[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 247 (Monday, December 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 67530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32453]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Canal Hoya Timber Sale; Stikine Area Tongass National Forest
Petersburg, Alaska; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement
The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Canal Hoya Timber
Sale on the Wrangell Ranger District.
The proposed action would harvest approximately 20 MMBF of timber
on about 1000 acres in both the Canal and Hoya Creek drainages using a
variety of harvest methods that leave various densities of trees in
harvested areas. Two log transfer sites would be constructed, one near
Canal Creek and another east of Hoya Creek. The log transfer sites
could utilize a floating, removable structure. Both helicopter and
cable log yarding systems would be utilized and depend on approximately
12 miles of road to be constructed in both drainages.
The purpose and need for this project is to provide approximately
20 MMBF of timber from suitable timber lands to assist in providing a
continuous wood supply to meet society's needs. Based on Forest Plan
direction, a preliminary analysis suggests that timber could be
harvested in the project area on up to 1000 acres to provide
approximately 20 million board feet using a variety of harvest methods
and silvicultural techniques across the landscape that promote
industrial wood production and minimize the visibility of harvest
units.
The desired landscape condition for this area is a multi-aged,
multi-structured forest landscape which meets some of the requirements
of wildlife and provides for long-term timber production and scenery.
This is consistent with the Tongass Land Management Plan direction for
lands within the project area. Since it is anticipated that a new
revision of the Tongass Land Management Plan will be signed during this
planning process, we will strive to be consistent with the goals and
objectives for the existing plan and the revised plan in the
Environmental Impact Statement for the Canal Hoya timber sale.
A range of alternatives to the proposed action will be considered,
which will respond in various ways to environmental issues. One of
these alternatives will not harvest the area. Other alternatives will
consider various levels of harvest in Hoya Creek, Canal Creek or both,
along with alternative road locations and mitigation measures.
The decision required to be made is: (1) if, where and how much
timber harvest should occur in the Canal Hoya area, and if so, (2)
where should road and log transfer facility development occur to
facilitate harvest and, (3) what mitigation measures and monitoring
will be implemented.
Federal, State, and local agencies, potential contractors, and
other individuals or organizations who may be interested in, or
affected by, the decision are invited to participate in the scoping
process. This process will include:
1. Identification of potential issues.
2. Identification of issues to be analyzed in depth.
3. Determination of potential cooperating agencies and assignment
of responsibility.
4. Examination of various alternatives.
The Forest Supervisor will hold public meetings during the planning
process but these meetings have not been scheduled at this time. There
will be frequent correspondence with individual persons who indicate an
interest in this project by responding to initial scoping letters and/
or the Stikine Area Project Schedule which is published quarterly.
The analysis is expected to take approximately 5 months. The Draft
Environmental Impact Statement should be available for public review by
April of 1997. The Final Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to
be completed by September 1997.
Abigail R. Kimbell, Forest Supervisor, Stikine Area, Tongass
National Forest, is the responsible official.
Written comments, suggestions or questions concerning the analysis
and Environmental Impact Statement should be sent to Scott Posner/John
Stevens, ID Team Leaders, Wrangell Ranger District, Stikine Area,
Tongass National Forest, P.O. Box 51 Wrangell, Alaska, 99929, phone
(907) 874-2323.
Dated: December 9, 1996.
Abigail R. Kimbell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-32453 Filed 12-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
