The Sequoia National Forest is amending its Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to guide management of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, created on April 15, 2000, by Presidential Proclamation. In June 2001, the public was asked to provide comments during the scoping period. Those comments were used to identify the issues that will be addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan (Monument Plan).

I have scheduled two Open Houses in March to share our progress in the development of the Monument Plan, including the working "draft" alternatives. You may read these alternatives on our website: http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/giant_sequoia.

The open houses will begin at 4:30 p.m., to allow you time to meet with members of the monument planning team, and view many of the working "draft" alternative maps. At 5:30 p.m., we will have presentations on the forest planning process, an explanation of the working "draft" alternatives, and how you can be an active participant in the Monument planning process. At 6:30 p.m., there will be an opportunity for questions and answers. We will conclude the evening with breakout sessions with the members of the Monument planning team.

You are always welcome to write or call us at any time during the planning process. The upcoming Open Houses are to share information on where we are in the development of the Monument Plan. When the DEIS is released this spring, you will be asked to review the document and provide written input that will help develop the final environmental impact statement.

The Open Houses will be held at the following locations:

Monday, March 11, 2002                             Tuesday, March 12, 2002

Porterville Veteran’s Memorial Building            Holiday Inn Select (Baker Room)

1900 West Olive Avenue                                 801 Truxtun Avenue

Porterville, CA 93257                                      Bakersfield, CA 93301

(559) 781-7963                                               (661) 323-1900

I appreciate your interest and involvement in the planning process for the Giant Sequoia National Monument. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Jim Whitfield, team leader, at this office.

Sincerely,

/s/ Arthur L. Gaffrey

ARTHUR L. GAFFREY