Flathead National Forest, Montana; Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Flathead National Forest and an Amendment of the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forest Plans To Incorporate Relevant Direction From the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy, 12139-12142 [2015-05054]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
(3) Evaluate the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information technology;
and
(4) Minimize the burden of the
information collection on those who
respond through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
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All comments received in response to
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addresses where provided, will be made
a matter of public record. Comments
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Signed on March 3, 2015.
Val Dolcini,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency, and
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit
Corporation.
Title: Colony Loss Surveys.
OMB Control Number: 0535–NEW.
Summary of Collection: The primary
objectives of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS) are to prepare
and issue official State and national
estimates of crop and livestock
production, disposition and prices,
economic statistics, and environmental
statistics related to agriculture and to
conduct the Census of Agriculture and
its follow-on surveys. Pollinators
(honeybees) are vital to the agricultural
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showed a dramatic rise in the number
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collapse or decline of honeybee colonies
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many agricultural crops worldwide are
pollinated by European honeybees.
General authority for these data
collection activities is granted under
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Need and Use of the Information: To
collect critical information NASS will
use two surveys which will complement
its existing Bee and Honey Collection
(0535–0153) that focuses on bee keepers
with 5 or more colonies. The Colony
Loss Quarterly Survey will be
administered quarterly to a subsample
of bee keepers responding to the annual
Bee and Honey Inquiry. The Colony
Loss Annual Survey will be
administered to bee keepers with fewer
than 5 colonies. The data collected will
include state of colony residence, the
commercial movement of colonies
between states, newly added or
replacement colonies, colony losses,
and presence of colony stress factors,
such as pests or parasites.
Description of Respondents: Farmers
and Beekeepers.
Number of Respondents: 23,300.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
Quarterly; One time.
[FR Doc. 2015–05227 Filed 3–5–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
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March 2, 2015.
The Department of Agriculture has
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Comments regarding this information
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Regulatory Affairs, Office of
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Commenters are encouraged to submit
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National Agricultural Statistics Service
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Total Burden Hours: 8,353.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection
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[FR Doc. 2015–05263 Filed 3–5–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Flathead National Forest, Montana;
Revision of the Land Management Plan
for the Flathead National Forest and an
Amendment of the Helena, Kootenai,
Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National
Forest Plans To Incorporate Relevant
Direction From the Northern
Continental Divide Ecosystem Grizzly
Bear Conservation Strategy
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
As directed by the National
Forest Management Act, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, is preparing the Flathead
National Forest’s revised land
management plan (forest plan) and an
amendment to provide relevant
direction from the Northern Continental
Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) Grizzly Bear
Conservation Strategy into the forest
plans for the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis
and Clark and Lolo National Forests.
The Forest Service will prepare a single
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for its revised forest plan and the
amendment.
This notice briefly describes the
proposed action based on the need to
change the existing plans, the nature of
the decision to be made, and
information concerning public
participation. This notice also provides
estimated dates for filing the EIS, the
name and address of the responsible
agency officials, and the individuals
who can provide additional
information. Finally, this notice
identifies the applicable planning rule
that will be used for completing the
plan revision and amendment.
The revised Flathead forest plan will
supersede the existing forest plan that
was approved by the Regional Forester
in 1986, and amended more than 20
times since. The existing Flathead forest
plan will remain in effect until the
revised forest plan takes effect. The
management direction pertaining to
grizzly bear within the current forest
plans of the Helena National Forest,
approved by the Regional Forester in
1986; Kootenai National Forest,
approved by the Regional Forester in
SUMMARY:
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2015; Lewis and Clark National Forest,
approved by the Regional Forester in
1986; and Lolo National Forest,
approved by the Regional Forester in
1986, as amended, will remain in effect
until the proposed amendment takes
effect.
