Message from USDA Forest Service regarding update to Basalt to Gypsum Singletrack:
Dear Interested Participant:
A Draft Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) regarding the projects analyzed in the Basalt to Gypsum Motorized Singletrack Environmental Assessment (EA) are complete and are available for your review. Project Design Criteria (PDC) are included with the DN/FONSI. There will be no further comment period on this project, but individuals who submitted timely and specific written comments during the prior scoping period will have eligibility to file an objection under 36 CFR §218.8. Objections to the documents must be received within 45 days of the legal notice published today in the Glenwood Post Independent newspaper.
The EA analyzed the establishment of motorized singletrack trails and a parking area, wetland restoration and rehabilitation of non-system routes on approximately 9 acres. These actions are proposed to be implemented on the Aspen-Sopris and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest (WRNF). The selected alternative (Alternative 2) includes the following activities:
- Construction of an approximately 80’ x 200’ parking area, near the beginning of the Red Table Road, National Forest System Road (NFSR) 514 on the north side of County Road 10 near Cottonwood Pass;
- Reconstruction of a total of 8.2 miles of motorized trail at the “Green Gate Trail”, and the “Milepost 1 Trail”, to create a more logical and sustainable trail system;
- Restoration of a wetland impacted by the existing parking area at the junction of NFSR 514 and County Road 10 and;
- Rehabilitation of approximately 27 miles of trail.
All elements of the proposed action would be implemented by the WRNF, and their partners, beginning in 2015. The responsible official with approval authority for these activities is Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor on the WRNF.
Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail, fax, email, hand-delivery, express delivery, or messenger service (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays) to: Reviewing Officer, Dan Jirón, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, 740 Simms, Golden, CO 80401; FAX: (303) 275-5134, or email r02f15admin_review@fs.fed.us.
Thank you for your interest and participation in this project. Hard copies of the EA can be reviewed upon request at the Sopris Ranger Station, the Forest Supervisor’s office, and Eagle Ranger stations. The EA is also available online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41619. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Jon Thompson at jonthompson@fs.fed.us or (970)404-3172.
Sincerely,
SCOTT G FITZWILLIAMS
Forest Supervisor