Plumas National Forest; California; Plumas National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation Environmental Impact Statement, 58462-58464 [2015-24644]
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Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 188
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
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section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest; California;
Plumas National Forest Over-Snow
Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation
Environmental Impact Statement
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Forest Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture will prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) on a proposal to designate oversnow vehicle (OSV) use on National
Forest System roads, National Forest
System trails, and Areas on National
Forest System lands within the Plumas
National Forest; and to identify snow
trails for grooming within the Plumas
National Forest. In addition, the Forest
Service proposes to:
1. Formally adopt California State
Parks’ OSV snow grooming standards
requiring a minimum of 12 inches of
snow depth before grooming can 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 OSV use, both on-trail and
off-trail in designated Areas, when
unpacked snow depths equal or exceed
12 inches. Exceptions would be allowed
in order for OSVs to access higher
terrain and deeper snow when snow
depths are less than 12 inches, as long
as this use does not cause visible
damage to the underlying surface. Most
groomed snow trails are co-located on
underlying paved, dirt, and gravel
National Forest System roads and trails;
3. Identify snow trails for grooming on
the Plumas National Forest for OSV use;
4. Restrict OSV use to designated
snow trails in specified areas;
5. Enact OSV prohibitions in certain
areas.
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SUMMARY:
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17:54 Sep 28, 2015
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This proposal would be implemented
on all of the Plumas National Forest.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by
October 29, 2015. The draft
environmental impact statement is
expected in February 2017 and the final
environmental impact statement is
expected in August 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
David C. Wood, on behalf of Daniel A.
Lovato, Acting Forest Supervisor,
Plumas National Forest, 159 Lawrence
Street, Quincy, CA 95971. Comments
may also be sent via facsimile to (530)
283–7746. Comments may also be
submitted on the Plumas National
Forest OSV Designation Web page:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/
?project=47124.
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:
David C. Wood, Acting Public Services
and Engineering Staff Officer, Plumas
National Forest, 159 Lawrence Street,
Quincy, CA 95971, (530) 283–2050;
dcwood@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The following summarizes how the
Forest Service currently manages OSV
use on the approximately 1,197,900-acre
Plumas National Forest:
1. Approximately 160 miles of
National Forest System OSV trails exist
on the Plumas National Forest;
2. Of the 160 miles of National Forest
System OSV trails, approximately 136
are groomed for OSV use;
3. Approximately 85 miles of National
Forest System trails are closed to OSV
use, but accessible from Areas otherwise
open to off-trail, cross-country OSV use;
4. Approximately 1,163,550 acres of
National Forest System land are open to
off-trail, cross-country OSV use; and
5. Approximately 34,850 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 28, 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,
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‘‘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 rightsof-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) Offhighway Motor Vehicle Division
(OHMVR), 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
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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 proceed 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
Snowlands Network et al., to ‘‘complete
appropriate NEPA [National
Environmental Policy Act] analysis(es)
to identify snow trails for grooming’’ on
the Plumas National Forest and four
other national forests in California. The
Forest Service will comply with the
terms of the Settlement Agreement for
the Plumas 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
Plumas 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 Plumas
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 Plumas 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 listed at 36 CFR 212.55. These
include needs to provide improved
access for OSV users and formalize
prohibitions required by 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.
A second purpose of this project is to
identify OSV 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
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17:54 Sep 28, 2015
Jkt 235001
NEPA analysis to identify snow trails
for grooming on the Plumas National
Forest.
The snow trail grooming analysis
would also address the need to provide
a high-quality snowmobile trail system
on the Plumas National Forest that is
smooth and stable for the rider.
Groomed trails are designed so that the
novice rider can use them 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 Intervenors 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 Plumas National Forest to
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58463
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 Plumas
National Forest where snowfall depth is
adequate for that use to occur. 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. This proposal would designate
approximately 215 miles of snow trail
for OSV use. It would designate
approximately 1,155,460 acres for crosscountry OSV use. Existing ungroomed
snow trails for OSV use under National
Forest System jurisdiction that are
located within Areas that would be
designated for cross-country OSV use
would not be designated separately as
snow trails for OSV use, since OSV use
here would be permitted under the
‘‘Area’’ designation.
2. To identify approximately 208
miles of snow trails for grooming on the
Plumas National Forest for OSV use.
This includes 72 miles which are not
currently groomed. Grooming these
additional miles would require
increased funding from the California
OHMVR Division, which is not
currently available, but these trails
would be eligible for grooming should
funding become available. 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
private property, or county roads that
groomed trails have historically passed
through.
3. To allow grooming of snow trails,
consistent with historical grooming
practices, when unpacked snow depths
equal or exceed 12 inches, and formally
adopt California State Parks’ OSV snow
grooming standards requiring a
minimum of 12 inches of snow depth
before grooming can occur.