In response to this notice, we are
asking for comments on the proposed
action so we may refine the proposed
action and identify possible alternatives
to the proposed action.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the proposed action must be received
by May 5, 2015. The draft EIS is
expected in January 2016 and the final
EIS is expected in June 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send or deliver written
comments to the Flathead National
Forest Supervisor’s Office, Attn: Forest
Plan Revision, 650 Wolfpack Way,
Kalispell, Montana 59901. Comments
may also be sent via email to
flatheadplanrevision@fs.fed.us or via
facsimile to (406) 758–5379. Further
instructions for providing comments
that will assist the planning team in
reviewing comments can be found on
the Flathead National Forest Web site
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe
Krueger, Forest Planner, Flathead
National Forest, 650 Wolfpack Way,
Kalispell, Montana 59901, (406) 758–
5243, or at flatheadplanrevision@
fs.fed.us. Information regarding the
Flathead NF plan revision is available
on the Forest’s Plan Revision Web site
at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr;
information about the amendment is
available at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/
flathead/gbamend.
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:
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is preparing the
Flathead National Forest revised land
management plan (forest plan) and an
amendment to provide relevant
direction from the North Continental
Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) Grizzly Bear
Conservation Strategy into the forest
plans for the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis
and Clark and Lolo National Forests.
The full proposed action for the
Flathead National Forest’s revised forest
plan includes forest-wide, geographic
area, and management area desired
conditions, objectives, standards,
guidelines, and the suitability of lands
for specific multiple uses, including, for
example, those lands suitable for timber
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production. The proposed action
includes estimates of the long-term
sustained yield and planned sale
quantity for the forest. The proposed
action includes a description of the plan
area’s distinctive roles and
contributions within the broader
landscape, the identification of priority
restoration watersheds, and suitability
of national forest lands to support a
variety of proposed and possible actions
that may occur on the plan area over the
life of the plan. The proposed action
also identifies a monitoring program.
The proposed action includes 188,206
acres to be recommended to Congress
for inclusion in the National Wilderness
Preservation System and 22 rivers for
inclusion into the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System.
Need for Action
The need for the proposed action is
twofold: (1) Significant changes have
occurred in conditions and demands
since the Flathead’s 1986 Forest Plan
and (2) to ensure the adequacy of
regulatory mechanisms regarding
habitat protection across the national
forests in the NCDE in support of the delisting of the grizzly bear. Several areas
where changes are needed in the
Flathead NF plan were brought to the
forefront by the requirements of the
2012 Planning Rule for the National
Forest System; findings from the
development of the Assessment of the
Flathead National Forest (a precursor
document in the planning process that
identified and evaluated the existing
condition across the forest landscape);
changes in conditions and demands
since the 1986 Forest Plan; and public
concerns to date.
The 2012 Planning Rule, which
became effective May 9, 2012, requires
inclusion of plan components,
including standards or guidelines, that
address social and economic
sustainability, ecosystem services, and
multiple uses integrated with the plan
components for ecological sustainability
and species diversity. Social and
economic management direction is
needed to provide people and
communities with a range of social and
economic benefits for present and future
generations. As an example, since
approval of the Flathead’s 1986 Forest
Plan, the role of timber harvest in
meeting ecosystem management and
social and economic objectives has
changed. The 2012 Planning Rule
requires the Forest to undertake a
process to identify lands within the plan
area for timber production suitability,
and from this process, the Forest will
develop plan components for lands
suitable for timber production and for
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lands where timber harvest is
appropriate for purposes other than
timber production. To meet the
Planning Rule’s requirement to provide
for ecological sustainability,
management direction is needed that
addresses ecosystem diversity
(including key ecosystem characteristics
and their integrity), in light of changes
in climate, fuels, vegetation
management strategies, and future
environmental conditions. Revised plan
components are needed that focus on
maintaining or restoring vegetation and
ecosystems to provide for species
diversity including threatened and
endangered species, species of
conservation concern, and species of
public interest. Additionally,
comprehensive management direction is
needed to address suitability of certain
areas for particular uses, address access
and sustainable recreation, provide for
the management of existing and
anticipated uses, as well as protect
resources. During the plan revision
process, the 2012 Planning Rule
requires the Forest Service to undertake
processes to identify and evaluate lands
that may be suitable for inclusion on the
National Wilderness Preservation
System and identify eligible rivers for
inclusion into the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System.
