[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24866]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 11, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Opportunity to Comment on Development of Long-Term Strategy for
Management of Anadromous Fish-Producing Watersheds in California
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; opportunity for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service (FS) (lead agency) and the USDI Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) (cooperating agency) will develop and
implement a long-term strategy for management of anadromous fish-
producing watersheds in California. The objective of the strategy is to
maintain and restore ecological functions and processes that create
good habitat for Pacific salmon and steelhead trout. The area to be
addressed includes portions of Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creek
watersheds managed by the Lassen National Forest; portions of nine
watersheds managed by the Los Padres National Forest; portions of the
Redding Resource Area, Ukiah District, of the BLM; and portions of the
Carmel River Watershed in the Hollister Resource Area, Bakersfield
District, of the BLM. Areas managed by the FS and BLM already
implementing direction from the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific
Northwest are not included because long-term management direction for
anadromous fish-producing watersheds is already provided. The
Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Six Rivers National Forests and
other areas managed by the FS and BLM within the range of the northern
spotted owl are therefore excluded. The geographic area to be addressed
is that covered by PACFISH interim management direction for anadromous
fish-producing watersheds in California. (PACFISH refers to the
proposed interim management strategy analyzed in the Environmental
Assessment for the Implementation of Interim Strategies for Managing
Anadromous Fish-producing Watersheds in Eastern Oregon and Washington,
Idaho, and portions of California (PACFISH EA)).
Preliminary review indicates that implementation of FS land and
resource management plans and BLM resource management plans for the
affected areas already provides protection of anadromous fish habitat.
However, the adequacy of those plans and consistency among plans and
between the FS and BLM is being reviewed in light of information
developed for the PACFISH EA. The analysis conducted for the PACFISH EA
indicates that implementation of PACFISH will have minor environmental
effects in California because of the relatively small size,
discontiguous, and geographically dispersed ownership pattern of the
affected FS and BLM administered lands, and because of the protection
already afforded by the implementation of existing management plans.
The PACFISH interim management strategy is intended to arrest
degradation of riparian and aquatic habitat and initiate ecosystem
recovery across four western States while long term strategies are
prepared. In addition to the relatively small area in California, the
interim strategy also covers an extensive area of FS and BLM
administered lands in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Long-term
strategies for the management of anadromous fish-producing watersheds
will be developed for those areas within the context of the Eastside
Ecosystem Management Project and the Upper Columbia River Basin
Project.
For the development of a long-term management strategy in
California, this comment process will be used by the FS and BLM to help
determine whether existing management plans (with or without the
addition of PACFISH interim direction) adequately protect anadromous
fish habitat; what, if any, additional issues need to be addressed; the
appropriate level of National Environmental Policy Act analysis for the
development of such a strategy; and the level of interagency
coordination necessary to insure a consistent approach to management on
FS and BLM administered lands in California.
DATES: Comments concerning the analysis should be received in writing
by January 9, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Katherine Clement, Director, Land
Management Planning, 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94111.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katherine Clement, Director, Land Management Planning, (415) 705-1834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pacific salmon and steelhead trout occur
naturally from southern California northward to the Arctic Ocean. These
fish populations comprise a large number of stocks, or populations that
originate from specific watersheds during specific times of year as
juveniles, migrate to the ocean, and generally return to reproduce in
their natal watersheds. Of the more than 400 stocks from California,
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington recently evaluated in a report published
by the American Fisheries Society, 106 were found to be extinct, 214
were considered to be at ``moderate'' or ``high'' risk of extinction or
of ``special concern,'' and about 120 were considered ``secure.''.
The analysis conducted for the PACFISH EA indicates that
implementation of the interim management will have minor environmental
effects in California because of the relatively small size,
discontinuous, and geographically dispersed ownership pattern of the
affected BLM and FS administered lands, and because of the protection
already afforded by the implementation of existing management plans.
Details follow.
