Scoping Information

Proposed Margaret Creek Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Project

What is the Forest Service proposing? The Forest Service is proposing a multiyear project to restore stream health and fish habitat, enhance recreation opportunities, maintain plant communities, and improve wildlife habitat within the Margaret Creek Watershed. Project implementation is proposed to begin in the spring of 2018.

Location and Existing Condition The Proposed Margaret Creek Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Project hereafter referred to as “proposed project,” is located on Revillagigedo Island approximately 22 miles northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska between the Traitors Cove and Naha Inlets, areas within the West Behm Canal on the Ketchikan Misty Fiords Ranger District, Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska (Figures 1 and 2).

The project area encompasses about 22,874 acres on the northwest side of Revillagigedo Island within Value Comparison Unit (VCU) 7380 - which includes the Margaret Creek Watershed - and small portions of VCU’s 7390 and 7400. About 22,534 acres are on National Forest System (NFS) lands and 340 acres are on private (State of Alaska) lands. Land Use Designations (LUDs) associated with this project include: Timber Production, Modified Landscape, Semi-Remote Recreation, and Old-Growth Habitat (Figure 3). (Consult the 2016 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan [2016 Forest Plan], Chapter 3, for information on LUD direction.)

The project area is located in the following sections of the Copper River Meridian: Township 72 South, Range 89 East, Sections 1, 11-14, 24 Township 72 South, Range 90 East, Sections 1-9, 12, 16-18 Township 72 South, Range 91 East, Section 5-7 Township 71 South, Range 89 East, Sections 24, 25, 36 Township 71 South, Range 90 East, Sections 8-11, 14-17, 19-22, 19-36 Township 71 South, Range 91 East, Sections 19, 28-33

The Margaret -Traitors Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) was prepared in 2015 to assess resource needs and project opportunities in the Margaret - Traitors Creek Watersheds. To facilitate understanding of existing conditions in the project area, the following information references sections in the Margaret -Traitors IRMP specific to the Margaret Creek Watershed. This document can be found on the project webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51782

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Aquatics and Past Timber Management (Margaret-Traitors IRMP, pages 5-9) The Margaret Creek Watershed is about 12,900 acres, the majority of which is located on NFS lands with a small portion on private (State of Alaska) lands near Margaret Bay. Commercial timber harvest and associated road construction began in the Margaret Creek Watershed about 1960. Clear-cutting was the primary harvest prescription used in about 3,000 acres harvested in this watershed. About 23 percent of the Margaret Creek Watershed has been harvested with about nine percent occurring in the last 30 years. Of all harvested stands, about 2,063 acres have been pre-commercial thinned or treated. Several large wildlife-associated treatments have been implemented within the Margaret Creek watershed. Since the early 2000’s, no commercial timber harvest has occurred within the Margaret Creek Watershed. The dominant tree species in the project area is western hemlock. Varying amounts of Sitka spruce, western red cedar, and Alaska yellow cedar are also found within the project area. As a result of past management, there is a lack of large woody debris1 available to reduce stream energy, contribute to stream function, and maintain fish habitat. Nearly half of the 2,200 acres of Riparian Management Areas (RMAs) associated with streams was commercially harvested within the project area. The majority of past harvest in RMAs occurred in the floodplain channel types resulting in the direct removal and loss of important habitat for salmonids, with nearly half of those acres upstream of Margaret Lake. Riparian areas represent dynamic, complex, three-dimensional transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In the Tongass National Forest, RMAs are delineated according to stream process group. (Consult 2016 Forest Plan, Appendix D for more information about the floodplain channel process group.) The Margaret Creek Watershed contains coho, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon, as well as resident and anadromous cutthroat and rainbow trout (steelhead), Dolly Varden char, kokanee, sculpin and three spine stickleback. The Margaret Creek Fish Ladder (fishpass) was constructed below Margaret Lake in 1989 allowing seven species of anadromous fish (pink, sockeye, chum, cutthroat, Dolly Varden, coho and steelhead) access to over five miles of available spawning and rearing habitat above the fishpass.