Under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, federal agencies are directed to
use their authorities to seek to conserve
endangered and threatened species. The
Canada lynx was listed as a threatened
species in 2000. Since that time, the
Flathead Forest Plan has been amended
with the Northern Rockies Lynx
Management Direction (USDA FS 2007),
the USFWS designated and updated
Canada lynx critical habitat (USDI FWS
2009, 2014), and the Lynx Conservation
and Assessment Strategy has been
updated (Lynx Biology Team 2013).
Thus, the Forest Plan needs to integrate
recent and relevant information for
Canada lynx to its plan.
Habitat conditions and management
on the Flathead, Helena, Kootenai,
Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National
Forests have contributed importantly to
the increased population size and
improved status of the grizzly bear
across the NCDE. Supporting a healthy,
recovered grizzly bear population will
depend on continued, effective
management of the NCDE grizzly bear’s
habitat. In 2013, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s announced the
availability of a draft Grizzly Bear
Conservation Strategy for the NCDE
population for public review and input.
When finalized, the Grizzly Bear
Conservation Strategy will become the
post-delisting management plan for the
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NCDE grizzly bear population and its
habitat. By providing relevant direction
from the NCDE Grizzly Bear
Conservation Strategy into forest plans,
the Forest Service will be able to
demonstrate to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service that adequate
regulatory mechanisms exist on national
forests within the NCDE to support a
delisted grizzly bear population. Under
the transition provisions of the 2012
Forest Planning Rule (36 CFR 219.17),
an amendment to a plan that was
approved or revised under a prior
planning regulation, may be initiated
under the provisions of the prior
planning regulation for 3 years after
May 9, 2012, and may be completed and
approved under those provisions (36
CFR 219.17 (b)(2)). The proposal is to
amend the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and
Clark and Lolo National Forest plans
under the 1982 planning regulations in
effect prior to November 9, 2000 (see 36
CFR parts 200 to 299, Revised as of July
1, 2000). Thus, under the transition
provisions of the 2012 Forest Planning
Rule, the Forest Service has the
opportunity to carry out the
amendments concurrently with the
Flathead forest plan revision. The
Flathead planning team, in addition to
conducting the plan revision, is
coordinating the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) effort
for the amendment with the Kootenai,
Lolo, Lewis and Clark and Helena
National Forests to ensure that adequate
regulatory mechanisms for habitat
protections specific to the de-listing of
the grizzly bear is consistent on
National Forest System lands
throughout the NCDE. Finally, public
participation through scoping may
identify other needs for change that will
be considered during the plan revision.
Public Involvment for the Flathead Plan
Revision
The Flathead National Forest began
public participation when developing
the Assessment of the Flathead National
Forest. To facilitate local participation,
the Forest contracted with the U.S.
Institute for Environmental Conflict
Resolution in 2012 to develop a
collaborative stakeholder engagement
process. The Institute conducted
assessments with Forest Service
employees and a representative group of
key stakeholders to determine their
willingness to engage in a collaborative
process convened by a neutral, third
party. The Meridian Institute was
selected to serve in that capacity and
facilitated numerous topical work
groups, an interagency group, and
meetings to bring together all work
groups and interested citizens. Also, as
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part of the public involvement process,
the Forest Service led field trips and
held open house sessions to discuss
existing information and trends related
to a variety of conditions found on the
forest. The information acquired from
the public involvement process was
used to help develop the Flathead NF
forest plan revision proposed action.
Responsible Officials
The responsible official who will
approve the Record of Decision for the
Flathead NF revised forest plan is
Sharon Labreque, Acting Forest
Supervisor for the Flathead National
Forest, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell,
MT 59901, (406) 758–5208. The
responsible officials who will approve
the Record of Decision for the
Amendment are: William Avey, Forest
Supervisor for the Helena and Lewis
and Clark National Forests Supervisor’s
Office, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT
59602, (406) 449–5201; Christopher S.
Savage, Forest Supervisor for the
Kootenai National Forest, 31374 U.S.
Highway 2, Libby, MT 59923–3022,
(406) 293–6211; and Timothy Garcia,
Forest Supervisor for the Lolo National
Forest, 24 Fort Missoula Road,
Missoula, MT 59803, (406) 329–3750.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
For the Flathead forest plan revision,
the responsible official will decide
whether the required plan components
(desired conditions, objectives,
standards, guidelines) are sufficient to
promote the ecological integrity and
sustainability of the Flathead National
Forest’s ecosystems, watersheds, and
diverse plant and animal communities.
