WSP12891

• File Number: 8537.600
• Description: Rio Grande National Forest Issues
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Date: 2/3/2003
• Author: USDA / Rio Grande National Forest
• Title: Schedule of Proposed Actions Feb - November 2003 editions ‎(4)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

United States
Department of
AJ{riculture

Forest
Service

Rio Grande National Forest

1803 West Hwy 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
719-852-5941

File Code: 1920-2
Date: February 27, 2003

RECEIVED
MAR 1 2 2003

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Dear Reviewer:

In November 2001, I sent a letter proposing to amend the Revised Land and Resource
Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the Rio Grande National Forest by adding Management
Indicator Species (MIS) to the Forest Plan.

From the comments we received during scoping, an interdisciplinary team has developed issue
statements and two alternatives that respond to the significant issues, in an Environmental
Assessment (EA). If you have received this letter and a copy of the EA, you were one of the
individuals that provided comments to the scoping letter or you requested information on this
proposed amendment. Other readers may obtain a copy of the EA by request to the address
below. The EA and associated documents are also available on our website at
www.fs.fed.us/r2/riogrande.

I appreciate your interest in this proposed amendment and request your comments on this EA.
Following a 30-day comment period, I will review the comments I have received and determine
if any additional analysis is required. I will then select an alternative to amend the Forest Plan.
At this time, I prefer Alternative 2 which would amend the Forest Plan by identifying nine MIS
to be used in the Forest Plan, adding or modifying Standards and Guidelines relating to the MIS
and amending the Forest-wide Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy. These MIS would be used
for forest-wide monitoring and for analyzing projects implemented under the plan.

I request that you send any written comments concerning this proposal to: MIS Amendment
Comments, Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 Highway 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144. You may
also contact Bob Dalrymple, Forest Planner, at [e-mail] with written comments or
by phone at [phone]. Comments must be postmarked within 30 days of publication of
the Public Notice of Availability for the EA For Comment in the Valley Courier, the newspaper
of record, to be considered prior to my final decision.

F)'erelY,

\\ /
'\
'-

PETER L. CLA
Forest Supervisor

m

Caring for the Land and Serving People

""-
Printed on Recycled Paper U