[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 200-201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-039]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Whiskey Campo Resource Management Project, Boise National Forest,
Elmore County, ID
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Mountain Home Ranger District of the Boise National Forest
will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a resource
management project in the Whiskey Campo project area, located
approximately 5 miles west of Featherville, Idaho, in the middle to
upper elevation of the Trinity Creek watershed. The project area
encompasses about 12,870 acres of National Forest System land.
Approximately 5,550 acres of the project area are located within the
Whiskey Jack Inventoried Roadless Area (RARE No. 02009) and about 900
acres of the project area are located within the Rainbow Inventoried
Roadless Area (RARE No. 02008). Access is via Forest Development Road
(FDR) 172. The project area is located about 130 road miles east of
Boise, Idaho.
The agency invites written comments and suggestions on the scope of
the analysis. The agency also hereby gives notice of the environmental
analysis and decisionmaking process that will occur on the proposal so
that interested and affected people are aware of how they may
participate and contribute to the final decision.
Proposed Action
Timber Stand Management Activities--Approximately 2,000 acres of
forested land would be commercially thinned and underburned with low
severity prescribed fire. Some salvage harvest of large diameter,
beetle-infested Douglas-fir would occur in these stands. On
approximately 5,000 acres of forested land, bark beetle infested and
severely dwarf mistletoe infected trees would be salvage harvested.
Helicopter yarding would be done on approximately 6,000 acres.
Skyline yarding would be done on approximately 200 acres. A combination
of tractor and offroad jammer (excavator) yarding would be done on
approximately 800 acres.
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Approximately 2 miles of road would be constructed to access timber
stands proposed for treatment. The newly constructed roads would be
closed to all motorized use and revegetated following the project. Two
helicopter landings would be constructed and revegetated. Six existing
helicopter landings would be used and revegetated.
Aspen Stand Rejuvenation--On approximately 400 acres of aspen
stands dispersed throughout the project area, prescribed fire and/or
harvest of invading conifer trees would be used to rejuvenate decadent
stands or maintain vigorous, young stands. These activities would
promote regeneration of aspen suckers and saplings and prevent
conversion to conifer stands.
Elk Habitat Improvement--Approximately 7 miles of the roads in the
Spring Creek drainage would be obliterated and/or closed to all
motorized vehicles with earthen barricades. Such closures would bring
the elk habitat effectiveness of the Spring Creek drainage into
compliance with the Forest Plan.
Fish Habitat Improvements--Five existing culverts currently posing
a barrier to upstream fish passage would be replaced with bottomless
culverts or other suitable structures to allow fish passage upstream.
Bottomless culverts provide for slower water velocity and more pools,
which facilitate upstream fish passage.
Approximately 13.7 miles of FDR 172 would be graveled. Graveling of
the road surface would help retain the fine sediment particles on the
road surface.
Travel Safety Modifications to FDR 172--Approximately 25 ``blind''
curves and narrow road sections would be modified to improve sight
distance and provide sufficient safe passing opportunities.
Preliminary Issues
The potential development of the Whiskey Jack and Rainbow
Inventoried Roadless Areas is an anticipated concern. Under the
Proposed Action, approximately 1.9 miles of road construction, 150
acres of ground-based yarding methods, and 1,750 of helicopter yarding
would occur in the Whiskey Jack IRA. Approximately 250 acres of
helicopter yarding would occur in the Rainbow IRA.
The effects of road construction and timber stand management
activities on wildlife and fisheries are also anticipated concerns.
Trinity Creek is designated a high priority watershed (Forest Plan--
Inland Native Fish Strategy) because of its potential bull trout
habitat. Habitat for some threatened, endangered or sensitive species
exists in the project area. Proposed activities have the potential to
have both beneficial and adverse effects to wildlife and fisheries
habitat.
Possible Alternative to the Proposed Action
One alternative to the Proposed Action has been identified. It is
the No Action Alternative. Other alternatives may be developed as
issues are raised and information is received
Decisions To Be Made
The Boise National Forest Supervisor will decide whether or not to
implement the project. If the project is to be implemented, the Forest
Supervisor will decide which activities to include in the project, when
the project should occur, and what mitigation and monitoring is needed
to ensure the project is environmentally acceptable.
Schedule
Draft EIS, May 1998. Final, July 1998.
Public Involvement
Scoping is being initiated with this notice, a legal notice in the
Idaho Statesman, and a letter to individuals, groups, organizations,
and agencies who have expressed an interest in this type of project.
Comments received from these public involvement efforts will be
incorporated into the analysis process.
Comments
Written comments concerning the proposed project and analysis are
encouraged and should be postmarked within 30 days following
publication of this announcement in the Federal Register. Comments
received in response to this notice will be released in their entirety
if requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Mail comments
to Frank Marsh, Mountain Home Ranger District, 2180 American Legion
Boulevard, Mountain Home, ID 83647; telephone 208-587-7961 or 208-373-
4310. Further information can be obtained at the same location.
The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice availability
in the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of
draft EIS must structure their participation in the environmental
review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to
the reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power
Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections
that could be raised at the draft EIS stage but that are not raised
until after completion of the final EIS may be waived or dismissed by
the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1002 (9th Cir.,
1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338
(E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important
for those interested in this Proposed Action participate by the close
of the 45-day comment period so substantive comments and objections are
made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully
consider them and respond to them in the final EIS.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the Proposed Action, comments on the draft EIS should
be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to
specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also
address the adequacy of the draft EIS or the merits of the alternatives
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Comments received on the
draft EIS will be released in their entirety if requested pursuant to
the Freedom of Information Act.
Responsible Official
David D. Rittenhouse, Forest Supervisor, Boise National Forest,
1249 South Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, ID 83709.
Dated: December 22, 1997.
David D. Rittenhouse,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-039 Filed 1-2-98; 8:45 am]
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