The Forest Service is evaluating its existing management of over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on the Lassen National Forest to see if any changes should be made.
Lassen National Forest maintains the largest snowmobile trail system in the state, covering more than one million acres of land and featuring 405 miles of groomed trails. Snowmobile travel is currently allowed on most – 86 percent – of the Forest wherever there is between 12 and 18 inches of snow.
A special team has developed a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that contains a no-action alternative, which would allow current OSV management and grooming of snow trails to continue unchanged; a proposed action; and two other alternatives.
“Our goal is to ensure that the use of over-snow vehicles is managed to minimize impacts to natural resources, to promote the safety of all users, and to minimize conflicts among the various users,” said Lassen National Forest Public Services Officer Chris O’Brien. “The information we receive from the analysis and the public will allow us to designate Forest roads, trails, and areas where OSVs are allowed, restricted, or prohibited.”
The public is invited to review the DEIS and comment on the proposed alternatives. A link to the DEIS is available on the Lassen National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lassen in the right column. Comments will be accepted through March 15, 2016 and can be submitted in several ways:
- Via the online form available at the web address above,
- By sending an email addressed to [email protected] with “Comments on Lassen OSV Designation” in the subject line;
- By FAX to (530)252-6463; or
- By US mail addressed to Forest Supervisor, Lassen National Forest, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130.
Comments that include names and addresses will become part of the public record. Although comments may be submitted anonymously, the Agency will be unable to provide the submitter with subsequent information about the project.
“Public participation is essential to helping us identify issues and concerns,” said O’Brien.
For more information about the OSV project, contact Chris O’Brien, Lassen National Forest Ecosystems and Public Services Staff Officer, at 530-252-6698 or [email protected].
