Re: More Help Please

["Philip Cook" <PCOOK@novell.uidaho.edu>]

Lori Sodorff wrote:

> What I am wondering is when the Forest Service decides
> to develop a new campsite do they have to do any sort
> of impact studies with regard to lands and streams in
> the surrounding areas?

The simple answer to your question is "Yes."

The more complicated answer is "Yes,"  the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires all federal agencies, 
including the Forest Service, to assess the environmental impacts 
of their actions.  For all proposed projects an environmental 
assessment (EA) is required.  If the EA finds that there will be 
significant impact on the environment from the proposed action, 
then a more detailed and thorough Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) is required.

I imagine one or both of these documents have been prepared for 
the campground in question. The Forest Service should have the 
documents available for you to look at.  I would suggest you call 
the national forest supervisor's office where the campground is 
located (I assume the Clearwater).

Philip Cook