September 26, 2009
Saturday AM

Wrangell, AK - The Wrangell District Ranger on Friday released the decision notice (DN) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Wrangell Outfitter and Guide Management Plan Environmental Assessment (EA).

The decision determines the amount of recreation visitor days (RVD) permitted for commercial outfitters and guides on 13 separate areas on the district. Usage is based upon the level at which the environment or a forest user's experience may be impacted.

Acting District Ranger Francisco B. Sanchez selected Alternative 3 (the Wilderness Allocation Alternative) with a modification. The modification increases allocation of RVDs in Study Area 150, LeConte Bay, for outfitters and guides by 356 RVDs to allow for some growth in the industry.

According to a news release, the selected alternative best meets the purpose and need identified in the EA and forest plan objectives and guidelines. Implementing the selected alternative will:

• Respond to special use permit applications
• Allocate appropriate outfitter and guide use on the district while recognizing the special values within the South Etolin and Stikine-LeConte Wilderness areas
• Manage outfitter and guide use on the district to minimize potential impacts to all resources
• Be consistent with national special uses policy and regulation

Individuals or non-federal organizations that submitted written comments during the comment period have standing to appeal. The notice of appeal must be in writing and sent to the appeal deciding officer by regular mail, fax, email, hand-delivery, or express delivery as outlined below:

Forrest Cole, Forest Supervisor
USDA Forest Service, Tongass National Forest
Federal Building
648 Mission Street
Ketchikan, AK 99901
Fax: 907-228-6125

Submit hand-delivered appeals during regular business hours, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Send email appeals to: appeals-alaska-regional-office@fs.fed.us.

Appeals, including attachments, must be filed within 45 days from the publication date of legal notice of this decision in the Ketchikan Daily News, the newspaper of record.

A copy of the Wrangell Outfitter and Guide Management Plan DN and FONSI can be found at the Tongass National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/projects/projects.shtml, or picked up at the Wrangell Ranger District office.

Source of News:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE
www.fs.fed.us

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