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U.S. Forest Service
News Release
Media Contact: Brady Smith
Public comments sought on allotment closure proposal
Sedona, Ariz., Apr. 30, 2015, For Immediate Release —
The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is seeking comments on a proposal to close the 3,213-acre Ike’s Backbone Allotment to future grazing due to the area not being feasible for grazing or Forest Service administration.
The allotment has been vacant since 2001, and although it consists of thousands of acres, grazing areas are limited due to its rough topography and steep slopes and
would only support approximately 20 cows for one month.
Ike’s Backbone Allotment is bordered on the west by the Verde Wild and Scenic River, to the east by the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River and the Mazatzal Wilderness.
For the allotment to be used, over 8 miles of fencing would be required to confine livestock to the capable acres. This includes fencing the east boundary that includes
Fossil Creek and the Mazatzal Wilderness where no new structures would be authorized. The western boundary fence, adjacent to the Verde Wild and Scenic River, would need to be relocated out of flood plains and outside of designated wilderness.
The proposal to close the allotment is consistent with direction in the Coconino National Forest Plan which directs environmental analyses for allotment management
plans to consider economic feasibility and practicality of implementation (USDA Forest Service, 1987).
Detailed information on the allotment, including maps, is available on the Coconino National Forest website:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46354.
The public should provide comments, concerns, and questions concerning this proposal by May 14, 2015. Written or oral comments may be submitted via mail, fax, telephone,
or in person to:
Red Rock Ranger District
To submit a comment via email, please visit
http://tinyurl.com/o2rnn29.
Only those who submit timely project-specific written comments during a public comment period are eligible to file an objection. Individuals or representatives of an
entity submitting comments must sign the comments or verify identity upon request.
Comments received in response to this notification, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposed
action and will be available for public inspection. For questions or more information on this proposal, please contact Paula Cote, Acting NEPA Coordinator, at (928) 203-2914.
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Attachment:
COC-NR-4-30-15-AllotmentClosure.docx
Description: COC-NR-4-30-15-AllotmentClosure.docx
