National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Purpose Sec. 2 [42 USC ß 4321]. The purposes of this Act are: To declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality. (Click here to review policy)

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Published Documents and Notices

By clicking "Title", "Key Words" or "Most Recent Date" the table below will sort accordingly.

• October 23, 2009

Clints Well Forest Restoration Project

The Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts has developed a Proposed Action to for the Clints Well Forest Restoration Project. At this time, my desire is to receive comments on the merits of the Proposed Action as described in the documents below. Your comments should be within the scope of the proposal that have a direct relationship to the proposal, and that include supporting reasons for the deciding official’s consideration. We would like to receive your comments by November 23, 2009. Details on how to provide comments are provided in the Cover Letter document below. Three additional documents are included below (1) the scoping letter mailer (11X17) with a brief description of the proposed action that was sent out to interested individuals, agencies and groups, anda description of the Proposed Action, (2) a detailed description of the Proposed Action with Maps and (3) powerpoint presentation of treatment simulations for the Clints project. Should you have any questions, or need additional information about this project, please contact Shawn A. Martin, Silviculturist and Team Leader at the Mogollon Rim Ranger District at (928) 477-2255 or by e-mail at samartin@fs.fed.us. I welcome your comments during the scoping period. You are welcome to discuss the project with me at any time at the Supervisors Office (928) 527-3456. --Joseph P. Stringer, Acting Forest Supervisor.

• S.W. Ponderosa Pine Reference Condition (372kb .pdf)
• Scoping Letter (267kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action -Detailed (810kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action and Scoping Letter 11x17 format (418kb .jpg)

• September 4, 2009

West Fork Oak Creek Aquatic Restoration

The West Fork of Oak Creek Aquatic Restoration Scoping Letter is now out for public comment; comments are due by October 2, 2009. The West Fork of Oak Creek, a perennial tributary to Oak Creek has been identified as a potential waterbody to repatriate native aquatic species including Gila trout, loachminnow, spikedace, and northern leopard frogs. The WFOC Aquatic Restoration Project proposes to build an exclusionary fish barrier, eliminate nonnative aquatic species, and re-establish native aquatic species in the creek. Establishment of native aquatic species would be a step forward in the recovery of rare species.

• Scoping Letter (194kb .pdf)
• Free Flow Analysis (681kb .pdf)
• Minimum Requirements Decision Guide (295kb .pdf)
• Draft Drawings of the Proposed Barrier (77kb .jpg)
• Photos of the Proposed Barrier Location (491kb .pdf)

 

• August 14, 2009

Peaks Range Allotment

The Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is seeking comments as part of the environmental analysis process associated with issuing a new grazing permit for the Peaks Range Allotment. This analysis is required in order to ensure that livestock grazing is consistent with goals, objectives, and the standards and guidelines of the Coconino National Forest Plan (1987, as amended) and other applicable laws and regulation. The purpose of this project is to analyze the effects of authorizing continuation of livestock grazing and to ensure the allotment is managed in a manner that maintains and/or moves the area toward Forest Plan objectives and desired conditions. Please see the Scoping Letter, Proposed Action for more specific information about this project. Public comments on the Proposed Action need to be received by close of business, September 18, 2009, in order that we may best consider them during project planning. Information on how to comment on the Proposed Action is detailed in the Scoping Letter.

• Scoping Letter (28kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action (131kb .pdf)

 

• August 3, 2009

Mormon Mountain Communications Site

The Environmental Assessment for the Mormon Mountain Communications Site is available for public comment. This document analyzes the impacts of a proposal for management changes at the Mormon Mountain Communication Site located approximately 25 miles southeast of Flagstaff, AZ. The proposed changes include: approving new standards for towers, marking the boundary of the site, conducting fuel treatments by thinning and burning vegetation to protect the site from wildfire, and constructing a new tower and related structures for wireless telephone communications equipment.

• Environmental Assessment (800 kb .pdf)

 

• July 23, 2009

Munds Park Fuels Reduction Project

This project was initiated in 2007. Based on the initial round of comments and scoping in 2007, this project was analyzed as a Categorical Exclusion (CE) under the authority of Forest Service Handbook 1909.1, Section 31.2, category 10. A decision memo was issued in September 2007, to implement the project. In November of 2008, most decisions signed using this CE were enjoined, including the Munds Park Fuels Reduction project. In order to expedite the project the Mormon Lake Ranger District will be re-analyzing the Munds Park Fuels Reduction Project in an Environmental Assessment (EA) and will issue a new decision.

• Scoping Letter (246 kb .pdf)
• (See also: Proposed Action and Decision Memo)

 

• June 15, 2009

Wireless Communication Corridor, State Highway 180

The Coconino and Kaibab National Forest is in the process of planning and conducting an environmental analysis of proposed communication towers on Highway 180 in the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.

• Prospectus (663 kb .pdf)

 

• May 28, 2009

Hart Prairie Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Restoration Project

The Coconino National Forest is in the process of planning and conducting an environmental analysis of proposed fuels reduction and forest health restoration treatments around the communities of Hart Prairie and White Horse Park.

• Cover Letter (24kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action (274kb .pdf)

 

• April 28, 2009

Grazing Authorization - Fossil Creek Range Allotment, Red Rock Ranger District

On April 28, 2009, I signed the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Grazing Authorization for the Fossil Creek Range Allotment. I have selected the Proposed Action Alternative for implementation as described in the Environmental Assessment. The specific actions that are authorized for implementation in the DN/FONSI include the following: Authorization, Improvements, Monitoring, Adaptive Management and Resource Protection Measures. The links below include the cover letter that describes my decision and opportunities to appeal, the Decision Notice/FONSI, and the Environmental Assessment document.

-- Heather C. Provencio, District Ranger, Red Rock Ranger District

• Cover Letter (35kb .pdf)
• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (311kb .pdf)
• Final Environmental Assessment (1.1MB .pdf)

• April 19, 2009

Flagstaff District Offices Co-location Project

The Coconino National Forest is considering locating the Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts in one administrative site.  To improve our operational efficiency, we are proposing moving three office locations (Peaks Ranger Station, Mormon Lake Ranger Station, and the Flagstaff Hotshot Headquarters) into one new administrative site in Flagstaff, Arizona.  This new site would be constructed on approximately 40 acres of National Forest System land located on Lake Mary Road adjacent to the City of Flagstaff Lake Mary Water Treatment Plant.  It will provide easy access for tourists and local publics, be efficient for consolidated District activities, reduce maintenance, and allow for future expansion.

• Environmental Assessment (1.4MB .pdf)
• Scoping Letter (25kb .pdf)
• Maps (2.3MB .pdf)

September 9, 2009

• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (1.3MB .pdf)
• Comments and Responses (1.19MB .pdf)

• April 2, 2009

Chiricahua Leopard Frog and Habitat Protection - Fossil Creek Range Allotment, Red Rock Ranger District

On April 2, 2009, I signed the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Chiricahua Leopard Frog and Habitat Protection within the Proposed Action Alternative – Structural Improvements section of the Fossil Creek Range Allotment Environmental Assessment. The specific actions that are authorized for implementation in the DN/FONSI include the following: build fences at five stock tanks to improve wildlife habitat. Livestock will be allowed access into the stock tanks via fenced lanes. Livestock will not have access to tanks that are occupied by Chiricahua leopard frogs until these fences are constructed. -- Heather C. Provencio, District Ranger, Red Rock Ranger District

Here is the cover letter that describes my decision and opportunities to appeal, the Decision Notice/FONSI, and the Environmental Assessment document.

• Cover Letter (32kb .pdf)
• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (170kb .pdf)
• Final Environmental Assessment (1.1MB .pdf)

 

• January 8, 2009

Little Draw Aspen Project

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District, in collaboration with Arizona Elk Society, Wildlife Conservation Council, and USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection is proposing to restore a 3-acre stand of quaking aspen along Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3) near the Stoneman Lake Road junction. The project is called the Little Draw Aspen Project and is located approximately 45 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona in Coconino County.

• Scoping Letter - January 8, 2009 - (89kb .pdf)
• Maps January 8, 2009 - (437kb .pdf)
• Decision Memo June 17, 2009 (317kb .pdf)

 

• October 17, 2008

Upper Beaver Creek Watershed Fuels Reduction Project

The Mogollon Rim and Red Rock Ranger District has completed the Upper Beaver Creek Watershed Fuels Reduction Project Environmental Assessment and we are requesting your comments on this project. 

The purpose of the project is twofold:  to reduce the potential of stand-replacement wildfire that threatens people, private property and natural resource values; and to begin restoring fire- adapted ecosystems. The area affected by the proposal includes 48,179 acres of land approximately 30 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona.

There are two alternatives that have been analyzed in detail: No Action Alternative and Proposed Action Alternative. A detailed description and analysis of each of these alternatives are included in the enclosed Environmental Assessment.

A public field trip to the project area is planned for Saturday, November 1, 10:00 am, meeting at the junction of Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) and the Stoneman Lake Road (Forest Road 213).  Please R.S.V.P to Dick Fleishman at (928) 214-2435 or dfleishman@fs.fed.us.

• Cover Letter (102kb .pdf)
• Environmental Assessment - Complete Document (5.4MB .pdf)
• Complete Document in Sections:
  • Table of Contents (252kb .pdf)
  • Chapter 1 (847kb .pdf)
  • Chapter 2 (3.1MB .pdf)
  • Chapter 3 (1.1MB .pdf)
  • Chapter 4 (85kb .pdf)
  • Appendices (746kb .pdf)

 

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• September 26, 2008

Maxwell Springs Grazing Allotment Management Plan

The Peaks Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest has issued a Decision Memo as part of the environmental analysis process associated with issuing a new grazing permit for the Maxwell Springs Allotment. The approximate 21,000 acre Maxwell Springs Allotment is approximately 5 miles west of the City of Flagstaff and is situated completely north from Interstate 40. This decision re-authorizes grazing on the allotment for up to 285 head of cattle (cow/calf pairs; or the equivalent, not to exceed 1,434 AUM’s) from June 1 through October 31.

• Decision Memo (50kb .pdf)
• Cosnino Map (4.4MB .pdf)

 

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• September 26, 2008

Cosnino Grazing Allotment Management Plan

The Peaks Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest has issued a Decision Memo as part of the environmental analysis process associated with issuing a new grazing permit for the Cosnino Allotment. The approximate 10,900 acre Cosnino Allotment is located approximately 7 miles east of the City of Flagstaff and is bisected by Interstate 40. This decision re-authorizes grazing on the allotment for up to 160 head cattle (cow/calf pairs; or the equivalent, not to exceed 805 AUM’s) from June 1 through October 31.

