[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28236]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Comprehensive Management
Plan Amendment, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Baker and Wallowa
Countries in Oregon and Adams, Idaho, and Nez Perce Counties in Idaho
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the USDA, Forest Service will
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to amend the Land and
Resource Management Plan to incorporate new and modified management
direction in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA)
Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). The EIS will tier to the Wallowa-
Whitman Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) & Final EIS for
the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The HCNRA CMP is incorporated into
the Forest Plan.
The need for action is based on: Forest Service monitoring and
evaluation reports indicating a need for change in programmatic
direction to ensure resource protection pursuant to the HCNRA Act;
alignment of programmatic direction with new private and public land
use regulations (36 CFR part 292); revised Forest Service directives;
changed social values; and agency emphasis on ecosystem sustainability.
The purpose of the action is to amend existing programmatic
direction within the Forest Plan and CMP to align management goals,
objectives, standards and guidelines, management area direction, and
monitoring and evaluation with the intent of the Act establishing the
Hells Canyon NRA (Pub. L. 94-199).
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest invites written comments and
suggestions on the scope of the analysis in addition to comments
already received as a result of local and regional public participation
activities (meetings, newsletters, surveys) in the past.
The agency also gives notice of the full environmental analysis and
decision-making 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.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope and implementation of this
proposal must be received by December 16, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments and suggestions concerning this
proposal to Kurt Wiedenmann, Planning Team Leader, Wallowa-Whitman
National Forest, P.O. Box 907, Baker City, Oregon 97814.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct questions about the proposed action and EIS to Kurt Wiedenmann,
Planning Team Leader, telephone (503)-523-1296.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest proposes
to amend the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) to
modify management direction for the Hells Canyon National Recreation
Area (HCNRA) and affirm continuation of other existing management
direction. The planning process will be guided by the National
Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) with implementation scheduled for
January 1, 1996.
This modified or affirmed management direction will provide
programmatic management direction for the next 10 to 15 years. The
changes will reflect the intent of the Hells Canyon National Recreation
Area Act (HCNRA Act) (Pub. L. 94-199), public and private land use
regulations (LUR) (36 CFR part 292), Forest Service directives,
changing social values, agency emphasis on ecosystem sustainability,
new information and research findings, and results from the monitoring
and evaluation process.
The Eastside Ecosystem Management Project, (EEMP) headquartered in
Walla Walla, Washington, is expected to produce management direction on
a large landscape scale based upon ecosystem management concepts. The
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest expects to coordinate with the EEMP
project managers to ensure that those concepts are brought forward for
analysis in this NEPA process.
The scope of the proposed action focuses on only those specific
items identified for needing change through the monitoring and
evaluation process. Reviewers are encouraged to review the CMP
Monitoring and Evaluating Report (on file at the Forest Supervisors
Headquarters) for a complete understanding of the existing CMP
management direction that is affirmed or proposed for change or
deletion.
The proposed action recognizes the resolution of issues through
recent NEPA decisions for the Wild and Scenic Snake River Recreation
Management Plan, Imnaha Wild and Scenic River Management Plan, Noxious
Weed Management, Prescribed Natural Fire Program, and Outfitting and
Guiding for Cougar and Bear that provide improved management direction
for the HCNRA. The issues surrounding these previous decision will not
be considered in this EIS unless specifically addressed in the proposed
action or the scoping or analysis process identifies new issues not
resolved in those previous NEPA analyses.
The proposed action would integrate management direction for the
HCNRA within the framework of Forest Plan decisions and would
establish:
Management Goals
Goals are a concise statement that describe a desired condition to
be achieved sometime in the future (36 CFR 219.3). Goal statements form
the principal basis from which objectives are developed. Goal
statements are intended to implement and perpetuate the intent of the
HCNRA Act and LUR.
Management Objectives
HCNRA management objectives would be established to describe the
incremental progress that is expected to be made over a ten-year period
toward the management goals/desired conditions listed above. These
objectives would provide a basis to estimate quantities of services and
accomplished acres that are expected during the Forest and Rangeland
Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) ten-year planning periods (36
CFR 219.11 (b)) to achieve the desired conditions.