4. 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 OSV use, both on-trail and
off-trail in designated Areas, when
unpacked snow depths equal or exceed
12 inches. Exceptions would be allowed
in order for OSVs to access higher
terrain and deeper snow when snow
depths are less than 12 inches, as long
as this use does not cause visible
damage to the underlying surface. Most
groomed snow trails are co-located on
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Notices
underlying paved, dirt, and gravel
National Forest System roads and trails.
5. To restrict OSV use on
approximately 2,015 acres, limiting
OHV travel to existing routes, to
improve consistency with national
guidelines for bald eagle management.
Within these restricted Areas, existing
route segments totaling approximately 7
miles would be designated for OSV use.
6. To enact new OSV prohibitions on
approximately 5,940 acres in a portion
of the Lakes Basin Management Area
and a portion of the Black Gulch/Clear
Creek Area.
7. To designate 21 locations where
OSVs would be allowed to cross the
Pacific Crest Trail.
These actions would begin
immediately upon the issuance of the
record of decision, which is expected in
December of 2017. The Forest Service
would produce an OSV use map
(OSVUM) that would look like the
existing motor vehicle use map (MVUM)
for the Plumas National Forest. Such a
map would allow OSV enthusiasts to
identify the routes and Areas where
OSV use would be allowed on the
Plumas National Forest.
Responsible Official
The Plumas National Forest
Supervisor will issue the decision.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 Plumas National Forest where
snowfall is adequate for that use to
occur. It will also identify the snow
trails where grooming for OSV use
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 Plumas
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
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17:54 Sep 28, 2015
Jkt 235001
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 Plumas National Forest OverSnow 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: September 23, 2015.
Daniel A. Lovato,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015–24644 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[B–65–2015]
Foreign-Trade Zone 149—Freeport,
Texas: Application for Expansion
Under Alternative Site Framework
An application has been submitted to
the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by
Port Freeport, grantee of FTZ 149,
requesting authority to expand the zone
under the alternative site framework
(ASF) adopted by the FTZ Board (15
CFR Sec. 400.2(c)). The ASF is an
option for grantees for the establishment
or reorganization of zones and can
permit significantly greater flexibility in
the designation of new subzones or
‘‘usage-driven’’ FTZ sites for operators/
users located within a grantee’s ‘‘service
area’’ in the context of the FTZ Board’s
standard 2,000-acre activation limit for
a zone. The application was submitted
pursuant to the Foreign-Trade Zones
Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u),
and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR
part 400). It was formally docketed on
September 22, 2015.
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FTZ 149 was approved by the FTZ
Board on June 28, 1988 (Board Order
385, 53 FR 26096, 7/11/1988), and
reorganized under the alternative site
framework on August 29, 2012 (Board
Order 1853, 77 FR 54891, 9/6/2012).
The zone currently has a service area
that includes Brazoria and Fort Bend
Counties, Texas.
The zone includes the following
magnet sites: Site 1 (280 acres)—Port
Freeport Primary Facility, 1001
Navigation Boulevard, Freeport; Site 3
(1,063.10 acres, sunset 8/31/2017)—Port
Freeport (Parcels 13, 14 & 19)—State
Highway 288, Freeport; and, Site 10 (8
acres, sunset 8/31/2017)—Alvin Santa
Fe Industrial Park, 200 Avenue I, Alvin.
The applicant is requesting authority
to expand existing Site 1 to include an
additional 40 acres at the Port Freeport
Primary Facility (new total—320 acres).
In accordance with the FTZ Board’s
regulations, Camille Evans of the FTZ
Staff is designated examiner to evaluate
and analyze the facts and information
presented in the application and case
record and to report findings and
recommendations to the FTZ Board.
Public comment is invited from
interested parties. Submissions shall be
addressed to the FTZ Board’s Executive
Secretary at the address below. The
closing period for their receipt is
November 30, 2015. Rebuttal comments
in response to material submitted
during the foregoing period may be
submitted during the subsequent 15-day
period to December 14, 2015.
A copy of the application will be
available for public inspection at the
Office of the Executive Secretary,
Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room
21013, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230–0002, and in the
‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the FTZ
Board’s Web site, which is accessible
via www.trade.gov/ftz. For further
information, contact Camille Evans at
Camille.Evans@trade.gov or (202) 482–
2350.
Dated: September 22, 2015.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–24683 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
University of Pittsburgh, et al.; Notice
of Decision on Application for DutyFree Entry of Scientific Instruments
This is a decision pursuant to Section
6(c) of the Educational, Scientific, and
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58462-58464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24644]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 /
Notices
[[Page 58462]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest; California; Plumas 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Plumas National Forest; and to identify snow trails
for grooming within the Plumas National Forest. In addition, the Forest
Service proposes to:
1. Formally adopt California State Parks' OSV snow grooming
standards requiring a minimum of 12 inches of snow depth before
grooming can 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 OSV use, both on-trail and off-trail in
designated Areas, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 inches.