• Decision Memo (49kb .pdf)
• Cosnino Map (3.8MB .pdf)

 

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• September 26, 2008

Casner Park/Kelly Seep Grazing Allotment Management Plan

The Mormon Lake Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest has issued a Decision Memo as part of the environmental analysis process associated with issuing a new grazing permit for the Casner Park/Kelly Seep Allotment. The approximate 28,980 acre allotment is located approximately 6 miles south of the City of Flagstaff and is bisected by Interstate 17. This decision re-authorizes grazing on the allotment for up to 395 head of yearling cattle (or the equivalent, not to exceed 1,391 AUM’s) from June 1 through October 31.

• Decision Memo (54kb .pdf)
• Casner/Kelly Map (7MB .pdf)

 

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• September 11, 2008

Walker Basin Range Allotment

Field Trip Notes Walker Basin Range Allotment, Sept. 11, 2008, USFS, V-V Ranch, Univ. Arizona Coop. Exten. and Others.

• Trip Notes (745kb .pdf)

April 10, 2009

The Red Rock and Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts have developed a Proposed Action to authorize lievstock grazing on the Walker Basin Range Allotment which is located on both districts. The west end of the Walker Basin Allotment is located about 1 mile east of Camp Verde and 1 mile south of Rimrock AZ and the eastern end extends about 1 mile west of Mahan Park on the Mogollon Plateau in Yavapai and Coconino Counties. At this time, my desire is to receive comments on the merits of the Proposed Action, as well as comments that address errors, misinformation, or information that has been omitted. Your comments should be within the scope of the proposal that have a direct relationship to the proposal, and that include supporting reasons for the deciding official’s consideration. We would like to receive your comments by May 11,2009. Details on how to provide comments are provided in the Cover Letter document below. Accompanying this letter is a description of the Proposed Action, Project Maps, and a Public Comment Form. Should you have any questions, or need additional information about this project, please contact Robert Garcia, Rangeland Management Specialist for the Red Rock and Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts at (928) 203-7517 or by e-mail at rmgarcia@fs.fed.us. I welcome your comments during the scoping period. You are welcome to discuss the project with me at any time at the Red Rock Ranger District Office (928) 203-7501. --Heather C. Provencio, Red Rock District Ranger.

• Cover Letter (34kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action (56kb .pdf)
• Public Comment Form (14kb .pdf)
• Vicinity Location Maps (565kb. pdf)
• Proposed Imporvement Maps (232kb .pdf)

 

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• August 29 , 2008

Flagstaff Loop Trail

Planning for this project began in 2003 led by the non-profit Flagstaff Biking Organization and fellow founding partners and interested parties, including the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, and the City of Flagstaff.  These various partners and interested parties make up the “Core Team” for the project in its entirety and these entities have worked closely together with each other and the Forest Service over the last four years in developing this proposal.

Attached here is the Cover Letter regarding the Decision Memo and the Decision Memo.

• Cover Letter (41kb .pdf)
• Final Decision Memo (490kb .pdf)

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• August 19 , 2008

Jack Smith/Schultz Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project

The Final Environmental Assessment, Final Decision Notice/FONSI and a Cover Letter for the Jack Smith/Schultz Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project may be viewed at the following links. The Jack Smith/Schultz Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project is the latest project to have the planning completed associated with the collaborative Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership (GFFP) to achieve fire risk reduction and improved forest health in the 100,000 acres GFFP area. These projects target fire risk reduction and improved forest health in the wildland urban interface (WUI) area of Flagstaff and the surrounding communities. This project will especially reduce risks to the Timberline and Doney Park communities, as well as the Kachina Peaks Wilderness and Mt. Elden and various important wildlife habitats. Deputy Forest Supervisor, Joe Stringer, signed the Final Decision for the project on August 19, 2008. Implementation may begin immediately following publication of legal notice, which will occur on or before August 26, 2008. The 11,827 acre Jack Smith/Schultz project includes mechanical treatments on 8,818 acres and prescribed burning treatments on 9,662 acres. Over 38 miles of excess and duplicate roads will be eliminated and 28 miles will be closed as the project is completed. This project when completed, when combined with the other GFFP projects of Fort Valley, Woody, and Kachina, Mountainaire, and Eastside will complete the area of reduced fire risk and restoration of fire adapted ecosystems in the WUI of the greater Flagstaff area.

• Cover Letter (33kb .pdf)
• Decesion Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (70kb .pdf)
• Environmental Assessment March 7, 2008

 

 

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• August 11 , 2008

Casner Park/Kelly Seep Grazing Allotment

The Peaks Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is seeking comments (public scoping) as part of the environmental analysis process associated with issuing a new grazing permit for the Casner Park/Kelly Seep Allotment. The approximate 28,980 acre allotment is located approximately 6 miles south of the City of Flagstaff and is bisected by Interstate 17. We are proposing to re-authorize grazing on the allotment for up to 395 head of yearling cattle (1,391 Animal Unit Months) from June 1 through October 31.

• Scoping Letter (29kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action (82kb .pdf)
• CK Map (7MB .pdf)

 

 

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• July 14 , 2008

Railroad Forest Health and Fuel Reduction Project

The Peaks Ranger District in partnership with the Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership (GFFP) is asking for your comments on a Proposed Action to do thinning and prescribed burn treatments on approximately 420 acres called the Railroad Forest Health and Fuel Reduction Project. We are beginning a 30 day comment period that will start the next day following a legal ad posting in the Arizona Daily Sun on or about July 18, 2008. This is an Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) project on the west side of Flagstaff and is located within the GFFP project area. Please see the attached Proposed Action which describes the project and provides instructions on how to comment and on appeal procedures.

• Proposed Action (1MB .pdf)

 

 

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• April 11, 2008

Hackberry and Pivot Rock Range Allotment Environmental Assessment

The Mogollon Rim and Red Rock Ranger District has completed the Hackberry and Pivot Rock Range Allotment Environmental Assessment and we are requesting your comments on this project. 

The purpose of this project is to authorize livestock grazing in a manner that maintains and/or moves the area toward Forest Plan objectives and desired conditions.  Specific desired conditions that are not currently being met include:  soil condition, vegetation condition, riparian and wildlife habitat conditions at certain earthen tanks, springs, and creeks. 

There are two alternatives that have been analyzed in detail: No Graze/No Action Alternative and Proposed Action Alternative. A detailed description and analysis of each of these alternatives are included in the enclosed Environmental Assessment.

• Cover Letter (39kb .pdf)
• Environmental Assessment (1.6mb .pdf)

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• March 7, 2008

Jack Smith/Schultz Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project

The Peaks Ranger District in collaboration with the Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership (GFFP has recently completed a Revised Environmental Analysis (EA) for the 11,000 acre Jack Smith/Schultz Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project. A second 30 day objection period is open to those participants who commented on the Proposed Action or submitted objections to the initial Environmental Assessment. Instruction on how to file an objection is described in the Cover Letter. An Environmental Assessment document details environmental analysis for proposals for vegetative treatments including thinning and prescribed burning to help reduce fire hazard and improve forest health in the project area. The EA also includes response to comments made to the Proposed Action and how those comments were treated in the analysis.

Various Specialist Reports are also provided that provide additional detail to the EA topics and that have been incorporated by reference in some areas of the EA.  The original Proposed Action and the Needs for Change documents previously provided also remain available for your information.  Refer to the bullet – Proposed Treatment Maps to view Figures 2.1 and 2.2 of the EA.   If you have any questions when viewing the documents, please contact Alvin R. Brown, Project Leader, at (928) 527-8234 or by e-mail at arbrown@fs.fed.us.

• Cover Letter (49kb .pdf)
• Environmental Assessment (4.84mb .pdf)
• Weeds and TES Plants Special Report (460kb .pdf)
• Wildlife Special Report (644kb .pdf)
• Fire and Fuels Report (139kb .pdf)
• Silviculturist's Special Report (436kb .pdf)
• Archaeologist's Report (75kb .pdf)
  • Jack Smith/Schultz Project Proposed Action - Aletnative 1, Figure 2.1 (198kb .pdf)
  • Jack Smith/Schultz Project Alternative 2, Figure 2.2 (109kb .pdf)
  • Jack Smith/Schultz Project Location/Stand Map, Figure 2.3 (248kb .pdf)

• February 27, 2008

Maxwell Springs Grazing Allotment Proposed Action

The Peaks Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is proposing to re-authorize cattle grazing on the Maxwell Springs Allotment.

We are seeking comments (public scoping) as part of the environmental analysis process associated with issuing a new grazing permit for the Maxwell Springs Allotment. The approximate 21,000 acre Maxwell Springs Allotment is approximately 5 miles west of the City of Flagstaff and is situated completely north from Interstate 40. We are proposing to re-authorize grazing on the allotment for up to 285 head of cow/calf pairs (1,892 AUM) from June 1 through October 31.

Here are the attachments:

• Draft Scoping Cover Letter (14kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action (459kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action Map (1.22MB .pdf)

 

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• February 27, 2008

Cosnino Grazing Allotment Proposed Action

The Peaks Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is proposing to re-authorize cattle grazing on the Cosnino Allotment.

We are seeking comments (public scoping) as part of the environmental analysis process associated with issuing a new grazing permit for the Cosnino Allotment. The approximate 10,900 acre Cosnino Allotment is located approximately 7 miles east of the City of Flagstaff and is bisected by Interstate 40. We are proposing to re-authorize grazing on the allotment for up to 160 head of cow/calf pairs (1,062 AUM) from June 1 through October 31.

Here are the attachments:

• Draft Scoping Cover Letter (14kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action (67kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action Map (1.31MB .pdf)

 

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• February 7, 2008

Flagstaff Loop Trail Proposed Action

This is the Cover Letter and Proposed Action for the Flagstaff Loop Trail. This non-motorized trail would circumnavigate the City of Flagstaff, linking existing Forest Service trails, the Flagstaff Urban Trails System, and Coconino County trails. While the analysis and subsequent decisions related to this proposal apply to Forest Service lands only, the locations and routes of the segments of trail on other ownerships is included so that the complete scope of the project can be viewed and considered in the context of the Forest Service proposal. The 30-day comment period extends from February 14 to March 14. The earliest a final decision will be made is Summer 2008. For instructions on submitting your comments, or to obtain more information, please read the attached documents. Thank you.

