FREDONIA— The Kaibab National Forest is seeking comments from the public on its proposal to implement vegetation management treatments in the Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project area within 28,060 acres of the North Kaibab Ranger District.

The proposed Burnt Corral project, which lies within the southwest portion of the Kaibab Plateau, will improve forest health and vigor while enhancing habitat conditions by making them more resilient to change in the event of wildfire or other climatic condition changes such as drought.  The proposed project calls for mechanical thinning as well as the use of prescribed fire.

The public scoping letter and packet, which contains detailed information about the proposed project activities, was mailed out to the public and stakeholders yesterday. The scoping packet may be obtained electronically from the Kaibab National Forest website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44236.

Participation of interested persons, state and local governments, and Native American tribes in the development of the Burnt Corral project is encouraged now and throughout the National Environmental Policy Act process. Public scoping and gathering public comments on the project’s Proposed Action is just the first step under the NEPA process.

Specific comments on this project will be accepted during the 30-day public review and comment period. Comments can be submitted electronically via fax or e-mail, or can be mailed or hand-delivered to the district office at 430 South Main Street in Fredonia on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about the Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project, please contact:

Garry Domis (NKRD Silviculturist – Project Lead)
U.S. Forest Service, Kaibab National Forest – North Kaibab Ranger District
430 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 248
Fredonia, AZ, 86022
(928) 643-8140