Decision Memo Completed

Pine Mountain Area Improvement Project

Tonto National Forest Gila; Maricopa, Arizona Tonto National Forest All Units

The purpose of this project is to utilize prescribed fire or naturally occurring wildfire to reduce hazardous fuel accumulation and mitigate effects from an unplanned wildfire that could be catastrophic to Mexican spotted owl habitat.

Location

The project is located on the Mesa and Tonto Basin Ranger Districts at Pine Mountain, Brushy Basin areas near Forest Service Road 422, approximately 25 air miles northeast from Mesa, AZ.

Project timeline

1
Scoping Start
01/03/2018
2
Decision
06/2020 (Estimated)
3
Implementation
09/2020 (Estimated)

NEPA / regulatory detail

Categorical Exclusion32.2 (6), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(6)
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment RegulationNot Subject to Regulations
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements
Pine Mountain Area Improvement Project for Tonto Basin Ranger DistrictDecision Signed Date: 06/14/2020
Pine Mountain Area Improvement Project for the Mesa Ranger DistrictDecision Signed Date: 06/15/2020
ForestsTonto National Forest
DistrictsMesa Ranger District; Tonto Basin Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionTownship 5N, Range 9 and 10 E, Section(s) 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 18, 19, 30, and 31.
Fuels managementWildlife, fish, rare plantsVegetation management (other than forest products)