Here are the attachments:

• Cover Letter (34kb .pdf)
• Proposed Action (459kb .pdf)

 

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• December 20-28, 2007

Clear Creek Land Exchange

This Decision Notice documents my decision to select Alternative B, the Proposed Exchange, as described in the September 2007 Environmental Assessment (EA) for Proposed Clear Creek Land Exchange.  This decision will approve conveyance of approximately 503 acres of National Forest System land described as the federal parcel to Clear Creek 820 LLC for approximately 820 acres of private property described as the non-federal parcel.  Both parcels are located within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest.  Legal descriptions for these parcels are attached at the end of this document. - Nora Rasure

Here is the Decision Notice and FONSI and Final EA with attachements,

• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (110kb .pdf)
• Final Environmental Assessment (420kb .pdf)
  • Appendix A (827kb .pdf)
  • Appendix B (43kb .pdf)
  • Appendix C (24kb .pdf)
  • Figure 1 (1.2MB .pdf)
  • Figure 2 (475kb .pdf)
  • Figure 3 (431kb .pdf)
  • Figure 4 (416kb .pdf)
  • Figures 5a and 5b (246kb .pdf)

   

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• September 17 , 2007

Slate Mountain and Wild Bill Grazing Allotment Management Plan

The Slate Mountain and Wild Bill Allotments are on the Peaks Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest. Grasslands and ponderosa pine dominate the vegetation on the Slate Mountain and Wild Bill Allotments at an elevation ranging from 6,700 to 7,300 feet. This vegetation varies from open grasslands to dense ponderosa pine trees. The allotments lie on the lower slope of the San Francisco Peaks. No major canyons or riparian areas exist on the allotments.

• Decision Memo (2MB .pdf)

 

 

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• September 5, 2007

Oak Creek Canyon Fuel Reduction Project Environmental Assessment

Healthy Forest Restoration Act project to reduce fuels on approximately 653 acres in Oak Creek Canyon. Proposed treatments include thinning, piling slash, burning piles and broadcast maintenance burning in ponderosa pine/mixed conifer, chapparal and pinyon/juniper.

• Cover Letter (54kb .pdf file)
• Final Environmental Assessment (346kb .pdf file)
• Figure 1-1, Vicinty Map, Figure 2-1, Proposed Treatment Areas North Half and Figure 2-2, Proposed Treatment Areas south Half (.pdf files)
• DN and FONSI, 11/7/07 (67kb .pdf file)

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• July 23, 2007

Proposed Action for Munds Park Fuels Reduction Project

The 2,960-acre Munds Park Fuels Reduction project area is located south and southwest of the Pinewood/Munds Park community, approximately 20 miles south of Flagstaff on the Mormon Lake Ranger District. The proposed action includes thinning up to 980 acres of ponderosa pine and prescribed burning on 2,950 acres. In association with thinning trees, up to 2 miles of temporary roads may be constructed. The Responsible Official for this project is the Peaks/Mormon Lake District Ranger.

• Proposed Action (347 kb .pdf file)

Munds Park Fuels Reduction Project Decision (September 12, 2007)

The Mormon Lake District Ranger of the Coconino National Forest has made a decision to implement the Munds Park Fuels Reduction project. Individuals and organizations who submitted comments or otherwise expressed interest during the official 30-day comment period may appeal this decision. Instructions for filing an appeal are included in the Decision Memo document.

• Decision Memo (336 kb .pdf file)

Scoping Letter for Munds Park Fuels Reduction Project (July 23, 2009)

The Mormon Lake Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is seeking comments as part of the scoping process associated with the proposed Munds Park Fuels Reduction project.

• Scoping Letter (246 kb .pdf file)

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• July 16, 2007

Proposed Action for Coconino National Forest's Motorized Travel Management Plan

• Cover Letter (35kb .pdf file)
• Proposed Action (on Travel Management Rule website)
• Notice of Intent - July 25, 2008 (71kb .pdf file) 3 pages from the Federal Register

 

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• June 29, 2007

Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for Elk Park Fuels Reduction/Forest Health Project

The Forest Supervisor has decided to implement the Proposed Action analyzed in the environmental assessment (EA) for Elk Park. The decision is documented in a decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI). The decision includes a non-significant amendment to the Coconino Forest Plan (Amendment #23). No changes were made to the draft EA published in February 2007. The final environmental assessment for this project consists of the draft EA plus an errata sheet that corrects all references to the enjoined 2005 Planning Rule currently in the EA.

• Transmittal Letter (28kb .pdf. file)
• DN/FONSI (53kb .pdf file)
• Errata Sheet (14kb .pdf file)
• Amendment #23 Digest and Replacement Page (16kb .pdf file)

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• June 18 , 2007

Black Bill Summit Grazing Allotment Management Plan

The Black Bill Summit Allotment is on the Peaks Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest. The allotment consists of approximately 4,116 acres, divided into three pastures (see Map 1). These pastures include: Summit, North Black Bill, South Black Bill/Burn.

• Decision Memo (42kb .pdf)

 

 

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• May 29, 2007

Hackberry and Pivot Rock Range Allotment

The Red Rock and Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts is initiating public scoping for the Hackberry and Pivot Rock Range Allotment Environmental Assessment (EA). This analysis is required in order to ensure that livestock grazing is consistent with goals, objectives, and the standards and guidelines of the Coconino National Forest Plan (1987, as amended). The purpose of this project is to analyze the effects of re-authorizing livestock grazing and to ensure the allotment is managed in a manner that maintains and/or moves the area toward Forest Plan objectives and desired conditions. Please see the Cover Letter, Proposed Action, Comment Form and Project Maps for more specific details about this project. Public comments on the Proposed Action need to be received by close of business, June 7, 2007 in order that we may best consider them during project planning. Information on how to comment on the proposed action is detailed in the Scoping Letter.

• Proposed Action, Scoping Letter, Cover Letter (85kb .pdf)
• Figure 1 (272kb .pdf)
• Figure 2 (292kb .pdf)
• Figure 3 (1.29MB .pdf)

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• April 27, 2007

APS East Flagstaff Substation - Draft Environmental Assessment

The Draft Environmental Assessment for the APS East Flagstaff Substation is now available for review and comment. The substation will reduce voltage from the existing Western Area Power Authority 345 kV line and connect to an existing APS 69kV line to deliver additional power to the Flagstaff area. The substation would be located southeast of the Winona exit on Interstate 40. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following the publication of a legal notice in the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper.

• Draft Environmental Assessment (866kb .pdf)
• Letter explaining that the Draft EA will serve as the Final Ea - 06/12/2007 (26kb .pdf)
• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact - 06/12/2007 (52kb .pdf)

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• April 10, 2007

Highlands Fire District Townsite Act Sale - EA

The Highlands Fire District has submitted a proposal to the USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest, whereby the United States would convey approximately 6.25 acres of land to the Fire District.  The proposed sale land is located within Coconino County adjacent to and northwest of the junction of the old Munds Highway and Mountainaire Road.  The proposed sale will be processed under the Townsite Act authority of July 31, 1958 (72 Stat. 438, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 478a).  Under this authority the Fire District may purchase this land at fair market value if the determination can be made that this proposal meets essential community needs and objectives that outweigh other public objectives and values that would be served if the lands remained under Federal ownership.

• Environmental Assessment (136kb .pdf file)
• Map to accompany EA (291kb .pdf file)
• Scoping Letter (30kb .pdf file)
• DN & FONSI (32kb .pdf file)

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• March 22 , 2007

Clear Creek Land Exchange

The objective of this environmental assessment (EA) is disclosure of environmental effects of the proposed Clear Creek Land Exchange.

• Draft EA (5.75MB .pdf file)
  • Draft EA without Appendices (3.32MB .pdf file)
  • Draft EA Appendices only (2.47MB .pdf file)
• See also Scoping Letter, October 2005 (12kb .pdf file)

 

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• March 21 , 2007

Fossil Creek Range Allotment Initial Public Scoping Letter and Proposed Action

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
PROPOSED ACTION FOR THE FOSSIL CREEK GRAZING ALLOTMENT
RED ROCK RANGER DISTRICT
March 21, 2007

The Red Rock Ranger District is initiating public scoping for the Fossil Creek Range Allotment Environmental Assessment (EA). This analysis is required in order to ensure that livestock grazing is consistent with goals, objectives, and the standards and guidelines of the Coconino National Forest Plan (1987, as amended). The purpose of this project is to analyze the effects of re-authorizing livestock grazing and to ensure the allotment is managed in a manner that maintains and/or moves the area toward Forest Plan objectives and desired conditions. Please see the Cover Letter, Proposed Action, Comment Form and Project Map for more specific details about this project. Public comments on the Proposed Action need to be received by April 22, 2006 in order that we may best consider them during project planning. Information on how to comment on the proposed action is detailed in the Scoping Letter.

• Scoping Letter and Proposed Action (228kb .pdf file)

 

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• February 28, 2007

Environmental Assessment for Winona Communications Site

The Coconino National Forest (CNF) is considering a proposal by DW Tower to construct a communication tower and support facilities to facilitate use by wireless telephone providers.  The proposed facility is located east of Flagstaff, Arizona near the Interstate 40 Winona interchange within the Peaks Ranger District.

The proposed project is needed to improve wireless personal communication services in northern Arizona, principally east of Flagstaff along the Interstate 40 (I-40) corridor where such services are not currently available and/or reliable.  Communications sites must be designated in the Forest Land Management Plan (LMP) and a communications site plan that provides guidance and limitation on development must be approved before the facilities are constructed.  There is a need for site designation through a minor Forest Plan amendment and for a site plan to guide future development and management of the site.

This EA presents the results of an analysis of the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental consequences of the proposed action and no action. Updating the CNF LRMP with an amendment is an administrative and programmatic action that, itself, has no direct effects on the environment. Implementation of this amendment- that is, designating the communications site- would likely have minimal impacts to the environment.

• Environmental Assessment (4.53MB .pdf file)
• Cover Letter (34kb .pdf file)
• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact, Digest, and Coconino Forest Plan replacement page (131kb .pdf file)

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• February 16, 2007

Environmental Assessment for Elk Park Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project

The Mormon Lake Ranger District has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the Elk Park Fuels Reduction and Forest Health project. The EA analyzes the environmental effects of the original Proposed Action (released for public scoping in October 2006) and No Action. Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments on the EA will be accepted for 30 calendar days following publication of a legal notice in the Arizona Daily Sun (legal notice published on 2/21/07). The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period.

• Transmittal Letter (23bk .pdf file)
• Environmental Assessment (4.6mb .pdf file)

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• January 22, 2007

Doney Park 69kV Transmission Line Project DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Based on the Environmental Assessment (EA) completed for this project, as well as comments received during the 30-day public comment period for the completed EA, it is my decision to select Alternative 2 authorizing construction of a new 69kV transmission line between the existing Arizona Public Service Company (APS) Tuba City–Flagstaff 69kV transmission line and Highway 89, T22N, R6E, Section 16, following the existing Transwestern Natural Gas Pipeline..

This decision involves only the portion of the proposed transmission line that would be located within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest (CNF).  Other components of the project, including the Doney Park Substation, would be located on private land and would be authorized by Coconino County permitting processes. Because a segment of the proposed 69kV transmission line would be located on Forest Service land administered by CNF, the CNF has jurisdiction to grant a federal right-of-way to APS to construct, operate, and maintain that portion of the proposed transmission line.

• DONEY PARK 69kV TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT DECISION NOTICE and
  FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

• Original Environmental Assessment

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• January 8, 2007

Eastside Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project

The Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts are pleased to announce the completion of the comprehensive analysis process and Environmental Assessment (EA) and Decision Notice/FONSI for the Eastside Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project.  The Final EA, appendices, maps and Decision Notice/FONSI are included in this package. This cover letter briefly describes background information for the project, the selected alternative, discussion of actions taken in reply to objection, and selection rationale.

• Decision Letter (51kb .pdf)
• Environmental Assesment Chapters 1 through 5 (1.4mb .pdf)
• Environmental Assessment Appendices (170kb .pdf)
• Environmental Assessment Decision Notice (94kb .pdf)
• Figures 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2 and 2-4 (868kb .pdf)
• Figure 2-3 - Wildlife Areas (127kb .pdf)
• Figure 2-5 - Proposed Temporary Roads Locations and Haul Route Locations (149kb .pdf)
• Figure 3-5 - Pre-treatment Fire Hazard Rating (200kb .pdf)
• Figure 3-6 - Post-treatment Fire Hazard Rating (200kb .pdf)

• November 3, 2006

Camp Verde Unified School District Land Acquisition Under the Educational Land Grant Act

Camp Verde Unified School District Land Acquisition - The final Environmental Assessment is available for the formal 30-day notice and comment period that is considering the sale of 80 acres to the Camp Verde School District under the Educational Land Grant Act of 2000. The 80-acre parcel is located on the east side of Camp Verde along Verde Park Drive and south of State Route 260.

• Final Environmental Assessment (1 MB .pdf file)
• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (57 kb .pdf file)

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• October 10, 2006

Proposed Action for Elk Park Fuels Reduction Project

The 6,731-acre Elk Park Fuels Reduction project area is located approximately six miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona on the Mormon Lake Ranger District. The proposed action includes selection harvesting and thinning on approximately 5,000 acres of ponderosa pine and prescribed burning on approximately 6,500 acres. In association with thinning and harvesting, approximately four miles of temporary roads would be constructed, Forest Service Road (FSR) 132B would be relocated out of Elk Park Meadows, and the surface and drainage along portions of FSR 132B would be improved. The Responsible Official for this project is the Forest Supervisor.

Proposed Action Cover Letter (31 kb .pdf file)
Proposed Action (501 kb .pdf file)

• July 31, 2006

Doney Park 69kV Transmission Line Project Final Environmental Assessment

The environmental assessment for the Doney Park 69kV Transmission Line Project has been completed. The transmission line is proposed to run from Highway 89 west for approximately 1.75 miles following the existing Transwestern Natural Gas Pipeline; connecting with the existing Flagstaff/Tuba City 69 kV transmission line. Arizona Public Service will be constructing a susbstation on private land, however, the decision that the Forest Service will be making will apply to National Forest lands only.

• Doney Park Transmission Line Project Documents

• July 28, 2006

Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for Walnut Canyon Allotment

The Mormon Lake District Ranger has decided to implement Alternative 3 analyzed in the environmental assessment (EA) for Walnut Canyon Allotment. The decision is documented in the decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI). No changes were made to the draft EA published in May 2006. Appendix D discloses public comments received during the EA comment period and agency responses to those comments. The final environmental assessment for this project is the original EA, an Errata Sheet that contains revisions or corrections for minor mistakes, plus Appendix D.

• Cover Sheet (41KB .pdf file)
• Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (92KB .pdf file)
• Appendix D: Public Comments and Responses (5.3MB .pdf file)
• Final EA - Errata Sheet (23KB .pdf file)

• July 25, 2006

Angell Grazing Allotment Management Plan Decision Memo

The Peaks District Ranger has decided to re-authorize grazing on the Angell Allotment for up to 425 cattle (cow/calf) from May 15 through October 31 (3,135 AUM). The authorization will be through a term grazing permit and will continue current grazing management, including a 35 percent utilization guideline, adaptive management and monitoring. The area affected by the proposal includes 51,696 acres of land approximately 3 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona on the Peaks Ranger District.

• Cover Letter (50kb .pdf file)
• Decision Memo (48kb .pdf file)

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• July 17, 2006

East Clear Creek Watershed Health Improvement Project Final Environmental Assessment

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District has completed the final environmental assessment (EA) and has signed a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) to implement portions of Alternative 5 of the East Clear Creek Watershed Health Improvement Project. A 30-day appeal period begins July 21, 2006.

All proposed actions occur within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona.  Specifically, the Mogollon Rim Ranger District is proposing to ) restore understory and overstory vegetative health and diversity; 2) reduce the potential for stand-replacing wildfire; 3) restore soils, meadow systems; and riparian areas; and 4) reduce the effects of roads on riparian areas and threatened, endangered and sensitive species habitat.

• East Clear Creek Documents

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• May 25, 2006

Eastside Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project

This listing includes the Proposed Action and Purpose and Need for the approximately 22,000 acres Eastside Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project. Also, included is a cover letter that has additional information about the process and contact information. This project is one of a series where the Forest is working in collaboration with the Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership to reduce the risk of fire in the wildland urban interface. This project is focused on the interface south and east of Flagstaff, around the base of Mt. Elden and includes the urban interface around the communities of Doney Park, Timberline and Cosnino. The project also proposes risk reduction treatments at the Devils Head Electronics site. The project proposes various fuel hazard reduction and forest health improvement treatments including varying intensities of thinning, prescribed burning, meadow restoration, etc.

• Proposed Action Cover Letter (39 kb .pdf)
• Eastside Fuels Reduction Proposed Action (115 kb .pdf)
• Appendices (101 kb .pdf)
• Proposed Treatments Map 1 (330 kb .pdf)
• Proposed Treatments Map 2 (259 kb .pdf)

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• May 05, 2006

Draft Environmental Assessment for Walnut Canyon Allotment

The Mormon Lake Ranger District has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the Walnut Canyon cattle grazing allotment. The Responsible Official for this project is the Mormon Lake District Ranger. The Responsible Official has identified Alternative 3 as the Preferred Alternative. Alternative 3 would re-authorize grazing on the allotment for up to 350 cattle from June 1 through October 31; fence 5 wetlands and 1 spring to exclude cattle grazing (4 wetlands would include lanes to stock tank waters/permittee water claims); and permanently withdraw 7,387 acres of the allotment from grazing. The area affected by the proposal includes 31,607 acres of land approximately 3 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona on the Mormon Lake Ranger District.
Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments on this action will be accepted for 30 calendar days following the publication of a legal notice in the Arizona Daily Sun. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period.

• Environmental Assessment (2.8 MB .pdf file)
• Cover Letter (37 kb .pdf file)

• April 25, 2006

Upper Beaver Creek Watershed Fuel Reduction Project

The Mogollon Rim and Red Rock Ranger Districts are proposing actions to reduce the potential of stand-replacement wildfire that threatens people, private property and natural resource values; and to begin restoring fire-adapted ecosystems in the Upper Beaver Creek Watershed of about 49,123 acres. The proposed action consists of a variety of vegetation management, fuel reduction, and prescribed burning actions over the next 20 years.  Vegetation treatments are proposed over about 18,000 acres and prescribed burning actions are proposed over about 46,000 acres within the project area.  The proposed actions are located about 12 miles northwest of Clints Well, and about 30 miles south of Flagstaff.

• Final Scoping Letter (39kb .pdf file)
• Public Comment form (18kb .pdf file)
• Final Proposed Action (606kb .pdf file)
• Legal Notice (21kb .pdf file)
• Prescribed Fire Map (323kb .pdf file)
• Vegetation Treatment Map (304kb .pdf file)

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• April 20, 2006

Mountainaire HFRA Project

The Final Environmental Assessment, Final Decision Notice/FONSI and a Cover Letter for the Mountainaire HFRA Project may be viewed at the following links. The Mountainaire HFRA project is the latest project to have the planning completed associated with the collaborative Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership (GFFP) to achieve fire risk reduction and improved forest health in the 100,000 acres GFFP area. These projects target fire risk reduction and improved forest health in the wildland urban interface (WUI) area of Flagstaff and the surrounding communities. District Ranger Gene Waldrip signed the Final Decision for the project on April 20, 2006. Implementation may begin immediately following publication of legal notice, which will occur on or before April 26, 2006. The 16,000 acre Mountainaire HFRA project includes mechanical treatments on 13,780 acres and prescribed burning treatments on 15,256 acres. The project also include important research elements proposed by GFFP and other entities for Abert Squirrel habitat on 1310 acres. Over 55 miles of excess and duplicate roads will be eliminated and the project addresses management of dispersed camping through a designated dispersed camping area with an associated camping prohibition order. This project when completed, when combined with the other GFFP projects of Fort Valley, Woody, and Kachina will add to the ever increasing area of reduced fire risk and restoration of fire adapted ecosystems in the WUI of the greater Flagstaff area.

• Final Environmental Assessment for the Mountainaire HFRA Project (3.1 MB .pdf file)
• Final Decision Notice/FONSI for the Mountainaire HFRA Project (70 kb .pdf file)
• Cover Letter for the Final EA, Decision Notice/FONSI (51 kb .pdf file)

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• April 13, 2006

Camp Verde Unified School District Land Acquisition Under the Educational Land Grant Act

Camp Verde Unified School District Land Acquisition - A draft Environmental Assessment is available for the formal 30-day notice and comment period that is considering the sale of 80 acres to the Camp Verde School District under the Educational Land Grant Act of 2000. The 80-acre parcel is located on the east side of Camp Verde along Verde Park Drive and south of State Route 260.

Draft EA (1MB .pdf file)

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• March 3, 2006

Victorine Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Project

As the Responsible Official, Melinda D. Roth, District Ranger, signed a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on March 3, 2006 approving Alternative C of the Victorine Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Project.  The Victorine WUI Project is located approximately 55 miles southeast of Flagstaff in the east-central portion of the Mogollon Rim District.   The Victorine project area encompasses 19,915 acres in the East Clear Creek Ecosystem, and includes 17,718 acres of Coconino National Forest land and 2,197 acres of private land.   The legal location is within Townships 13 and 14 North, and Ranges 12 and 13 East.   Alternative C is the selected alternative which includes initial prescribed burning and thinning treatments over a total of 8,678 acres of the project area and maintenance prescribed burning over 8,407 acres within 3-12 years following the initial treatments.  The project would be implemented over a period of 20 years.  This decision is subject to administrative review (appeal) pursuant to 36 CFR Part 215.  Appeals, including attachments must be filed within 45 days from the date of publication of the Decision Notice in the legal notice section of the Arizona Daily Sun, the newspaper of record. 

