is to enhance recreation experiences by improving existing facilities, developing new facilities, and making improvements to the transportation infrastructure throughout the project area. The project area is contiguous and spread over 6,110 acres, with 4,913 acres proposed for treatment. It is located in Plumas County, California located in the Prattville Management Area 38: T. 27N, R. 8E, Sec. 18, 19, 20, and 30; T27N, R7E, Sec. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, and 24; Mount Diablo Meridian. Beginning September 23, 2020, copies of the EA, including maps, are available for review at the Lassen National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/lassen/landmanagement/projects Additional information or if not able to download copies of this proposed action and maps can be obtained from project leader Matt Cerney by phone at (530) 310-3529 or email at [email protected]
How to Comment and Timeframe:
Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, and electronic comments concerning this proposed action will be accepted during a 30-calendar-day period of September 23 through October 23, 2020. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source (36 CFR 218.24(c)(2)). Extension to the length of the comment period cannot be granted (36 CFR 218.25(a)(1)(v). Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to later object to any decision on this project must meet the information requirements of 36 CFR 218.25(a), including specific written comments as defined in 218.2 regarding the proposed project, along with supporting reasons (218.25(a)(3)(iii). The person commenting is responsible for providing the literature cited in their comment, as well as the full citation and explanation of how each piece of literature cited applies to the proposed action and purpose and need. Each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and written comments regarding this project must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request (218.24(b)(8)). All written comments received by the responsible official become a matter of public record (218.35(b)(2)).
Comments may be submitted to Russell Nickerson, District Ranger, Almanor Ranger District, P.O. Box 767, or 900 E. Highway 36 Chester, CA 96020 or by fax number (530) 258-5194 during normal business hours (8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday).
Electronic comments may be submitted to [email protected] subject West Shore Community Wildfire Protection Project.