USFS Seeking Comment on Lake Fire Restoration Project

SAN BERNARDINO, California, November 21, 2016 -The San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF) has initiated a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the Lake Fire Restoration and Hazardous Tree Removal Project. The project proposes restoration and forest health improvement in the 2015 Lake Fire burn area on the Mountaintop and Front Country Ranger Districts. The public is encouraged to participate in the process. Information regarding providing comments on the proposal can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50607.

The Lake Fire Restoration and Hazardous Tree Removal Project (Lake Fire Project) is a reforestation project that includes tree planting and hazardous tree removal to address safety concerns and restore forest health to approximately 2,000 acres burned during the Lake Fire. The project area is located in San Bernardino County on the San Bernardino National Forest, Front Country and Mountaintop Ranger Districts just south of Hwy 38 near the Jenks Lake Picnic Area and the Heart Bar Campground.

“The intent is to restore severely burned areas, establish forest cover, minimize erosion and other adverse environmental effects,” said Mountaintop District Ranger Marc Stamer. In addition, the project area will be surveyed for hazard trees created by the fire. Stamer added “trees identified as immediate hazards to roads and trails would be removed to mitigate concerns for public safety.”

Planting is expected to begin in spring of 2017. Various planting units have been identified and are scattered over the project area. Seedlings to be planted include Jeffrey pine, sugar pine, ponderosa pine, and incense-cedar.

The 2015 Lake Fire burned roughly 31,000 acres with a substantial amount in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. While no restoration would occur within the San Gorgonio Wilderness, under this proposal, hazard trees within the wilderness boundary that could impact trails and adjacent roads would be removed.

In order for your comments to be most useful to our analysis, please submit by December 22, 2016. Written electronic comments are strongly encouraged for this project.