Transmittal Letter, March 7, 2006 (38 kb .pdf file)
Decision Notice and FONSI, March 3, 2006 (975 kb .pdf file)
Final Environmental Assessment, March 3, 2006 (2.16 mb .pdf file)

• February 28, 2006

Environmental Assessment for the "Camp Verde Townsite Act" Project

This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to describe and assess the environmental
consequences that may result from the Coconino National Forest (CNF) considering the sale of land
under the Authority of the Townsite Act (P.L. 85-569, 72 Stat. 438) and for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. The Town of Camp Verde (the Town) would purchase the land for development of a park.

• Final Environmental Assessment (1.09 MB .pdf file)
• Decision Notice (49KB .pdf file)

• February 24, 2006

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Deep Lake Allotment

The Coconino National Forest proposes to re-authorize grazing on the Deep Lake Allotment. The purpose of the environmental analysis is to determine whether or not to reauthorize cattle grazing and set grazing levels within the carrying capacity for the Deep Lake Allotment. There is a need to continue maintaining and improving rangeland conditions and to maintain and protect semipermanent and seasonal wetlands. New fencing is also needed around stock tanks for better management and distribution of cattle. To meet the purpose and need and required National Environmental Policy Act regulations, the Forest Service has analyzed five alternatives for this project, including the current grazing management system; no action/no grazing; protection of Deep Lake (Proposed Action); expanding wetland exclosures at Deep Lake and Horse Tank; and a reduction in cattle, utilization levels, and season of use. The Responsible Official for this project is the Mormon Lake District Ranger.

• Draft EIS for the Deep Lake Allotment
• Record of Decision for Deep Lake Allotment - June 26, 2006
  • The Mormon Lake District Ranger has decided to implement Alternative 4 analyzed in the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for Deep Lake Allotment. The decision is documented in a record of decision (ROD). Alternative 4 is further described in the DEIS. No changes were made to the DEIS published in February 2006. Appendix C discloses public comments received during the DEIS comment period and agency responses to those comments. The final environmental impact statement for this project can be considered the original DEIS plus Appendix C.

Transmittal Letter (44 kb .pdf file)
Record of Decision (159 kb .pdf file)
Appendix C: Public Comments and Responses (3.17 MB .pdf file)

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• February 23, 2006

Verde Ranger Station Administrative Site Sale

The Coconino National Forest Supervisor made a decision to sell approximately 175 acres of the 213-acre administrative site located in Camp Verde. The site is the current location of the Verde Ranger District office on the east side of Camp Verde along State Route 260. The sale of the propertyis through the authority of the Arizona National Forest Improvement Act, which authorized the sale of several administrative sites in the state of Arizona and uses the proceeds of the sales for improvements or new administrative facilities. In addition to the sale of the 175 acres, the forest plans to construct new administrative facilities at this existing site on the area that will not be sold beginning summer/fall 2005.

• Final Environmental Assessment
• Figures 1 through 3
• Figure 4
• Figure 5
• Final Decision Notice

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• January 30 , 2006

Outfitter-Guide Management Plan for the Red Rock Ranger District

Red Rock Ranger District is proposing changes to outfitter and guide permit management and considering new opportunities for the ranger district that will serve the public need for outfitter guide activities in ways that protect natural and cultural resources as well as social settings.

• Cover Letter
• Proposed Action

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• November 30, 2005

Mountainaire HFRA Project

 

The Mormon Lake Ranger District has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Mountainaire HFRA Project. The project area is located southeast of Flagstaff and encompasses approximately 16,569 of lands around the community of Mountainaire. This project is proposed under authorities of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA). Proposed activities include mechanical thinning, initial prescribed burning and maintenance burning, transportation system designation, and dispersed camping designation.

A 30-day objections process begins December 2, 2005. The cover letter provides information on the collaborative process used, legal authorities, description and rationale for the preferred alternative, and the objections process.

• Mountainaire HFRA Objections Letter (55 kb .pdf file)
• Mountainaire HFRA Environmental Assessment - Final (3.17 MB .pdf file)
• Mountainaire HFRA Apendices (237 kb .pdf file)
• Supporting map #1 (234 kb .pdf file)
• Supporting map #2 (483 kb .pdf file)
• Supporting map #3 (464 kb .pdf file)

• October 25, 2005

  Clear Creek Land Exchange

  The Forest Service is considering a land exchange with Clear Creek 820, LLC. The proposal would exchange into private ownership a parcel of National Forest System (Federal) land located near Happy Jack Lodge. The Federal parcel is approximately 500 acres within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest. The private (non-Federal) land is a parcel which spans the East Fork of Clear Creek. The non-Federal land is approximately 820 acres and is also located within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.

  A public open house will be held at the Happy Jack Lodge on Saturday November 19, 2005 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to review and discuss this exchange proposal.

  • Scoping Letter

• September 20, 2005

Camp Verde Administrative Site Sale Project Summary

Verde Ranger Station Administrative Site Sale Summary of Proposed Action: The Coconino National Forest is proposing to sell approximately 175 acres of the 213-acre administrative site located in Camp Verde. The site is the current location of the Verde Ranger District office on the east side of Camp Verde along STate Route 260. The proposal to sell the site is under the authority of the Arizona National Forest Improvement Act, which authorized the sale of several administrative sites in the state of Arizona and use the proceeds of the sales for improvements or new administrative facilities. In addition to the sale of the 175 acres, the forest is proposing to construct new administrative facilities at this existing site on the area that will not be sold. The forest is accepting comments on this proposal and the summary of the proposed action.

• Summary of Proposed Action for the Verde Ranger Station Administrative Site Sale
• Verde EA Map Samples

• August 25, 2005

Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments

The Mormon Lake District Ranger has decided to implement Alternative 3 analyzed in the final environmental impact statement for Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments. The decision is documented in the record of decision for Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments. Alternative 3 would: authorize cattle grazing on the Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments while reducing overall cattle use (head months) by 14 percent; establish a 35 percent utilization guideline; prohibit cattle grazing on seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands containing emergent vegetation between June 1 and July 15 (except in 2 and possibly 4 lanes accessing stock tanks); install up to 11 miles of permanent wetland exclosure fencing; and install 4 miles of pipeline, 5 drinkers, and 1.5 miles of fence along the Anderson Mesa rim.

A Notice of Decision for this project was published in the Arizona Daily Sun on August 31, 2005.

The 45-day appeal period will end on October 17, 2005.

• Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon FEIS and ROD

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• July 29, 2005

  The Mormon Lake Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is seeking comments on a project proposal to protect aspen in Priest Draw south of Flagstaff. Priest Draw is located approximately 7 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona.

• Scoping Letter (313 kb .pdf file)

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• July 27, 2005

  Victorine Wildland Urban Interface Project Environmental Assessment

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for the Victorine Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Project. A 30-day public comment period begins July 27, 2005. After this comment period, the District Ranger will make a final decision regarding this project. The Mogollon Rim District is proposing combinations of thinning and prescribed burning activities on 7,500 – 8,200 acres of National Forest System Land to fulfill the following needs: to reduce heavy fuel loading that currently exists within the Victorine WUI; and to reduce the risk of a stand-replacement crown fire that threatens sensitive wildlife habitat and private lands with the project area and other private lands directly to the north in the Blue Ridge WUI. The fuel treatments include Maintenance Thin/Burn on Previously Treated Acres; Maintenance Burns on Previously Treated Acres; Broadcast Burns on Previously Untreated Acres; Burn/Thin/Burn on Previously Untreated Acres, and Thin and Chip.

• Cover Letter (1.06mb .pdf file)
• Final Environmental Assessment (1.80mb .pdf file)

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• July 20, 2005

  Buckhorn Allotment Watershed and Wildlife Habitat Improvments

  Ken Anderson, Red Rock District Ranger, signed a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on July 20, 2005 approving Alternative B of the Buckhorn Allotment Watershed and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project.  The Buckhorn Allotment Watershed and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project is located approximately 10 miles east of Camp Verde in the south-central portion of the Red Rock Ranger District.  A combination of treatments will be implemented on approximately 1,500 acres to improve wildlife habitat and watershed conditions. The various treatments to be used within the project area include: thinning/removal of pinyon trees, juniper trees, and mesquite shrubs; soil scarification and seeding; gully stabilization and check dam construction; prescribed burning; and, closure of undesignated road segments. Alternative B also includes the application of the herbicide triclopyr to mesquite stems to prevent sprouting in one 80-acre unit. Additionally, some treated areas will have temporary livestock exclosure fencing constructed until monitoring determines that management objectives have been reached.

Decision Notice and FONSI (41kb .pdf file)

Final Environmental Assessment
Contents (28kb .pdf file)
Chapter 1 (42kb .pdf file)
Chapter 2 (55kb .pdf file)
Chapter 3 (180kb .pdf file)
Chapter 4 (14kb .pdf file)
Chapter 5 (22kb .pdf file)
Appendix A (47kb .pdf file)
Appendix B (16kb .pdf file)
Map (1.2MB .pdf file)

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• June 13, 2005

  Mormon Lake Basin Fuels Reduction

  USDA Forest Service
  Mormon Lake Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Here is the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Mormon Lake Basin Fuels Reduction project. The Mormon Lake Basin Fuels Reduction project will apply fuel reduction and forest health prescriptions to the 2,831-acre area. This will include thinning, burning, and some road management actions to meet the purpose and need.

Cover Letter (39kb .pdf file)

Environmental Assessment for the Mormon Lake Basin Fuel Reduction Project (1.3mb .pdf file)

The Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed on June 13, 2005.

Transmittal Letter (23kb .pdf file)
Decision Notice and FONSI (98kb .pdf file)
Errata Sheet (246kb .pdf file)
Appendix A, Response to Comments (289kb .pdf file)

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• June 7, 2005

East Clear Creek Watershed Health Project Environmental Assessment

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for the East Clear Creek Watershed Health Project. A 30-day comment period begins June 7, 2005. After this comment period, the District Ranger will make a final decision regarding this project. All proposed actions occur within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona Specifically, the Mogollon Rim ranger District is proposing to improve watershed conditions and minimize current impacts to streamcourses including burning on approximately 23,000 acres over 10 years, thin ponderosa pine and mixed conifer trees on approximately 12,000 acres, remove tanks and rehabilitate sites at Dick Hart Draw, natural channel design and layback banks on approximately 10 miles of streamcourse and meadows, raise culverts to create ponded wetlands along FR 321C, pole fence along 321C to reduce vehicular access to meadows, relocate FR 643A with a semi-permeable fill, pave FR 95 and 96 at the East Clear Creek road crossing, remove encroaching conifers in meadows on about 330 acres, create area closures at Dane Springs and Dines Tank for protection of Little Colorado spinedace habitat, designate 322 miles of open road, close 36.7 miles of currently open road, decommission and obliterate 30.9 miles of currently open road, decommission and obliterate 14.7 miles of currently closed roads, relocate approximately .8 miles of road, and re-open 3.1 miles of currently closed road to create a recreation loop.