Standards and Guidelines
Standards and guidelines (S&Gs) are principles that specify desired
conditions or levels of environmental quality that facilitate the
achievement of management goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and
LUR.
Specific management goals, management objectives, and standards and
guidelines are presented as follows in relationship to the objectives
set forth in Section 7 of the HCNRA Act:
HCNRA Act Section 7. * * * the Secretary shall administer the
recreation area in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations
applicable to the national forests for public outdoor recreation in a
manner compatible with the objectives set forth in Section 7 of the
HCNRA Act.
Recreation
Goals
Manage for a broad range of high-quality recreation settings and
opportunities in a manner compatible with the primary objectives set
forth in the HCNRA Act.
Manage outdoor recreation to ensure that recreational and
ecological values and public enjoyment of the area are enhanced and
compatible with the objectives of the HCNRA Act.
Provide for a broad range of education and resource interpretation
opportunities for visitors to learn about HCNRA resources, protection,
and management.
Objectives
Develop a recreation-related capital investment project schedule
which includes campground rehabilitation, and compliance with health
and safety requirements and the American with Disabilities Act.
Standards and Guidelines
Modify S&Gs to refine recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS)
classifications that emphasize maintaining the level of available
recreation opportunities and focus on more refined standards for:
--Motorized/non-motorized use,
--Limits of acceptable change for recreational capacities within the
HCNRA,
--And administrative and recreation facilities development and
maintenance, including site furniture, information boards, and
interpretation.
Develop S&Gs that establish a minimum and maximum number of special
use permits for outfitting and guiding (including, but not limited to:
aviation, horsepacking, backpacking, auto tours, hunting, and fishing),
within the HCNRA that are compatible with the limits of acceptable
change listed under Recreation and the primary objectives of the HCNRA
Act.
Develop S&Gs to evaluate new recreation activities to ensure
compatibility with the primary objectives of the HCNRA Act.
Access and Facilities
Goals
Manage the transportation system (roads, trails, airstrips, and
waterways) to meet the primary objectives for which the HCNRA was
established and to provide a wide range of experiences.
Manage the transportation system to provide safe and efficient
access for the movement of people and materials involved in the use and
protection of the HCNRA. Right-of-way acquisition will continue to be
actively pursued.
Provide and manage facilities that permit access to a variety of
HCNRA settings, opportunities, and experiences, regardless of visitor's
physical abilities.
Manage recreation facilities so they are in compliance with health
and safety regulations and meet regional ROS standards.
Manage water developments and water rights in compliance with
applicable laws to meet resource objectives of the HCNRA.
Objectives
Develop a right-of-way acquisition plan.
Develop a road-related capital investment schedule.
Develop a trail-related capital investment needs.
Develop a water use/water rights plan.
Develop a facilities capital investment schedule.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop S&Gs that emphasize maintaining the level of available
access/transportation opportunities, including over-snow travel, and
provide for the long-term management of the transportation system
(roads, trails, air-strips, airspace, and waterways) to meet management
goals and objectives.
Develop S&Gs that implement the LURs prohibiting motorized and
mechanical equipment from using designated roads, trails and airstrips.
Modify S&Gs to establish construction and maintenance standards for
the transportation system.
Develop S&Gs for selection, placement, and management of electronic
transmission sites.
HCNRA Act Section 7(1) the maintenance and protection of the free-
flowing nature of the rivers within the recreation area.
Wild and Scenic Rivers
Goals
Manage wild and scenic rivers within the HCNRA in a manner
compatible with protecting and enhancing the values for which the river
was designated.
Manage use of motorized and mechanical equipment to be compatible
with the outstandingly remarkable values of each river designated
recreation, scenic, and wild.
Manage use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft on the Wild
and Scenic Snake River in a manner compatible with the protection and
enhancement of the river's outstanding remarkable values.
