National Forest Site-Specific
Invasive Plant Treatment Projects

News

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE
Beyond Prevention: Site-specific Invasive Plant Treatment Project
Environmental Impact Statement
USDA-Forest Service
Olympic National Forest
Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson and Mason Counties
Washington

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Olympic National Forest entitled Beyond Prevention: Site-specific Invasive Plant Treatment Project is now available for public review.  Olympic National Forest Supervisor Dale Hom is the Responsible Official for this project. The purpose of the project is to control invasive plants in a cost-effective manner that complies with environmental standards. Invasive species were identified by the Chief of the Forest Service as one of the four threats to forest health.  Invasive plants are displacing native plants and degrading natural areas, and have the potential to destabilize streams and reduce the quality of fish and wildlife habitat. Approximately 3,830 acres are currently estimated to need treatment, including but not limited to knapweeds, hawkweeds, knotweeds, and reed canarygrass.  The DEIS discloses beneficial and adverse effects from herbicide, manual, and mechanical invasive plant treatments, and evaluates Project Design Features to minimize or eliminate risks to people and the environment.  The project would occur over the next 5 to 15 years (until invasive plant objectives are met or until changed conditions or new information warrants the need for a new decision).  This DEIS includes detailed consideration of four alternatives. 

The DEIS public comment period is expected to run from June 16 through August 11 (comments must be postmarked within 45 days from the date the notice of availablity is published in the Federal Register).  Comments should be specific and address the adequacy of the statement and the merits of the alternatives discussed (40 CFR 1503.3).  Comments will be accepted hand delivered or mailed to the Olympic National Forest Headquarters (see address above), or through e-mail (comments-pacificnorthwest-olympic@fs.fed.us).  Please address comments to INVASIVE PLANTS.

All written and electronic comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review and may be published as part of the Final EIS.  If you wish to withhold your name or address from public review, or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comments.  Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law.  All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety.  Anonymous comments are accepted.

The DEIS is available on the Olympic National Forest web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic.  You may also request a copy of the DEIS or additional information by contacting Joan Ziegltrum at the Olympic National Forest Headquarters, 1835 Black Lake Blvd, Ste. A, Olympia, WA 98512 or phone (360) 956-2320.

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Olympic National forest Notice of availabilty letter June 16, 2006 (145 Kb PDF)

Link to the DEIS located on the Olympic NF website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/projects-nu/index.shtml

Information from Team Leader