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News Release, Nov. 21, 2000
Superior National Forest
LaCroix Ranger District
320 North Highway 53
Cook, MN 55723
Contacts: Jim Thompson or Carol Booth
Phone: 218-666-0020
Forest Service Announces Decision on Little East
Creek
In an effort to reduce the fire
risk created by the July 4th, 1999 windstorm, LaCroix
District Ranger, Constance Chaney, has approved fuel
reduction activities for 2847 acres of federal land and use
of up to 11.8 miles of winter roads and
private trails on federal land.
Special-use permits will be issued to the State
of Minnesota, St. Louis County, and private individuals for access
across federal land to their lands to treat
storm-damaged areas, harvest mature trees,
and for general use by landowners.
The decision was based on extensive public
involvement and coordination with other agencies.
Through this process, the US Fish and Wildlife
Service determined that the action would not
jeopardize the Canada
Lynx. To further minimize effects on the Canada
Lynx, the winter roads in this area will continue to be closed to
unauthorized public use.
Due to the urgent need to implement fuel reduction activities, the
Superior National Forest has received permission
from the Chief of the Forest Service to begin
implementation of fuel reduction work after 30
days.
Other activities would be
implemented after completion of the normal
administrative appeals process.
If you would like more information or a copy of the Record of Decision
and Final Environmental Impact Statement, please contact Jim Thompson at
(218)666-0020 or LaCroix Ranger District, 320 North Highway 53, Cook, MN
55723. This information will also be posted on the Superior
National Forest Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior |
