Madison Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest; Montana; South Gravelly Allotment Management Plan, 5983 [2016-02107]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 5983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02107]



[[Page 5983]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Madison Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest; 
Montana; South Gravelly Allotment Management Plan

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The nature of the South Gravelly Allotment Management Plan 
project proposes updating of four domestic livestock grazing management 
plans located on the southern end of the Gravelly Mountains, Beaverhead 
and Madison Counties, Montana.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 7, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
June of 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
January of 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Dale Olson, District Ranger, 
Madison Ranger District, 5 Forest Service Road, Ennis, MT 59729. 
Comments may also be sent via email to comments-northern-beaverhead-deerlodge@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to 406-682-4233. For all forms of 
comment, make sure to include your name, physical address, phone 
number, and a subject title of South Gravelly AMP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Olson, District Ranger, Madison 
Ranger District, 5 Forest Service Road, Ennis, MT 59729. Phone: 406-
682-4253.
    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:

Purpose and Need for Action

    This action is being undertaken to review grazing practices and 
infrastructure on four domestic livestock grazing allotments (Eureka 
Basin, Pole Creek, Southwest Corner, Robb Creek) to ensure compliance 
with the applicable Beaverhead-Deerlodge Land and Resource Management 
Plan (Forest Plan) direction. This action is needed because there is 
new direction in the Forest Plan for livestock grazing, site specific 
suitability, and site specific Allowable Use Levels (AUL's) need to be 
validated. Additionally this action is needed to meet the Rescissions 
Act schedule for updating allotment plans.

Proposed Action

    The authorizing official proposes to: Maintain current authorized 
livestock type and numbers, season of use and infrastructure on the 
allotments. Cattle grazing is authorized between July 1 and October 15 
for a total of 9363 AUMs. Domestic livestock grazing would continue 
following current allowable use levels. Specifically, for upland forage 
no more than 55 percent use; for riparian areas no more than 30 percent 
streambank disturbance or maintain no less than four inches of 
greenline stubble height measured by stream reach. Reaching any one 
allowable use parameter requires movement of livestock from the area, 
pasture or the allotment. There would be no changes or additions in 
grazing management or infrastructure. Monitoring of compliance with 
AULs and long term vegetation monitoring would continue. Allotment 
management plans for the four allotments would be updated to 
incorporate the AULs and management prescriptions.

Possible Alternatives

    No Grazing Alternative. Under this alternative domestic livestock 
grazing permits on the four allotments would be discontinued with a 
minimum of two years notice (36 CFR 222.4(a)(1)) to permittees. No new 
term grazing permits for domestic livestock grazing would be issued. 
All internal fences and water developments would be removed.

Responsible Official

    The Madison District Ranger will be the responsible official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed 
action, another alternative, or a combination of the alternatives.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. A scoping letter 
and maps will be mailed to interested publics, Tribes, and federal, 
state, and local governments.
    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. 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.

    Dated: January 29, 2016.
Dale Olson,
Madison District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2016-02107 Filed 2-3-16; 8:45 am]
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