Forest Service officials are seeking public comments and have set public meetings about a proposal to expand recommended wilderness areas in the Angeles National Forest (within the Santa Clarita Valley) by 40,000 acres. The proposal would increase areas for non-motorized use such as hiking and horseback riding and would affect seven areas in the forest. It also seeks to modify the way forest land management project results are evaluated.

The proposals are in a draft supplemental environmental impact statement for a proposed amendment to the Angeles’ land management plan. They also affect the land management plans for the Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino national forests.

The proposed amendment is part of the settlement agreement approved Jan. 3, 2011 in the case of California Resources Agency, et al vs. United States Department of Agriculture, and Center for Biological Diversity, et al vs. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The environmental impact statement can be found on the project website [here].

Public meetings for the Angeles will be held:

* March 26, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Angeles National Forest Headquarters, 701 N. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia;

* March 28, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Santa Clara Mojave Rivers Ranger District Office, 33708 Crown Valley Road, Acton.

The public-comment period, including for those who read the online project documents, is currently in effect. The comment period for the proposal will close May 16. Comments may be sent via email to socal_nf_lmp_amendment@fs.fed.us, or filed through the project website. Comments can also be mailed to: Cleveland National Forest, ATTN: LMP Amendment, 10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92127-2107.