In addition, the responsible official will
decide if the plan provides sufficient
management guidance to contribute to
social and economic sustainability, to
provide people and communities with
ecosystem services and multiple uses
including a range of social, economic,
and ecological benefits for the present
and into the future. Standards,
guidelines, and other direction related
to conservation of threatened and
endangered species, (e.g., the Canada
lynx, grizzly bear, bull trout, and water
howellia) will be evaluated for the
Flathead National Forest in the EIS.
For the amendment component of the
proposed action, the responsible
officials will decide whether desired
conditions, standards, guidelines, and
monitoring requirements relevant to
national forest grizzly bear habitat
management in the NCDE are necessary
and appropriate to amend the Helena,
Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo
forest plans. The Kootenai National
Forest Plan spans two grizzly bear
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12141
ecosystems and the Lolo National Forest
Plan spans three. The proposed action
applies only to the NCDE. No changes
in forest plan direction are being
considered within the Cabinet-Yaak or
Bitterroot recovery areas.
This proposed action is programmatic
in nature and guides future
implementation of site-specific projects.
Additional NEPA compliance would be
required for site-specific projects as part
of a two-stage decision making process
(Council of Environmental Quality
regulations for implementing NEPA; 40
CFR 1508.23, 42 U.S.C. 4322(2)(C)), 36
CFR 219.7(f)).
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the EIS. We are seeking
your input to continue to develop the
Flathead NF revised plan and for NCDE
grizzly bear habitat management for the
four amendment forests. In addition to
requesting comments specific to the
Flathead NF proposed action, we are
also seeking comments regarding the
potential list of species of conservation
concern, the identified recommended
wilderness acres and eligible wild and
scenic rivers, as well as other significant
issues.
The following community meetings
are planned to provide additional
information and address questions
related to the revision and amendment
proposed action:
• March 17, 2015, 5:30–7:30 p.m.,
Flathead National Forest Supervisors
Office, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell,
MT 59901.
• March 19, 2015, 5:30–7:30 p.m.,
Riverstone Family Lodge, 6370 US Hwy
93N, Eureka, MT 59917.
• April 7, 2015, 5:30–7:30 p.m.,
Seeley Lake Community Center, Seely
Lake, MT 59868.
• April 8, 2015, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Fort
Missoula Pavilion, Missoula, MT 59804.
• April 9, 2015, 5:30–7:30 p.m.,
Superior Ranger Station Conference
Room, Superior, MT 59872.
• April 14, 2015, 5:30–7:30 p.m.,
Lincoln Community Hall, 404 Main St.,
Lincoln, MT 59639.
• April 15, 2015, 5:30–7:30 p.m.,
Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Ave. North,
Choteau, MT 59422.
Changes to the meeting schedule will
be communicated on the Flathead
Forest Plan revision Web page at
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr, as
well as the amendment Web site at
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/
gbamend.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
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agency’s preparation of the EIS.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions. 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.
Decision Will Be Subject to Objection
Only those individuals and entities
who have submitted substantive formal
comments related to the Flathead NF
plan revision and the four amendments
during the opportunities provided for
public comment (beginning with this
NOI), will be eligible to file an objection
(36 CFR 219.53(a)). The decision to
approve the revised forest plan for the
Flathead National Forest and the
amendment for the Helena, Lewis and
Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo National
Forests will be subject to the objection
process identified in 36 CFR part 219
subpart B (219.50 to 219.62).
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Documents Available for Review
The Flathead National Forest plan
revision Web site (www.fs.usda.gov/
goto/flathead/fpr) provides the full text
of the proposed action, describing
preliminary desired conditions,
objectives, standards, guidelines, and
other plan content; the 2014
Assessment; summaries of the public
meetings and public meeting materials;
and public comments. The forest plan
amendment component of the proposed
action for the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis
and Clark, and Lolo National Forests is
located at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/
flathead/gbamend, which can be linked
from the individual Forest’s Web sites
as well. The material available on these
sites may be updated or revised at any
time as part of the planning process.