• Click Here for 5.2mb .doc file
• Click Here for 2.5mb .pdf file
  

• May 27, 2005

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Bar T Bar and Anderson Springs Allotment Management Plans

The Bar T Bar Allotment is located on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District and the Anderson Springs Allotment is located on the Mormon Lake Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, in Coconino County. The entire analysis area encompasses about 237,000 acres, including private and other non-National Forest lands, of which the Bar T Bar Allotment is comprised of about 183,200 acres and the Anderson Springs Allotment is comprised of about 43,100 acres. Both these allotments are located south of Flagstaff, Arizona, east of Mormon Lake, south of Interstate 40 between Twin Arrows and Winslow, and northeast of Clint’s Well at the intersection of Highway 87 and FH 3 (Lake Mary Road). Both the Bar T Bar and Anderson Springs Allotments term grazing permits will be expiring. Hence, there is a need and requirement to conduct environmental analysis prior to making a decision on whether to re-issue 10-year livestock term grazing permits. The purpose of this action is to authorize permitted livestock grazing on both of these allotments as appropriate in accordance with the “Coconino National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.”

• FEIS for the Bar T Bar and Anderson Springs Allotment Management Plan

• May 25, 2005

Mail Trail Extension, Summary of Proposed Action

The Forest Service is seeking comments on the proposal to extend the Mail Trail from the Mud Tanks area (Forest Road 9247B) to the existing designated Mail Trail location near Mail Trail Tank. This proposal includes development of a small trailhead at FS 9247B in an existing pullout area and to provide non-motorized access and interpretation on a historic route.

• Transmittal Letter (39kb .pdf file)
• Proposed Action (76kb .pdf file)

• May 19, 2005

Environmental Assessment for the "Camp Verde Townsite Act" Project

This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to describe and assess the environmental
consequences that may result from the Coconino National Forest (CNF) considering the sale of land
under the Authority of the Townsite Act (P.L. 85-569, 72 Stat. 438) and for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. The Town of Camp Verde (the Town) would purchase the land for development of a park.

Draft Environmental Assessment (955 kb .pdf file)

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• May 17, 2005

Buckhorn Allotment Watershed and Wildlife Habitat Improvements Draft Environmental Assessment.

30-day Comment period on the proposal to improve wildlife habitat and watershed conditions within the Buckhorn Range Allotment through various treatments of thinning/removal of pinon/juniper and mesquite shrubs, soil scarification and seeding, gully stabilization and check dam construction and burning. Alternatives also include application of the herbicide triclopyr to mesquite stems to prevent sprouting in one 90-acre unit. Some treated areas have fencing proposed until restoration of area occurs and includes closure of undesignated track road segments.

• Table of Contents (30 kb .pdf file)
• Chapter 1 (49 kb .pdf file)
• Chapter 2 (69 kb .pdf file)
• Chapter 3 (253 kb .pdf file)
• Chapter 4 (16 kb .pdf file)
• Chapter 5 (32 kb .pdf file)
• Appendix A (60 kb .pdf file)
• Map (895 kb .pdf file)

  This 528 kb .pdf file is the entire document in one: CLICK HERE

• April 27, 2005

BLUE RIDGE 69KV TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT

Arizona Public Service (APS) is proposing to construct a 69 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to
connect the Winslow substation in Winslow with a new substation in the Blue Ridge area. A
portion of the proposed transmission line corridor and the proposed substation would be located
on lands administered by the Coconino National Forest (CNF). The CNF is considering issuing a
permit to APS for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facilities within a suitable
corridor that corresponds to the overall project needs of APS.

Entire Document listed here in ".pdf" format:

• Title (4kb)
• Table of Contents (16kb)
• Chapter 1 (55kb)
• Chapter 2 (70kb)
• Chapter 3 (238kb)
• Chapter 4 (10kb)
• Chapter 5 (9kb)
• Chapter 6 (32kb)
• Appendix (72kb)
• Figure 1-1 (3mb)
• Figure 2-1 (117kb)
• Figure 2-2 (2.66mb)
• Decision Notice (111kb)

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• April 25, 2005

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments

The Coconino National Forest proposes to re-authorize grazing on the Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments for up to 913 cattle between June 1 and September 30. The purpose of the environmental analysis is to determine whether or not to continue cattle grazing on these two allotments. There is a need to maintain and/or improve rangeland conditions and to maintain and protect seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands with emergent vegetation. There is also a need to maintain the permittee’s access to their water right and consider current water claims within the allotments. To meet the purpose and need and required National Environmental Policy Act regulations, the Forest Service analyzed four alternatives, including the current grazing management system, no action/no grazing, reducing grazing/livestock numbers (Proposed Action), and an additional reduction in utilization and livestock. The Responsible Official for this project is the Mormon Lake District Ranger.

• Transmittal Letter (45kb .pdf file)
• Entire document: Draft EIS for Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments (1.54mg .pdf file)

A Notice of Availability for this project was published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2005.

The official 45-day comment period will end on June 20, 2005.

• March 24, 2005

Mountainaire HFRA Project and the Mountainaire Community Trails Project

The Mormon Lake Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is seeking comments on two management proposals in the Mountainaire vicinity. The project area is located southeast of Flagstaff and encompasses approximately 16,569 of lands around the community of Mountainaire. It includes parts of Sections 1-5, 9, and 10 T19N, R7E, Sections 9-17, 20-29, and 32-36 T20N, R7E, and Sections 18 and 30 T20N, R8E G&SRBM, Coconino County. Complete descriptions and maps of each of these projects are attached. This cover letter briefly describes background information for these projects and explains how the public can best prepare comments to help us develop better environmental analyses and project decisions.

The two management proposals include:

• Mountainaire HFRA Project. Proposed activities include mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, and road management activities on approximately 16,569 acres of land. This project is proposed under authorities of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA). An Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared to disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of this proposal.
• Mountainaire Community Trails Project. This project is an initial approach to designate recreation trails around the Mountainaire community. Proposed activities would be authorized under a Decision Memo.

Please click the links below for ".pdf" documents

Mountainaire Scoping Letter - 2005 (57kb .pdf file)

Mountainaire HFRA Project (718kb .pdf file)

Mountainaire HFRA Maps - 1 through 4 (789kb .pdf file)

Mountainaire Community Trail Proposed Action (180kb .pdf. file)

Mountainaire Community Trails Map (164kb .pdf file)

Map 5 - Proposed No Camping (184kb .pdf file)

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• March 11, 2005

Skunk Canyon Prescribed Burn Fuel Reduction Project

The Mormon Lake Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is seeking comments on the Skunk Canyon Prescribed Burn Fuel Reduction project. The project area exists within the Flagstaff Wildland Urban Interface Area (WUI), and encompasses approximately 831 acres south and east of the Flagstaff water treatment plant and includes most of Section 3 and parts of Sections 2, 10, and 11 of T20N, R7E, G&SRBM, Coconino Co., AZ. The project overlays the soon to be completed Skunk Hollow Thinning Project. The project area surrounds the Skunk Hollow subdivision and several residences in Fay Canyon, and is bound to the north by the Pine Canyon Club Estates.

Scoping Letter

• March 8, 2005 - Snowbowl Final EIS and Record of Decision

• January 31, 2005

Final Environmental Impact Statement for Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds

This final environmental impact statement (FEIS) documents the analysis of the potential environmental consequences of the implementation of an integrated weed treatment (IWM) program for the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests. The FEIS has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines as set by the Council of Environmental Quality in 40 CFR 1500-1508 and Forest Service Handbook 1909.15. The six main chapters of this document describe the proposed action, purpose and need and significant issues, alternatives including the proposed action, affected environment, environmental effects, list of preparers, and adaptive management as well as monitoring. The appendix material includes such items as the proposed forest plan amendment; design features, best management practices, and mitigation measures; maps of noxious weed infestations; herbicide susceptibility of rare plants, cumulative impacts project list, agency letters, and response to comments.

The entire document is available here.

• January 21, 2005

  Mormon Lake Basin Fuels Reduction

  USDA Forest Service
  Mormon Lake Ranger District, Coconino National Forest
  

Here is the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Mormon Lake Basin Fuels Reduction project. The Mormon Lake Basin Fuels Reduction project will apply fuel reduction and forest health prescriptions to the 2,831-acre area. This will include thinning, burning, and some road management actions to meet the purpose and need.

Cover Letter (39kb .pdf file)

Environmental Assessment for the Mormon Lake Basin Fuel Reduction Project (1.3mb .pdf file)

(see final documents listed above under: June 13, 2005)

• October 13, 2004

  Natural Gas Pipeline SR179 (Village of Oak Creek to Sedona)
  USDA Forest Service
  Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest
  Coconino and Yavapai Counties, State of Arizona

  An environmental assessment has been completed for the Natural Gas Line SR 179 (Village of Oak Creek To Sedona). On October 26, 2004, a Revised Decision Notice was signed that approved the Purple Alternative and allowed for immediate implementation (gas line construction) based on an Emergency Situation Determination approved by the Regional Forester. In addition, this Revised Decision Notice withdrew the previous Decision dated October 13, 2004 as a result of the Emergency Situation Determination. The selected alternative (Purple) places the gas line within ADOT's proposed highway 179 improvements (bifurcated roadway alignment).

Revised Decision Notice & Finding of No Significant Impact,
Natural Gas Pipeline SR179 (31kb .pdf file)

Final EA, Table of Contents (720kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Chapter 1 (436kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Chapter 2 (360kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Chapter 3 (973kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Chapter 4 (9kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Chapter 5 (17kb .pdf file
Final EA, Chapter 6 (9kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Appendix A (446kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Appendix B (602kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Appendix C (56kb .pdf file)
Final EA, Appendix D (28kb .pdf file)

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• October 6, 2004

DECISION NOTICE AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Lowell Observatory’s Discovery Channel Telescope
Environmental Assessment

An environmental assessment (EA) has been completed for the construction of an observatory that would house a 4-meter-class telescope. This decision also includes a water storage tank, road reconstruction and new construction, underground trenching for a power line, security fence, removal of existing outbuildings at the Happy Jack Ranger Station, and replacement of those facilities with new buildings.

