Nez Perce Forest Travel Management Plan – Public Open Houses Scheduled
Release Date: Jun 15, 2015
Cheryl Probert, Forest Supervisor of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, is re-engaging the public on the Nez Perce National Forest travel plan through a series of public meetings. The project is commonly referred to as the Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use (DRAMVU). A decision on DRAMVU, by Supervisor Probert, is planned for late summer. Her decision, documented in a Record of Decision (ROD), would designate motor vehicle use on specific roads, trails and areas on the Nez Perce side of the Forest; and result in a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for use by the public.
The purpose of the meetings is to provide information to the public about the planning effort to date. Forest staff will present information about alternatives that will be in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and considered in the upcoming decision. They will also answer questions about the agency’s new objection process. Public meetings are scheduled in June and July in the following communities:
•June 23, 2015. Tuesday, 5:00 to 7:30 pm, PST. Forest Service Grangeville Office, 104 Airport Road, Grangeville, Idaho.
•June 25, 2015. Thursday, 5:00 to 7:30 pm, PST. Red River Ranger District Office, 300 American River Road, Elk City, Idaho.
•June 30, 2015. Tuesday, 5:00 to 7:30 pm, MST. Hells Canyon National Recreation Office, 1339 Highway 95 South, Riggins, Idaho.
•July 20, 2015. Monday, 5:00 to 7:30 pm, PST. Kamiah Fire Hall (EMS building), 515 Main Street, Kamiah, Idaho.
•July 21, 2015. Tuesday, 5:00 to 7:30 pm, PST. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Lewiston Office, 3316 16th Street, Lewiston, Idaho.
The Nez Perce National Forest initiated the DRAMVU project in 2007 with a proposed action to manage motor vehicle use on roads, trails and areas on the Forest. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was published in 2009, followed by a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) in 2010. The Forest has gathered and considered numerous comments from the public during these time periods.
The Forest is close to finishing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process that will support Supervisor Probert’s decision on the DRAMVU project. The public involvement process has recently changed through the Forest Service’s modification of the Administrative Review Process (36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 218 parts A and B), also known as the objection process. Those who previously commented on the DRAMVU project, have the right to file an objection with the Objection Reviewing Officer during the objection filling period. The objection filing period will begin when the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Draft ROD are distributed, which is planned for the late summer. The DRAMVU Final EIS and Draft ROD, and other information will be posted on the DRAMVU project webpage: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=17752.
If you have been engaged in the process we encourage you re-engage at this time.
For more information, or if you require special assistance to attend the public meetings, please contact Jennie Fischer, Team Leader at the Forest Service Grangeville Office, 104 Airport Road, Grangeville, Idaho (208) 983-4048.
