Daily Archives: March 15, 2021

Kaibab National Forest seeks comments on proposed project to support City of Williams water supply

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WILLIAMS — Members of the public are encouraged to provide feedback on a proposed change to the Dogtown Water Line Project. The project was previously approved by the Kaibab National Forest in August 2020 to replace deteriorating water lines to ensure the City of Williams municipal watershed can provide a reliable and treatable source of water safe for human consumption.

The City of Williams has requested a modification to the water line alignment on National Forest System lands. Following the August 2020 Decision Notice for the Dogtown Water Line Project, the City notified the Kaibab National Forest that they were unable to obtain necessary easements across private lands for a portion of the alignment. The requested alignment change consists of moving a portion of the proposed water line and access road from a private driveway to a 0.4-mile section of forested land south of the Woods Subdivision and through the subdivision. This alternate alignment was presented as a preliminary alignment option in the project description and project map provided during the original 30-day public scoping period initiated on May 31, 2019.

The Dogtown Water Line Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) discloses the impacts of the alternate alignment and is available for review on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59517. This website also includes the previously published Final EA and Decision Notice and related project information.

Specific, written comments should be emailed or postmarked by April 12, 2021. Previously submitted comments on the project need not be resubmitted, as they were considered in development of the Supplemental EA.

Comments must be in writing and may be delivered electronically, by mail, or by fax. Hand-delivered comments are not currently being accepted because of COVID-19 safety measures. Electronic comments, including attachments, may be emailed to comments-southwestern-kaibab@usda.gov. Include “Dogtown Water Line Project” in the subject line. Submit comments by mail to Kaibab National Forest, Attn: Marcos Roybal, Environmental Coordinator, 800 South 6th Street, Williams, AZ 86046. Fax comments to (928) 635-8208, and use the subject line “Dogtown Water Line Project.”

Peaks Crag climbing site partially closed to protect peregrine falcons

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest officials will implement restrictions on climbing and other activities on a portion of the cliff face of an area known as the Peaks Crag beginning March 15 till Aug. 15 in order to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

Similar restrictions have been in effect over the last several years allowing the nesting peregrine falcon pair to successfully fledge 1-3 young each season, while still affording recreational climbing opportunities in the vicinity.

Officials have made slight modifications from the previous years’ Forest Order to provide access from Forest Road 522 (Freidlein Prairie Road) to the climbing area north of the peregrines’ nest site.

The Forest Service, with the help of volunteers, will monitor the effectiveness of the closure and peregrine nesting success to guide future management of the area. The closure could remain in effect until Aug. 15 but based on previous year’s monitoring results may be lifted mid-July once the young have successfully fledged.

It is prohibited to be within the southern portion of the Peaks Crag cliff face for rock climbing or any other activity. The Forest Order and map of the closed area will be posted at the Kachina Trailhead kiosk, the kiosk on Forest Road 522 and Coconino National Forest’s public website under the Forest Orders link.

Peregrine falcons were once listed under the Endangered Species Act. They continue to be managed as Forest Service Sensitive Species and State Species of Concern. This closure affords land managers the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of a partial closure and better determine the appropriate environment needed for peregrines to successfully nest and raise their young.

Large prescribed burn planned near Apache Maid Mt next week

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest firefighters are planning to take advantage of favorable weather conditions next week and have tentatively planned a large fire treatment on the Red Rock Ranger District, as well as pile burns on the Flagstaff Ranger District.

Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-dependent ecosystems. These fire treatments mimic natural fires by reducing hazardous fuels accumulations, recycling nutrients, and increasing habitat diversity. Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives, which includes proactively protecting communities from the threat of extreme wildfires by reducing forest fuels.

Apache Maid Burn (Unit 2)

  • When: Planned for Tuesday-Thursday (March 16-18).
  • Where: Red Rock Ranger District. Approximately 11 miles southeast of Sedona, near Apache Maid Mountain on the east side of Interstate 17. GPS: 34.759884, -111.618201
  • Size: 1,909 acres total (Approx. 1,000 acres per day).
  • Duration: This treatment will be divided into two separate areas over two days, though weather and wind conditions may push the timeframe back further in the week and may extend the duration to several days and possibly to March 21.
    Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn.
  • Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be noticeable to motorists along I-17 near Stoneman Lake exit and should move toward the northeast during the day, impacting Stoneman Lake Road and the small community of Stoneman Lake. During evening hours, smoke could lightly impact the Rim Rock and Camp Verde communities overnight as it drains down canyons.
  • Closures/Restrictions: No roads or trails will be closed or restricted due to this burn.

Hart Prairie Piles (Unit 16)

  • When: Monday-Tuesday (March 15-16)
  • Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Approximately 10 miles north, northwest of Flagstaff, near Hart Prairie just off Forest Road 151. GPS: 35.341, -111.738
  • Size: 13 acres
  • Duration: 1-2 days operation.
  • Method/Type of burn: This is a hand ignition maintenance burn.
  • Smoke Impacts: With southwest winds predicted, smoke is predicted to move northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn and may be visible to those in the Flagstaff area, I-17, I-40, and U.S. highways 180 and 89.
  • Closures/Restrictions: No roads or trails will be closed or restricted due to this burn.

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino National Forest burns begin with the designator “COF.”