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Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. United States Port Houghton/ Department of Agriculture Cape Fanshaw Forest Service Timber Sale Project Tongass National Forest R10-MB-370b August 1998 Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume EIS 1 - Prepared by PARAMETRIX, INC. 5808 Lake Washington Blvd. N.E. Kirkland, Washington 98033 Contract No. 53-01-9-2-0039 Port Houghton/Cape Fanshaw k United States Forest Alaska Region Chatham and Department of Service Tongass National Forest Stikine Areas Agriculture File Code: 1950 Date: August 1998 Dear Reviewer: Enclosed for your review and comment are documents related to the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Port Houghton/Cape Fanshaw Timber Sale Project. Ifyou received a complete copy ofthe EIS, the following are in the package: 1 . Volume I: Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement 2. Volume II: EIS Appendices Ifyou elected to receive only the Summary document (Volume III) but would like to receive Volumes I and II, please direct your request to Tom Parker at the address below. Copies will also be available at local libraries in most communities throughout Southeast Alaska. Comments on the Revised Draft EIS should be written and must be received by October 16, 1998. These comments should be sent to: Tom Parker USDA Forest Service P.O. Box 1328 AK Petersburg, 99833-1328 Phone:(907) 772-5974; Fax: (907) 772-5997; E-Mail: tparker/[email protected] A public meeting concerning the project will be held in Petersburg during the public comment period. The date, time and specific location ofthe meeting will be announced by future notification in local newspapers. I want to encourage you to take the time to review and comment on the Revised Draft EIS and to participate in the subsistence hearing. Your input will be considered in preparation ofthe Final EIS and the Record ofDecision. Your interest in the management of the Tongass National Forest is appreciated. Sincerely, BRADLEY POWELL E. Forest Supervisor Enclosures Caringfor the Land and ServingPeople PrintedonRecycledPaper Houghton/Cape Fanshaw Port Timber Sale Project Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region Tongass National Forest, Chatham and Stikine Areas Juneau and Petersburg Ranger Districts Lead Agency: Cooperating Agency: USDA Forest Service US Army Corps ofEngineers Tongass National Forest, Alaska District, Pouch 88 Chatham and Stikine Areas Anchorage, Alaska 99506-0898 Responsible Officials: For Further Information, Contact: Bradley Powell, Forest Forest Supervisor Tom Parker Tongass National Forest USDA Forest Service Federal Building P. O. Box 1328 Ketchikan, AK 99901-6534 Petersburg, Alaska 99833 (907) 772-5974 Abstract: The USDA Forest Service (USDA-FS) initially proposed the harvest ofapproximately 120 million board feet (MMBF) oftimber in the Chatham and Stikine Areas within the Port Houghton/Cape Fanshaw project area using a variety ofsilvicultural prescriptions. The project includes the construction and/or use oflog transfer facilities along with necessary road construction for the transport oftimber. This EIS describes the effects ofthe one "no-action" alternative and six "action" alternatives that meet the Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines. The alternatives are: 1) "no-action", proposes no new harvest for the project area at this time; 2) provides timber harvest throughout the project area on available lands (Proposed Action); 3) limits harvest to the north shore ofPort Houghton where no new permanent roads are required; 4) maximizes the amount oftimber harvested throughout the project area; 5) focuses timber harvest on the North Shore ofPort Houghton and towards the middle ofFanshaw Peninsula emphasizing visual resource protection; 6) avoids the North Shore ofPort Houghton while establishing a minimal infrastructure on the Fanshaw Peninsula; and 7) identifies harvest units to emphasize timber sale economics and conventional cable yarding methods. The actions analyzed in this EIS are designed to implement direction contained in the Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP 1997) and the Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA). The Forest Service Preferred Alternative is Alternative 5. Reviewers should provide the Forest Service with their comments during the review period ofthe Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This will enable the Forest Service to analyze and respond to the comments at one time and to use information acquired in the preparation ofthe Final Environmental Impact Statement, thus avoiding undue delay in the decision-making process. Reviewers have an obligation to structure their participation in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to the reviewer’s position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v NRDC, 435 U.S. 519,553 (1978). Environmental objections that could have been raised at the draft stage may be waived ifnot raised until after completion ofthe Final Environmental Impact Statement. City ofAngoon v Hodel (9th Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Comments on the DEIS should be specific and should address the adequacy ofthe statement and the merits ofthe alternatives discussed (40 CFR 1503.3). Port Houghton/Cape Fanshaw Revised DEIS Abstract 1 . Table of Contents