2018-00045. Idaho and Southwestern Montana (Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Boise, Caribou-Targhee, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests and Curlew National Grassland); Nevada (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest); Utah (Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-...

AGENCY:

Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice to Extend the Public Scoping Period for the Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Amendments to Land Management Plans for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation

SUMMARY:

The Forest Service is issuing this notice to advise the public of a 14-day extension to the public scoping period on the notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the amendments to land management plans for greater sage-grouse conservation.

DATES:

Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by January 19, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Send written comments to Sage-grouse Amendment Comment, USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Federal Building, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. Comments may also be sent via email to, [e-mail], or via facsimile to 801-625-5277.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Shivik at 801-625-5667 or email [e-mail]. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The original notice of intent for public comment on the greater sage-grouse plan amendments was published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2017 (82 FR 55346). The original notice of intent provided a 45 day comment period, which may be insufficient for comment preparation from all interested parties. As such, the comment period for the original notice is being extended by 14 days.

If the Forest Service amends land management plans, we hereby give notice that substantive requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) likely to be directly related, and therefore applicable, to the amendments are in sections 219.8(b) (social and economic sustainability), 219.9 (diversity of plant and animal communities), and 219.10(a)(1) (integrated resource management).

The public is encouraged to help identify any issues, management questions, or concerns that should be addressed in plan amendment(s) or policy or administrative action. The Forest Service will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management direction that is best suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns. The Forest Service will use an interdisciplinary approach as it considers the variety of resource issues and concerns.

Dated: December 29, 2017.

Chris French,

Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.