Recommended Wilderness List Released

Forest Service shares draft evaluations of potential areas for wilderness recommendation in forest plan revisions

The U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region released a draft evaluations of lands that may be suitable for recommendation and inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This list covers Inyo, Sierra, and Sequoia National Forests.

No new wilderness areas are being designated at this time. Only the Congress can designate wilderness.

The Forest Service is revising the three forest plans using the 2012 Planning Rule, which requires them to conduct this wilderness evaluation. As part of this endeavor they are sharing several documents for public review including a draft wilderness evaluation report, maps, and tables that provide overviews of designated wilderness, recommended wilderness and potential recommended wilderness.

The public is invited to provide feedback on the areas currently being considered for analysis. They are also interested in public input regarding suitable uses and management of recommended wilderness. More information regarding the management of recommended wilderness can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions document on the wilderness evaluation webpage: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/landmanagement/planning/?cid=STELPRD3803608

Feedback may be submitted via web form at http://tinyurl.com/earlyadoptersfpr  and is most useful if received by February 1, 2016. If you have questions or concerns please contact Christina Boston at 707-562-8837.