Perpetuate forested stands within wild and scenic rivers in
``scenic'' and ``recreational'' designations to protect and enhance the
river's outstandingly remarkable values and compatibility with the
primary objectives of the HCNRA Act. Forested areas within ``wild''
designations would only be treated to provide for recreational
facilities, such as trails, to reduce the risk of hazard trees, or to
provide for the desired ecosystem function as a result of natural
events provided the activity is consistent with the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act.
Manage recreation and administrative facilities in a manner
compatible with protecting and enhancing the values for which the river
was designated.
Objectives
No proposed changes.
Standards and Guidelines
No proposed changes.
HCNRA Act Section 7(2) conservation of scenic, wilderness,
cultural, scientific, and other values contributing to the public
benefit.
Scenery
Goals
Manage the scenery resources for which the HCNRA was created to
ensure their conservation and preservation.
Objectives
Develop a scenery management plan.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop S&Gs for sight sensory objectives and acceptable management
techniques based on the new scenery management system (Agriculture
Handbook 701).
Wilderness
Goals
Preserve the Hells Canyon Wilderness for the use and enjoyment of
the American people in such a manner as will leave it unimpaired for
future use and enjoyment as a wilderness, and so as to provide for its
protection and preservation of its natural conditions and unique
character.
Manage those historic sites that typify the economic and social
history of the region and the American West for preservation and/or
restoration.
Objectives
Development a wilderness management plan.
Standards and Guidelines
Reference proposed changes under Management Area Direction.
Heritage Resources
Goals
Manage heritage resources on the HCNRA for their protection from
damage or destruction. Manager heritage resources for scientific
research, public education, and enjoyment to the extent consistent with
protection.
Consult with the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho to ensure tribal concerns
are addressed and treaty rights are protected.
Objectives
Establish management direction for the various categories of
heritage resources, i.e. pre-historic and historic.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop S&Gs to establish heritage resource limits of acceptable
change for facilities development and management.
Develop S&Gs to establish limits of acceptable change for
recreational impacts, defining when impacting activity must be
mitigated and/or be curtailed.
Scientific
Goals
Provide research opportunities designed to optimize the discovery
of useful information for management and for the advancement of
scientific knowledge.
Manage research natural areas (RNA) to preserve the significant
natural ecosystems for comparison with those influenced by man; for
provision of ecological and environmental studies; and preservation of
gene pools for threatened and endangered plants and animals.
Objectives
Develop a schedule for research natural area establishment reports.
Standards and Guidelines
Refine existing S&Gs for scientific research to meet HCNRA-wide
management goals and objectives.
HCRNA Act Section 7 (3) preservation, especially in the area
generally known as Hells Canyon, of all features and peculiarities
believed to be biologically unique including, but not limited to rare
and endemic plant species, rare combinations of aquatic, terrestrial,
and atmospheric habitats, and the rare combinations of outstanding and
diverse ecosystems and parts of ecosystems associated therewith.
On a landscape scale ensure the sustainability of ecosystem
function. Manage the HCNRA ecosystem to ensure that: (1) Living
organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment
are well represented: (2) population viability is maintained; (3)
ecosystem processes are sustained; and (4) the system displays
resilience to short and long term disturbance effects.
Vegetation
Goals
Manage forest and rangeland vegetation to maintain viable and
healthy ecosystems that: Ensure the protection and enhancement of fish
and wildlife habitats; conservation of scenic, wilderness, and
scientific values; preservation of biologically unique habitats and
rare combinations of outstanding ecosystems; protection and enhancement
of a wild and scenic river's outstandingly remarkable values; and
compatible public outdoor recreation.
Provide for restoration of ecosystem function in a manner
compatible with the primary objectives of the HCNRA Act.
Manage insects and diseases to function in a natural healthy
ecosystem. Maintain insect and disease levels within a range of
historic variability, consistent with the Section 7 objectives of the
HCNRA Act.
Objectives
Identify vegetation patterns, fish and wildlife habitat and
function outside the natural range of variability.
Develop vegetation restoration/improvement needs.
Develop an allotment management planning schedule.
Adjust allotment boundaries in corporating vacant allotments.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop S&Gs that define vegetation desired conditions (rangeland
and forested) and appropriate vegetation management techniques for the
use of forested stand manipulation by commercial or non-commercial
practices, grazing (domestic and big game), and fire (prescribed fire
and prescribed natural fire) to maintain a viable and healthy
ecosystem.