Watershed Condition In 2011, the Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework established a nationally consistent approach for classifying watershed condition. The approach is designed to foster integrated watershed assessments, target restoration in priority watersheds, enhance collaboration with partners, and improve outcome-based performance measures for documenting improved watershed condition. Overall Condition Class ratings include: Class 1 “functioning properly,” Class 2 “functioning at risk,” or Class 3 “impaired function.” The three watershed condition classes are directly related to the degree or level of watershed functionality or integrity.

The Margaret Creek Watershed has been assessed based on 12 national core indicators (aquatic and terrestrial), using available data from national forest lands. To provide an overall watershed condition class rating, the results from evaluating the 12 indicators were averaged by weighting. The Margaret Creek Watershed had an overall condition class rating of 1.5. The watershed condition rating, along with use and aquatic value criteria, make the Margaret Creek Watershed a good candidate for restoration focus. Due to past management and watershed value, the Margaret Creek Watershed is currently proposed as a priority watershed for restoration on the Tongass National Forest. Selecting watersheds for restoration is a distinct process that takes place after watershed classification has been completed. The forest supervisor will need to approve the priority watershed. (Consult the USDA Forest Service Watershed Condition 1 Large woody debris (LWD) - Any piece of relatively stable woody material, having a diameter of 4 inches or greater and a length greater than 3 feet, that intrudes into a stream channel. Formerly called large organic debris.

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Framework - A Framework for Assessing and Tracking Changes to Watershed Condition [FS-977], May 2011; and 2016 Forest Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement [EIS], Pages 3-60 to 3-61 for more information about assessing watershed condition on the Tongass National Forest, and Pages 3-116 to 3-118 for more information about fish habitat restoration on the Tongass National Forest.)

Botany – Invasive Plants (Margaret-Traitors IRMP pp. 12 - 13) Invasive species are located throughout the Margaret Creek Watershed. Distribution predominantly follows the road system. Common species include: purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), hairy catsear (Hypochaeris radicata), and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). Wildlife habitat has been affected and invasive plants have become established in the project area.

Cultural Resources (Margaret-Traitors IRMP, pages14-16) People have been using the resources of the project area for at least 1,900 years. The area along Margaret Creek and Margaret Lake is identified as a traditional hunting and gathering area. Much of the Margaret Creek Watershed falls into the low probability zone for the occurrence of cultural resources; however, portions of the project area do fall within the high probability zone for there being cultural resources (USFS/SHPO Programmatic Agreement 2017).

Recreation (Margaret-Traitors IRMP pages 16-17) The project area is a popular destination for both guided and unguided recreation use. Recreation users include both residents and non-residents. Typical uses include wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, and hiking. The road system allows limited motorized vehicle use along about 34 miles of currently open NFS and non NFS roads. Closed and decommissioned roads are used for hiking and non-motorized use. Guided recreation use in the project area is authorized under a Forest Service special use permit, and includes hunting and fishing in the spring and fall, and flight seeing tours that bring about 2,700 visitors annually (between May and September) to the bear viewing site on Margaret Creek. Guided use in the project area is typically at or near capacity for the operating season. Outfitter and guide use is permitted from the Margaret Bay dock along FS Road 8000470 and the open portion of FS road 800000; however, FS Road 800000 is blocked by a landslide about three miles beyond the Margaret Creek Bridge, which currently limits motorized access past this point. Six commercial guides keep vehicles at Margaret marine access facility (MAF) to transport visitors to the bear viewing site. Most public motorized vehicle use is by OHV or motorcycle because these vehicles are less costly to transport than full-size vehicles (2008 District Access and Travel Management Plan, P. 22). Unguided recreation use in the project area is similar to guided use, and also includes subsistence hunting and fishing by local area visitors. The area is popular because of its close proximity to the community of Ketchikan, and use of the area is common throughout the year. Existing infrastructure in the project area includes the Margaret Bay dock, the road system, Margaret Creek trail, Margaret Creek Wildlife Observation Site (bear viewing platform), an outhouse, and several interpretive signs. There is also a cabin for administrative use. Currently, portions of the Margaret Creek Watershed within Game Management Unit (GMU) 1-A are closed to hunting. The Margaret Creek drainage within 1/4 mile of Margaret Creek downstream from the

