From: De Simone, Dino - NRCS, Phoenix, AZTo: Haessig, Polly A -FSSubject: RE: Cragin Watershed Protection Project Public Scoping February 24 - March 25 2016Date: Friday, March 04, 2016 10:41:18 AMAttachments: image001.png

image002.pngimage003.pngimage004.png160304_CoconinoNF_CraginProject_NRCS_Comments.docx

Hello Polly,I am pleased to submit the attached NRCS comments for this project. Thank you for including me in this process and for your support of the Snow Survey Program!

DinoDino DeSimoneWater Supply SpecialistUSDA-NRCS230 N. First Ave., Suite 509Phoenix, AZ 85003602-280-8786 (office)602-686-4349 (cell)

From: Haessig, Polly A -FS Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 5:54 PMSubject: Cragin Watershed Protection Project Public Scoping February 24 - March 25 2016 The Mogollon Rim District is initiating the NEPA process for the Cragin Watershed Protection Project. Attached is a cover letter for public scoping which begins today. The letter explains how to comment on the project and has a link to the Coconino Forest Planning web site where you can find all of the scoping documents related to the project. http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46075. Also attached is the detailed Proposed Action document for the project. It would be most helpful if you could send your comments in to me or the district comment inbox FS-comments-southwestern-coconino-mogollon@fs.fed.us by March 25, 2016 please. You are welcome to discuss the project with Linda Wadleigh, District Ranger, Mogollon Rim Ranger District at the Blue Ridge Ranger Station in Happy Jack, AZ, (928)477-5001. Or you can call me.

We are having two public meetings to discuss the project and take comments as part of the scoping process. The first meeting is March 2, 2016, 6:00 pm -8:30 pm at the Payson Unified School District Boardroom, 902 W. Main Street, Payson AZ. The second meeting is March 5, 2016, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, Starlight Pines Community Center, 2740 Arapaho Drive, Happy Jack, AZ. See attached sheet. Hope to see you at one of the meetings! Thank you for your interest in forest management projects. --Polly

Polly HaessigCragin Watershed Protection Project Manager

mailto:/O=MMS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=DE SIMONE, DINO - P1D2B98AF-D0F8-4A00-A066-9D2A131F95A2mailto:phaessig@fs.fed.ushttp://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46075mailto:comments-southwestern-coconino-mogollon@fs.fed.usmailto:comments-southwestern-coconino-mogollon@fs.fed.us

March 4, 2016

Polly Haessig

USDA-Forest Service

Coconino National Forest

8738 Ranger Road

Happy Jack, AZ 86024

Dear Polly:

On behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Arizona, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in scoping for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Cragin Watershed Protection Project (CWPP). I have reviewed the “Proposed Action for Public Scoping” for the project and offer the following comments:

1. I compliment you and your colleagues on your preparation of this comprehensive and well-written scoping document for this project. NRCS fully supports the proposed project and its stated purpose to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire and subsequent flooding and sedimentation within and adjacent to the sub-watersheds that drain to C.C. Cragin reservoir.

2. I appreciate the continued cooperation of you and your colleagues on the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program. As you know, under our interagency Memorandum of Understanding, the USFS is a major cooperating agency for this program. Specifically for the CWPP, I appreciate you working with me to ensure that the Baker Butte Summit Snow Course and Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) sites, located within the project area, are protected and enhanced by the buffer zone and management activities as described in Appendix A of the scoping document.

3. As discussed with you, I appreciate that you have designated as closed the access road (9386V) for the Baker Butte Snow Course and SNOTEL sites and that this road will not be used for logging treatments or related activities. I further appreciate your pursuit of the installation of a closure gate on this road when possible.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments and best wishes for the successful completion of the scoping and environmental assessment process for this important project.

Sincerely,

DINO DESIMONE

Water Supply Specialist

Natural Resources Conservation Service

230 N. First Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1733

Tel. (602) 280-8801 ● Fax (855) 844-8319

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

NEPA Specialist, Partnership Coordinator, Geologist

Forest ServiceCoconino National Forest, Mogollon Rim Ranger District

p: 928-477-5007 f: 928-477-5057 phaessig@fs.fed.us

8738 Ranger RoadHappy Jack, AZ 86024www.fs.fed.us

Caring for the land and serving people

mailto:phaessig@fs.fed.ushttp://www.fs.fed.us/http://usda.gov/https://twitter.com/forestservicehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Forest-Service/1431984283714112

Natural Resources Conservation Service

230 N. First Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1733 Tel. (602) 280-8801 ● Fax (855) 844-8319

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

March 4, 2016 Polly Haessig USDA-Forest Service Coconino National Forest 8738 Ranger Road Happy Jack, AZ 86024 Dear Polly: On behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Arizona, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in scoping for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Cragin Watershed Protection Project (CWPP). I have reviewed the “Proposed Action for Public Scoping” for the project and offer the following comments:

1. I compliment you and your colleagues on your preparation of this comprehensive and well-written scoping document for this project. NRCS fully supports the proposed project and its stated purpose to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire and subsequent flooding and sedimentation within and adjacent to the sub-watersheds that drain to C.C. Cragin reservoir.

2. I appreciate the continued cooperation of you and your colleagues on the Snow Survey

and Water Supply Forecasting Program. As you know, under our interagency Memorandum of Understanding, the USFS is a major cooperating agency for this program. Specifically for the CWPP, I appreciate you working with me to ensure that the Baker Butte Summit Snow Course and Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) sites, located within the project area, are protected and enhanced by the buffer zone and management activities as described in Appendix A of the scoping document.

3. As discussed with you, I appreciate that you have designated as closed the access road

(9386V) for the Baker Butte Snow Course and SNOTEL sites and that this road will not be used for logging treatments or related activities. I further appreciate your pursuit of the installation of a closure gate on this road when possible.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments and best wishes for the successful completion of the scoping and environmental assessment process for this important project. Sincerely,

DINO DESIMONE Water Supply Specialist