Develop S&Gs to protect the integrity of the natural processes and
function inherent in old-growth associated stands and other unique
habitat areas.
Develop S&Gs to ensure vegetation management proposals would be
designed to maintain components of late-successional conditions (i.e.,
snags, downed large woody material, large trees, canopy gaps, multiple
tree layers, and diverse species composition). Silvicultural tools
available to achieve these desired conditions include: prescribed fire
and selection timber harvest methods. Stand density management options
would be limited to the application of uneven-aged management
principles (single tree and group selection), sanitation, intermediate
and salvage prescriptions.
Develop S&Gs for vegetation management proposals designed to
improve the health and vigor of sapling to pole-sized stands, to
eliminate the ``regimented spacing'' concerns and ensure compatibility
with the primary objectives of the HGNRA Act.
Develop S&Gs for vegetation management proposals to ensure
consistency with PACFISH interim strategies for managing anadromous
fisheries (anticipated to be finalized during this planning process)
and the Wallowa County Salmon Recovery Plan.
Develop S&Gs that establish an acceptable range of variability for
insects and diseases to ensure sustainability of ecosystem process,
function, and health.
Refine S&Gs to define compatibility for the biological and social
thresholds of domestic livestock and wild ungulate grazing.
Develop S&Gs that allow for adjustment of domestic grazing
allotment boundaries to incorporate and/or delete current vacant
allotments.
Develop S&Gs for managing plant resources of cultural significance
to the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho within the overall objectives of
ecosystem management.
Biologically Unique Habitat
Goals
Within the HCNRA lands ensure the preservation of rare and endemic
plant species, rare combinations of aquatic, terrestrial, and
atmospheric habitats, and the rare combinations of outstanding and
diverse ecosystems and parts of ecosystems. Protect and manage habitat
for the perpetuation and recovery of plants which are listed as
threatened or endangered, and prevent sensitive species from reaching a
point where they will become listed.
Objectives
Develop an action plan for threatened, endangered, and sensitive
plant species.
Develop an action plan to identify biologically unique species and
habitat.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop S&Gs to provide for the identification and protection of
biologically unique species and habitat.
Develop and/or refine S&Gs for threatened and endangered species to
meet recovery plan objectives and assist in recovering classified
species to a point where they can be delisted.
Develop S&Gs for sensitive, rare and endemic species to meet
conservation agreement goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and/or
prevent sensitive species from reaching a point where they will become
listed.
Soil
Goals
Manage soil resources in a manner compatible with the conservation,
preservation, and protection of those values for which the HCNRA was
established.
Objectives
No proposed changes.
Standards and Guidelines
Modify S&Gs to establish allowable detrimental soil disturbance
(now at 20%) and distribution for recreation and vegetation management
activities to ensure accordance with HCNRA goals and objectives.
Develop S&Gs for the long-term management of down woody material to
meet soil productivity objectives.
Air
Goals
Preserve the atmospheric habitats in a manner compatible with the
preservation of rare combinations of outstanding and diverse ecosystems
and parts of ecosystems associated within the HCNRA. Manage the Hells
Canyon Wilderness Class I airshed to meet the requirements of the Clean
Air Act.
Objectives
No proposed changes.
Standards and Guidelines
Establish as S&Gs, limits of acceptable change for the following
Hells Canyon Wilderness air quality related values (AQRV): scenery,
water quality, fauna, flora, and heritage resources.
Fire
Goals
Within the Hells Canyon Wilderness, as nearly as possible, ensure
that fire plays its natural role. In other parts of the HCNRA, manage
natural and prescribed fire to emulate historic function of fire, where
compatible with the Section 7 objectives of the HCNRA Act. Provide
basic protection to human life and property.
Objectives
Develop a fire-related improvement project schedule.
Standards and Guidelines
Modify S&Gs to implement the prescribed natural fire program across
the entire HCNRA in a manner compatible with the objectives of the
HCNRA Act.