Lassen National Forest--Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creek Watersheds
The existing Lassen National Forest Plan includes direction for
protection and improvement of anadromous fish habitat. Three anadromous
fish-producing watersheds exist on the Forest: Mill, Deer, and Antelope
Creeks. Along most of their lengths, these creeks are managed as
proposed Wild and Scenic Rivers under the existing forest plan Outside
the Wild and Scenic River corridors established by the plan, watershed
disturbance is limited by other standards and guidelines established by
the plan. All lands in and adjacent to lakes, streams, ephemeral and
perennial wetlands, bogs, seeps, and pothole lakes are assigned the
riparian/fish prescription. Activities within riparian zones are
limited to those that enhance riparian objectives. Final widths of
reiparian zones are set following site-specific evaluation. The forest
plans directs preparation of detailed anadromous fish and Wild and
Scenic River management plans following site-specific analyses. Other
prescriptions that limit watershed disturbance include primitive
recreation, late-successional, research natural area, and existing and
proposed Wilderness.
In addition, the Lassen National Forest Plan will be amended by the
California Spotted Owl EIS that is under preparation for the ten
national forests in the Sierran province. Alternatives considered in
that EIS include enhanced riparian standards and guidelines, with
special provisions for the anadromous fish-producing watersheds on the
Lassen. The standards and guidelines are based on the Aquatic
Conservation Strategy in the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific
Northwest, and on the proposed PACFISH interim management direction. A
decision on this EIS is expected in 1995. The alternative selected may
further limit disturbance in anadromous fish-producing watersheds.
Los Padres National Forest--Mine Coastal Watershed Areas
The existing Los Padres National Forest Plan includes direction for
protection and improvement of anadromous fish habitat. The forest has
developed a Riparian Conservation Strategy to aid in implementation of
the forest plan direction. Standards and guidelines for watershed
protection and programs for in-stream habitat improvements and
prescribed fire for chaparral management are included in the plan.
Wildfires in chaparral and riparian woodlands are identified in the
plan as having the greatest effect on anadromous fish habitat.
Scheduled timber harvest is not permitted under the plan (the allowable
sale quantity is zero).
BLM--Redding and Hollister Resources Areas
In California, BLM manages two areas with anadromous fish-producing
watersheds outside the area implementing the President's Forest Plan
for the Pacific Northwest. BLM has reviewed the current resource
management plans (RMPs) for the Redding Resource Area, Ukiah District,
and the Hollister Resource Area, Bakersfield District, and has
determined that PACFIAH interim management direction is in conformance
with the existing plans.
The Redding Resource Area includes about 24 miles in scattered
parcels along the Upper Sacramento River and tributaries, including
Battle, Clear, Deer, and Paynes Creeks. The enhancement of anadromous
fisheries is identified as an objective in the Redding RMP.
The Hollister Resource Area includes a parcel of approximately 1300
acres of upland area within an andromous fish-producing watershed in
the upper Carmel River drainage. The Hollister RMP identifies watershed
enhancement as a major land use objective.
Elements of the PACFISH interim management, including interim
Riparian Management Objectives and Riparian Habitat Conservation Area
widths, may need to be refined for long-term management, in light of
specific conditions in California.
Written comments from the public on this analysis should be
submitted as indicated at the beginning of this notice. Comments would
be most useful if sent by the date specified and if they address
clearly the proposed action: development and implementation of a long-
term strategy for the management of anadromous fish-producing
watersheds on FS and BLM administered lands in California, outside
areas implementing the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific
Northwest. Alternatives that may be considered include continuation of
existing management direction for the affected national forests and BLM
resource areas; integration of PACFISH interim management with features
of existing plans that provide equal or greater long-term protection of
anadromous fish habitat; and application of the Aquatic Conservation
Strategy from the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific Northwest in
all anadromous fish-producing watersheds of the Lassen National Forest
and Redding Resource Area. The analysis of public comments and review
of existing management plans could reaffirm the adequacy of existing
plan direction, or it could lead to amendment of those plans,
documented with one or more environmental analyses. If more than one
analysis is conducted, they may be structured by unit, by agency, or by
geography. For example, two joint FS/BLM analyses might be conducted--
one for portions of the Lassen National Forest and Redding Resources
Area, and another for portions of the Los Padres National Forest and
Hollister Resource Area. A decision on the nature, scope, and structure
of the analysis necessary for long-term management is expected by April
1995.
The responsible official for the FS is G. Lynn Sprague, Regional
Forester, 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94111, The responsible
official for the BLM is ED Hastey, State Director, 2800 Cottage Way,
Sacramento, CA 95825.
Dated: September 15, 1994.
G. Lynn Sprague,
Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 94-24866 Filed 10-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
