Eldorado National Forest; California; Eldorado National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation Environmental Impact Statement, 11629-11631 [2015-04459]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11629-11631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-04459]


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 11629]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Eldorado National Forest; California; Eldorado National Forest 
Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture will 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to 
designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on National Forest System roads, 
National Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System 
lands within the Eldorado National Forest; and to identify snow trails 
for grooming within the Eldorado National Forest. In addition, the 
Forest Service proposes to:
    1. Formally adopt California State Parks' Off-Highway Motor Vehicle 
Recreation (OHMVR) Division snow depth standards for grooming to occur;
    2. Implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use that 
would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource 
protection by allowing off-trail, cross-country OSV use in designated 
Areas when there is a minimum of 12 inches of continuous and 
supportable snow covering the landscape;
    3. Allow OSV use on designated National Forest System snow trails 
when there is a minimum of 6 inches of snow, regardless of the 
underlying surface; and
    4. Prohibit OSV use in selected Areas and on non-motorized trails.
    This proposal would be implemented on all of the Eldorado National 
Forest.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by April 3, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
in February 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected in October 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Micki D. Smith, on behalf of 
Laurence Crabtree, Forest Supervisor, Eldorado National Forest, 100 
Forni Road Placerville, CA 95667. Comments may also be sent via 
facsimile to 530-621-5297. Comments may also be submitted on the 
Eldorado National Forest OSV Designation Web page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46034.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TTY) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 
TTY, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Micki D. Smith, Amador Resource and 
Recreation Staff Officer, USDA Forest Service, Eldorado National 
Forest, 100 Forni Road, Placerville, CA 95667; phone: 209-295-5960; 
mdsmith@fs.fed.us.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following summarizes how the Forest 
Service currently manages OSV use on the approximately 606,260-acre 
Eldorado National Forest:
    1. Approximately 56 miles of National Forest System OSV trails 
exist on the Eldorado National Forest; all of which are groomed for OSV 
use;
    2. Approximately 159 miles of National Forest System trails are 
closed to OSV use, but accessible from Areas otherwise open to off-
trail, cross-country OSV use;
    3. Approximately 452,140 acres of National Forest System land are 
open to off-trail, cross-country OSV use; and
    4. Approximately 154,120 acres of National Forest System land are 
closed to OSV use.
    Travel Management Rule Subpart C: The Forest Service issued a final 
rule governing OSV management (Subpart C of the Travel Management Rule, 
36 CFR part 212) in the Federal Register on January 18, 2015, and this 
rule went into effect on February 27, 2015 (80 FR 4500, Jan. 28, 2015). 
Subpart C of the Travel Management Rule states,
    ``Over-snow vehicle use on National Forest System roads, on 
National Forest System trails, and in areas on National Forest System 
lands shall be designated by the Responsible Official on administrative 
units or Ranger Districts, or parts of administrative units or Ranger 
Districts, of the National Forest System where snowfall is adequate for 
that use to occur, and, if appropriate, shall be designated by class of 
vehicle and time of year, provided that the following uses are exempted 
from these decisions:
    1. Limited administrative use by the Forest Service;
    2. Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle 
for emergency purposes;
    3. Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for 
national defense purposes;
    4. Law enforcement response to violations of law, including 
pursuit; and
    5. Over-snow vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a 
written authorization issued under Federal law or regulations'' (36 CFR 
212.81(a)).
    The designations resulting from this analysis would only apply to 
the use of OSVs. An OSV is defined in the Forest Service's Travel 
Management Rule as ``a motor vehicle that is designed for use over snow 
and that runs on a track or tracks and/or a ski or skis, while in use 
over snow'' (36 CFR 212.1). OSV use designations made as a result of 
the analysis in this environmental impact statement would conform to 
Subpart C of the Travel Management Rule. OSV use that is inconsistent 
with the OSV use designations made under this decision would be 
prohibited under 36 CFR 261.14.
    These designations would not affect valid existing rights held by 
federally recognized tribes, counties, or private individuals, 
including treaty rights, other statutory rights, or private rights-of-
way.
    Snow Trail Grooming Program: For over 30 years, the Forest Service, 
Pacific Southwest Region, in cooperation with the California Department 
of Parks and Recreation (California State Parks) Off-highway Motor 
Vehicle Division has enhanced winter recreation, and more specifically, 
snowmobiling recreation by maintaining National Forest System trails 
(snow trails) by grooming snow for snowmobile use. Most groomed snow 
trails are co-located on underlying National Forest System roads and 
trails. Some grooming occurs on county roads and closed snow-covered 
highways, and some routes are designated cross-country over snow. 
Grooming activities are funded by the state off-highway vehicle trust 
fund.
    In 2013, the Forest Service entered into a Settlement Agreement 
with

