edward
09-03-2009, 12:51 PM
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service
Bradshaw Ranger District
344 South Cortez
Prescott, AZ 86303
Phone: (928) 443-8000
Fax: (928) 443-8008
TTY: (928) 443-8001
Date: August 26, 2009
Dear Friend of the Prescott National Forest:
The Bradshaw Ranger District is seeking your comments on a proposal to re-route the Groom Creek Loop Trail (Trail 307) on the Prescott National Forest. This letter and the attached map provide background information, a description of the decision to be made, and a request for your comments.
The Groom Creek Loop Trail leads from Senator Highway to the top of Spruce Mountain. Many of the sections of this trail are comprised of loose granitic soils, were poorly designed, and have experienced significant erosion. Efforts to mitigate the erosion using wood and rock water bars
have not succeeded and, in some instances, have made the problem worse.
The purpose for re-routing this trail is to reduce continual erosion and create new trail segments that are sustainable.
To address the problems with erosion on the current trail, re-routes have been identified on eight separate sections, totaling 2 ¼ miles. These new sections would replace 1 ¾ miles of existing trail. These re-routes would be constructed using a compact excavator and hand crews creating a 30” tread in an eight foot wide by ten foot high brushed corridor. Once constructed,
the replaced sections of trail would be re-contoured to the existing landform and covered with native debris.
The Bradshaw District Ranger will decide whether to implement the proposed action or take no action at this time. Projects of this nature may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA). If no extraordinary circumstances warrant documentation of environmental effects, a Decision Memo will be prepared following consideration of public comments and relevant environmental factors.
If a decision to re-route the trail is made, the estimated implementation date for this project is October/November 2009.
We would like to know of any issues, concerns or suggestions you may have about this proposal. Comments should be as fully formed and specific as possible to assist us in the analysis. Although comments are welcome at any time, they will be most effective if received by September 25, 2009. Please submit your comments in writing or email to:
Groom Creek Loop Trail Project
Prescott National Forest
344 S. Cortez St.
Prescott, AZ 86303
Attn: Rob Hehlen
If you have any questions, or if something is unclear, please contact Rob Hehlen of the Prescott National Forest at 928-443-8230 or email: rhehlen@fs.fed.us
Comments received in response to this scoping letter, 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.
Pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under the FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited circumstances, such as to protect trade
secrets. The Forest Service will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied, the agency will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments may be resubmitted with or without name and address within thirty (30) days.
Thank you for your interest in the management of the Prescott National Forest!
Sincerely,
LAURA JO WEST
Bradshaw District Ranger
Bradshaw Ranger District
344 South Cortez
Prescott, AZ 86303
Phone: (928) 443-8000
Fax: (928) 443-8008
TTY: (928) 443-8001
Date: August 26, 2009
Dear Friend of the Prescott National Forest:
The Bradshaw Ranger District is seeking your comments on a proposal to re-route the Groom Creek Loop Trail (Trail 307) on the Prescott National Forest. This letter and the attached map provide background information, a description of the decision to be made, and a request for your comments.
The Groom Creek Loop Trail leads from Senator Highway to the top of Spruce Mountain. Many of the sections of this trail are comprised of loose granitic soils, were poorly designed, and have experienced significant erosion. Efforts to mitigate the erosion using wood and rock water bars
have not succeeded and, in some instances, have made the problem worse.
The purpose for re-routing this trail is to reduce continual erosion and create new trail segments that are sustainable.
To address the problems with erosion on the current trail, re-routes have been identified on eight separate sections, totaling 2 ¼ miles. These new sections would replace 1 ¾ miles of existing trail. These re-routes would be constructed using a compact excavator and hand crews creating a 30” tread in an eight foot wide by ten foot high brushed corridor. Once constructed,
the replaced sections of trail would be re-contoured to the existing landform and covered with native debris.
The Bradshaw District Ranger will decide whether to implement the proposed action or take no action at this time. Projects of this nature may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA). If no extraordinary circumstances warrant documentation of environmental effects, a Decision Memo will be prepared following consideration of public comments and relevant environmental factors.
If a decision to re-route the trail is made, the estimated implementation date for this project is October/November 2009.
We would like to know of any issues, concerns or suggestions you may have about this proposal. Comments should be as fully formed and specific as possible to assist us in the analysis. Although comments are welcome at any time, they will be most effective if received by September 25, 2009. Please submit your comments in writing or email to:
Groom Creek Loop Trail Project
Prescott National Forest
344 S. Cortez St.
Prescott, AZ 86303
Attn: Rob Hehlen
If you have any questions, or if something is unclear, please contact Rob Hehlen of the Prescott National Forest at 928-443-8230 or email: rhehlen@fs.fed.us
Comments received in response to this scoping letter, 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.
Pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under the FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited circumstances, such as to protect trade
secrets. The Forest Service will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied, the agency will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments may be resubmitted with or without name and address within thirty (30) days.
Thank you for your interest in the management of the Prescott National Forest!
Sincerely,
LAURA JO WEST
Bradshaw District Ranger