MONTANA - FS Releases DSEIS for Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF Land and Resource Management Plan to Comply with the District Court Order (Winter Motorized Use)

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) to the 2009 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) environmental analysis in response to an August 27, 2015 Order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

The purpose of this supplement is to comply with the August 27, 2015, US District Court for the District of Montana Order by disclosing potential snowmobile impacts on big game wildlife and applying the minimization criteria in the 2005 Travel Management Rule.

This SEIS evaluates information underlying the analysis of snowmobile impacts on big game wildlife and resources cited in the minimization criteria (described in the previous section) for areas on the BDNF considered open for OSV use during the winter recreation season (December 2 through May 15) in six alternatives analyzed in detail in the 2009 BDNF Land and Resource Management Plan FEIS.

After evaluating potential impacts from OSV use on big game wildlife and the resources cited in the minimization criteria disclosed in this SEIS, the responsible official, BDNF Supervisor Melany Glossa, will consider the analysis in the SEIS, public comment, apply the minimization criteria to areas remaining open to OSV use and determine whether an amendment to Forest Plan direction is needed or whether site specific changes would be necessary. Comment period ends March 3, 2016.

Supplemental EIS - BDNF Land & Resource Management Plan to comply with District of Montana Court Order website http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47722.

For more information, contact, Jan Bowey at 406-842-5432.

Thanks in advance and, as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext. 2
 

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) is a national non-profit organization that champions responsible recreation and encourages a strong conservation ethic and individual stewardship, while providing leadership in efforts to keep outdoor recreation alive and well -- all sports; all trails. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education
and collaboration among recreationists.
1-208-237-1008 - www.sharetrails.org
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