Mark Twain National Forest Issues Draft
Plan
ROLLA, MO – Mark Twain National Forest, which
manages 1.5 million acres
of public land in southern and central Missouri, has issued a draft
revision to its Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). The
proposed Forest Plan will guide the management of the Mark Twain
National Forest for the next 10-15 years, and states the goals and
objectives for managing the national forest to meet federal law,
regulations and policy. Forest Plans are reviewed and adjusted every
ten to fifteen years to address changed conditions and information.
Over the past few years, a team of specialists have reviewed the
current Forest Plan, issued in 1986, to evaluate which areas needed
change. The review included internal reviews and input from a variety
of forest users and public interest groups.
Along with the Draft Revised Forest Plan, the Forest issued a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which documents the analysis
conducted by the Forest Service and describes the anticipated effects
of implementing the proposed Forest Plan. The DEIS examined five
alternatives. Alternatives 1-4 share goals, objectives and forest-wide
direction but differ in the relative emphasis to particular issues and
concerns. These differences are reflected in the acreages allocated to
each management prescription. Alternative 5 is to continue using the
1986 Forest Plan, as amended. The preferred alternative in the DEIS is
Alternative three.
“Alternative three is preferred because it is the best blend of goods,
services, and values for the public.” Ronnie Raum, forest supervisor
for Mark Twain National Forest said. “It allows National Forest
managers to work with nature to conserve important plant and animal
species, create and maintain healthy ecosystems, and provide a variety
of products that local communities and the nation as a whole consider
important. Among these products are recreation opportunities, timber
products and clean water and air.”
The Draft Revised Forest Plan, DEIS and a summary of the DEIS are
available at all Mark Twain National Forest offices and local
libraries. The documents are also available on CD or on the internet
at: www.fs.fed.us/r9/marktwain/publications.
CDs or printed copies can
be ordered from Mark Twain National Forest at: 401 Fairgrounds Road,
Rolla, Missouri 6540, (573) 364-4621.
The public has a 90 day comment period, which will begin the day
following publication of the Notice of Availability of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register. That date is
expected to be February 4, 2005. All comments must be postmarked or
received by May 5, 2005. Please send your written comments to: Content
Analysis Team, Mark Twain Forest Plan Revision, P.O. Box 22810, Salt
Lake City, UT 84122.
Mark Twain National Forest is hosting five open houses to allow the
public to meet with Forest Service specialist on Forest Plan revision.
The open houses will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the
following dates and locations: February 8, Powder Valley Conservation
Nature Center, 11715 Cragwood Road, Kirkwood, MO, February 15, Old City
Hall Building, 202 N. Washington, Salem, MO, February 22, West Plains
Civic Center, 110 St. Louis, West Plains, MO, March 15, Black River
Coliseum, 301 South 5th Street, Poplar Bluff, MO, March 22, The Library
Center, 4653 South Campbell, Springfield, MO.
For more information on the meeting or for special accommodations such
as signing for the deaf, contact Charles Gill at: (573) 341-7406 or
cgill@fs.fed.us.
