ARCHES NATL. PARK by Karen Vendell SIERRA CLUB Utah Chapter 93 East 1st South Logan, Utah 84321 November 21, 1979
(801) 753-0987
Vern Hamre
Regional Forester
Region IV
United States Forest Service
324-25th street
Ogden, Utah 84401
RE: Road construction activities proposed for Logan Canyon.
Dear Mr. Hamre:
The Utah Chapter Sierra Club is concerned about recent events in the proposal to
widen and realign the Logan Canyon highway. The Sierra Club is interested in Forest
Service involvement in the project and would appreciate a reply to the following items:
1. Establishment of Lead Agencies
Section 1501.5 d of the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing
the Procedural Provision of the National Environmental Policy Act reads:
"Any Federal agency, or any state or local agency or private person
substantially affected by the absence of lead agency designation, may
make a written request to the potential lead agencies that a lead agency
be designated."
The Sierra Club requests your office to designate a lead agency for construction
of the project. Is the Forest Service the lead agency or the Utah Department of Transportation?
2. Project approval/disapproval authority
Information on the Forest Service permit requirements for construction of the highway
is needed. What kind of permits will your office issue for construction of the highway?
Will the public be involved in the decision to issue or deny the permit(s)? Data on
how the public may be involved in the permit process is requested. Will the issuance
of a permit require preperation of an Environmental Statement, or an Environmental Analysis
Report?
3. Evaluation of the environmental issues
Section 1506.5 ( b) of the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing
the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act reads:
" Environmental Assessments. If an agency permits an applicant to prepare
an environmental assessment, the agency, besides fulfilling the requirements
of paragraphs (a) of this section, shall make its own evaluation
of the environmental issues and take responsibility for the scope and content of the environrnental assessment.
As I understand the present situation, the Utah Department of Transportantion has
decided that an Environmental Impact statement will not be required for construction
activities in Logan Canyon; the decision to proceed without an Environmental Statement
included little if any public involvement; the Sierra Club is planning action to reverse
this decision. What is your office doing to evaluate the "environmental issues...
and content of the environmental assessment? The environmental assessment will be released
by the Utah Department of Transportation in the spring of 1980 ; we would like to
encourage your office to evaluate the environmental issues at the earliest date possible ,
and specifically before release of this environmental assessment. The environmental assessment
should include compliance with Executive Orders 11990 and 11988 , Protection of
Wetlands and Floodplain Management , respectively.
Any additional information which will help in understanding Forest Service involvement
in this project will be appreciated. Sincerely, Brian Beard President Utah Chapter Sierra Club
cc: Craig Rayle
Jo Jo Jones
Brant Calkin
Anthony Ruckel Esq.
