The Nez Perce National Forest, Red River Ranger District, has prepared an Environmental Assessment to decommission 85 miles of road, improve 84 miles of road, install one full size vehicle bridge over the West Fork of Newsome Creek on Road 1834 and install one ATV/motorcycle bridge over Newsome Creek on Trail # 824 (Easter Mine). The Newsome Creek Watershed Road Restoration Project is on Nez Perce National Forest Land in the South Fork of the Clearwater drainage. The 48,957 acre project area includes the Newsome Creek and Leggett Creek watersheds between Grangeville and Elk City, Idaho County, Idaho. Located approximately 14 air miles northwest of Elk City, Idaho, the project area is bounded by Pilot Knob to the west, Hamby Saddle to the north, Elk Summit to the east and Highway 14 to the south.
The Environmental Assessment, including maps and project details, is available on the Nez Perce National Forest website:http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=36916; or at the Red River Ranger District, 300 American River Road, Elk City, or the forest office at 104 Airport Road, Grangeville, Idaho. Additional information regarding this action can be obtained from Jennie Fischer at the Nez Perce-Clearwater Forests office in Grangeville, or by telephone (208) 983-4048. The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed action and alternatives prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official.
How to Comment and Timeframe
Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this action will be accepted for 30 calendar days following the publication date of this notice in the Lewiston Morning Tribune. Comments must be received by 4:30 pm, on the close of the comment period. Please submit written comments to: Jennie Fischer, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, 104 Airport Road, Grangeville, Idaho 83530. Facsimile comments may be submitted to (208) 983-4099. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Oral comments must be provided at the Red River District Ranger’s office during normal business hours via telephone (208) 842-2140 or in person in Elk City, Idaho. Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), and Word (.doc) to comments-northern-nezperce-red-river@fs.fed.us. Comments must have an identifiable name attached or verification of identity will be required. A scanned signature may serve as verification on electronic comments.
Appeal Eligibility
Only those who submit timely and substantive comments will be accepted as appellants. For appeal eligibility each individual or representative from each organization submitting substantive comments must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request. Further information on appeal eligibility can be found at 36 CFR 215.6.