Exceptions would be allowed in order for OSVs to access higher terrain
and deeper snow when snow depths are less than 12 inches, as long as
this use does not cause visible damage to the underlying surface. Most
groomed snow trails are co-located on underlying paved, dirt, and
gravel National Forest System roads and trails;
3. Identify snow trails for grooming on the Plumas National Forest
for OSV use;
4. Restrict OSV use to designated snow trails in specified areas;
5. Enact OSV prohibitions in certain areas.
This proposal would be implemented on all of the Plumas National
Forest.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by October 29, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is
expected in February 2017 and the final environmental impact statement
is expected in August 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to David C. Wood, on behalf of Daniel
A. Lovato, Acting Forest Supervisor, Plumas National Forest, 159
Lawrence Street, Quincy, CA 95971. Comments may also be sent via
facsimile to (530) 283-7746. Comments may also be submitted on the
Plumas National Forest OSV Designation Web page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47124.
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: David C. Wood, Acting Public Services
and Engineering Staff Officer, Plumas National Forest, 159 Lawrence
Street, Quincy, CA 95971, (530) 283-2050; dcwood@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The following summarizes how the Forest Service currently manages
OSV use on the approximately 1,197,900-acre Plumas National Forest:
1. Approximately 160 miles of National Forest System OSV trails
exist on the Plumas National Forest;
2. Of the 160 miles of National Forest System OSV trails,
approximately 136 are groomed for OSV use;
3. Approximately 85 miles of National Forest System trails are
closed to OSV use, but accessible from Areas otherwise open to off-
trail, cross-country OSV use;
4. Approximately 1,163,550 acres of National Forest System land are
open to off-trail, cross-country OSV use; and
5. Approximately 34,850 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 28, 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 (OHMVR), 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
[[Page 58463]]
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 proceed 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 Snowlands Network et al., to ``complete appropriate NEPA [National
Environmental Policy Act] analysis(es) to identify snow trails for
grooming'' on the Plumas National Forest and four other national
forests in California. The Forest Service will comply with the terms of
the Settlement Agreement for the Plumas 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
Plumas 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 Plumas 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 Plumas
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 listed at 36 CFR 212.55.
These include needs to provide improved access for OSV users and
formalize prohibitions required by 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.
A second purpose of this project is to identify OSV 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 Plumas National Forest.
The snow trail grooming analysis would also address the need to
provide a high-quality snowmobile trail system on the Plumas National
Forest that is smooth and stable for the rider. Groomed trails are
designed so that the novice rider can use them 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
Intervenors 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 Plumas 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 Plumas National Forest where snowfall depth is adequate for that
use to occur. 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. This
proposal would designate approximately 215 miles of snow trail for OSV
use. It would designate approximately 1,155,460 acres for cross-country
OSV use. Existing ungroomed snow trails for OSV use under National
Forest System jurisdiction that are located within Areas that would be
designated for cross-country OSV use would not be designated separately
as snow trails for OSV use, since OSV use here would be permitted under
the ``Area'' designation.
2. To identify approximately 208 miles of snow trails for grooming
on the Plumas National Forest for OSV use. This includes 72 miles which
are not currently groomed. Grooming these additional miles would
require increased funding from the California OHMVR Division, which is
not currently available, but these trails would be eligible for
grooming should funding become available. 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 private property, or county
roads that groomed trails have historically passed through.
3. To allow grooming of snow trails, consistent with historical
grooming practices, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12
inches, and formally adopt California State Parks' OSV snow grooming
standards requiring a minimum of 12 inches of snow depth before
grooming can occur.
4. 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 OSV use, both on-trail and off-trail in
designated Areas, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 inches.
Exceptions would be allowed in order for OSVs to access higher terrain
and deeper snow when snow depths are less than 12 inches, as long as
this use does not cause visible damage to the underlying surface. Most
groomed snow trails are co-located on
[[Page 58464]]
underlying paved, dirt, and gravel National Forest System roads and
trails.
5. To restrict OSV use on approximately 2,015 acres, limiting OHV
travel to existing routes, to improve consistency with national
guidelines for bald eagle management. Within these restricted Areas,
existing route segments totaling approximately 7 miles would be
designated for OSV use.
6. To enact new OSV prohibitions on approximately 5,940 acres in a
portion of the Lakes Basin Management Area and a portion of the Black
Gulch/Clear Creek Area.
7. To designate 21 locations where OSVs would be allowed to cross
the Pacific Crest Trail.
These actions would begin immediately upon the issuance of the
record of decision, which is expected in December of 2017. The Forest
Service would produce an OSV use map (OSVUM) that would look like the
existing motor vehicle use map (MVUM) for the Plumas National Forest.
Such a map would allow OSV enthusiasts to identify the routes and Areas
where OSV use would be allowed on the Plumas National Forest.
Responsible Official
The Plumas 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 Plumas National Forest where snowfall is
adequate for that use to occur. It will also identify the snow trails
where grooming for OSV use 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 Plumas 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 Plumas 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: September 23, 2015.
Daniel A. Lovato,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-24644 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
