UNDERSTAND THE OBJECTION PROCESS
OBJECTIONS DUE DECEMBER 17
The Eldorado National Forest has released their Final Environmental Impact Statement. As we expected, no alternative from the Draft EIS was chosen directly, rather a new hybridized management option is being proposed.
Significant Gains
-Removal of the PCT non-motorized buffer (yay!)
-Reasonable Crossing zones that don’t funnel users into avalanche terrain, and that respect traditional use far away from any potential hikers.
-Largely a continuation of existing management.
-An acknowledgement that the Eldorado NF is already heavily weighted towards non-motorized access around the highest and most snow-prone areas.
Losses
-The area between the Van Vleck Bunkhouse and Loon Lake off Icehouse Road.
-The south side of Echo Summit by Adventure mountain, removing a travel corridor to the upper reaches of Sayles Canyon.
-Most areas below 4k
We are now in the objection phase. This is not another comment period, rather it’s a chance to formally object to this proposal, objecting on topics you addressed during the comment period.
You can view the proposal and maps on the project page by clicking on the ‘Analysis’ tab, and viewing the FEIS documents. At the bottom of the FEIS, the forest addresses comments. See if yours is mentioned. https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46034
The FEIS is located here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/100598_FSPLT3_4479943.pdf
Take a look at the new proposal (alternative 5) and see how your riding areas are affected. We’ve made an animated GIF that toggles between what was initially proposed, and what the final proposal is. https://sierrasnowmobilefoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Eldorado_map.gif
OBJECTIONS FROM THE SNOWMOBILE COMMUNITY ARE NEEDED
Your objection must relate to the topics you brought up in your comments from the DEIS comment phase. Were your concerns addressed? Were they ignored? Tell them specifically what you would like to see done in the final Record of Decision. You must follow the official format. How objections work: https://www.fs.fed.us/objections/objections_related.php
Make your objections by mailing: jennifermarsolais@fs.fed.us
Keep Tahoe Sledding!