“Habitat improvement was one of the activities identified in the original 1999 Record of Decision and it appears that the work we’ve been doing over the years is paying off for the deer,” said Villalvazo. “The analysis found that the deer populations were well distributed and forging habitat for the deer herd was improving,” The FSEIS also stated that the absence of livestock grazing in the summer range and in fawning areas since 1999 is also expected to improve habitat quality. “I decided to keep the seasonal closure in the southern portion of the Rock Creek Area that is in the critical winter deer range,” said Villalvazo. “We will keep the closure in effect until significant new information or changed circumstances provide a compelling reason to change the decision and the rationale necessary to develop a proposed revision.” The decision can be implemented five days after the close of a 45 day appeal period which begins on October 23, 2006. Copies of the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement and the Record of Decision are available at the Eldorado National Forest Supervisors Office located at 100 Forni Road; Placerville, CA 95667 and by calling 520-622-5061. The USDA Forest Service has the primary responsibility for managing habitat on Eldorado National Forest lands and the California Department of Fish and Game has the responsibility for managing the herds.