[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27270-27271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12537]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Coconino National Forest, Arizona; Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for Pocket/Baker Ecosystem
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
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SUMMARY: The Long Valley Ranger District of the Coconino National
Forest is planning to prepare an environmental impact statement on a
proposal to manage lands within the Pocket/Baker Ecosystem. Some of the
projects to be considered include thinning the understory in ponderosa
pine stands to reduce the high levels of dwarf mistletoe infection;
prescribing controlled fire for the reduction of forest fuels, nutrient
cycling, and stimulation of fire dependent grasses and forbes;
reconfiguring the grazing patterns of cattle to improve the range
vegetation and the watershed condition; thinning of trees along state
highways 87 and 260 to feature the more prominent large trees and for
the reduction of shade that causes ice hazards on the roadway; reducing
the use and/or improving the dispersed recreation sites for sustainable
future use; reversing the declining health and vigor of remnant quaking
aspen stands; restoring and protecting historic drainage structures;
and closing and/or rehabilitating roads located within stream courses
or their associated filter strips.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: The District Ranger, Bruce C. Greco, will be the
responsible official and will select one of the alternatives presented
in the environmental impact statement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Greco, Long Valley District
Ranger or John Gerritsma, Planning Team Leader at (602) 354-2216.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Analysis work began on the Pocket portion of
the Pocket/Baker 20K in 1991. In 1993 the scope of the project was
broadened to include the Baker portion to create a more logical
ecosystem for analysis. The interdisciplinary planning team followed a
formal NEPA evaluation process with active, detailed scoping and
involvement for a wide range of interests. Because of the complexity
and diversity of this ecosystem, and the potential significance of
several resource issues, we are evaluating completion of the analysis
through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The issues include:
(1) Sustaining vegetative conditions for threatened, endangered,
and sensitive species (TE&S). Many of the ponderosa pine sites are
heavily infected with Southwestern dwarf mistletoe, a parasitic disease
common throughout the Forest. Current tree densities needed for the
Mexican spotted owl (MSO) cannot be sustained due to mortality induced
by dwarf mistletoe. Harvesting trees now to reduce dwarf mistletoe
infection will decrease tree crown densities, modify MSO habitat, and
result in adverse effects to the proposed critical habitat of the MSO.
The consequences of no treatment is also declining canopy closures as
trees die, that after 30-60 years will result in the same impacts as
reducing dwarf mistletoe now. In addition, delaying these treatments
now will increase the costs (in dollars and environmental impacts) and
reduce future options for maintaining desired conditions.
(2) Absence of fire in the ecosystem. Past aggressive fire
suppression, limited prescribed burning, and incomplete treatment of
forest litter has resulted in heavy forest fuels along the Mogollan
Rim. Potentially catastrophic fire could occur in this area given the
proximity to the communities of Pine and Strawberry, fuel loading,
prevailing winds, topography, and heavy public recreation use.
(3) Treatment of small diameter ponderosa pine trees. Dense
ponderosa pine sites are at a higher risk of catastrophic events such
as fire and disease than less dense sites. Also, without natural or
management thinning actions, trees on these sites will not grow into
the desired mature yellow pines within a reasonable amount of time.
(4) Demand for recreation opportunities on the Mogollon Rim. The
expressed need for an increased variety and amount of yearlong
recreational activities is increasing faster than the ecosystem can
handle. This situation is evident by the increasing number of people
trying to play in the snow along Highway 87 each winter, almost
continuous summer camping and vehicle use within meadows and the more
popular camping areas, and increasing firewood cutting (both legal and
illegal).
(5) Decline of aspen in the ecosystem. Aspen is declining in this
ecosystem for several reasons. Lack of fire is retarding aspen
sprouting and increasing competition from both grasses and other tree
species. Also, the large elk populations seek out young aspen shoots,
thereby limiting reproduction success. Options to reverse the declining
presence of aspen are limited by environmental and social concerns.
Preparing an EIS will allow us to fully evaluate the significance
of the environmental effects of these resource components and issues.
Scoping for comments and field trips were previously accomplished prior
to this analysis becoming an EIS. However, comments on the issues and
suggestions for additional issues are welcome in response to the draft
environmental impact statement which will follow this Notice of Intent,
shortly. The Interdisciplinary Team will reconvene to consider new
comments.
The draft environmental impact statement can be expected in June
1995. A forty-five-day comment period pursuant to 36 CFR 219.10(b) will
be provided for the public to make comments on the draft environmental
impact statement. A record of decision will be prepared and filed with
the final environmental impact statement. A forty-five-day appeal
period pursuant to 36 CFR 217.8(a) will be applicable.
The forty-five day comment period on the draft environmental impact
statement will begin when the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice
of Availability appears in the Federal Register.
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. To be most helpful,
comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as
specific as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or
the merits of the alternatives discussed (see Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3).
In addition, Federal court decisions have established that
reviewers of draft [[Page 27271]] 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). Environmental objections that could
have been raised at the draft stage may be waived if not raised until
after completion of the final environmental impact statement. City of
Angoon v. Hodel, (9th Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v.
Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). The reason for this
is to ensure that substantive comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully
consider them and respond to them in the final.
Dated: May 15, 1995.
Bruce C. Greco,
District Ranger, Long Valley Ranger District, Coconino National Forest.
[FR Doc. 95-12537 Filed 5-22-95; 8:45 am]
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