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mouth of Margaret Lake to the mouth of the creek, is closed to taking any bear. (Consult Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2017-2018 Alaska Hunting Regulations). Roads (Margaret-Traitors IRMP, pages18-19) Ninety-eight percent of the District roads are isolated systems in remote locations. The roads are either closed (maintenance level 1) or they are maintained for high-clearance vehicles and OHVs. There are no designated OHV trails on the District. These road systems radiate from marine access facilities (MAFs). Access to remote road systems is by boat or floatplane. The District Access and Travel Management (ATM) Plan was completed in 2008, but has not been reviewed since then. A recent (2017) review of databases, such as Infrastructure (INFRA) system, and the Water Xing dataset indicate that the road system specific to the project area includes about 54.3 miles of NFS roads. These data indicate that about 34 miles of NFS and non-NFS roads are open for mixed use, and 19 miles are closed or decommissioned. The District ATM Plan includes about 8.5 miles that are open for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. Road density in the Margaret Creek Watershed is about 1.62 miles per square mile. According to the Water Xing data, there are about 662 stream crossings, and among them, 39 are across salmonid bearing (anadromous) streams in the Margaret Creek Watershed. Of the 39 salmonid stream crossings, eight are identified as passage barriers to fish into upstream habitat (red pipes).

Forest fish passage direction, including drainage structure design criteria has evolved over time, and is still evolving as information on fish swimming performance, fish movement patterns, and culvert hydraulics is improved.

Wildlife Habitat (Margaret-Traitors IRMP, page 34)

Harvest activities and stand conversion have reduced wildlife habitat quantity, quality and connectivity of productive old growth in the watershed for old-growth dependent wildlife species, such as Sitka black-tailed deer, marten and goshawk. Prior to harvest, the stands were productive old growth habitat that served as valuable winter deer habitat. Most of the managed stands currently lack large enough trees and canopy cover to provide snow interception and thermal cover to deer, as well as adequate browse needed for winter survival. Heavy slash in some of the more recently treated young growth stands poses a problem for deer migration and understory development.

Need for Proposal The need for the proposed project comes from the Margaret-Traitors Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) completed in September 2015, which identified resource needs and opportunities in the Margaret Watershed. Direction in the 2016 Tongass Forest Plan also reflects the need to provide for a diversity of opportunities for resource uses that contribute to the local and regional economies of Southeast Alaska. Specific needs include, but are not limited to:

Maintain or restore the natural range and frequency of aquatic habitat conditions on the Tongass National Forest to sustain the diversity and production of fish and other freshwater organisms and provide for the continuation of subsistence uses and resources by rural Alaskan residents. (2016 Forest Plan, pages 2-3 and 2-5) Past management in the Margaret Creek Watershed has disconnected streams from their floodplains and instream habitat is lacking large woody debris critical to stream health. In addition, eight stream crossing structures in the project area impede fish passage reducing the range of fish in the system. The need revolves around the desire to restore the full salmon-rearing potential of the floodplain and maintain and/or restore fish passage to current design standards.

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Provide a range of recreation opportunities consistent with public demand, emphasizing locally popular recreation places and those important to the tourism industry. (2016 Forest Plan pg. 2-4) The need for recreational camping, and other dispersed recreation opportunities along the areas of the West Behm Canal have been voiced by the public. In response to this feedback, the Forest Service seeks to enhance recreation opportunities in the Margaret Creek Watershed for both guided and unguided use, provide opportunities for motorized access to recreation areas that are limited in the Ketchikan vicinity, and to consider enhancement of recreation opportunities focused on existing infrastructure.

