Forest Service accepting comments on proposed changes to Huron-Manistee forest plan

Release Date: Oct 7, 2011

 

The Forest Service is now accepting public comments on a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the Land and Resource Management Plan of the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

 

      As a result of a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Forest Service prepared a DSEIS to evaluate the impacts of a proposed ban on firearm hunting and snowmobile use, subject to existing rights, in Semiprimitive Non-motorized Management Areas and a ban on firearm hunting, subject to existing rights, in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area.

 

      A Notice of Availability of the DSEIS was published in the Federal Register Sept. 23, 2011. Publication of the Notice of Availability begins a three-month comment period. The DSEIS is available online at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5330733.pdf. The DSEIS is also available in print or on CD by calling (231) 775-5023.

 

      Comments must be received by Dec. 21, 2011. Comments may be submitted as a .pdf document, a format readable in Microsoft Word 2000 or in the body of an e-mail. Comments may be submitted to the Forest Planner, Huron-Manistee National Forests, 1755 S. Mitchell Street, Cadillac, MI  49601 or faxed to (231) 775-5551. Comments may be submitted electronically to: comments-eastern-huron-manistee@fs.fed.us, and with the subject: “Forest Plan SEIS.”

 

      Public meetings to explain the DSEIS process and accept written comments will be held:

10/31/11—Holiday Inn Express, 12150 Dixie Hwy., Birch Run, MI, from 4–8 p.m.;

10/31/11—Huron Shores Ranger Station, 5761 North Skeel Rd., Oscoda, MI, from 4–8 p.m.;

11/01/11—The Westin Hotel, 1500 Town Center, Southfield, MI, from 4–8 p.m.;

11/01/11—Mio Ranger Station, 107 McKinley Road, Mio, MI, from 4–8 p.m.;

11/02/11—Causeway Bay Hotel, 6820 South Cedar, Lansing, MI, from 4–8 p.m.;

11/02/11—Days Inn of Manistee, 1462 US 31 South, Manistee, MI, from 4–8 p.m.;

11/03/11—Crowne Plaza, 57000 East 28th St., Grand Rapids, MI, from 4–8 p.m.;

11/03/11— Pleasant Plains Township Hall, 885 Eighth Street, Baldwin, MI, from 4–8 p.m.

 

      For more information, contact Kenneth Arbogast, public affairs officer for the Huron-Manistee National Forests, at (231) 775-5023, Ext. 8726 or visit the forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/hmnf.