[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7042]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 25, 1994]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part VII
Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
_______________________________________________________________________
Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous Fish-Producing Watersheds on
Federal Lands in Eastern Oregon, et al.; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
[4310-84]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous Fish-Producing
Watersheds on Federal Lands in Eastern Oregon, et al.
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA; Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of environmental assessment and proposed
finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
announce the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and
proposed finding of no significant impact (FONSI) on a proposal to
establish interim management direction for anadromous fish habitat
protection and restoration on all or part of 15 National Forests in
four Forest Service regions in four States, and seven BLM districts in
four States. For the Forest Service, this includes all or parts of the
following National Forests: Lassen and Los Padres in California (Region
5); Bitterroot, Clearwater, and Nez Perce (Region 1) and Boise,
Challis, Payette, Salmon, and Sawtooth (Region 4) in Idaho; Malheur,
Ochoco, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman in Oregon (Region 6); Okanogan in
Washington (Region 6). For the BLM, this includes all or parts of:
Bakersfield and Ukiah Districts in California; Coeur d'Alene and Salmon
Districts in Idaho; Prineville and Vale Districts in Oregon; and
Spokane District in Washington. Public comments on the EA and proposed
FONSI are invited.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing, postmarked by May 9, 1994.
Send written comments to ``PACFISH EA,'' Forest Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090.
ADDRESSES: The public may obtain copies of the EA and proposed FONSI
from Forest Service regional offices and national forests or the BLM
State offices in the project area, and the Washington, DC offices of
the Forest Service and the BLM. To request a copy by phone call (202)
205-0957.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Deacon Williams (Forest Service)
at (202) 205-1208, or Rick Swanson (Bureau of Land Management) at (202)
452-7770.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) are developing an ecosystem-based management strategy
for Pacific anadromous fish (i.e., salmon, steelhead, and sea-run
cutthroat trout) habitat on lands they administer in eastern Oregon and
Washington, and portions of Idaho and California. This anadromous fish
habitat and watershed conservation strategy (commonly referred to as
``PACFISH'') is being developed to respond to large declines in
anadromous fish populations and widespread degradation of habitat
condition.
The Agencies are considering adopting interim management direction
to halt degradation and to ensure that actions taken during the 18
month period needed to complete geographically-specific environmental
impact statements (EISs) do not have adverse environmental effects that
could limit options for protection and management of anadromous fish
habitat. The EA is intended to guide the Agencies to decide: (1)
Whether to continue current management practices or to institute
interim direction while longer-term management options are evaluated in
the EISs; (2) what management direction should be applied during the
interim period; (3) which watersheds interim direction would apply to;
and (4) which categories of projects and activities might be affected.
The EA describes five interim management alternatives and evaluates
their effects on the physical, biological, and human environment. The
preferred alternative is intended to provide a consistent approach for
halting the degradation of aquatic and riparian ecosystems, and
maintaining and beginning restoration of aquatic and riparian habitat
conditions while the EISs are being completed. The preferred
alternative would apply to proposed activities and to ongoing projects
that are determined on a case-by-case basis to pose an unacceptable
risk to riparian and aquatic ecosystems or at risk stocks. The interim
management direction does not authorize, fund, or carry-out any project
decisions, nor does it compel any changes in the physical environment.
This interim direction includes management measures and standards and
guidelines to be incorporated into separate project decisions while the
Agencies evaluate a longer term strategy for anadromous fish
protection. The analysis shows that the environmental effects of the
interim management direction will be minimal for all alternatives
considered, but adoption of some alternatives would begin important
changes in management of habitat crucial to the survival of the
remaining anadromous fish populations.
For the Forest Service, the interim management direction is
expected to result in non-significant amendments to the forest plans of
the affected forests. The BLM would issue an instructional memorandum
to affected districts. Prior to a decision on the interim management
direction, the Agencies will complete Endangered Species Act (ESA)
consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. Project decisions will be preceded by the
appropriate level of environmental analysis in compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act and other Federal environmental laws.
Modifications of some ongoing projects or activities may be necessary
depending upon the final decision reached regarding the interim
management direction.
To assist the Agencies in considering comments on the proposed
action and the alternatives, comments should be as specific as
possible. It also is helpful if comments refer to specific pages in the
document. It is important that those interested in this proposed action
participate by the close of the comment period so that substantive
comments and objections are made available to the Agencies at a time
when they can meaningfully consider and respond to them. The officials
responsible for making the final decision on the interim management
direction will be the Secretaries or their designees.
Dated: March 17, 1994.
For the Forest Service.
Jack Ward Thomas,
Chief.
Dated: March 18, 1994.
For the Bureau of Land Management.
Mike Dombeck,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 94-7042 Filed 3-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M, 4310-84-M
