Ogden, Utah – The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will hold four public meetings in Idaho regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for its Sage-Grouse Plan Amendments.
On Oct. 5, 2018, the USDA Forest Service published a Notice of Availability (NOA) announcing the release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) with proposed amendments to Forest Service land management plans for greater sage-grouse. The affected plans occur within five western states: Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah. The purpose of the proposed changes is to improve the clarity, efficiency and implementation of the current greater sage-grouse plans, including promoting landscape-scale alignment with state efforts.
The USFS is encouraging the public to attend one of the four DEIS public comment open house meetings in Idaho:
- Boise: Nov. 26, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Idaho Fish and Game Headquarters Trophy Room, 600 S. Walnut Street (enter through rear door);
- Jerome: Nov. 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Idaho Fish and Game, 324 South 417 East;
- Challis: Dec. 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Challis Community Center, 411 Clinic Road;
- Idaho Falls, Dec. 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Caribou-Targhee Forest Headquarters Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive.
Several information stations will be located within the meeting venue that will present information on key issues, the planning process and the public commenting process. Forest Service staff will give a short introduction at 5:30 p.m. Attendees can learn about the amendment comment process, ask questions, and provide comments on the actions being considered.
To read and comment on the DEIS please visit the Forest Service Intermountain Region webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r4/home/?cid=stelprd3843381.
For more information, contact: Sandra Underhill, Capitol City Coordinator at (307) 777-6087 or John Shivik, National Sage grouse Coordinator at (801) 625-5667 or johnashivik@fs.fed.us.
USDA Forest Service announces public meetings on Greater Sage-grouse Plan amendments.pdf
