Opportunity to Comment, Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project

LEGAL NOTICE

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT

USDA Forest Service

Lassen National Forest

Eagle Lake Ranger District

Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project

The Eagle Lake Ranger District (ELRD) of the Lassen National Forest (LNF) has drafted and environmental assessment (EA) to analyze the potential effect for Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project. The project proposes to treat priority invasive plant infestations on up to 30 acres annually, using a combination of manual, cultural, biological and/or chemical methods. In addition, the project would re-establish osprey nesting platforms within the Osprey Management Area that were destroyed by the Whaleback Fire.

The project area encompasses approximately 28,300 acres of Lassen National Forest land located along the shores of Eagle Lake, and within the footprint of the 2018 Whaleback Fire (Township (T) 31 North (N), Range (R) 10 East (E), Sections 2, 3, 10, 21; T31N, R11E, Sections 4, 5, 7, 8 and 18; T32N, R10E, Sections 1-29, 33-36; T32N, R11E, Sections 6, 7, 15, 17-20, 30 and 33; T32N, R12E, Section 7, T33N, R10E, Sections 25, 28, 29, 31-34, and 36; T33N, R11E, Sections 24, 28-33; and T33N, R12E, Section 19 of the Mount Diablo Meridian).

Currently, invasive plants are known to 58 locations, and degrade approximately 20 acres across the project area which includes the 2018 Whaleback Fire footprint. During the Whaleback Fire, fire suppression dozer lines and very high burn severity resulted in considerable ground disturbance, leaving favorable conditions for the establishment and spread of invasive plants. In addition, the fire also resulted in the destruction of existing osprey platforms within the Eagle Lake Osprey Management Area.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 218, you are invited to comment on this proposal during a 30-day comment period. The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. Written comments must be postmarked by the Postal Service, faxed, or sent via electronic mail by 11:59 pm on the 30th calendar day following publication of this legal notice of the opportunity to comment. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period.

Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object to this project must provide, during the 30-day comment period, name, address, and comments on the proposed actions along with supporting reasons that the Responsible Official should consider in reaching a decision. A signature or other verification of identity must be provided upon request (36 CFR 218.25(3)(iv)). In cases where no identifiable name is attached to an electronic message, a verification of identity will be required for objection eligibility. A scanned signature is one way to provide verification.

Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this project, and will be available for public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however those who submit anonymous comments will not have standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 218.

For detailed information please visit the forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/lassen/landmanagement/projects. Electronic comments may be submitted to: [email protected] with Subject: Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project. Written comments should be mailed to Carol Thornton, District Ranger, ATTN: Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project, 477-050 Eagle Lake Road, Susanville, CA 96130. For more information on the project, please contact Allison Sanger, Forest Botanist, by email at [email protected].