Maintain viable plant communities and populations that support the full range of naturally occurring flora. (2016 Forest Plan pg. 2-4) Purple foxglove, oxeye daisy, common St. Johnswort, hairy catsear, and reed canary grass need to be controlled or eradicated at the population source to prevent further spread along the roads and to other recreation areas on the Ketchikan Misty Fiords Ranger District.

Maintain habitat capability sufficient to produce wildlife populations that support the use of wildlife resources for sport, subsistence, and recreational activities. (2016 Forest Plan pg. 2-6) Harvest activities and stand conversion have reduced wildlife habitat quantity, quality, and connectivity. This project would help restore watershed capability, resulting in sustainable sport and subsistence hunting and fishing activities in the project area.

Proposed Action The Forest Service proposes to conduct several restoration and enhancement activities within the Margaret Creek Watershed (Figure 2). Proposed activities would include:

Restore Watershed Health and Fish Habitat • Open the closed portions of NFS roads 8000460 and 8000470 surrounding the Margaret Lake

system to allow machinery access to Margaret Creek for the duration of the proposed project. Activities would include grading, resurfacing and installing culverts and bridges.

• Place single and aggregate large wood pieces into Margaret Creek and its tributaries to supplement the loss of source wood, provide refuge and habitat for salmonid species. Material would be acquired first from salvaging downed trees, and secondly by felling live trees intermittently along the road system, with openings not exceeding one half (½) acre. Defective live trees would be preferred for removal over marketable trees. Trees would be selected and gathered during the late fall and spring, as weather allows. Trees would be transported via log truck and stored in staging areas on the currently closed 8000470, northeast of Margaret Lake in order to have a stock of materials on hand for the brief instream work window.

• Follow timing windows for in-stream work recommended by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Southeast Alaska in-stream construction guide for the instream (including floodplain) work period for Margaret Creek. During this timeframe, materials would be shuttled from the staging area and placed in the creek using an excavator or if funding allows, a helicopter.

• Remove road fill within the active floodplain using heavy equipment to improve drainage and floodplain connectivity above Margaret Lake.

• Remove and replace culverts impeding fish passage with heavy equipment;

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• Treat red alder-dominated stands using hand crews, in riparian areas in accordance with Tongass Wide Young Growth Strategy.

• All required permits and/or concurrence from State and Federal agencies would be obtained prior to implementation (e.g., Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).

Enhance Recreation Opportunities • Amend the 2008 Access and Travel Management (ATM) Plan as shown on Motor Vehicle Use

map to allow OHV use on six miles of the currently closed NFS roads 8000460 and 8000470 surrounding the Margaret Lake System. Timing restrictions would be implemented to preserve ecological, visitor, and recreation values.

• Construct three sided shelter within the northwest corner of section 36 of Township 71 South, Range 90 East

• Develop picnic areas and dispersed camping sites along lake shore and salt water access

• Expand the existing boat dock in Margaret Bay to accommodate boat and aircraft moorage.

• Install new and enhance existing interpretative kiosks along trails and roads.

Maintain Plant Communities • Treat invasive plants along the roads using a combination of hand pulling, mechanical, and

herbicide application where permitted.

• Timing for vegetation management would be in the spring and early summer (April-June), prior to seed ripening to reduce new contributions to the seed bank and limit public interaction with work crews on the trails and road system.

Improve Wildlife Habitat • Using hand crews, power tools, and heavy equipment, modify young-growth timber stands to

facilitate wildlife movement and improve habitat using a variety of non-commercial young-growth stand treatments such as creating gaps, trails, thinning, and leave strips;

• Develop and/or enhance existing interpretation and education signs at Marine Access Facility (MAF) and bear viewing site.

