03-4488. Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (SRA) Advisory Council

AGENCY:

Forest Service, USDA Forest Service.

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

An Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council meeting will convene in Stayton, Oregon on Monday, March 17, 2003. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the South Room of the Stayton Community Center located on 400 West Virginia Street in Stayton, Oregon.

The Opal Creek Wilderness and Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Act of 1996 (Opal Creek Act) (Pub. L. 104-208) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is comprised of thirteen members representing state, county and city governments, and representatives of various organizations, which include mining industry, environmental organizations, inholders in Opal Creek Recreation Area, economic development, Indian tribes, adjacent landowners and recreation interests. The council provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on preparation of a comprehensive Opal Creek Management Plan for the SRA, and consults on a periodic and regular basis on the management of the area. Tentative agenda items include information sharing on the following topics.

Update on SRA Management Plan appeal;

Process for recruitment and appointment of replacement Council members;

Review of draft Information Strategy Plan for implementing new use rules;

Finalize the monitoring plan;

Information on new trail proposals for the Transportation Plan;

Presentation of draft evacuation plan.

A direct public comment period is tentatively scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Time allotted for individual presentations will be limited to 3 minutes. Written comments are encouraged, particularly if the material cannot be presented within the time limits of the comment period. Written comments may be submitted prior to the March 17 meeting by sending them to Designated Federal Official Gina Owens at the address given below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For more information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Gina Owens; Williamette National Forest, Detroit Ranger District, HC 73 Box 320, Mill City, OR 97360; [phone].

Dated: February 20, 2003.

Dallas J. Emch,

Forest Supervisor.