National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Angelina & Sabine National Forests Angelina/Sabine Ranger District 55 State Hwy 21 East Hemphill, TX Phone Dear Friends of the Angelina and Sabine National Forests, File Code: 272/195 Date: January 21, 216 I am providing the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed Windstream Communications Fiber Optic Cable Special Use Permit Amendment project on the Angelina and Sabine National Forests. The purpose of the project is to issue amendments for Windstream Special Use Permits (SUP) to reflect additional cable length, number of cables, or a combination of both. The total proposed fiber optic cable ROW to be installed is approximately 88,2 feet long by 1 feet in wide (2.21 acres) on the Angelina National Forest and 75,59 feet long by 1 feet in wide (17.23 acres) on the Sabine National Forest (see attached maps). Project activities would include installation and operation of new cable within existing road and/or utility right-of-ways (ROW) and installing junction boxes and identification signs along the ROWs where needed. There are existing Windstream telephone lines within most of the project area. The new fiber optic lines would be placed next to the existing telephone line when possible. In areas where the same side of the road is too congested with utilities, the new cable would be placed on the opposite side of the road ROW. The project would not involve timber removal. All areas where the timber has encroached into the road/utility ROW would be bored to avoid timber removal and all streams and road crossings would be bored. I would like to have your input regarding any site-specific concerns you may have before I make a decision to approve or deny this application. My decision will consider whether or not the proposal is suitable, appropriate, and environmentally acceptable; and would identify necessary mitigation measures needed for the protection of resources if the application were to be approved. Special Use Permits contain clauses and conditions that specify requirements designed to protect the National Forest resources. The interdisciplinary review process would be utilized during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. This proposal is denoted as the Fiber Optic Cable Special Use Permit Amendments on the schedule of proposed actions for the National Forests and Grassland in Texas. If you have specific concerns or comments on the proposed action, please send them to the address listed above. Submit your comments by February 22, 216, and be as specific as possible. Comments should contain the following: Name, address, telephone number Title of the project for which submitting comments Specific facts or comment, along with supporting reasons that Responsible Officials should consider in reaching a decision Comments received in response to this solicitation, including name and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposed action and will be available for public inspection. Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

2 the agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under the FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest Service will inform the requester of the agency s decision regarding the request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied; the agency will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments may be resubmitted with or without name and address within seven days. I appreciate your interest in the management of the Angelina and Sabine National Forests. For additional information concerning the proposal, contact Tom Zimmerman or Cheryl Foster at the Angelina/Sabine District Office, telephone , or via comments-southerntexas-angelina@fs.fed.us or comments-southern-texas-sabine@fs.fed.us. Sincerely, /s/ Kimpton M. Cooper KIMPTON M. COOPER District Ranger Angelina and Sabine National Forests USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Page 2 of 5

3 VICINITY MAP 1 of 3 Angelina National Forest, San Augustine & Angelina County, Texas 3 6 Miles Page 3 of 5

4 VICINITY MAP 2 of 3 Sabine National Forest, Sabine County, Texas Miles Page 4 of 5

5 VICINITY MAP 3 of 3 Sabine National Forest, Shelby County, Texas 2 4 Miles Page 5 of 5