• Nearly all of the proposed work area is located upstream and inland of Margaret Lake adjacent to open and closed roads in areas not typically visited by the public. In these areas, work would likely not be visible, but possibly audible from the area permitted for Outfitter and Guide use.

• Materials to be placed in the Margaret Creek floodplain that would be gathered from Sections 14 -16 and 21 of Township 71 South, Range 90 East immediately north of the Margaret Cabin, would be removed in the fall through spring seasons, as weather allows, to minimize disturbances to bears, reduce traffic interactions between contractors and the visiting public.

Forest Plan Consistency The 2016 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (2016 Forest Plan) includes LUD-specific management direction (Chapter 3) forest-wide direction (Chapters 4 and 5) and young-growth direction (Chapter 5) that includes, but is not limited to the following direction:

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Forest-Wide Goals and Objectives Biodiversity (2016 Forest Plan, Page 2-3, 5-13, 5-14)

Goal - Maintain ecosystems capable of supporting the full range of native and desired nonnative species and ecological processes. Maintain a mix of representative habitats at different spatial and temporal scales.

Objective - Maintain a Forest-wide system of old-growth and other Forest habitats (includes reserves, non-development LUDs, and beach, estuary, and riparian corridors) to sustain old-growth associated species and resources.

Fish (2016 Forest Plan, Page 2-3)

Goal - Maintain or restore the natural range and frequency of aquatic habitat conditions on the Tongass National Forest to sustain the diversity and production of fish and other freshwater organisms.

Objective - Design and implement fish habitat improvement projects annually across the Forest

Recreation (2016 Forest Plan, Page 2-4)

Goal - Provide a range of recreation opportunities consistent with public demand, emphasizing locally popular recreation places and those important to the tourism industry.

Objective - Maintain existing Forest Service system trails to a standard that provides for the health and safety of all users. Construct or reconstruct trails to encourage a healthier lifestyle for the public. Emphasize projects that facilitate community use or community connections.

Soil and Water (2016 Forest Plan, Page 2-5)

Goal - Provide for the continuation of subsistence uses and resources by rural Alaskan residents.

Objective - Complete watershed restoration projects as part of an annual program of work.

Subsistence (2016 Forest Plan, Page 2-5)

Goal - Maintain and restore the biological, physical, and chemical integrity of Tongass National Forest waters.

Objective - Evaluate and consider the needs of subsistence users in making project land management decisions.

Wildlife (2016 Forest Plan, Page 2-6)

Goal – Maintain the abundance and distribution of habitat, especially old-growth forests, to sustain viable populations in the planning area.

Objective – See biodiversity objectives. Design and implement structural and non-structural wildlife habitat improvement projects.

Goal – Maintain habitat capability sufficient to produce wildlife populations that support the use of wildlife resources for sport, subsistence, and recreational activities.

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Objective - Include a young-growth management program to maintain, prolong, and/or improve understory forage production, and to improve habitat distribution, including future old-growth characteristics in young-growth timber stands for wildlife on lands both suitable and not suitable for timber production.

Forest-Wide Standards and Guidelines Fish Habitat Planning: FISH2 (2016 Forest Plan, Pages 4- 9, 4-10)

I. Fish Habitat and Channel Processes A. Recognize watershed function and channel processes when planning for the protection,

restoration or enhancement of fish habitat. IV. Objectives/Guidelines for Management Affecting Fish Habitat

A. Maintain or restore the natural range and frequency of aquatic habitat conditions on the Tongass National Forest to sustain the diversity and production of fish and other freshwater organisms.

Fish Habitat Restoration and Improvement: FISH3 (2016 Forest Plan, Pages 4-13) I. Planning

A. Improve or restore fish habitat to work toward the habitat objectives of the Forest Plan. Give priority to restoration projects.

Recreation Resource Planning: REC2 II. Integrated Resource Planning

A. During non-recreation project planning, assess the effects of these projects on the diversity and quality of recreation settings and activity opportunities within, and adjacent to, the project area.

