MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. —The Mendocino National Forest has released its Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the Black Butte and Cold Creek Wild and Scenic River (WSR) Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) for comment.

The DEA is posted online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50351.  

The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act (PL 109-362) of 2006 designated the Black Butte and Cold Creek as WSR segments.

The Black Butte and Cold Creek WSR has two classified sections; Wild River (19.5 miles) and Scenic River (1.5 miles).

The CRMP will focus on protecting the river’s free-flowing condition and water quality and will only apply to the designated area of approximately 6,579 acres.

Comments on the proposed action and preliminary alternatives will be accepted for 30 calendar days following publication in the newspaper of record, the Chico ER in Chico, California. This period is intended to provide an opportunity to comment on the project prior to the development of the final EA.

Written comments must be submitted to Ann Carlson, Mendocino National Forest Supervisor; c/o Hilda Kwan, 10025 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA 95458, faxed to 707-275-0676 or hand-delivered to the Upper Lake office.