HCNRA Act Section 7 (4) protection and maintenance of fish and
wildlife habitat.
Fish Habitat
Goals
Protect and maintain watersheds to be dynamic, resilient, and
consistent with local climate, geology, land-forming processes, and
potential natural vegetation. To ensure quality fish habitat, maintain
excellent water quality and physical attributes which are complex, well
distributed, and similar to those in healthy, unimpacted watershed
ecosystems. Manage subwatersheds as interconnecting units, providing a
diverse network of riparian and aquatic habitats throughout the overall
watershed.
Protect and manage fish habitat for the perpetuation and recovery
of fish which are listed as threatened, endangered, or sensitive.
Manage aquatic and riparian habitats so that fisheries may naturally
produce at levels reflecting the potential productive capability.
Objectives
Develop fisheries habitat restoration/improvement needs.
Develop an action plan for threatened, endangered, and sensitive
fish species.
Standards and Guidelines
Modify S&Gs to provide higher levels of protection to reflect new
management emphasis/direction, and to ensure consistency with the
interim management direction establishing riparian, ecosystem, and
wildlife standards for timber sales (Regional Forester's Forest Plan
Amendment 1), and PACFISH Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous
Fisheries (anticipated to be finalized during this planning process).
Develop and/or modify S&Gs for threatened and endangered species
and their habitat to meet additional direction for listed anadromous
species that may be a part of PACFISH and/or to meet recovery plan
objectives and assist in recovering classified species to a point where
they can be delisted.
Develop S&Gs for sensitive, rare, and endemic species to meet
conservation agreement goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and/or to
prevent sensitive species from reaching a point where they will become
listed.
Wildlife Habitat
Goals
Ensure the protection and maintenance of wildlife habitat in a
manner compatible with the other primary objectives for which the HCNRA
was established.
Provide habitat for viable and functioning populations of all
existing native and desired non-native vertebrate wildlife species and
invertebrate organisms to maintain or enhance the overall quality of
wildlife habitat.
Protect and manage wildlife habitat for the perpetuation and
recovery of animals and invertebrates which are listed as threatened,
endangered, or sensitive.
Objectives
Develop wildlife habitat restoration/improvement needs.
Develop an action plan for threatened, endangered, and sensitive
wildlife species.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop and/or modify S&Gs that provide refined management
direction to incorporate new information and research concerning late
and old forest structure, snag habitat, and the species associated with
that habitat.
Modify S&Gs to reflect new management emphasis/direction to
incorporate ecosystem management concepts and to allow for functioning
levels of wildlife and other living organisms.
Develop and/or refine S&Gs for threatened and endangered species
and their habitat to meet recovery plan objectives and assist in
recovering classified species to a point where they can be delisted.
Develop S&Gs for sensitive, rare, and endemic species to meet
conservation agreement goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and/or to
prevent sensitive species from reaching a point where they will become
listed.
HCNRA Act Section 7 (5) protection of archeological and
paleontologic sites and interpretation of these sites for the public
benefit and knowledge insofar as it is compatible with protection.
Heritage Resources/Pre-Historic Sites
Goals
Provide for the protection of the pre-historic sites from damage or
destruction. Manage pre-historic sites for scientific research, public
interpretation, education, and enjoyment to the extent consistent with
protection.
Objectives
Reference Heritage Resources in this section.
Standards and Guidelines
Reference Heritage Resources in this section.
Geologic
Goals
Provide for the protection of paleontological and unique geologic
resources from damage or destruction. Manage paleontological resources
for scientific research to the extent consistent with protection.
Provide for interpretation and education of unique geologic events.
Objectives
Develop a paleontological/geologic management plan that stresses
protection of those sites with greatest sensitivity and scientific
value.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop S&Gs for scientific research consistent with their
protection.
Develop S&Gs for the management and interpretation that ensure the
protection of paleontological and unique geologic resources.
HCNRA Act Section 7 (6) preservation and restoration of historic
sites associated with and typifying the economic and social history of
the region and the American West.
