Fremont-Winema National Forests, Chemult and Silver Lake Ranger Districts; Oregon; Antelope Grazing Allotments AMP Analysis, 65923-65924 [2014-26394]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES quantitative results that can be generalized to the population of study. This feedback will provide insights into customer or stakeholder perceptions, experiences and expectations, provide an early warning of issues with service, or focus attention on areas where communication, training or changes in operations might improve delivery of products or services. These collections will allow for ongoing, collaborative and actionable communications between the Agency and its customers and stakeholders. It will also allow feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management. Feedback collected under this generic clearance will provide useful information, but it will not yield data that can be generalized to the overall population. This type of generic clearance for qualitative information will not be used for quantitative information collections that are designed to yield reliably actionable results, such as monitoring trends over time or documenting program performance. Such data uses require more rigorous designs that address: The target population to which generalizations will be made, the sampling frame, the sample design (including stratification and clustering), the precision requirements or power calculations that justify the proposed sample size, the expected response rate, methods for assessing potential nonresponse bias, the protocols for data collection, and any testing procedures that were or will be undertaken prior fielding the study. Depending on the degree of influence the results are likely to have, such collections may still be eligible for submission for other generic mechanisms that are designed to yield quantitative results. The Agency received no comments in response to the 60-day notice published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2014 (79 FR 38850). With this 30-day notice we are correcting an error that occurred in the 60-day notice with the number of burden hours. The burden hours should have been 20,000 instead of 10,000 and the time it takes to complete should have been 1 hour and not 30 minutes as stated in the Federal Register. The Office of the Chief Information Officer—0503–0021 Current Actions: Revision and Extension of Currently Approved Collection. Type of Review: Revision and Extension. Affected Public: Individuals and Households, Businesses and Organizations, State, Local or Tribal Government. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:19 Nov 05, 2014 Jkt 235001 Average Expected Annual Number of Activities: 20. Respondents: 20,000. Annual Responses: 20,000. Frequency of Response: Once per request. Average Minutes per Response: 60. Burden Hours: 20,000. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–26438 Filed 11–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–KR–P 65923 and the final environmental impact statement is expected February 2015. ADDRESSES: Documents related to this project can be viewed at the FremontWinema National Forests Supervisor Office, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, Oregon 97640. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucas Phillips, Forest Range Program Lead, at 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, Oregon 97630; or phone at 541–947– 6251. 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: Project Analysis Background DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Fremont-Winema National Forests, Chemult and Silver Lake Ranger Districts; Oregon; Antelope Grazing Allotments AMP Analysis Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Fremont-Winema National Forest is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis of grazing management within all or portions of three allotments on the FremontWinema National Forests. This project, initially documented with an environmental assessment, has had one scoping period (11/2010) and two comment periods (11/2012 and 04/ 2014). The allotments are the Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotment on the Chemult Ranger District (RD), the Antelope Grazing Allotment on the Silver Lake RD, and a portion of the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat Allotment also on the Chemult RD. The proposed action would reauthorize term grazing permit and a term private land permit to graze cattle for an appropriate season of use (May 15–September 30) within the approximately 169,599 acre project area using an adaptive management strategy, modification of allotment boundaries, and a change in the number of total allotments and pastures. Associated activities would include fence construction, reconstruction, and removal; and spring protection/ development and water infrastructure improvements. SUMMARY: The draft environmental impact statement is expected November 2014 DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Antelope Grazing Allotment Project was first presented to the public in 2010. Analysis of the project area began that year and an environmental assessment was released in 2012. A decision notice, signed February 11, 2013, was withdrawn for administrative reasons. Another environmental assessment was completed and publicized December 21, 2013. After review of comments and objections received, the Forest Supervisor decided the analysis would be better documented in an environmental impact statement than using an environmental assessment. Purpose and Need for Action This project is being analyzed to determine whether or not the Forest Service should reauthorize livestock grazing, and if so, the appropriate level to reauthorize within the Antelope Grazing Allotments project area. There are needs to update Allotment Management Plans to incorporate best available science that applies to the landscape within these allotments; refine allotment management strategies, systems, and boundaries to better distribute livestock and forage utilization across the allotment, consistent with Forest Plan standards; ensure compliance with the Rescission Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–19, Section 504) that requires the Forest Service to establish and adhere to a schedule for completion of NEPA analyses and decisions on all grazing allotments; meet Congressional intent to allow grazing on suitable lands as identified in the Forest Plans and where consistent with other multiple use goals and objectives; and, contribute to the economic and social well-being of the area by providing opportunities for economic diversity and promoting E:\FR\FM\06NON1.SGM 06NON1 65924 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 2014 / Notices stability for communities dependent on range resources. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Proposed Action The Proposed Action was developed to provide grazing opportunities that meet multiple use objectives while reducing the impacts to important botanical and wildlife resource. One herd, a total of 494 cow/calf pairs per month, which includes the 75 cow/calf pair being grazed on private lands, would be authorized to graze from May 20 to October 15. Grazing would be allowed in some fenced riparian areas, additional acreage identified in the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat Allotment, and grazing of the private parcels along Jack Creek known as Upper Jamison, and Lower Jamison under a term private land grazing permit. This would facilitate coordinated management of Oregon spotted frog habitat across ownerships. The North Sheep Pasture would be added to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The grazing system in the Chemult pasture would be a deferred rotation system made possible by allowing use of additional acreage in some of the existing fenced riparian areas and the North Sheep Pasture. Possible Alternatives In addition to the proposed action, the project interdisciplinary team will analyze the effects of: No Action Alternative (Alternative 1): No livestock grazing would be authorized within the existing Allotments nor would coordinated management of grazing on private lands within the Antelope Allotments occur. Continuance or establishment of grazing on all private lands within the Antelope Allotments, including lands within Oregon spotted frog habitat, would be at stockings, rate, timings, and utilizations of the private landowners’ choosing. Cattle would be removed from all allotments within two years. Current Management Alternative (Alternative 2): Permits would be reauthorized as have been over the last three to five years; two herds at 419 cow/calf pair per month with permitted grazing from May 15 to September 30. The Antelope and Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotments would remain two separate administrative allotments and retain their existing boundaries. Approximately 3.6 miles of fence would be constructed to reinforce the Chemult Pasture boundary at the northeast corner. Alternative 4: This alternative was developed to provide grazing opportunities while addressing concerns relating to the protection of important botanical and wildlife VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:19 Nov 05, 2014 Jkt 235001 resources in the Chemult RD. The Chemult portion of the allotments would be administratively closed to grazing, grazing would not expand into the North Sheep Pasture, and fencing would be constructed along active allotment boundaries. New exclosure/ protection fences would be constructed around sensitive springs and fens on the Silver Lake side of the allotments. Grazing would be permitted for one herd at 419 cow/calf pair per month from May 20 to July 30 without using the Chemult RD portion of the allotments. Alternative 5: This incorporates concepts that may result in better success in allotment management and livestock needs. A two herd grazing system on the Chemult District would be used with a deferred rotation pattern involving three of the pastures. Two of these pastures would have a one-year rest during the three-year cycle. The North Sheep Pasture would be added to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The two-herd system would incorporate the 75 cow/calf pair currently grazed on the private lands withing Jack Creek as part of a term/private permit. Private inholdings along Jack Creek would be brought under allotment management throught a term private permit to enable coordinated management of Oregon spotted frog habitat across ownerships. New exclosure/protection fences would be constructed around sensitive springs and fens. The Rock Springs area would not be included in the Tobin Cabin Allotment. The season of use in the Antelope 3 and 4 holding pastures would be extended to October 15 to facilitate movement of livestock off the Allotments at the end of the grazing season. Responsible Official The responsible official will be Forest Supervisor, Fremont-Winema National Forests, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630 Nature of Decision To Be Made Given the purpose of and need for the proposal, the deciding official will review the proposed action, the other alternatives, and the environmental consequences to make the following decisions: • Whether or not to authorize livestock grazing on the identified allotments and if so, the appropriate level and grazing system to use. • If an action alternative is selected, that it is consistent with the Fremont and Winema Land and Resource Management Plans, as amended. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Preliminary Issues Preliminary issues identified include: • Grazing within meadows and riparian areas, including fens • Grazing within occupied and potential habitat for Oregon spotted frog • Proposed grazing strategies including animal unit months, rotations, and number of herds • Overutilization, underutilization, and uneven distribution of utilization of forage that may be addressed by inclusion of acquired lands, fenced meadows, and adjacent unused grazing lands as part of the grazing strategy • Proposed fencing strategies including construction, reconstruction, and fences to maintain or remove • Expansion of the allotment boundaries, specifically at Cannon Well and the addition of the North Sheep Pasture. Dated: October 28, 2014. Constance Cummins, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2014–26394 Filed 11–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Institute of Food and Agriculture Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Establish a New Information Collection National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) intent to establish a new information collection of Letters of Intent (LOIs). DATES: Submit comments on or before January 5, 2015. ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice and requests for copies of the information collection may be submitted by any of the following methods to Robert Martin, Records Officer, Information Policy, Planning and Training Mail: NIFA/USDA; Mail Stop 2216; 1400 Independence Avenue SW.; Washington, DC 20250–2216; Hand Delivery/Courier: 800 9th Street SW., Waterfront Centre, Room 4206, Washington, DC 20024; or Email: rmartin@nifa.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Martin, Records Officer, Information Policy, Planning and SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06NON1.SGM 06NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65923-65924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26394]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Fremont-Winema National Forests, Chemult and Silver Lake Ranger 
Districts; Oregon; Antelope Grazing Allotments AMP Analysis

