The U.S. Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is seeking public input on a proposal to amend the Land and Resource Management Plans (Forest Plans) for the OWNF to provide forest plan direction for managing domestic sheep and goat grazing within the range of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) to better provide for forest-wide bighorn sheep viability in the context of range management. The OWNF is gathering information necessary to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of changing or adding plan components.
A notice of intent to publish an environmental impact statement is expected to be published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2019, starting a 45-day public scoping and comment period for this project. During this public scoping period, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will host one online public webinar and one public meeting to provide information on the proposal and opportunities to participate in the planning process.
Comments on this project are requested for a period of 45 days to help identify issues related to the proposed action and develop alternatives. Comments that address specific aspects of the proposed action, identify alternative ways of meeting the purpose and need for the project, or provide suggested language for forest plan direction will be most useful.
We are interested in your comments on the following questions:
Are there other ways to better meet the purpose of the project which you would like us to consider and analyze?
What important and/or local information would you like us to consider?
How would this project affect you and the things you value?
Project background information, GIS story map, and other documents are available on the project web site:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53257Public Scoping Letter.pdf
