Submitted by Dave Saville

The Forest Service is planning a HUGE timber sale complex in the upper Williams River drainage. The project area includes 16,454 acres of the Monongahela National Forest. 15,000 acres of MP 3.0 and 1500 acres of MP 6.1. The purpose of MP 3.0 is to manage for 1) large high quality hardwoods, 2) forest views, 3) wildlife tolerant of disturbance, and 4) primarily motorized recreation. MP 6.1 is for remote habitat intolerant of disturbance also semi- primitive non-motorized recreation, revert from hardwoods to conifer, and a mix of forest products. We need help in commenting on this "proposed action" by September 21.

t thinning 1573 acres
t over story removal 83 acres
t two-age 439 acres
t clear cut 260 acres
t timber stand improvement 1871 acres
t crop tree release 298 acres
t beech disease 302 acres
Total 4743 acres

n 8.3 miles of road re-construction
n opening of over 5 miles of forest roads to public motorized transportation, possibly much more.

Comments are due by September 21.

Opportunity to Comment

Monongahela National Forest
Marlinton District /White Sulphur District
PO. Box 210 4/10 East Main Stree, Marlinton, WV 24954/ White Sulphur Springs, WV
(304) 799-4334/ (304) 536-2144

August 13,2001

The Monongahela National Forest is proposing activities on the Marlinton Ranger District that are intended to improve forest health, improve water quality and fish habitat, enhance habitat for wildlife, enhance recreation opportunities, and provide forest products to the local communities.

The proposed action includes such things as timber harvest, treatment of stands for the beech bark disease, planting native vegetation along stream courses, creating wildlife openings and water holes, placing structures and large woody debris in streams, creating vistas and clearing vegetation from scenic overlooks along the Highland Scenic Highway, and implementing a long term transportation plan that includes abandonment of some roads.

The Upper Williams River watershed forms the boundary of the project area and includes an estimated 16,454 acres approximately 10 miles west of Marlinton, West Virginia in Pocahontas County. The Highland Scenic Highway forms the western boundary of the project area.

An environmental analysis will be conducted on the proposal and the results will be documented in the Upper Williams River Environmental Assessment (EA).

The Forest is currently seeking public input on this proposal. Although you are welcome to comment at any time during the planning process, your response will be most helpful to us in shaping alternatives to the proposal if received by September 21, 2001.

If you would like additional information about the proposal or have questions, please contact Michele Jones, Forest Team Leader at: Monongahela National Forest, Attn: Michele Jones, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV , 26241. To make comments or request information by telephone, please call (304) 636-1800, ext 206 or by fax at (304) 636-1875. E-mail can be sent to mhjones@fs.fed.us.

Sincerely,

RONDI FISCHER Acting District Ranger