[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53639-53640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26709]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Routt Divide Blowdown Analysis; Medicine Bow-Routt National
Forest, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt County, CO
September 28, 1998.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Medicine
Bow-Routt National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) to assess and disclose the environmental effects the
Upper Elk River Access--Supplement to the North Fork Salvage Decision
of a portion of the Routt Divide Blowdown outside the Mount Zirkel
Wilderness Area on the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District.
The purpose of this action is to implement the North Fork Salvage
Analysis decision in a manner that meets the Land and Resource
Management Plan for the Routt National Forest, minimizes environmental
effects and is cost effective. The action proposed by the Forest
Service is to gain permanent access to the Upper Elk River for forest
management and recreational purposes and for private landowner access.
Preliminary issues identified concerning this proposal are: (1)
Effects relating to building a bridge over the North Fork of the Elk
River. (2) Maintaining scenic river character. (3) Status of Diamond
Park Road (FDR 431) if a bridge should be built over the North Fork of
the Elk Rier. (4) Cost of implementing the decision to rebuild Diamond
Park Road (FDR 431). (5) Effects of reconstructing Diamond Park Road
(FDR 431).
DATES: Public Scoping will begin with a mailing to people who expressed
an interest in the North Fork Salvage Analysis, land owners within the
Forest Service boundaries adjacent to the analysis area, and State,
County, and local officials.
On October 7th and 19th, 1998 Forest Service specialists will host
open houses for the public to discuss the South Fork Analysis at the
Steamboat Springs, Colorado Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Dr. from
2:00 pm until 6:00 pm.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be completed
by December, 1998, After a 45 day comment period, a Final Environmental
Impact Statement will be prepared for South Fork Analysis.
ADDRESSES: Public meetings on South Fork Analysis are scheduled for:
October 15, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the Steamboat Springs USDA Forest Service
Office;
October 21, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the Saratoga, Wyoming USDA Forest Service
Office;
October 27, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the Clark, Colorado Moon Hill School
House;
October 28, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the USDA Forest Service Office in Walden,
Colorado.
Responsible Official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine
Bow--
[[Page 53640]]
Routt National Forest, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Cadenhead, Interdisciplinary Team
Leader, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest, 925 Weiss Dr., Steamboat
Springs CO 80487, (970) 870-2220.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The analysis area location is approximately
24 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in portions of the
following sections:
T9N,R83W; Sections 3-5, 8-10. T9N,R84W; Sections 1,2,11
T10N,R83W; Sections 17, 20, 21, 27-29, 32-34
T10N,R84W; sections 1-4, 10-15, 22-27, 34-36. T11N,R84W; Sections
33-36
As set forth in law, the mission of the Forest Service is to
achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple use
management concept. This concept is to meet the diverse needs of
people. It includes advocating a conservation ethic in promoting the
health, productivity, diversity and beauty of forests. It also includes
public input and responding to diverse needs in resource decisions.
Another part of our job is to help communities and states wisely use
the forests to promote rural economic development and a quality rural
environment. Also included in the mission is developing and providing
scientific and technical knowledge aimed at improving our capability to
protect, manage, and use forests and rangelands.
Jerry E. Schmidt,
Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest.
[FR Doc. 98-26709 Filed 10-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
