Meeting Set for 150 Miles of Proposed Trails/Roads Closure South of Oakridge

Dear Citizens,

I would like to hear your thoughts on the proposed the Upper Middle Fork Watershed Restoration and Road Closure Project. The project is located in the Upper Middle Fork of the Willamette River watershed above Hills Creek Reservoir, south of Oakridge. I am writing you now so that I have the chance to incorporate your interests and concerns into the project early in the planning process.

Proposed Action:
In order to protect and build upon the success of several significant wildlife and fish habitat restoration projects in the Upper Middle Fork Willamette River and Hills Creek Reservoir watersheds, I am proposing to evaluate and close up to 150 miles of road in these watersheds (about 16% of the roads in these two watersheds). The roads would be closed to motorized vehicles but would still be available for non-motorized activities such as hiking, biking, hunting, and horseback riding.

Roads would be closed using a variety of methods that minimize the potential for negative impacts on aquatic habitats and water quality. The decision to close a particular road will be determined by the potential environmental impacts of leaving the road open balanced with potential administrative, fire suppression, and recreation and public access needs.

Purpose and Need:
The purpose for this proposal is to:
• Protect water quality and aquatic habitats by reducing impacts associated with roads.
• Improve use of terrestrial habitat by big game and other wildlife through reduction in open road density.
• Reduce the number of road miles that require regular maintenance.
• Reduce the spread of non-native invasive plants associated with roads.

There is a need for action because:
• There are many miles of roads on the District that have not been maintained or repaired to desired standards. Many roads are no longer drivable due to brush encroachment. If roads are not either maintained or closed in the near future, there is an increased risk for surface erosion, gullying, and landslides. Such conditions result in increased sediment delivery to streams and reservoirs, thereby affecting water quality and aquatic habitat, including habitat for vulnerable fish species (bull trout and spring Chinook salmon).
• High densities of open roads affect habitat use by a variety of threatened, endangered, or sensitive species as well as Management Indicator Species. Closing roads could provide wildlife species, including elk and deer, use of larger blocks of habitat free from motor vehicle use and promote more secure wildlife populations.
• Roads serve as conduits for non-native invasive plants. Managing the spread of invasive species is important for maintaining healthy native ecosystems. Closing roads reduces the potential for invasive plants to spread and displace native plants.
• Closing roads is a cost-effective way to protect resources for the long term.

Public Involvement:
I am now seeking comments from individuals, organizations, local and state governments, and other federal agencies that may be interested in or affected by the proposed action. Comments referring to specific roads will be especially helpful. Your comments will help us assess the proposed action, develop alternatives, and prepare an Environmental Assessment.

An open-house meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2010 between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm at the Middle Fork Ranger Station, 46375 Highway 58, Westfir, OR with the purpose of providing information about the project proposal to the public and to receive public input.

I would like to receive your scoping comments by July 6, 2010. Please send your written comments to: Diana Bus, Acting District Ranger, Middle Fork Ranger District, 46375 Highway 58, Westfir, OR 97492; FAX: (541)782-5319. You may also hand-deliver your comments to the above address during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays) or at the public meeting on June 16. Electronic comments may be submitted to comments-pacificnorthwest-willamette@fs.fed.us. All those who comment will remain on our mailing list and receive future updates on this proposal.

Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record for this project, available for public inspection, and released if requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

At this time, it is anticipated that the environmental assessment will be available for public review in September, 2010. A decision regarding this proposal is expected to be signed in December, 2010. Implementation of this proposal could begin spring 2011. A notice tracking the status of this project is in the Forest Focus, the Willamette National Forest’s Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). The SOPA can be found on the Willamette National Forest website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/manage/sopa/index.html.

Maps
Detailed maps will be available via the Internet at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/manage/nepa/current_middlefork.html. A large map is also available for viewing in the kiosk outside the Middle Fork Ranger Station, located at 46375 Highway 58, Westfir. If you have any questions concerning this proposal, please contact Matt Peterson at (760)937-4514 or mbpeterson@fs.fed.us.

Sincerely,

/s/ Matt Peterson

(for) DIANA BUS
Acting District Ranger