B. Identify opportunities to enhance existing, and provide additional, recreation activities,

opportunities, and services where desirable to meet local or Forest-wide recreation demands.

C. Coordinate, to the extent feasible, recreation project development with other resources (for example wildlife, transportation).

Watershed Restoration: SW4 (2016 Forest Plan, Pages 4-63)

I. Soil and Water Quality Protection and Restoration A. Protect or restore water quality and sustain soil productivity.

1. Conduct Watershed Condition Surveys and develop Watershed Restoration Plans to determine treatment priorities and needs.

Subsistence: SUB (2016 Forest Plan, Pages 4-65)

I. Subsistence A. In accordance with Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980

(ANILCA), it is the policy of the Forest Service that: 1. Consistent with the purposes for which National Forest System (NFS) lands in Alaska were

established, sound management principles, and the conservation of healthy populations of fish and wildlife, the use of NFS lands in Alaska is to cause the least adverse impact possible on rural residents who depend upon subsistence.

C. Locate and manage Forest management activities considering impacts upon rural residents who

depend upon subsistence uses of the resources of NFS lands. (ANILCA, Title VIII, Sections 810 and 811, and the Region 10 Subsistence Management and Use Handbook FSH 2090.23).

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Wildlife: WILD1 (2016 Forest Plan, Pages 4-85) II. General Habitat Planning/Coordination

A. Recognize as wildlife habitat, areas of land and water that can contribute to achieving wildlife objectives for consumptive and non-consumptive uses.

B. Provide the abundance and distribution of habitat necessary to maintain viable populations of existing native and desirable non-native species well-distributed in the planning area (i.e., the Tongass National Forest). (Consult 36 CFR 219.19 and 36 CFR 219.27 (1982).)

III. Habitat Improvement Planning A. Identify habitat improvement projects to meet wildlife habitat and population objectives.

1. Consider the following factors to assess habitat improvement project opportunities and priorities: a) To meet state wildlife population objectives b) To meet subsistence use needs c) Existing habitat in poor condition compared to its potential d) Habitat with a history of receiving high levels of use e) Treatments with a favorable benefit/cost ratio.

2. Use Silviculture practices, where applicable, to accomplish wildlife habitat objectives. VI. Landscape Connectivity

A. Design projects to maintain landscape connectivity. B. Forest-wide, within the beach fringe, riparian buffers, and other lands not suitable for timber

production, consider designing young-growth treatments to accelerate old-growth characteristics in order to increase connectivity for wildlife.

Wildlife Habitat Improvement: WILD2 (2016 Forest Plan, Pages 4-93)

I. Improvement Projects A. Develop an aggressive young-growth management program to maintain, prolong, and/or

improve understory forage production and to increase the development of old growth characteristics in young-growth timber stands for a variety of wildlife species (deer, moose, black bear, small mammals, birds, and other species of interest).

Preliminary Issues The project interdisciplinary team (IDT) has internally scoped this proposed project to identify preliminary issues and management opportunities.

• A portion of the decommissioned road segments proposed for a change in the maintenance level to accommodate ATV/OHV use are located within an old-growth reserve and may limit opportunities for recreation development.

• An increase in human presence on the proposed trail could displace wildlife species.

• Proposed activities could interfere with guided use if timing restrictions are not implemented.

Environmental Analysis The Forest Service Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) has started preliminary work for an Environmental Assessment (EA), which will analyze and disclose the effects of the proposed action, possible alternatives and include a no action alternative. The environmental analysis will consider public scoping comments as well as those provided by the project IDT.

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Responsible Official The Responsible Official for the decision is Susan Howle, Acting District Ranger, Ketchikan Misty Fiords Ranger District.

