[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38177-38178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18013]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Proposed Mann Creek Timber Sale and Other Activities Within the
Mann Creek Subwatersheds, Payette National Forest, Washington County,
ID
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service is proposing the following for the
Mann Creek Subwatersheds: harvest and regeneration of timber; road
decommissioning or obliteration to protect watershed conditions; and
prescribed fire to reduce fuels and enhance plant growth and mountain
quail habitat.
The agency gives notice of the environmental analysis and decision-
making process so that interested and affected people know how they may
participate and contribute to the final decision. The agency invites
written comments and suggestions on the scope of the analysis and the
issues it should address.
DATES: Comments on the scope of the analysis must be received by August
13, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: David Alexander, Forest
Supervisor, Payette National Forest, P.O. Box 1026, McCall, Idaho
83638.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
should be directed to Dautis Pearson, NEPA Coordinator, phone (208)
253-0134; or John Baglien, District Ranger, phone (208) 549-4201.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USDA Forest Service is proposing
projects within the 26,438 acre Mann Creek Subwatersheds. Approximately
6-8 MMBF of timber from about 2,000 acres will be harvested by thinning
and regeneration methods, using tractor, skyline, and helicopter
logging systems. Approximately 800 acres will be regenerated.
This proposal follows direction in the Payette National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan. About 2-4 miles of road construction or
reconstruction are planned. About 10-30 miles of road decommissioning
or obliteration are planned.
Prescribed fire activities would occur on a total of about 4,000
acres of open ponderosa pine stands, dry Douglas-fir stands, aspen
communities, and grass/shrublands to enhance plant growth and
diversity.
Preliminary issues identified are forest health in stringer
habitat, and the economic and resource effects of longer return
intervals into the subwatershed.
Initial scoping began in June, 1999. Preliminary analysis is
currently being conducted. The Forest Service will be seeking
additional information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State,
and local agencies and other individuals or organizations who may
[[Page 38178]]
be interested or affected by the proposed projects. Additional input
will be used to help identify key issues and develop alternatives. This
input will be used in preparation of the draft EIS.
The Forest Service expects to file the draft EIS with the
Environmental Protection Agency and have it available for public review
by August 20, 1999. The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days
from the date 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. First, reviewers of
DEISs must structure their participation in the environmental review of
the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to the
reviewers' positions and contentions. Vermont Yankee Power Corp. v.
NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, courts may waive or dismiss
environmental objections that could be raised at the DEIS stage, but
that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental
impact statement (FEIS). City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022
(9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritagees, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp.
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very
important that those interested in this proposed action participate by
the close of the 45 day comment period so 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 FEIS.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the proposed action, comments should be as specific as
possible. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these
points.
The Responsible Official is David F. Alexander, Forest Supervisor,
Payette National Forest, McCall, ID 83638.
Dated: July 2, 1999.
David F. Alexander,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 99-18013 Filed 7-14-99; 8:45 am]
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