[[Page 11630]]

Snowlands Network et al., to ``complete appropriate NEPA [National 
Environmental Policy Act] analysis(es) to identify snow trails for 
grooming'' on the Eldorado National Forest and four other national 
forests in California. The Forest Service will comply with the terms of 
the Settlement Agreement for the Eldorado National Forest by completing 
this analysis. Other requirements of the Settlement Agreement are 
listed in the ``Need for Analysis'' section, below.

Purpose and Need for Action

    One purpose of this project is to effectively manage OSV use on the 
Eldorado National Forest to provide access, ensure that OSV use occurs 
when there is adequate snow, promote the safety of all users, enhance 
public enjoyment, minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources, 
and minimize conflicts among the various uses.
    There is a need to provide a manageable, designated OSV system of 
trails and Areas within the Eldorado National Forest, that is 
consistent with and achieves the purposes of the Forest Service Travel 
Management Rule at 36 CFR part 212. This action responds to direction 
provided by the Forest Service's Travel Management Rule.
    The existing system of available OSV trails and Areas on the 
Eldorado National Forest is the culmination of multiple agency 
decisions over recent decades. Public OSV use of the majority of this 
available system continues to be manageable and consistent with current 
travel management regulations. Exceptions have been identified, based 
on internal and public input and the criteria for designating roads, 
trails, and Areas listed at 36 CFR 212.55. These include needs to 
provide improved access for OSV users and enact prohibitions required 
by the Eldorado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 
(Forest Plan) and other management direction. These exceptions 
represent additional needs for change, and in these cases, changes are 
proposed to meet the overall objectives.
    The Forest Service has identified trails and Areas in which OSV use 
should be prohibited based on management direction in the Forest Plan. 
These trails and areas are currently managed as closed to OSV use 
through temporary closure orders to comply with Forest Plan direction. 
However, those closure orders will eventually expire. Therefore, the 
proposed action will prohibit OSV use on these trails and in these 
Areas on a more permanent basis to be consistent with the Forest Plan.
    A second purpose of this project is to identify snow trails where 
the Forest Service or its contractors would conduct grooming for OSV 
use. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement between the Forest 
Service and Snowlands Network et al., the Forest Service is required to 
complete the appropriate NEPA analysis to identify snow trails for 
grooming on the Eldorado National Forest.
    The snow trail grooming analysis would also address the need to 
provide a safe, high-quality snowmobile trail system on the Eldorado 
National Forest that is smooth and stable for the rider. Groomed trails 
are designed so that the novice rider can use them safely and without 
difficulty.

