FS seeking comments on Schultz Sediment Reduction Project Environmental Analysis The Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest has released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Schultz Sediment Reduction Project and is seeking public input.
BigNews.Biz - May 16,2012 - FS seeking comments on Schultz Sediment Reduction Project Environmental Analysis
Flagstaff, AZ –The Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest has released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Schultz Sediment Reduction Project and is seeking public input.
Activities in this project would help reduce the amount of sediment transported by floodwaters on the Coconino National Forest in order to support Coconino County’s efforts to channel water runoff through private land. Though this project specifically focuses on only those activities proposed on the National Forest, addressing sediment delivery from the Schultz burn area requires an integrated approach between the Forest Service and Coconino County. “Coordinating efforts on the National Forest and on private lands is critical due to the connected nature of watersheds,” says Mike Elson, Flagstaff District Ranger. Currently, the amount of sediment produced during precipitation events could fill channels on the private land, rendering them useless and unsustainable. “Full watershed recovery on the forest will take many years,” says Elson. “However, the channel work in this project could help speed recovery of streambanks and limit the amount of sediment produced.”
In general, sediment reduction treatments would occur on the land between Forest Road 420 (Schultz Pass Road) and the National Forest boundary behind the Timberline area. No treatments would take place in designated wilderness areas as a part of this project, and any actions on private land would be authorized by the landowner in consultation with Coconino County and so were not directly analyzed as part of this project.
The Environmental Assessment is posted on the Coconino National Forest website athttp://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/coconino/landmanagement/projects.
For additional information or to submit comments contact Erin Phelps, NEPA Coordinator, Flagstaff Ranger District, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, phone (928) 527-8240, fax 928-527-8288. Comments may also be submitted by email to comments-southwestern-coconino-flagstaff@fs.fed.us.
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