The 2012 Planning Rule is explained
in more detail on the Forest Service’s
Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
detail/planningrule/home/
?cid=stelprdb5359471. The draft NCDE
Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy is
currently available on the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s Web site at https://
www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/
mammals/grizzly/
continentalindex.html.
Dated: February 26, 2015.
Sharon Labreque,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Flathead NF.
[FR Doc. 2015–05054 Filed 3–5–15; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Forest Resource Coordinating
Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Forest Resource
Coordinating Committee (Committee)
will meet via teleconference. The
Committee is established consistent
with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act of 1972 (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II),
and the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (the Act) (Pub. L. 110–246).
Additional information concerning the
Committee, including the meeting
agenda, supporting documents and
minutes, can be found by visiting the
Committee’s Web site at https://
www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/frcc/.
DATES: The teleconference will be held
on March 17, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to
1:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST).
The meeting is subject to cancellation.
For status of the meeting prior to
attendance, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
SUMMARY:
The meeting will be held
via teleconference. For anyone who
would like to attend the teleconference,
please visit the Web site listed in the
SUMMARY section or contact Andrea
Bedell-Loucks at abloucks@fs.fed.us for
further details. Written comments may
be submitted as described under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All
comments, including names and
addresses when provided, are placed in
the record and are available for public
inspection and copying. The public may
inspect comments placed on the
Committee’s Web site listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrea Bedell-Loucks, Designated
Federal Officer, Cooperative Forestry
staff, 202–205–1190. Individuals who
use telecommunication devices for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and
8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time,
Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose of the meeting is to:
1. Finalize April meeting agenda—
topics, presentations and logisitics, and
2. National Association of
Conservation Districts presentation on
their national survey results.
The teleconference is open to the
public. However, the public is strongly
encouraged to RSVP prior to the
teleconference to ensure all related
ADDRESSES:
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documents are shared with public
meeting participants. The agenda will
include time for people to make oral
statements of three minutes or less.
Individuals wishing to make an oral
statement should submit a request in
writing 10 days before the planned
meeting to be scheduled on the agenda.
Anyone who would like to bring related
matters to the attention of the
Committee may file written statements
with the Committee staff before or after
the meeting. Written comments and
time requests for oral comments must be
sent to Laurie Schoonhoven, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop
1123, Washington, DC 20250 or by
email to lschoonhoven@fs.fed.us. A
summary of the meeting will be posted
on the Web site listed above within 21
days after the meeting.
Meeting Accommodations: If you are
a person requiring reasonable
accommodation, please make requests
in advance for sign language
interpreting, assistive listening devices
or other reasonable accommodation for
access to the facility or proceedings by
contacting the person listed in the
section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. All reasonable
accommodation requests are managed
on a case by case basis.
Dated: March 2, 2015.
Patti Hirami,
Assistant Deputy Chief, State and Private
Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2015–05195 Filed 3–5–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS–2015–0003]
Notice of Request for a New
Information Collection: Gathering
Sessions for Safe Food Handling
Instructions
Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing
its intention to request a new
information collection for a survey of
consumers about safe food handling
instructions.
SUMMARY:
Submit comments on or before
May 5, 2015.
DATES:
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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12139-12142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05054]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Flathead National Forest, Montana; Revision of the Land
Management Plan for the Flathead National Forest and an Amendment of
the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forest Plans
To Incorporate Relevant Direction From the Northern Continental Divide
Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is preparing the Flathead
National Forest's revised land management plan (forest plan) and an
amendment to provide relevant direction from the Northern Continental
Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy into the
forest plans for the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark and Lolo
National Forests. The Forest Service will prepare a single
environmental impact statement (EIS) for its revised forest plan and
the amendment.
This notice briefly describes the proposed action based on the need
to change the existing plans, the nature of the decision to be made,
and information concerning public participation. This notice also
provides estimated dates for filing the EIS, the name and address of
the responsible agency officials, and the individuals who can provide
additional information. Finally, this notice identifies the applicable
planning rule that will be used for completing the plan revision and
amendment.