Heritage Resources/Historic-Sites
Goals
Evaluate historic sites for preservation and restoration that
typify the economic and social history of the region and the American
West. Preserve and restore selected sites which typify the economic and
social history of the region and the American West.
Objectives
Reference Heritage Resources in this section.
Standards and Guidelines
Reference Heritage Resources in this section.
HCNRA Act Section 7 (7) such management, utilization, and disposal
of natural resources on federally owned lands, including, but not
limited to, timber harvesting by selective cutting, mining, and grazing
and the continuation of such existing uses and developments as are
compatible with the provisions of the Act.
Minerals
Goals
Prohibit all mining activities with the exception of valid existing
mineral rights as of December 31, 1975. Mining and its associated
activities of valid existing mineral rights will emphasize meeting the
objectives for which the HCNRA was established.
Manage common mineral materials for the sole purpose of
construction and maintenance of facilities, emphasizing common mineral
material sources outside of the HCNRA.
Objectives
No proposed changes.
Standards and Guidelines
Develop S&Gs for the use of common variety mineral materials in the
construction and maintenance of facilities, pursuant to the LURs.
Develop S&Gs for site reclamation upon termination of the
extraction of common variety mineral materials.
Landownership
Goals
Manage landownership patterns to best meet the objectives for which
the HCNRA was established and by implementing the standards established
for the use and development of private lands within the HCNRA.
Coordinate with affected county governments in the implementation
of private LURs.
Objectives
Modify the land and scenic easement acquisition plan.
Standards and Guidelines
There would be no changes in S&Gs for landownership. Implementation
would be based on the land and scenic easement acquisition plan
addressed in Objectives.
Management Area Direction
Management area descriptions provide the multiple-use direction for
managing specific areas to facilitate achieving management goals and
objectives. Each existing management area would be described in terms
of (1) a description which defines specific managment area goals,
objectives and resources priorities, and (2) direction.
The following are proposed changes to management areas within the
HCNRA:
Management Area 4--Wilderness
Develop S&Gs that establish specific management requirements for
the Hells Canyon Wilderness, pursuant to Forest Service Manual 2320.
Modify S&Gs for interface areas between the Hells Canyon Wilderness
and the Wild and Scenic Snake River.
Modify S&Gs for management and maintenance of administrative
facilities and range improvements.
Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization
standards to ensure achievement of the wilderness goals and objectives.
Management Area 7--Wild and Scenic Rivers
Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization
standards to ensure the protection and enhancement of the outstandingly
remarkable values for which the river was designated.
Modify vegetation S&Gs to reflect the scenic and recreational
portions of these management areas would no longer be a component of
the Forest allowable timber sale quantity.
Management Area 8--Wild and Scenic Snake River
No proposed changes to recreational based activities. Management
direction would follow the record of decision and recreation management
plan, issued in November 1994.
Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization
standards to ensure the proection and enhancement of the outstandingly
remarkable values for which the river was designated.
Management Area 9--Dispersed Recreation/Native Vegetation
Modify the title of this management area to ``Dispersed Recreation/
Primitive/Semi-Primitive.''
Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization
standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.
Modify access S&Gs for over-snow travel to ensure achievement of
the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.
Management Area 10--Dispersed Recreation/Forage
Modify the title and management area description to reflect the
changes embodied in the public LURs. The title of this management area
would be changed to ``Dispensed Recreation/Semi-Primitive.''
Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization
standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.
Modify access S&Gs to establish road densities to ensure
achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.
Management Area 11--Dispersed Recreation/Timber Management
Modify the title and management area description to reflect the
changes embodied in the public LURs. The title of this management area
would be changed to ``Dispersed Recreation/Roaded Natural-Roaded.''
Modify the management area description to reflect the intent of the
public LURs.
Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization
standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.
Modify access S&Gs to establish road densities to ensure
achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.
Management Area 12--Research Natural Areas
Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization
standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.
Develop S&Gs for scientific research consistent with the objectives
for these areas.
Management Area 16--Administrative and Recreation Site Retention
Identify sites for allocation to administrative and recreation site
retention compatible primary objectives of the HCNRA Act and compatible
with management area objectives.
