PORTERVILLE, CA –The Giant Sequoia National Monument Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS), and Giant Sequoia National Monument Draft Management Plan (Draft Management Plan), are available for public comment.  The Draft EIS describes six alternatives: (A through F), one would manage the Giant Sequoia National Monument. "We encourage the public to provide their input," said Regional Forester Randy Moore.  "The Giant Sequoia National Monument has 33 of California's 75 Giant Sequoia Groves."

The U.S. Forest Service Preferred Alternative is Alternative B.  It identifies changes in management direction necessary to comply with the April 15, 2000, Presidential Proclamation signed by William J. Clinton.  Alternative B responds to the issues of tree removal, fuels management, community protection, and fire affecting adjacent tribal lands.  This alternative would also continue to provide recreation opportunities that include dispersed camping, developed camping, and motorized travel on designated roads.  

 “This has been a three-year public collaborative process designed to develop the Draft EIS and Draft Management Plan,” stated Tina Terrell, Forest Supervisor. “I look forward to hearing from our public throughout the 90-days.” The Giant Sequoia National Monument Planning documents are available for review.   Over the next 10 years, the Sequoia National Forest will use this Management Plan to manage resources in a way that delivers the best outcomes for everyone affected.  The Management Plan will provide a vision, direction, and overall land management guidance within the Giant Sequoia National Monument.  

Public workshops will be scheduled throughout California to provide information to help the public develop written comments.  The 90-day comment period ends on Nov. 3, 2010.  On-line submissions, or hardcopies, need to be submitted or postmarked by this date.

Three-hour public workshops will be held in six locations: Porterville, Bakersfield, Clovis, San Francisco, Valencia, and Pasadena. These workshops are opportunities for the public to participate and learn about the Draft EIS, and Draft Management Plan, and meet informally with Forest Service staff.  An additional meeting will be scheduled with the Science Review Panel, at the Visalia Convention Center, in Visalia.  A schedule for the public meetings will be released within a few weeks.

Following the public meetings and the analysis of public comments, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD), signed by Pacific Southwest Regional Forester, Randy Moore, are scheduled for winter, 2011.  These environmental documents will amend the existing Sequoia National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).

How to obtain copies of the documents:

A copy of the complete Draft EIS, Draft Management Plan, and maps are available at: Sequoia National Forest headquarters; District Ranger offices; public libraries; and online. Interested parties can review the documents on the World Wide Web at: http://gsnm-consult.limehouse.com/portal/.  If high-speed internet is not available please contact us and request a CD.

How to post comments on the World Wide Web:

Limehouse web portal - The Draft EIS and Draft Management Plan are online at: http://gsnm-consult.limehouse.com/portal/.  This portal provides the environmental documents for public review and comment.  Additional documents, relevant to the Draft EIS, are also posted.   New users will need to register to access all the features, and receive automatic notifications when “new” documents are posted.  A guided tour and help files explain the website’s versatility.

Visit the companion website at: http://gsnm.ecr.gov, explore key information organized around a collaboratively-developed decision framework.  See how your values combine with the Forest Service’s ratings and quickly find summaries of the Forest Service’s thinking.  This is not the formal commenting website.  

Written comments can be mailed to: Anne Thomas, Team Leader, Giant Sequoia National Monument, 1839 S. Newcomb, Porterville, CA 93257

Comments received in response to this solicitation, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record on this proposed action.  Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to appeal the subsequent decision.

Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS), at (800) 877-8339, between 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.