[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 35519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17260]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: To further the recovery of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos
horribilis), the Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability
of the DEIS for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE).
The DEIS evaluates a proposal to establish an experimental population
rule and reintroduce grizzly bears into the Bitterroot Ecosystem in
east central Idaho and western Montana. The proposed rule to establish
the nonessential experimental population is published elsewhere in this
Federal Register. Four alternatives, including the No Action
Alternative, are discussed in the DEIS.
The BE consists of approximately 44,400 square miles in 10 central
Idaho and four western Montana counties, of which 76 percent is in
Federal surface ownership. A Citizen Management Committee would be
delegated management implementation responsibility for the experimental
population. Reintroduction could result in grizzly bear recovery in the
BE in a minimum of 50 years. A recovered grizzly bear population
(approximately 280 bears) would kill about 6 cattle and 22 sheep and up
to 504 wild ungulates per year. Nuisance bear incidents could average
59 per year. Economic analyses indicate grizzly bear recovery in the BE
would lead to total net economic benefits of $40.4 to $60.6 million per
year.
DATES: Copies of the DEIS will be mailed to interested parties on the
mailing list on July 1, 1997, and the proposed rule to establish the
nonessential experimental population is published elsewhere in this
Federal Register. Those interested persons not on the DEIS mailing list
may request a copy from the project leader at the address below. It is
anticipated that the Environmental Protection Agency will publish a
notice on this DEIS in the Federal Register on July 11, 1997, which
will start a 90-day review period. Public comment on the DEIS is
solicited pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act regulations
(40 CFR 1503.1). All agencies and individuals are urged to provide
comments and suggestions for improving the DEIS and the proposed
experimental population rule. All comments received by October 9, 1997,
will be considered in preparation of the Final EIS and rule.
Public hearings on the DEIS will be scheduled at a later date for
the cities of Boise, Lewiston, and Salmon, Idaho; and Helena, Missoula,
and Hamilton, Montana. The location, dates and times of these hearings
will be announced in the Federal Register at least 15 days prior to the
first hearing, and in local newspapers.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Dr. Christopher
Servheen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Leader, Bitterroot
Grizzly Bear EIS, P.O. Box 5127, Missoula, Montana 59806.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator (see
ADDRESSES above), at telephone (406) 243-4903.
The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: June 25, 1997.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-17260 Filed 6-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
