Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. Written comments and suggestions should be received on or before December 29, 1999. A Final Environmental Impact Statement will be published no sooner than May 1, 2000. Many ecological factors have combined to develop our forests as we see them today.
Fire is the primary ecological factor that influences forest development.
Over seventh years of fire suppression by Federal and State agencies has led to changes in structure and composition of these forests. Specifically, the forests are more densely stocked with trees today since fires have not thinned out the smaller trees. This creates more competition for water and nutrients and stresses the trees. Consequently, the risk of severe fire, and insect and disease outbreaks, is greater than it was historically. One of the primary objectives of the timber sales will be to restore composition and structure of the forested ecosystem.