ST. GEORGE – The Pine Valley Ranger District is seeking public comment for the proposed Fuelbreaks Improvement Project that encompasses three fire fuelbreaks on the Pine Valley Ranger District adjacent to the towns of Central, New Harmony, and Pine Valley.
The main purpose and need for this project is to design, construct and maintain a total of 3,866 acres from which fire managers can safely apply appropriate actions in an attempt to protect populated areas and natural resources from an approaching fire, even under extreme fire behavior conditions. A fire line will be constructed within and along the entire length of each of the fuelbreaks.
“This project is focused on the need to have residences and community infrastructure adjacent to Forest Service land less susceptible to impacts from wildland fires,” Pine Valley District Ranger Bevan Killpack said. “There is a need to improve and expand the fuelbreaks to help increase the chances that private lands and developments can be protected from wildfire while providing for firefighter safety.”
The Proposed Action is to widen and feather the edges of the existing fuelbreaks to increase the effectiveness of firefighter tactics near these communities. The Proposed Action has been designed for consistency with the goals, objectives, standards and guidelines of the Forest Plan.
A variety of treatments are proposed for the Forest Service to utilize on this project including: heavy equipment, mulchers, chippers, chainsaws and herbicides.
Individuals, organizations, federal, state, and local agencies who are interested in or affected by the decision are invited to participate in the scoping process. Comments will continue to be received and considered throughout the analysis process.
Written comments should be submitted to the Pine Valley Ranger District, as follows:
By mail to:
Pine Valley Ranger District Fuelbreaks Improvement Project Environmental Analysis Coordinator
Attn: Joseph Harris
196 E. Tabernacle, Suite 38,
St. George, UT 84770
By fax to:
Fax number 432-652-3191 –to the attention of Joseph Harris or David Swank, Dixie National Forest
By electronic comment:
email: [email protected].
Electronic comments may be submitted in rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc)