Rim Fire Recovery Project Announced

Release Date: Dec 5, 2013

Contact(s): Maria Benech, RIM EIS Team Leader (209) 532-3671

Sonora, CA…Stanislaus Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski today announced the second phase of the Rim Fire recovery, Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will appear in the Federal Register December 6. The proposed action will include:

• Salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction (29,648 aces).
• Removal of hazard trees, salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction along Level 2 roads (369 miles).
• Road reconstruction (327 miles) and road maintenance (164 miles) to ensure proper function to protect streams.
• New road construction (approximately six miles) to allow for salvage removal and long-term access for future recovery activities.
• Temporary road construction (22 miles) that will be decommissioned following completion of project activities.
• Rock quarry sites (75 sites) to accommodate road needs.
• Water sources (95 locations) for road reconstruction and maintenance as well as long-term resource needs.
• Site Specific Forest Plan Amendments may be included.

“I am requesting your specific written comments during this initial 30-day designated opportunity for public participation, from December 6, 2013 through January 6, 2014. It is important to the Forest Service and the NEPA process that you submit your comments at this early point to allow us the opportunity to incorporate your thoughts, concerns and issues into the analysis,” Stanislaus said.

The Rim Fire started on August 17, 2013, in a remote area of the Stanislaus National Forest near the confluence of the Clavey and Tuolumne Rivers about 20 miles east of Sonora, California. It burned 257,314 acres, including 154,530 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands, becoming the third largest wildfire in California history.

A scoping package and other project information are available online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43033. . The scoping package provides information related to the proposed action, the scoping process and how to submit comments.

For additional information regarding this project, contact Maria Benech at the Stanislaus National Forest; 19777 Greenley Road; Sonora, CA 95370; or, call (209) 532-3671.