The revised Flathead forest plan will supersede the existing forest
plan that was approved by the Regional Forester in 1986, and amended
more than 20 times since. The existing Flathead forest plan will remain
in effect until the revised forest plan takes effect. The management
direction pertaining to grizzly bear within the current forest plans of
the Helena National Forest, approved by the Regional Forester in 1986;
Kootenai National Forest, approved by the Regional Forester in
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2015; Lewis and Clark National Forest, approved by the Regional
Forester in 1986; and Lolo National Forest, approved by the Regional
Forester in 1986, as amended, will remain in effect until the proposed
amendment takes effect.
In response to this notice, we are asking for comments on the
proposed action so we may refine the proposed action and identify
possible alternatives to the proposed action.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the proposed action must be
received by May 5, 2015. The draft EIS is expected in January 2016 and
the final EIS is expected in June 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send or deliver written comments to the Flathead National
Forest Supervisor's Office, Attn: Forest Plan Revision, 650 Wolfpack
Way, Kalispell, Montana 59901. Comments may also be sent via email to
flatheadplanrevision@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to (406) 758-5379.
Further instructions for providing comments that will assist the
planning team in reviewing comments can be found on the Flathead
National Forest Web site www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Krueger, Forest Planner, Flathead
National Forest, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, Montana 59901, (406) 758-
5243, or at flatheadplanrevision@fs.fed.us. Information regarding the
Flathead NF plan revision is available on the Forest's Plan Revision
Web site at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr; information about the
amendment is available at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/gbamend.
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:
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is preparing the Flathead National Forest
revised land management plan (forest plan) and an amendment to provide
relevant direction from the North Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE)
Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy into the forest plans for the
Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests. The full
proposed action for the Flathead National Forest's revised forest plan
includes forest-wide, geographic area, and management area desired
conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, and the suitability of
lands for specific multiple uses, including, for example, those lands
suitable for timber production. The proposed action includes estimates
of the long-term sustained yield and planned sale quantity for the
forest. The proposed action includes a description of the plan area's
distinctive roles and contributions within the broader landscape, the
identification of priority restoration watersheds, and suitability of
national forest lands to support a variety of proposed and possible
actions that may occur on the plan area over the life of the plan. The
proposed action also identifies a monitoring program. The proposed
action includes 188,206 acres to be recommended to Congress for
inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System and 22 rivers
for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Need for Action
The need for the proposed action is twofold: (1) Significant
changes have occurred in conditions and demands since the Flathead's
1986 Forest Plan and (2) to ensure the adequacy of regulatory
mechanisms regarding habitat protection across the national forests in
the NCDE in support of the de-listing of the grizzly bear. Several
areas where changes are needed in the Flathead NF plan were brought to
the forefront by the requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule for the
National Forest System; findings from the development of the Assessment
of the Flathead National Forest (a precursor document in the planning
process that identified and evaluated the existing condition across the
forest landscape); changes in conditions and demands since the 1986
Forest Plan; and public concerns to date.
The 2012 Planning Rule, which became effective May 9, 2012,
requires inclusion of plan components, including standards or
guidelines, that address social and economic sustainability, ecosystem
services, and multiple uses integrated with the plan components for
ecological sustainability and species diversity. Social and economic
management direction is needed to provide people and communities with a
range of social and economic benefits for present and future
generations. As an example, since approval of the Flathead's 1986
Forest Plan, the role of timber harvest in meeting ecosystem management
and social and economic objectives has changed. The 2012 Planning Rule
requires the Forest to undertake a process to identify lands within the
plan area for timber production suitability, and from this process, the
Forest will develop plan components for lands suitable for timber
production and for lands where timber harvest is appropriate for
purposes other than timber production. To meet the Planning Rule's
requirement to provide for ecological sustainability, management
direction is needed that addresses ecosystem diversity (including key
ecosystem characteristics and their integrity), in light of changes in
climate, fuels, vegetation management strategies, and future
environmental conditions. Revised plan components are needed that focus
on maintaining or restoring vegetation and ecosystems to provide for
species diversity including threatened and endangered species, species
of conservation concern, and species of public interest. Additionally,
comprehensive management direction is needed to address suitability of
certain areas for particular uses, address access and sustainable
recreation, provide for the management of existing and anticipated
uses, as well as protect resources. During the plan revision process,
the 2012 Planning Rule requires the Forest Service to undertake
processes to identify and evaluate lands that may be suitable for
inclusion on the National Wilderness Preservation System and identify
eligible rivers for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System.
Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, federal agencies are
directed to use their authorities to seek to conserve endangered and
threatened species. The Canada lynx was listed as a threatened species
in 2000. Since that time, the Flathead Forest Plan has been amended
with the Northern Rockies Lynx Management Direction (USDA FS 2007), the
USFWS designated and updated Canada lynx critical habitat (USDI FWS
2009, 2014), and the Lynx Conservation and Assessment Strategy has been
updated (Lynx Biology Team 2013). Thus, the Forest Plan needs to
integrate recent and relevant information for Canada lynx to its plan.
Habitat conditions and management on the Flathead, Helena,
Kootenai, Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forests have contributed
importantly to the increased population size and improved status of the
grizzly bear across the NCDE. Supporting a healthy, recovered grizzly
bear population will depend on continued, effective management of the
NCDE grizzly bear's habitat. In 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's announced the availability of a draft Grizzly Bear
Conservation Strategy for the NCDE population for public review and
input. When finalized, the Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy will
become the post-delisting management plan for the
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NCDE grizzly bear population and its habitat. By providing relevant
direction from the NCDE Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy into forest
plans, the Forest Service will be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service that adequate regulatory mechanisms exist on
national forests within the NCDE to support a delisted grizzly bear
population. Under the transition provisions of the 2012 Forest Planning
Rule (36 CFR 219.17), an amendment to a plan that was approved or
revised under a prior planning regulation, may be initiated under the
provisions of the prior planning regulation for 3 years after May 9,
2012, and may be completed and approved under those provisions (36 CFR
219.17 (b)(2)). The proposal is to amend the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis
and Clark and Lolo National Forest plans under the 1982 planning
regulations in effect prior to November 9, 2000 (see 36 CFR parts 200
to 299, Revised as of July 1, 2000). Thus, under the transition
provisions of the 2012 Forest Planning Rule, the Forest Service has the
opportunity to carry out the amendments concurrently with the Flathead
forest plan revision. The Flathead planning team, in addition to
conducting the plan revision, is coordinating the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) effort for the amendment with the
Kootenai, Lolo, Lewis and Clark and Helena National Forests to ensure
that adequate regulatory mechanisms for habitat protections specific to
the de-listing of the grizzly bear is consistent on National Forest
System lands throughout the NCDE. Finally, public participation through
scoping may identify other needs for change that will be considered
during the plan revision.
Public Involvment for the Flathead Plan Revision
The Flathead National Forest began public participation when
developing the Assessment of the Flathead National Forest. To
facilitate local participation, the Forest contracted with the U.S.
Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution in 2012 to develop a
collaborative stakeholder engagement process. The Institute conducted
assessments with Forest Service employees and a representative group of
key stakeholders to determine their willingness to engage in a
collaborative process convened by a neutral, third party. The Meridian
Institute was selected to serve in that capacity and facilitated
numerous topical work groups, an interagency group, and meetings to
bring together all work groups and interested citizens. Also, as part
of the public involvement process, the Forest Service led field trips
and held open house sessions to discuss existing information and trends
related to a variety of conditions found on the forest. The information
acquired from the public involvement process was used to help develop
the Flathead NF forest plan revision proposed action.
Responsible Officials
The responsible official who will approve the Record of Decision
for the Flathead NF revised forest plan is Sharon Labreque, Acting
Forest Supervisor for the Flathead National Forest, 650 Wolfpack Way,
Kalispell, MT 59901, (406) 758-5208. The responsible officials who will
approve the Record of Decision for the Amendment are: William Avey,
Forest Supervisor for the Helena and Lewis and Clark National Forests
Supervisor's Office, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT 59602, (406) 449-
5201; Christopher S. Savage, Forest Supervisor for the Kootenai
National Forest, 31374 U.S. Highway 2, Libby, MT 59923-3022, (406) 293-
6211; and Timothy Garcia, Forest Supervisor for the Lolo National
Forest, 24 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59803, (406) 329-3750.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
For the Flathead forest plan revision, the responsible official
will decide whether the required plan components (desired conditions,
objectives, standards, guidelines) are sufficient to promote the
ecological integrity and sustainability of the Flathead National
Forest's ecosystems, watersheds, and diverse plant and animal
communities. In addition, the responsible official will decide if the
plan provides sufficient management guidance to contribute to social
and economic sustainability, to provide people and communities with
ecosystem services and multiple uses including a range of social,
economic, and ecological benefits for the present and into the future.