• Environmental Assessment (1.3mb .pdf file)
• Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact (34kb .pdf file)

 

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• September 24, 2004

The Munds Park Roads and Trails project will designate a multi-use roads and trails system that will offer motorized and non-motorized trail/road opportunities on National Forest System lands immediately adjacent to the community of Munds Park.

• Draft Environmental Assessment (308kb .pdf file)
• Cover Letter (26kb .pdf file)

January 31, 2005 - Munds Park Roads and Trails project Decision Notice and Finding of no Significant Impact (FONSI) are listed here. Also, the Final Environmental Assessment is available here.

• Cover Letter - Final Decision Notice (39kb .pdf file)
• Decision Notice Final (145kb .pdf file)
• Final Environmental Assessment (941kb . pdf file)

 

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• September 20, 2004

  Sedona Administrative Site Sale, Coconino National Forest

  The Coconino National Forest announced that on September 16, 2004, Forest Supervisor, Nora B. Rasure, signed a Decision Notice approving the sale of the 21-acre Sedona Administrative Site. This decision continues on the path the Forest Service has been following to facilitate the acquisition of new administrative facilities in the Verde Valley. The proceeds of this sale will be used to acquire and build new administrative facilities for the Red Rock and Verde Ranger Districts. The decision is the result of special legislation (Arizona National Forest Improvement Act of 2000) which gave authority to the Forest Service to sell several administrative sites in Arizona and use the proceeds for other administrative facilities.

  The Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment are available for those interested by contacting the Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 282-4119 or through the webpage at: the links below. This decision is subject to administrative review per 36 CFR Part 215. Information on the appeal process is available in the Decision Notice.

  Environmental Assessment (108kb .pdf file)

  Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact (31kb .pdf file)

• August 3, 2004

  Lowell Observatory’s Discovery Channel Telescope Environmental Assessment is available here for your review and comment.
  The proposed action best meets and is consistent with Lowell Observatory’s stated mission. Very few sites within the continental United States possess the essential characteristics that would justify the cost of building and operating a modern telescope.

  • Comment letter (39kb .pdf file)
  • DRAFT Environmental Assessment Lowell Observatory’s Discovery Channel Telescope (1.31mb .pdf file)
  • Draft EA (same file, zipped .pdf file: click "save to disk" and then unzip)
    
    

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• June 23, 2004

  Sedona Administrative Site Sale: The Forest Service is proposing to sell the 21- acre Sedona Ranger Station site on Brewer Road in Sedona. This is the current location of the Red Rock Ranger District offices. Proceeds of the sale would be used to build new office facilities in a location that better serves the public. The Forest Service has been working on an environmental analysis and is providing a summary of effects for 30-day public review.

  • Final Comment Letter (37kb .pdf file)
  • Red Rock Sales Summary EA (84kb .pdf file)

• June 11, 2004

  Scoping Period for the Blue Ridge 69kV Transmission Line Project

  The Forest Service has been working with Arizona Public Service (APS) in preparing an environmental assessment to analyze the impacts of constructing a 69kV transmission line from Winslow, Arizona to the Blue Ridge area under the National Environmental Policy Act. The power line will be constructed across multiple land ownerships.

  APS is the electric power supplier to the community of Blue Ridge. The need for the project is to improve reliability to the Blue Ridge area that is currently served by an existing 21 kV distribution line that originates in Payson, Arizona. Currently, Blue Ridge residents experience extensive outages that have increased in number and length over the past couple of years. The introduction of a second source is expected to provide public benefits by reducing the frequency of power interruptions and the length of time required to restore service in the event of an outage.

  Click here for Scoping Letter (22kb .pdf file)

  Click here for APS Newsletter (342kb .pdf file)

• June 4, 2004

  Natural Gas Pipeline SR 179 (Village of Oak Creek to Sedona) Draft Environmental Assessment and Summary of Effects

  The Forest Service has proposed issuance of an easement or permit to UniSource Energy Services for construction, operation and maintenance of approximately 5.3 miles of 6-inch diameter natural gas pipeline from the Village of Oak Creek to Sedona on lands managed by the Coconino National Forest. A summary document and draft environmental assessment is available for public review. Interested parties have 30-days starting from June 9, 2004 to comment on this proposal as indicated in the June 4, 2004 letter.

  Click here for 30-day Comment Letter (39kb .pdf file)

  Click here for Executive Summary (this is a "zipped" 494kb .pdf file)

  • Draft Environmental Assessment for the Natural Gas Pipeline SR 179 (choose "zipped" if you have problems opening these files):

    Table of Contents (539kb .pdf file) - (Table of Contents - zipped file)

  • Chapter 1 (382kb .pdf. file) - (Chapter 1 - zipped)
  • Chapter 2 (331kb .pdf.file) - (Chapter 2 - zipped)
  • Chapter 3 (801kb .pdf file) - (Chapter 3 - zipped)
  • Chapter 4 (86kb .pdf file)
  • Chapter 5 (95kb .pdf file)
  • Chapter 6 (86kb .pdf file)
  • Appendix A (998kb .pdf file) - (Appendix A - zipped)
  • Appendix B (99kb .pdf file)
  
  

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• April 19, 2004

  DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
  for the Camp Verde Sanitary District Site Acquisition
  Proposal to Acquire National Forest Lands

  The Forest Service has been working with the Camp Verde Sanitary District (CVSD) for several years to sell to the CVSD the land where their current sewer water treatment facility is located. This facility was constructed on National Forest lands in 1982, and has operated at this site providing sewer water treatment services for the Town of Camp Verde residents under a special use permit from the Forest Service. The CVSD is an improvement district formed in 1972 in response to the demand on septic systems and leach fields in the main area of Camp Verde, and is responsible for providing sewer services to residents within the district boundaries which includes most of the Town of Camp Verde. The CVSD submitted to the Forest Service an application for acquisition of 161 acres of National Forest lands under the authority of the Sisk Act and Townsite Act. Sale of the existing 57-acre treatment plant facility qualifies under the Sisk Act authority because of the plant being constructed under permit in 1982 as required by the Sisk Act. Click Here for entire document (78KB .pdf document)

  Click here for the original Environmental Assessment posted in April 2002.

• March 23, 2004

  We have signed the Decision Notice for the Woody Ridge Forest Restoration Project.

Please click here for Woody Ridge Forest Restoration Project Environmental Assessment Page

• March 22, 2004

  DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT for the MULE PARK LAND EXCHANGE
  Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

  Under authority of the General Land Exchange Act of March 20, 1922 (42 Stat. 465), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of October 21, 1976 (90 Stat. 2743; 43 U.S.C. 1716), and the Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of August 20, 1988, the Forest Service has been considering a proposal to exchange approximately 197 acres of Federal land (in one parcel) for approximately 270 acres of non-Federal land (in three parcels) within the Coconino National Forest in Coconino County

• Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Noxious Weeds

  February, 2004: Forest Service Releases Draft Study on Noxious and Invasive Weeds

The Forest Service has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Noxious and Invasive Weeds; the document is available for public review. Interested parties have 45 days to provide their comments and suggestions to the Forest Service on the Proposed Action and three other Alternatives examined in the DEIS of these documents are available only as Adobe Acrobat PDF files.

Please click here for the DEIS for Noxious Weeds Page.

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• Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Arizona Snowbowl Facilities Improvement

  February, 2004: Forest Service Releases Draft Study on Snowbowl Upgrade

  The Preferred Alternative described in the document proposes to create snowmaking on 205 acres of skiable terrain at the ski area, using reclaimed water from the City of Flagstaff. It also proposes adding one new chairlift and four surface lifts; realigning and/or lengthening three of the current chairlifts; creating 74 acres of new ski runs; creating a snowplay/tubing area and associated infrastructure; creating a snowboarding halfpipe; and improving the ski area’s service facilities and resort infrastructure. All of the proposed improvements would occur entirely within the 777-acre ski area.

  Please click here for the Snowbowl Draft EIS page.

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• January, 2004, Draft Environmental Assessment for the Woody Ridge Forest Restoration Project Coconino National Forest -

Chapter 1 & 2 (509kb .pdf file)

Chapter 3 (472kb .pdf file)

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• January, 2004, Final Environmental Assessment for the Arizona Trail - Peaks Segment, including the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact

• December, 2003, Final Environmental Assessment - Forest Roads 316 and 625, Mogollon Rim Ranger District (9,696 KB .pdf)
  • Dec. 30, 2003, Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact, FR 316 & 625 (997 KB .pdf file)
    

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• December 18, 2003 Environmental Assessment, Huffer Stand Improvement Project
  Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona
  Attached by links are the Cover Letter and the Huffer Stand Improvement Project Environmental Assessment (EA) for your review and comment. The project area is located in Coconino Country on national forest land approximately 65 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. Please click here for the 23KB .pdf file of the cover letter. Please click here for the entire EA. You will DOWNLOAD a Zipped .pdf 2.1MB file.

• December 23, 2003 Draft Environmental Assessment, NATIVE FISH RESTORATION IN FOSSIL CREEK, Coconino and Tonto National Forests, Arizona. Click here to Download the 3.3MB Zipped .pdf file. Please click this link for the cover letter with information regarding how and when to comment: (706KB pdf. Cover Letter)

• October, 2003, Environmental Assessment, Pack Rat Salvage, Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona (2.36MB PDF)
  • October, 2003, Decision Notice & Finding of No Significant Impact, Pack Rat Salvage Project, USDA Forest Service, Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona (52KB PDF)

• October, 2003, Environmental Assessment -- 13 Mile Rock Range Allotment, Mogollon Rim and Red Rock Ranger Districts (2181KB PDF)
  • October, 2003, Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact, 13 Mile Rock Range Allotment (247 KB PDF)

• September, 2003, final draft of the Environmental Assessment for a Qwest/Fossil Creek Fiber Optic Line Camp Verde to Strawberry Yavapai and Gila Counties, Arizona
  • EnviroSystems Management, Inc. has prepared this Environmental Assessment on behalf of the Qwest Corporation and Coconino and Tonto National Forests for the installation of an underground fiber optic cable line from the Town of Camp Verde, Yavapai County, Arizona to the community of Strawberry, Gila County, Arizona in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. Click the links below for the entire document.