Decisions to be Made After conducting and reviewing the environmental analysis, including public involvement and resource specialists’ input, the Responsible Official will make the following decisions based on the environmental analysis:

1. Whether the proposed project will proceed as proposed, as modified to address issues, or not at all;

2. What specific resource protections, mitigation measures, or monitoring should be implemented as part of the project;

3. Whether the proposed project would have a significant restriction on subsistence uses; and

4. Whether the project would have a significant impact requiring an Environmental Impact Statement.

Scoping Scoping is the first step of public participation for the proposed Margaret Creek Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Project planning effort and begins the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Public comments provided during scoping are used by the IDT to identify and address additional potential issues, concerns, and opportunities associated with the proposed project in the environmental analysis.

In 2016 and 2017, the Ketchikan Misty Fiords Ranger District hosted three open house meetings where the public was invited to discuss and identify possible management opportunities within the Northwest Revilla Island landscape (including the Margaret Creek Watershed) and in other areas on the District. During these open house meetings, this proposal was discussed as an opportunity for recreation and watershed management on the District.

The Forest Service has engaged Tribal Governments through monthly updates with Tribal Councils and committees seeking comments or concerns about the proposed project.

On June 8, 2017 a meeting was held with outfitters and guides permitted for the Margaret Bay area. Proposed project elements, including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, access, and recreation opportunities were discussed with attendees. These stakeholders were supportive of all activities proposed, but requested that timing of specific actions be considered to mitigate potential conflicts between project work and proposed recreation uses and the high use bear viewing season.

Objections and Commenting The proposed project is subject to objection (36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B). Only those who submit timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project during any designated opportunity for public comment may file an objection (36 CFR 218.5). Opportunity for public comment on an EA includes during scoping or any other instance where the responsible official seeks written comments. Individuals and entities wishing to be eligible to object must meet the provisions in 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

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How to Comment Your input and ideas are important in designing, analyzing and implementing the proposed project and will be helpful to the project IDT in identifying issues and designing a proposed action and possible alternatives to address issues and concerns.

Please email your comments to comments-alaska-tongass-ketchikan-mistyfiord@fs.fed.us and include Margaret Creek Watershed Project in the subject line. Written comments can also be submitted by facsimile to 907-225-8738, mailed to Ketchikan Misty Fiords Ranger District, Attn: Margaret Creek Watershed Project, 3031 Tongass Avenue, Ketchikan, AK 99901, or hand delivered to the Ketchikan Misty Fiords Ranger District office, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except for Federal holidays. For more information contact Daryl Bingham, Team Leader at (907) 228-4114.

It is the responsibility of individual or entity to submit comments by the close of the comment period. The time period for the opportunity to comment shall not be extended. Specific written comments should include the following:

1. Name and current physical mailing address (a telephone number is optional);

2. Your organization name if commenting as a representative;

3. The project title, Margaret Creek Watershed Project.

An electronic username is insufficient for identification of an individual or entity. An email address alone is not sufficient.

Written, facsimile, hand delivered and electronic comments will be accepted for 30 days from the date of the scoping letter. To be most helpful, comments should be received by September 28, 2017. All information including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record and available for public inspection.

We look forward to your participation. Your input and ideas will help ensure a successful project.

A public open house and a public hearing on subsistence issues as required by Section 810 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), will be scheduled after the release of the preliminary EA. A notice will be published in the Ketchikan Daily News (newspaper of record), mailed to those on the District mailing list, and placed on the project webpage.

Additional Information The following source documents are available for review at the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District Office, and are available from the project webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51782 These documents include: 1) 2008 Ketchikan Misty Fiords Ranger District Access Travel Management Plan (ATM) Decision Notice (DN) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI); 2) 2011 USDA Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework - A Framework for Assessing and Tracking Changes to Watershed Condition [FS-977]; 3) 2015 Margaret -Traitors Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP); and 4) 2016 Draft Margaret Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan

The 2016 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (2016 Forest Plan) and supporting documents and maps are available on the Tongass National Forest webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landmanagement/?cid=stelprd3801708

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Additional information about proposed projects and activities on the Tongass National Forest is available on the Projects webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/tongass/landmanagement/projects

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