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Great Basin National Park » Fire Management Plan
The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a project to update the Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Great Basin National Park (GRBA). The updated FMP will conform with current NPS policy; protect life and property; identify and prioritize mechanical and prescribed fire treatments; and promote a fire management strategy based on natural ecological processes and conditions characteristic of park ecosystems.
To comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and NPS policy, the proposed update to the FMP will be evaluated through an Environmental Assessment (EA). The plan will identify issues and concerns and present a reasonable range of management alternatives for public review. The EA will also analyze the environmental consequences of each of the alternatives, and can be used to identify a preferred alternative, which will then become the final plan. At the end of the EA process, the NPS anticipates issuing a "Finding of No Significant Impact" which is the document that finalizes the decision on the FMP.
The initial alternatives to be considered in the EA include:
Alternative 1 - No action: Fire management would continue under the terms of the 2004 Fire Management Plan. Fire suppression would continue to be the primary fire management strategy. Wildfires and prescribed fire would be limited as fire management tools and limited mechanical fuels treatments would continue.
Alternative 2 - Fire management would include a mix of fire suppression to protect infrastructure, areas of high visitor use, and natural and cultural resources. In addition, fuels treatments, including prescribed fire and manual and mechanical treatments, would be used to restore native plant communities and prevent catastrophic wildfires. Management of wildland fires would include resource benefit objectives to return fire to its natural role on the landscape where identified risk is manageable and acceptable.
* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Define purpose and need/develop preliminary alternatives
Step 2. Conduct external scoping
Step 3. Refine alternatives
Step 4. Identify environmental impacts and select preferred alternative
Step 5. Prepare draft plan/environmental document
Step 6. Public review of draft plan/environmental document
Step 7. Analysis of public comment
Step 8. Prepare final plan/decision document
Step 9. Release final plan/decision document to the public
As a first step, the public is invited to a "Zoom" meeting. The online meeting will be hosted by the contractor, GeomorphIS, on March 30, 2022, at 5:30 PM Pacific Time. The NPS and contractor will present the project background, describe potential alternatives, and answer audience questions. Access instructions for the Zoom meeting will be posted on the NPS Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GBfiremgmtplan. This website can also be used to submit comments you have regarding the proposed FMP update.
To comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and NPS policy, the proposed update to the FMP will be evaluated through an Environmental Assessment (EA). The plan will identify issues and concerns and present a reasonable range of management alternatives for public review. The EA will also analyze the environmental consequences of each of the alternatives, and can be used to identify a preferred alternative, which will then become the final plan. At the end of the EA process, the NPS anticipates issuing a "Finding of No Significant Impact" which is the document that finalizes the decision on the FMP.
The initial alternatives to be considered in the EA include:
Alternative 1 - No action: Fire management would continue under the terms of the 2004 Fire Management Plan. Fire suppression would continue to be the primary fire management strategy. Wildfires and prescribed fire would be limited as fire management tools and limited mechanical fuels treatments would continue.
Alternative 2 - Fire management would include a mix of fire suppression to protect infrastructure, areas of high visitor use, and natural and cultural resources. In addition, fuels treatments, including prescribed fire and manual and mechanical treatments, would be used to restore native plant communities and prevent catastrophic wildfires. Management of wildland fires would include resource benefit objectives to return fire to its natural role on the landscape where identified risk is manageable and acceptable.
* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Define purpose and need/develop preliminary alternatives
Step 2. Conduct external scoping
Step 3. Refine alternatives
Step 4. Identify environmental impacts and select preferred alternative
Step 5. Prepare draft plan/environmental document
Step 6. Public review of draft plan/environmental document
Step 7. Analysis of public comment
Step 8. Prepare final plan/decision document
Step 9. Release final plan/decision document to the public
As a first step, the public is invited to a "Zoom" meeting. The online meeting will be hosted by the contractor, GeomorphIS, on March 30, 2022, at 5:30 PM Pacific Time. The NPS and contractor will present the project background, describe potential alternatives, and answer audience questions. Access instructions for the Zoom meeting will be posted on the NPS Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GBfiremgmtplan. This website can also be used to submit comments you have regarding the proposed FMP update.