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Deadline to Comment on Forest Service’s DEIS on Old Growth – Amendments to Forest Plans
September 20 @ 9:50 pm - 9:59 pm
The United States Department of Agriculture has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for Amendments to Land Management Plans to Address Old-growth Forests Across the National Forest System. The Forest Service’s proposed old-growth amendment amends over 120 land management plans through one analysis and decision. The proposed amendment is intended to provide a consistent management framework to conserve and steward old-growth forests in response to rapidly changing climate conditions and other threats (e.g. wildfire, insect and disease).
The draft environmental impact statement and supporting documentation is available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65356.
Comments on the DEIS will be accepted for 90-days, starting the day after the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) for the DEIS in the Federal Register.
Comments may be submitted online through the Comment Analysis and Response Application (CARA) (preferred) or hardcopy.
- Submit comments via webform at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=65356.
- Hardcopy letters must be submitted to: Director, Ecosystem Management Coordination, 201 14th Street SW, Mailstop 1108, Washington, DC 20250–1124
As the CARA webform and hardcopy are the two platforms for accepting comments, comments submitted outside these methods will not be prioritized for consideration and response; however, they will be included in the project record.
We assume the time-of-day deadline is comments submitted on-line by 9:59 MT, or 11:59 EST, as the deadline is usually the time zone of address, which is in DC, but this needs to be verified.
ALTERNATIVELY USE A PRE-FAB FORM LETTER
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FORM LETTER # 1
CBD form letter (pre-fab sign on letter)
“CROWN JEWELS” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl2RFcvTuqQ
ARTICLES or statements on Old Growth Forest amendments DEIS, Comments due Sept 19th
Center for Biololgical Diversity’s Press Release:
Forest Service Urged to Strengthen Protections for Mature, Old-Growth Forests in Draft Plan
Earth Justice’s Press Release:
Forest Service takes key step toward first national rule to protect mature, old-growth trees, forests.
Climate Forests Discussion of DEIS effort:
https://www.climate-forests.org/post/biden-administration-moves-to-protect-old-growth-forests
Climate Forests provides educational material on benefits of old growth forest:
https://www.climate-forests.org/copy-of-news-1
National Audubon Society’s article
https://ak.audubon.org/news/tongass-national-forest-and-new-old-growth-protections
Fire – https://www.climate-forests.org/post/mature-trees-are-fire-resistant
Biodiversity – https://www.climate-forests.org/post/biodiversity-co-benefits-of-mature-forests
TEXT OF THE TWO ON-LINE COMMENT LETTERS