United States Forest Green Mountain National Forest 99 Ranger RoadDepartment of Service Rochester Ranger District Rochester, VT 05767-9431Agriculture Tel. (802) 767-4261

www.fs.fed.us/r9/gmfl FAX (802) 767-4777

File Code: 1950Date: January 15, 2013

Notice for 30-day Comment PeriodManchester Ranger District Apple Tree Release and Maintenance Project

Dear Interested Parties:

The USDA Forest Service (USFS) is initiating an environmental analysis process for the proposedManchester Ranger District Apple Tree Release and Maintenance Project pursuant to the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act. The project areas are located on the Manchester Ranger District of theGreen Mountain National Forest in the Towns of Wallingford, Mount Holly, and Mount Tabor in RutlandCounty, Town of Weston in Windsor County, Towns of Landgrave, Peru, Winhall, Manchester, andSearsburg in Bennington County, and Towns of Londonderry and Somerset in Windham County (seeattached maps: Figures 1 through 11).

The proposed action would authorize the release and management of apple trees on 72 separatestands on the Manchester Ranger District. Apple trees, typically remnants of long-abandonedfarmsteads and orchards, are located in these stands. These apple trees will be "released" byremoving those trees that over-top and shade them, providing them with access to sunlight whichpromotes vigor, fruit production, and overall health of the apple trees. Apple tree release andmanagement on the Manchester RD has been authorized by prior NEPA decision documents either 1)in conjunction with management of permanent upland openings in 2004 or 2006, or 2) as standsauthorized for apple tree release and management under separate NEPA decisions in 2004, 2006, and2008. This project combines these stands into a single decision for renewed and updated NEPAauthorization. Six stands included in this project have not been included in prior NEPA decisions.Feral apples provide excellent food for wildlife when released and pruned. A detailed description of theproposal is attached.

A recent court ruling (Sequoia ForestKeeper v. Tidwell, 11-cv-00679-LJO-DLB (E.D. Cal.)) requires thatactions that can be categorically excluded from an Environmental Assessment or Environmental ImpactStatement using categories found at 36 CFR 220.6(e) be subject to public notice, comment, andopportunity for administrative appeal. This proposal can potentially be categorically excluded under 36CFR 220.6(e)(6): "Timber stand and/or wildlife habitat improvement activities that do not include theuse of herbicides or do not require more than 1 mile of low standard road construction." Therefore thedecision for this project proposal is subject to public notice, comment and opportunity for appeal inaccordance with 36 CFR 215.

How to Comment and Timeframe

Comments will be accepted for a 30-day period following publication of the Manchester Ranger DistrictApple Tree Release and Maintenance Project legal notice in the Rutland Herald, our newspaper ofrecord. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating thecomment period. Do not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.Regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period (36 CFR 215.6).

Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

Postal, hand-delivered, oral, electronic and facsimile (FAX) comments on the proposal will be accepted.Postal comments must be submitted to me at the Manchester Ranger District office in c/o: John Sease,Manchester Ranger District, 2538 Depot St., Manchester Center, Vermont 05255. Hand-deliveredcomments must be submitted to the Manchester Ranger District office. Oral comments may besubmitted by phone to (802) 362-2307 ext 237, or in person at the Manchester Ranger District office.The office hours for those submitting oral or hand-delivered comments are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Comments may also be submitted to me by FAX to (802)362-1251, ATTN: John Sease.

Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text(.rtf), Word (.doc or .docx) or Portable Document Format (.pdf), to comments-eastern-green-mt-finger-lakes-manchester@fs.fed.us. Comments must have an identifiable name attached or verification ofidentity will be required. A scanned signature may serve as verification on electronic comments.

Comments received in response to this invitation, including name and address of those who comment,will be considered part of the public record for this project and will be available for public review. Yourcomments can help me make a better informed decision regarding the proposed project. In yourcomments, please include the following information:

1. Your name, address and telephone number or email address.2. The project you are commenting on: Manchester Ranger District Apple Tree Release and

Maintenance Project.3. Site specific comments about the proposal along with supporting information and rationale you

believe will help identify issues.4. Concerns about environmental effects associated with the proposal.

Appeal Eligibility

A person has standing to file an appeal only if they submit comments during this 30-day commentperiod. Directions on how to submit appeals will be part of the decision associated with this project.Additional information regarding this proposal can be obtained from: John Sease, Wildlife Biologist,Manchester Ranger District, 2538 Depot St., Manchester Center, Vermont 05255; (802) 362-2307 ext237 or via e-mail: isease@fs.fed.us.

Thank you for your interest in the Green Mountain National Forest.

William F[ JacksonDistrict RkngerManchester Ranger District

Enclosures: Project information and maps