New Mexico Wild has submitted technical comments on the Santa Fe National Forest’s Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for the Encino Vista Landscape Restoration Project. While we support the project’s goals of improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk, we have concerns about potential impacts on Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) within the project area.
Our primary concern revolves around the adequacy of the Draft EA’s analysis and proposed design features to mitigate potential adverse effects on IRAs. Specifically, the proposed project activities may not sufficiently protect the IRAs’ “intactness” and “high scenic integrity,” characteristics crucial to their roadless designation.
Despite supporting the Santa Fe National Forest’s science-based approach to restoration, we urge them to strengthen measures that protect the roadless character of IRAs. We recommend incorporating additional design features and mitigation strategies to ensure minimal project impact on these sensitive areas. New Mexico Wild urges the Santa Fe National Forest to address these concerns and enhance the Draft EA accordingly.