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fremont-Winema National Forest is preparing an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis of 
grazing management within all or portions of three allotments on the 
Fremont-Winema National Forests. This project, initially documented 
with an environmental assessment, has had one scoping period (11/2010) 
and two comment periods (11/2012 and 04/2014). The allotments are the 
Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotment on the Chemult Ranger District (RD), 
the Antelope Grazing Allotment on the Silver Lake RD, and a portion of 
the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat Allotment also on the Chemult RD. The 
proposed action would reauthorize term grazing permit and a term 
private land permit to graze cattle for an appropriate season of use 
(May 15-September 30) within the approximately 169,599 acre project 
area using an adaptive management strategy, modification of allotment 
boundaries, and a change in the number of total allotments and 
pastures. Associated activities would include fence construction, 
reconstruction, and removal; and spring protection/development and 
water infrastructure improvements.

DATES: The draft environmental impact statement is expected November 
2014 and the final environmental impact statement is expected February 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Documents related to this project can be viewed at the 
Fremont-Winema National Forests Supervisor Office, 1301 South G Street, 
Lakeview, Oregon 97640.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucas Phillips, Forest Range Program 
Lead, at 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, Oregon 97630; or phone at 541-
947-6251.
    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:

Project Analysis Background

    The Antelope Grazing Allotment Project was first presented to the 
public in 2010. Analysis of the project area began that year and an 
environmental assessment was released in 2012. A decision notice, 
signed February 11, 2013, was withdrawn for administrative reasons. 
Another environmental assessment was completed and publicized December 
21, 2013. After review of comments and objections received, the Forest 
Supervisor decided the analysis would be better documented in an 
environmental impact statement than using an environmental assessment.

Purpose and Need for Action

    This project is being analyzed to determine whether or not the 
Forest Service should reauthorize livestock grazing, and if so, the 
appropriate level to reauthorize within the Antelope Grazing Allotments 
project area. There are needs to update Allotment Management Plans to 
incorporate best available science that applies to the landscape within 
these allotments; refine allotment management strategies, systems, and 
boundaries to better distribute livestock and forage utilization across 
the allotment, consistent with Forest Plan standards; ensure compliance 
with the Rescission Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-19, Section 504) that 
requires the Forest Service to establish and adhere to a schedule for 
completion of NEPA analyses and decisions on all grazing allotments; 
meet Congressional intent to allow grazing on suitable lands as 
identified in the Forest Plans and where consistent with other multiple 
use goals and objectives; and, contribute to the economic and social 
well-being of the area by providing opportunities for economic 
diversity and promoting

