Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (SRA) Advisory Council

AGENCY:

Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Forest Service Notice of Meeting.

SUMMARY:

An Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council meeting will convene in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, November 4, 2000. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., and will conclude at approximately 2 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Salem City Hall, Room 220, located on 555 Liberty Street SE in Salem, OR.

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 Scenic 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. The tentative agenda includes:

(1) Issue Development, (2) public involvement strategy, and (3) other topic items identified at the October 16, 2000 advisory council meeting.

The public comment period is tentatively scheduled to begin at 1 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 November 4 meeting by sending them to Designated Federal Official Stephanie Phillips at the address given below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For more information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Stephanie Phillips; Willamette National Forest, Detroit Ranger District, HC 73 Box 320, Mill City, OR 97360; (503) 854-3366.