Need for Analysis

    Subpart C of the Forest Service Travel Management Regulation 
requires the Forest Service to designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on 
National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and Areas 
on National Forest System lands. Both decisions will be informed by an 
analysis as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
    Subpart C of the Travel Management Regulation specifies that all 
requirements of subpart B of the Travel Management Regulations will 
continue to apply to the designation decision, including:
    1. Public involvement as required by the National Environmental 
Policy Act (36 CFR 212.52);
    2. Coordination with Federal, State, county, and other local 
governmental entities and tribal governments (36 CFR 212.53);
    3. Revision of designations (36 CFR 212.54);
    4. Consideration of the criteria for designation of roads, trails, 
and Areas (36 CFR 212.55);
    5. Identification of designated uses on a publicly available use 
map of roads, trails, and Areas (36 CFR 212.56); and
    6. Monitoring of effects (36 CFR 212.57).
    Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Forest Service is 
required to complete an appropriate NEPA analysis to identify snow 
trails for grooming. Furthermore, additional terms of the Settlement 
Agreement require the Forest Service to:
    1. Analyze ancillary activities such as the plowing of related 
parking lots and trailheads as part of the effects analysis;
    2. Consider a range of alternative actions that would result in 
varying levels of snowmobile use; and
    3. Consider an alternative submitted by Plaintiffs and/or 
Interveners during the scoping period in the NEPA analysis so long as 
the alternative meets the purpose and need, and is feasible and within 
the scope of the NEPA analysis.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service proposes several actions on the Eldorado 
National Forest to be analyzed as required by the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The actions proposed are as follows:
    1. To designate OSV use on National Forest System roads, National 
Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System lands within 
the Eldorado National Forest where snowfall depth is adequate for that 
use to occur. This would result in no change in the number of miles of 
snow trail and acres of OSV Areas on the Eldorado National Forest where 
OSV use would be allowed, subject to snow depth restrictions. All 
existing OSV prohibitions applying to Areas or trails would continue. 
OSV use that is inconsistent with the designations made under this 
project would be prohibited under 36 CFR 261.14.
    2. To enact OSV prohibitions of a more permanent nature than the 
temporary closures that currently exist in the following Areas and 
trails, consistent with management direction in the Forest Plan:
    a. Caples Creek Recommended Wilderness;
    b. Primitive High Country;
    c. Areas within Semi-primitive Non-motorized High Country: Little 
McKinstry, Shadow Lake, Rockbound, July Flat, Bryan Meadow, Devils 
Lake, Hidden Lake, and Little Indian;
    d. Research Natural Areas (RNAs): Peavine RNA, and Station Creek 
RNA;
    e. Special Use permitted areas: Kirkwood Mountain and Kirkwood 
Nordic Ski Resorts, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, Adventure Mountain, and 
Echo Summit Nordic area;
    f. Rock Creek Critical Deer Winter Range;
    g. Loon Lake Winter Recreation Area (including forest developed 
roads);
    h. Emigrant Lake Trail;
    i. Carson-Emigrant National Recreation Trail from Horse Canyon 
Saddle to Caples Lake Trailhead; and
    j. Rock Creek Trails (including Mar Det).
    3. To identify approximately 56 miles of designated snow trails 
that would be groomed on the Eldorado National Forest for OSV use. Our 
trail mileages are estimates only and we are currently reviewing the 
status of trails where there is uncertainty regarding Forest Service 
jurisdiction or grooming authorization, such as trails located on

[[Page 11631]]

private property, or county roads that groomed trails have historically 
passed through.
    4. To groom trails consistent with historical grooming practices, 
when there are 12 or more inches of snow, and formally adopt California 
State Parks' Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division snow 
depth standards for grooming to occur.
    5. To implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use 
that would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource 
protection by allowing off-trail, cross-country OSV use in designated 
Areas when there is a minimum of 12 inches of continuous and 
supportable snow covering the landscape; and allow OSV use on 
designated National Forest System snow trails when there is a minimum 
of 6 inches of snow, regardless of the underlying surface. When the 
snow-depth requirement is not met, OSV use would be prohibited.
    These actions would begin immediately upon the issuance of the 
record of decision, which is expected in October of 2016. The Forest 
Service would produce an OSV use map (OSVUM) that would look like the 
existing motor vehicle use map (MVUM) for the Eldorado National Forest. 
Such a map would allow OSV enthusiasts to identify the routes and Areas 
where OSV use would be allowed on the Eldorado National Forest.

Responsible Official

    The Eldorado National Forest Supervisor will issue the decision.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    This decision will designate OSV use on National Forest System 
roads, on National Forest System trails, and in Areas on National 
Forest System lands on the Eldorado National Forest where snowfall is 
adequate for that use to occur. It will also identify the National 
Forest System trails where grooming would occur. The decision would 
only apply to the use of over-snow vehicles as defined in the Forest 
Service's Travel Management Regulations (36 CFR 212.1). The Forest 
Supervisor will consider all reasonable alternatives and decide whether 
to continue current management of OSV uses on the Eldorado National 
Forest, implement the proposed action, or select an alternative for the 
management of OSV uses.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Written comments should be within 
the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the 
proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the 
responsible official to consider. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The preferred 
format for attachments to electronically submitted comments would be as 
an MS Word document. Attachments in portable document format (pdf) are 
not preferred, but are acceptable.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however.
    The Eldorado National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use 
Designation is an activity implementing a land management plan. It is 
not an activity authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 
2003 (Pub. L. 108-148). Therefore, this activity is subject to pre-
decisional administrative review consistent with the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74) as implemented by subparts 
A and B of 36 CFR part 218.

    Dated: February 26, 2015.
Laurence Crabtree,
Forest Supervisor, Eldorado National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2015-04459 Filed 3-3-15; 8:45 am]
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