Ouachita National Forest announces public scoping period for Mena Trails Project

HOT SPRINGS, Ark – March 24, 2023—Public scoping opens today for a trail- and recreation-related infrastructure development project proposal on the Mena/Oden Ranger District of the Ouachita National Forest.

The project, known as the “Trails at Mena Project,” is a proposal submitted to the US Forest Service from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism-Division of Arkansas State Parks for a groundbreaking gravity-oriented trail experience in Arkansas.

The proposed project includes the following actions on National Forest System Lands:

·     Issuance of a special use permit to the State of Arkansas for developed recreation within select locations and corridors across 8,832 acres of NFS lands;

·     Construction of up to 100 miles of primarily natural surface trails on NFS lands;

·     Development of a base portal for arrival and guest services;

·     Construction of parking areas and improvements to the existing pull-offs along Highway 88;

·     Development of an uplift infrastructure to transport users throughout the SUP area;

·     Construction of ancillary support facilities and amenities within the trail network;

·     Creation of non-trail-based, developed recreation opportunities; and,

·     Improvement of existing road segments and creation of new access routes.

Public involvement will enable the Forest to better assess concerns of the public. Public scoping is not limited to a single point in time. The Forest will continue to accept and consider comments until an implementation decision is made. However, comments will be most helpful if they are received early in the process. Comments will help the Forest identify environmental issues associated with implementation and alternative ways to meet Forest objectives and desired conditions.

Comments will become a part of the public record for this Proposed Action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the Agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental documents.

Electronic comments are encouraged and can be submitted on the Forest Service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63649. Click on “comment” on the right side of the page.

Specific written comments must be submitted to: Mena/Oden District Ranger, Attention: Mena Trails, 1603 Hwy 71 North, Mena, AR, 71953; or via fax to 479-394-2389. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

For additional information, please visit the Trails at Mena Project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63649.

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