Develop S&Gs for management, development, and maintenance of
administrative and recreation sites, including ROS classes.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The monitoring and evaluation program for the HCNRA would be
refined to be compatible with the above changes in management direction
to ensure that the goals and objectives for the HCNRA are achieved;
assess the effectiveness of achieving desired conditions and results;
ensure quality consistency and cost effectiveness of monitoring data
and information in order to support maintenance of changes in
management direction; and maintain viable Forest Plans.
The existing Forest Plan Monitoring and Implementation Plan and CMP
Monitoring Plan would serve as the foundation in which to develop a
refined monitoring plan that would best monitor the implemented
management plan. The format for each monitoring element, whether it is
implementation, effectiveness, or validation monitoring would address
the following:
--Monitoring Goal
--Purpose of Monitoring
--Unit of Measure
--Threshold of Variability
--Frequency of Monitoring
--Costs
--Responsibilities
This EIS will tier to the Final EIS and Forest Plan. The CMP is
incorporated into the Forest Plan. The CMP provides the programmatic
management direction for the HCNRA. The Forest Plan provides goals and
objectives, standards and guidelines, management area direction, and
monitoring and evaluation for the various lands on the Forest and
HCNRA. Both the Forest Plan and CMP provide programmatic management
direction for site-specific management practices that will be utilized
during the implementation of the Forest Plan and CMP.
The HCNRA consists of an estimated 652,488 acres. The HCNRA is
comprised of the following management areas: wilderness, wild and
scenic rivers, dispersed recreation/native vegetation, forage,
dispersed recreation/timber management, research natural areas, and
developed recreation and administrative facilities.
The analysis will consider a range of alternatives, including no-
action.
Public participation will be especially important at several points
during the analysis, beginning with the scoping process (40 CFR
1501.7). The Forest Service will be seeking information, comments, and
assistance from Federal, State, local agencies and other individuals,
organizations, or governments who may be interested in or affected by
the proposed project. This input will be used in preparation of the
draft EIS. The scoping process includes:
1. Identifying potential issues.
2. Identifying major issues to be analyzed in depth.
3. Identifying issues which have been covered by a relevant
previous environmental analysis.
4. Exploring additional alternatives based on themes which will be
derived from issues recognized during scoping activities.
5. Identifying potential environmental effects of this project and
alternatives (i.e., direct, indirect, and cumulative effects and
connected actions).
6. Determining potential cooperating agencies and task assignments.
7. Notifying interested publics of opportunities to participate
through meetings, personal contacts, or written comment. Keeping the
public informed through the media and/or written material (i.e.,
newsletters, correspondence, etc.).
The draft EIS will be filed with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and is expected to be available for public review by
April, 1995. The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from
the date the EPA publishes the notice of availability in the Federal
Register. The final EIS is expected to be available for public review
by September, 1995.
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 environmental impact statements 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 have been raised at the draft stage may be waived or dismissed by
the court if not raised until after completion of the final EIS. City
of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d. 1016, 1022 (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 that those
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 30-
day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully be
considered and responded to in the final EIS.
To be most helpful, comments on the draft EIS should be as specific
as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or the merit
of the alternatives discussed. 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.
Public workshops are scheduled in Boise and Grangeville, Idaho and
Enterprise and Portland, Oregon on November 28 through December 1.
Please contact Kurt Wiedenmann, Planning Team Leader, at (503) 523-1296
for additional information.
The final EIS is scheduled to be completed by September, 1995. In
the final EIS, the Forest Service is required to respond to comments
and responses received during the comment period that pertain to the
environmental consequences discussed in the draft EIS and applicable
laws, regulations, and policies considered in making the decision
regarding the proposal. R.M. Richmond, Forest Supervisor, is the
Responsible Official. As the Responsible Official, he will decide
whether to implement the proposal or a different alternative. The
Responsible Official will document the decision and reasons for the
decision in the Record of Decision. That decision will be subject to
Forest Service Appeal Regulations (36 CFR part 217).
Dated: November 7, 1994.
R.M. Richmond,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-28236 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
