96-30986. Elsmere Canyon Proposed Solid Waste Management Facility; Notice of Withdrawal of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 235 (Thursday, December 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64499-64500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30986]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service


Elsmere Canyon Proposed Solid Waste Management Facility; Notice 
of Withdrawal of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of withdrawal of intent to prepare an environmental 
impact statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Angeles National Forest published a Notice of Intent to 
prepare an environmental impact statement for a non-significant 
amendment to the Angeles National Forest Land and Resources Management 
Plan in Volume 55, No. 173 Thursday, September 6, 1990 and a revised 
Notice of Intent in Volume 59, No. 221, Thursday, November 17, 1994.
    This was in response to a proposal to exchange land for the purpose 
of development of a solid waste management facility in the Elsmere 
Canyon area of the Tujunga Ranger District, Angeles National Forest, 
Los Angeles County, California.
    At the request of the project proponent, the Forest wishes to 
withdraw the Notice of Intent with the following information:

DECISION: The Forest Service was to decide whether or not to exchange 
1643 acres of National Forest land currently within the boundaries of 
the Angeles National Forest for private lands within the boundaries of 
the Angeles National Forest. Other private lands within the boundaries 
of other National Forests within Southern California were also to be 
considered.
    The Forest Service had completed a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement in January, 1995 and issued the Draft Statement for public 
review, Comments were received and revisions were complete. In 
analyzing new information provided by commentors, it was determined 
that the project did not meet the requirements of the Angeles National 
Forest Land and Resources Management Plan.
    Further, Public Law 104-333, the Omnibus Public Lands Bill of 1996, 
Section 812, prohibited the transfer of any lands owned by the United 
States and managed by the Secretary of Agriculture as part of the 
Angeles National Forest for the use of such land as a solid waste 
landfill. As a result of the legislation, the project proponent 
withdrew their application for the land exchange.

Angeles National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan

    The Angeles National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan 
contains standards and guidelines regarding

[[Page 64500]]

consideration of forest lands when presented with proposals for 
landfills. These include criteria which must be met for exchange of 
lands for purposes of a landfill, as well as conditions which would 
exclude a landfill on Forest lands.
    The Forest Service determined that the need for transfer of land 
from the National Forest to the private sector was not established in 
the analysis for the purpose of siting a landfill in Elsmere Canyon. 
This was based on the following:.
     Other potential in-county sites have potential for 
development.
     Existing in-county sites have the potential for expansion.
     Waste diversion has not been developed to its full 
potential.
     Exportation to out-of-county facilities has not been 
developed.
     Exportation to out-of-state facilities has not been 
developed.
    Other factor found not to meet the requirements of the Forest Plan 
was:
     Forest exchange land contained riparian areas, resulting 
in a net overall loss of Riparian land thus not meeting the criteria 
set forth in the Plan.

PL 104-333--Omnibus Public Lands Bill of 1996

    Congress passed PL 104-333 which included Section 812 entitled 
``Prohibition on certain transfer of National Forest Lands''. This Act 
stated that the Secretary shall not transfer any lands owned by the 
United States and managed by the Secretary as part of the Angeles 
National Forest to any person unless the instrument of conveyance 
contains a restriction on the future use of such land prohibiting the 
use of any portion of such land as a solid waste landfill.
    For the above reasons, the Forest Service would not have prepared a 
non-significant amendment to the Angeles National Forest Land and 
Resources Management Plan for the transfer or exchange of any lands 
within the boundaries of the Forest or the private sector for use as a 
solid waste landfill.

    Dated: November 25, 1996.
Michael J. Rogers,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-30986 Filed 12-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M