Final Draft of the EA for a Qwest/Fossil Creek Fiber Optic Line (426KB .pdf file, 35 page document)

Appendix-A (30KB .pdf file, 4 page document)

Fossil Creek EA Map (834KB .pdf file, 1 page document)

Qwest / State Map (264KB .pdf file, 1 page document)

• August, 2003, Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement for Buck Springs Range Allotment
  

• July 2003, Environmental Assessment for The Arizona Trail – Peaks Segment Sandy Seep to Kelly Tank (160 KB PDF)

• July 2003, Environmental Assessment for the Pickett Lake and Padre Canyon Allotments (300 KB PDF)

• July 2003, Munds Park Roads and Trails System Project Proposed Action (716 KB PDF)

• July 2003, Pack Rat Salvage Project Environmental Assessment (2,450 KB PDF)

• May 2003, Forest Service and Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership Woody Ridge Forest Restoration Project Proposed Action (245 KB PDF)

• April 2003, Anderson Mesa Landscape Scale Assessment (final)
  The Anderson Mesa Landscape Scale Assessment was originally proposed back in 1999, however, it was postponed due to other high priority and on-going planning efforts on the Forest.
  • Draft Anderson Mesa Landscape Scale Assessment
    

• March 2003, DECISION NOTICE AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, Long Lake Recreation Improvement Projects (292 KB PDF) and Appendix A, Response to 30-Day Public (52 KB PDF)

• December 20, 2002 , Flagstaff/Lake Mary Ecosystem Analysis (FLEA) Area Forest Plan Amendment Number 17

Record of Decision 12/20/2002 (176 KB PDF)

Errata Sheet Dec. 2002 (12 KB PDF)

Response to Comments

Digest (8 KB PDF)

Forest Plan Replacement pages (704 KB PDF)

Maps:
Camping Objectives (216 KB PDF)
Urban/rural Influence Zone (480 KB PDF)
Fire Management Analysis Zone (380 KB PDF)
Management Areas (412 KB PDF)
Objectives for Recreation Settings (796 KB PDF)

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• February 20, 2003, Decision Memo for the Bellemont Land Exchange (182 KB .pdf)

• February 2003, Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement for Kachina Village Forest Project

Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) Cover (139 KB .pdf)

Record of Decision (ROD) Table of Contents (9 KB .pdf)

ROD for Kachina FEIS (79 KB .pdf)

FEIS Summary (43 KB .pdf)

Chapter 1, Proposed Action (50 KB .pdf)

Chapter 2, Alternatives (1,002 KB .pdf) '

Chapter 3, Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences (417 KB .pdf)

Chapter 4, List of Preparers (9 KB .pdf)

Chapter 5, List of Agencies, Organizations, and Persons to Whom Copies of the DEIS Were Sent (10 KB .pdf)

Chapter 6, Literature Cited (23 KB .pdf)

Appendix A, Scoping Comment Analysis (136 KB .pdf)

Appendix B, Research Proposals (110 KB .pdf)

Appendix C, Maps (283 KB .pdf)

Appendix D, Visual Simulation Report (510 KB .pdf)

Appendix E, Key Standards and Guidelines, Coconino National Forest Land Management Plan (10 KB .pdf)

Appendix F, Landscape Character (11 KB .pdf)

Appendix G, Transportation Plan (235 KB .pdf)

Appendix H, Response to Comments (3,600 KB .pdf)

Index (1 KB .pdf)

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• February 2003, Long Lake Recreation Improvements Environmental Assessment (1400 KB PDF)

• October, 2002
  • Fossil Creek Area Planning Proposed Action (28 KB PDF), Cover Letter (20 KB PDF) and Map (352 KB PDF). The Coconino and Tonto National Forests are considering amendments to their forest plans for the area around Fossil Creek.

• October 2002

• Environmental Assessment, Proposed Mule Park Land Exchange

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• September 23, 2002

• Proposed Action: Snowbowl Upgrading Proposal

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• August 2002, Draft Environmental Impact Statement, AMENDMENT TO THE COCONINO FOREST PLAN FOR THE FLAGSTAFF/LAKE MARY ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS AREA (739 KB PDF)

Additional maps:
Urban Rural Influence Zone–Alternatives A, C, D,
Objective for ROS Alt A,
Objectives for ROS Alt C,
Objectives for ROS Alt D,
Objectives for Camping Alt A, C & D,
Fire Management Analysis Zone,
Management Areas Alternatives A, C, and D

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• July 2002

• Kachina Village Forest Health Project, Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) describes the effects of implementing five alternatives for improving forest health and reducing wildfire potential on National Forest System land in the Coconino National Forest. The Document can be downloaded by section below:

Cover Page (140 KB PDF)

Summary and Table of Contents (36 KB PDF)

Chapter 1 • Proposed Action (56 KB PDF)

Chapter 2 • Alternatives (1100 KB PDF)

Chapter 3 • Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences (472 KB PDF)

Chapter 4 • List of Preparers (12 KB PDF)

Chapter 5 • List of Agencies, Organizations, and Persons to Whom Copies of the DEIS are Sent (12 KB PDF)

Chapter 6 • Literature Cited (24 KB PDF)

Appendix A • Scoping Comment Analysis (140 KB PDF)

Appendix B • Research Proposals (76 KB PDF)

Appendix C • Maps (264 KB PDF)

Appendix D • Visual Simulation Report (500 KB PDF)

Appendix E • Key Standards and Guidelines, Coconino (12 KB PDF)

Appendix F • Landscape Character (12 KB PDF)

Index (12 KB PDF)

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• April 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, CAMP VERDE SANITARY DISTRICT PROPOSAL TO ACQUIRE NATIONAL FOREST LAND (404 KB pdf) The Forest Service has received a proposal from the Camp Verde Sanitary District to purchase approximately 162 acres of federal land at their current Sanitary District plant location within the Coconino National Forest in Arizona. Also included is the proposal is the construction of a new force main pipeline along State Route 260, the access road, and the retention of the access road under a special use permit with a required fee.

• May 3, 2002 News Release, Forest Service Receives Snowbowl Proposal. (Flagstaff, Ariz.) The Coconino National Forest has received a proposal from the Arizona Snowbowl seeking approval for snowmaking and improvements to the ski area. The proposal includes a number of ideas for improving public safety and customer service, as well as providing economic viability, at the 777-acre ski area. More news release...
  Additional Snowbowl Proposal documents: Snowbowl Proposal Highlights and Background Information and The Snowbowl Proposal and NEPA.

• May 3, 2002

East Clear Creek Watershed Health Project Environmental Assessment, May 3, 2002 (1.9 MB pdf) A 30-day comment period begins May 3, 2002 (download letter, 14KB pdf). After this comment period, the District Ranger will make a final decision regarding this project. All proposed actions occur within the approximately 70,000 acre analysis area boundary that occurs on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona.

• January 16, 2002
  • Proposed Arizona Trail San Francisco Peaks and Dry Lake Hills Proposed Action (30 KB pdf). Construct and/or Designate the Arizona Trail corridor from Sandy Seep to Kelly Tank. This segment is approximately 31.0 miles. Download map (644 KB pdf).

• September 1, 2001
  • Proposed Action to Amend the Coconino Forest Plan for the Flagstaff/Lake Mary Ecosystem Analysis (FLEA) Area (336 KB .pdf) additional Maps (520 KB .pdf). Document also available is a Summary of the Proposed Action (36 KB .pdf).

• September 27, 2001

DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT for the Sedona Effluent Management Plan Townsite Act and Arizona National Forest Improvement Act

• September 6, 2001

DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) INTERSTATE 17 COR RIDOR (I-17) WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, September 6, 2001 (68 KB .pdf)

• August 31, 2001

DECISION NOTICE AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) ROCKY PARK FUELS REDUCTION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) MORMON LAKE RANGER DISTRICT USDA FOREST SERVICE COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA (201 KB .pdf)

• July 23, 2001

DECISION NOTICE AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) YOUNGS CANYON GRAZING ALLOTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PEAKS RANGER DISTRICT USDA FOREST SERVICE COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA (3000 KB .pdf file)

• July 1, 2001

A Prospectus For the Operation and Maintenance of Forest Recreation Facilities Peaks & Mormon Lake Ranger Districts, Flagstaff, Arizona. July, 2001

• June 2, 2001

Proposed Action - Kachina Village Forest Health Project, June 2001 (157 KB .pdf file)

• April 13, 2001

I-17 Wireless Communication System Proposal Environmental Assessment, April 2001 (1500 KB .pdf file)

• April 6, 2001
  • Project Cancelled 5/9/2006

PROPOSED ACTION FOR THE WINDMILL GRAZING ALLOTMENT, 04/06/01 (140 KB .pdf file)

• February 27, 2001

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR Hart Prairie Restoration Restoration of High Elevation Riparian Community (Bebb Willow Restoration), 02/27/01 (612 KB .pdf file)

• March 13, 2001

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, Blue Ridge Urban Interface Project, 3/13/01

• December 1, 2000

SEDONA EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT PLAN SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, December 2000 (750 KB .pdf file)

• January 1, 2001

Proposed Actions for the Pickett Lake and Padre canyon Allotments, January 1, 2001 (43 KB .pdf file)

• September 1, 2000

Environmental Assessment for Bellemont Shooting Facility, September 2000 (2.1 MB .pdf file)

• July 1, 2000

Fort Valley Ecosystem Restoration Project July 2000

DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI), Fort Valley Ecosystem Restoration Project

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR FORT VALLEY ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT

• September 7, 2000

Mormon Lake and Fulton Canyon Protection Project, off-road motorized vehicles closure (12K .pdf document)

• August 25, 2000

DECISION NOTICE AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) Wireless Communications at ARIZONA SNOWBOWL (40K .pdf document)

• July 10, 2000

DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT for the SAN FRANCISCO MOUNTAIN/MOUNT ELDEN MINERAL WITHDRAWAL

• June 28, 2000

DECISION NOTICE and FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, Verde River Headwaters Riparian Restoration Demonstration Project

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT for the VERDE RIVER HEADWATERS RIPARIAN RESTORATION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Environmental Assessment for the Verde River Headwaters Riparian Restoration Demonstration Project, Long Valley Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

• June 9, 2000

Decision Notice, Beaverhead Flat Road and Beaver Creek Road Improvements, Sedona and Beaver Creek Ranger Districts, Coconino National Forest

 

Finding of No Significant Impact, Beaverhead Flat Road and Beaver Creek Road Improvements, Sedona and Beaver Creek Ranger Districts, Coconino National Forest

• May 10, 2000

Environmental Assessment for the San Francisco Mountain/Mount Elden Mineral Withdrawal, May 10, 2000

• March 15, 2000

Beaverhead Flat Road and Beaver Creek Road Environmental Assessment, March 15, 2000

• April 19, 2000

DECISION NOTICE including a FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS for the McGuireville 69kV Power Line and Substation Siting Project, April 19, 2000.

• April 3, 2000

Proposed Wireless Communications Facilities within the Coconino and Prescott National Forests

• May 20, 1999

Ideas for Change - Flagstaff/Lake Mary Ecosystem Analysis - May 1999