KAMIAH, Idaho—January 23, 2024:—
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests has prepared a Draft Record of Decision (Draft ROD) and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Final SEIS) for the Clearwater National Forest Travel Planning Project to comply with the District of Idaho’s December 2022 remand order in Friends of the Clearwater (FOC) I and FOC II and prohibition of motorized use of the Fish Lake Trail (Trail 419) until further order of the Court. The final supplemental analysis complies with the court’s remand order in FOC I and FOC II. The FEIS addresses Travel Plan compliance with the Forest Plan standards for Elk Habitat Effectiveness and demonstrates that the Forest selected designated routes for motorized use with the object of minimizing their impacts. Reinstating summer motorized use on the Fish Lake Trail is proposed. One project-specific Forest Plan amendment that proposes to modify Elk Habitat Effectiveness standards is included.
Both documents are available to review online at the project webpage: (https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=17992). A notice of document availability was sent to those who submitted specific written comments in response to the 45-day comment period on the Draft SEIS (August 2023).
On approximately January 23, 2024, a Legal Notice was published in the Lewiston Tribune and Notice of Availability of Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register. An objection to the content of the Draft Record of Decision and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement must be received within 45-days of the Legal Notice.
Questions about the Clearwater National Travel Planning Project can be directed to Andrew Skowlund, North Fork District Ranger (208-476-4541).
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