[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 150 (Friday, August 4, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39927-39928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19228]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Inland Native Fish Strategy
ACTION: Notice of decision on the Inland Native Fish Strategy
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact.
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SUMMARY: In the March 14, 1995, Federal Register (Vol. 60, No. 49, pp.
13697-13698), notice was given that the Forest Service, in cooperation
with the Bureau of Land Management and US Fish and Wildlife Service,
was gathering information in order to prepare an Environmental
Assessment (EA) for a proposal to protect habitat and populations of
native inland fish.
On July 28, 1995, the Regional Foresters for the Northern,
Intermountain, and Pacific Northwest regions of the Forest Service
announced their decision on the Inland Native Fish Strategy. Based on
public comment analysis and internal review, they have decided, with
the support of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to select Alternative
D as described in the Environmental Assessment for the Inland Native
Fish Strategy.
The Inland Native Fish Strategy covers approximately 25 million
acres of National Forest System lands in eastern Washington and Oregon,
Idaho, western Montana, and portions of Nevada. The Environmental
Assessment for the strategy was distributed to the public in June for a
30-day review. A series of public hearings were held to allow ample
opportunity for the public to share their concerns. All comments have
been considered and incorporated into the decision.
This decision notice reflects the final decision of the Forest
Service. The decision may be appealed in accordance with the provisions
identified in the Decision Notice. Copies of the Decision Notice and
Finding of No Significant Impact are currently being printed, and will
be distributed to the public near the end of August. At that time,
legal ads will be published in designated newspapers announcing the
availability of the document and the start of the appeal period.
In addition to the Inland Native Fish Strategy effort, the Forest
Service is pursuing a cooperative effort with the various states to
assure a coordinated multi-agency effort to address inland native fish
issues. A proposal was sent to the Governors of Idaho and Montana on
June 23, 1995 to develop conservation strategies that could be used to
replace this interim management direction with longer term direction
working through the Upper Columbia River Basin EIS. Similar proposals
will be made to the Governors of Oregon and Washington. As part of this
cooperative effort, the Forest Service will actively seek participation
of local state fish and game personnel in the development of watershed
analysis efforts.
Through review of the public comment, the Forest Service recognizes
that the selection of Alternative D will concern many people who felt
this alternative provided either too much or not enough protection.
Both Alternatives C and E have features that are attractive for longer-
term reduction of risk to habitat. The Regional Foresters have directed
Inland Native Fish Strategy Team Leader David Wright to develop a
strategy to apply the concepts and philosophy of those two alternatives
on a limited test basis.
[[Page 39928]]
Alternative D will be implemented for all of the areas outside the test
watersheds. Application of Alternative D will provide the short-term
reduction of risk we desire, while this test of Alternatives C and E
will allow the Forest Service to develop the information needed to
provide better long-term direction.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the Decision Notice, Finding of No Significant Impact,
and Environmental Assessment should be directed to David Wright, Team
Leader for the Inland Native Fish Strategy, USDA Forest Service, 3815
Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. Phone: (208) 765-7223.
Dated: July 28, 1995.
David J. Wright,
Inland Native Fish Team Leader, USDA Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 95-19228 Filed 8-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
