[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 217 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60526-60527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29588]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings for Issuance of an Incidental
Take Permit to the Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Mendocino County, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior; National Marine Fisheries
Service, NOAA, Commerce; California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection.
ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine
Fisheries Service (collectively ``the Services''), and California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection intend to prepare a joint
National Environmental Policy Act document/Environmental Impact Report
for: (1) Approval of a Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan), and issuance
of an incidental take permit to Georgia-Pacific Corporation, pursuant
to section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(Act), and (2) approval of Georgia-Pacific's Sustained Yield Plan by
the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including
consideration of conservation measures or plans addressing State-listed
species. The Plan will cover forest management activities on Georgia-
Pacific's properties in Mendocino County, California. Georgia-Pacific
intends to request an incidental take permit for the northern spotted
owl (Strix occidentalis caurina), marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus
marmoratus marmoratus), American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus
anatum), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), and possibly other
Federally-listed species. It is anticipated that Georgia-Pacific may
also seek coverage for approximately 40-50 currently unlisted species
of concern under specific provisions of the permit, should these
species be listed in the future.
Public Involvement
This notice is being furnished pursuant to the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural
Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR sections
1501.7 and 1508.22) to obtain suggestions and information from other
agencies and the public on what alternatives should be considered and
what environmental impacts issues should be addressed in preparation of
the National Environmental Policy Act document. To satisfy both Federal
and State environmental policy act requirements, the above Federal and
California agencies are conducting a joint scoping process for the
preparation of environmental documents.
DATES: In order to expedite the planning process, the above agencies
request all scoping comments to this notice be received by December 20,
1997. As an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the scope
of the National Environmental Policy Act document, two public scoping
meetings have been scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 1997, from 2
p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Town Hall, 363 North
Main Street, Fort Bragg, California.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the scope of the National Environmental
Policy Act document should be addressed to Mr. Bruce Halstead, Project
Leader, Coastal California Fish and Wildlife Office, 1125 16th Street,
Room 209, Arcata, California 95521-5582. Written comments may also be
sent by facsimile to (707) 822-8411. Comments received will be
available for public inspection by appointment during normal business
hours (Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at the above
office. All comments received, including names and addresses, will
become part of the administrative record and may be made available to
the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Mr. Ken Hoffman at the above address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Georgia-Pacific Corporation, a forest
products company, owns and manages approximately 192,952 acres of
commercial forest lands in Mendocino County, California, that will be
considered for inclusion in the Plan. Georgia-Pacific's multi-species
Plan is anticipated to include the northern spotted owl, marbled
murrelet, American peregrine falcon, coho salmon, and possibly other
threatened/endangered species as part of their application for the
incidental take permit. In addition, approximately 40-50 unlisted
species of concern (anadromous and resident fish, wildlife, and plants)
are being considered for inclusion in the Plan and provisions under the
permit. The National Environmental Policy Act document will evaluate
various forest management alternatives for the planning area.
Once completed, it is expected that Georgia-Pacific Corporation
will submit the Plan as part of their incidental take permit
application, as required under section 10(a) of the Act. The Services
will evaluate the incidental take permit application, and associated
Plan, in accordance with section 10(a) of the Act, and its implementing
regulations.
Environmental review of the permit application, including the Plan,
will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations. A No Action/
No Project alternative will be considered consistent with the
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the
California Environmental Quality Act.
Georgia-Pacific will also be preparing a Sustained Yield Plan
pursuant to the provisions under Article 6.75 of the
[[Page 60527]]
California Forest Practice Rules, including consideration of
conservation measures or plans addressing State-listed species under
the California Endangered Species Act. It is expected that a section
2090 or 2081 agreement will be issued by the California Department of
Fish and Game under state Fish and Game code for selected State-listed
species that potentially occur on Georgia-Pacific's California
timberlands.
Dated: November 4, 1997.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-29588 Filed 11-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-U