Standards, guidelines, and other direction related to conservation of
threatened and endangered species, (e.g., the Canada lynx, grizzly
bear, bull trout, and water howellia) will be evaluated for the
Flathead National Forest in the EIS.
For the amendment component of the proposed action, the responsible
officials will decide whether desired conditions, standards,
guidelines, and monitoring requirements relevant to national forest
grizzly bear habitat management in the NCDE are necessary and
appropriate to amend the Helena, Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo
forest plans. The Kootenai National Forest Plan spans two grizzly bear
ecosystems and the Lolo National Forest Plan spans three. The proposed
action applies only to the NCDE. No changes in forest plan direction
are being considered within the Cabinet-Yaak or Bitterroot recovery
areas.
This proposed action is programmatic in nature and guides future
implementation of site-specific projects. Additional NEPA compliance
would be required for site-specific projects as part of a two-stage
decision making process (Council of Environmental Quality regulations
for implementing NEPA; 40 CFR 1508.23, 42 U.S.C. 4322(2)(C)), 36 CFR
219.7(f)).
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. We are seeking your input to continue to
develop the Flathead NF revised plan and for NCDE grizzly bear habitat
management for the four amendment forests. In addition to requesting
comments specific to the Flathead NF proposed action, we are also
seeking comments regarding the potential list of species of
conservation concern, the identified recommended wilderness acres and
eligible wild and scenic rivers, as well as other significant issues.
The following community meetings are planned to provide additional
information and address questions related to the revision and amendment
proposed action:
March 17, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Flathead National Forest
Supervisors Office, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901.
March 19, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Riverstone Family Lodge,
6370 US Hwy 93N, Eureka, MT 59917.
April 7, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Seeley Lake Community
Center, Seely Lake, MT 59868.
April 8, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Fort Missoula Pavilion,
Missoula, MT 59804.
April 9, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Superior Ranger Station
Conference Room, Superior, MT 59872.
April 14, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Lincoln Community Hall,
404 Main St., Lincoln, MT 59639.
April 15, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main
Ave. North, Choteau, MT 59422.
Changes to the meeting schedule will be communicated on the
Flathead Forest Plan revision Web page at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr, as well as the amendment Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/gbamend.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the
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agency's preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided
prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate
the reviewer's concerns and contentions. 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.
Decision Will Be Subject to Objection
Only those individuals and entities who have submitted substantive
formal comments related to the Flathead NF plan revision and the four
amendments during the opportunities provided for public comment
(beginning with this NOI), will be eligible to file an objection (36
CFR 219.53(a)). The decision to approve the revised forest plan for the
Flathead National Forest and the amendment for the Helena, Lewis and
Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests will be subject to the
objection process identified in 36 CFR part 219 subpart B (219.50 to
219.62).
Documents Available for Review
The Flathead National Forest plan revision Web site
(www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr) provides the full text of the
proposed action, describing preliminary desired conditions, objectives,
standards, guidelines, and other plan content; the 2014 Assessment;
summaries of the public meetings and public meeting materials; and
public comments. The forest plan amendment component of the proposed
action for the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National
Forests is located at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/gbamend, which can
be linked from the individual Forest's Web sites as well. The material
available on these sites may be updated or revised at any time as part
of the planning process.
The 2012 Planning Rule is explained in more detail on the Forest
Service's Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/planningrule/home/?cid=stelprdb5359471. The draft NCDE Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy
is currently available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Web site
at https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/continentalindex.html.
Dated: February 26, 2015.
Sharon Labreque,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Flathead NF.
[FR Doc. 2015-05054 Filed 3-5-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