[[Page 65924]]

stability for communities dependent on range resources.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action was developed to provide grazing opportunities 
that meet multiple use objectives while reducing the impacts to 
important botanical and wildlife resource. One herd, a total of 494 
cow/calf pairs per month, which includes the 75 cow/calf pair being 
grazed on private lands, would be authorized to graze from May 20 to 
October 15. Grazing would be allowed in some fenced riparian areas, 
additional acreage identified in the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat 
Allotment, and grazing of the private parcels along Jack Creek known as 
Upper Jamison, and Lower Jamison under a term private land grazing 
permit. This would facilitate coordinated management of Oregon spotted 
frog habitat across ownerships. The North Sheep Pasture would be added 
to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The grazing system in the Chemult 
pasture would be a deferred rotation system made possible by allowing 
use of additional acreage in some of the existing fenced riparian areas 
and the North Sheep Pasture.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, the project interdisciplinary 
team will analyze the effects of:
    No Action Alternative (Alternative 1): No livestock grazing would 
be authorized within the existing Allotments nor would coordinated 
management of grazing on private lands within the Antelope Allotments 
occur. Continuance or establishment of grazing on all private lands 
within the Antelope Allotments, including lands within Oregon spotted 
frog habitat, would be at stockings, rate, timings, and utilizations of 
the private landowners' choosing. Cattle would be removed from all 
allotments within two years.
    Current Management Alternative (Alternative 2): Permits would be 
reauthorized as have been over the last three to five years; two herds 
at 419 cow/calf pair per month with permitted grazing from May 15 to 
September 30. The Antelope and Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotments would 
remain two separate administrative allotments and retain their existing 
boundaries. Approximately 3.6 miles of fence would be constructed to 
reinforce the Chemult Pasture boundary at the northeast corner.
    Alternative 4: This alternative was developed to provide grazing 
opportunities while addressing concerns relating to the protection of 
important botanical and wildlife resources in the Chemult RD. The 
Chemult portion of the allotments would be administratively closed to 
grazing, grazing would not expand into the North Sheep Pasture, and 
fencing would be constructed along active allotment boundaries. New 
exclosure/protection fences would be constructed around sensitive 
springs and fens on the Silver Lake side of the allotments. Grazing 
would be permitted for one herd at 419 cow/calf pair per month from May 
20 to July 30 without using the Chemult RD portion of the allotments.
    Alternative 5: This incorporates concepts that may result in better 
success in allotment management and livestock needs. A two herd grazing 
system on the Chemult District would be used with a deferred rotation 
pattern involving three of the pastures. Two of these pastures would 
have a one-year rest during the three-year cycle. The North Sheep 
Pasture would be added to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The two-herd 
system would incorporate the 75 cow/calf pair currently grazed on the 
private lands withing Jack Creek as part of a term/private permit. 
Private inholdings along Jack Creek would be brought under allotment 
management throught a term private permit to enable coordinated 
management of Oregon spotted frog habitat across ownerships. New 
exclosure/protection fences would be constructed around sensitive 
springs and fens. The Rock Springs area would not be included in the 
Tobin Cabin Allotment. The season of use in the Antelope 3 and 4 
holding pastures would be extended to October 15 to facilitate movement 
of livestock off the Allotments at the end of the grazing season.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official will be Forest Supervisor, Fremont-Winema 
National Forests, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose of and need for the proposal, the deciding 
official will review the proposed action, the other alternatives, and 
the environmental consequences to make the following decisions:
     Whether or not to authorize livestock grazing on the 
identified allotments and if so, the appropriate level and grazing 
system to use.
     If an action alternative is selected, that it is 
consistent with the Fremont and Winema Land and Resource Management 
Plans, as amended.

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues identified include:
     Grazing within meadows and riparian areas, including fens
     Grazing within occupied and potential habitat for Oregon 
spotted frog
     Proposed grazing strategies including animal unit months, 
rotations, and number of herds
     Overutilization, underutilization, and uneven distribution 
of utilization of forage that may be addressed by inclusion of acquired 
lands, fenced meadows, and adjacent unused grazing lands as part of the 
grazing strategy
     Proposed fencing strategies including construction, 
reconstruction, and fences to maintain or remove
     Expansion of the allotment boundaries, specifically at 
Cannon Well and the addition of the North Sheep Pasture.

    Dated: October 28, 2014.
Constance Cummins,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-26394 Filed 11-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.