Department of Agriculture April 26, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Wrangell-Petersburg Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Wrangell, Alaska. The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110- 343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the meeting is to review project proposals and make project funding recommendations.

The Manti-La Sal National Forest is proposing to charge fees at the thirty-unit Pioneer Campground and at the Buckeye Group Site within the Buckeye Recreation Area Paradox, Colorado. The proposed fee for the Pioneer Campground units is $10 per site per night. The proposed fee for the Buckeye Group Site that holds up to 50 people is $50 per night. There are 19 other single units, 4 double units and a 5 unit day use area also located within the Buckeye Recreation Area that will be free to the public and on a first come basis. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance, market assessment and public comment. The fees are proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance and improvements of Pioneer Campground and the Buckeye Group Site.

The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on proposed variable density thinning treatments designed to control stocking and maintain or improve overall forest vigor and resiliency within a 6,516-acre planning area known as Eden Ridge. Timber harvested from stand treatments will contribute commercial timber to the Forest's Probable Sale Quantity. The planning area is located approximately four (4) air miles southeast of the city of Powers, Oregon, on the Powers Ranger District. The district proposes timber harvest and other connected activities on approximately 3,650 acres in stands regenerated from timber harvested around the 1920s and 1930s. Candidate stands located on suitable forest land within the planning area are proposed for treatment that are designated as Matrix, with some minor amounts of Riparian Reserve under the Land and Resource Management Plan as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan. Approximately seventy-two (72) treatment units would be designed for timber harvest with associated harvest systems that would use a combination of ground-based, skyline and helicopter operations depending on soil, slope and hydrological concerns. New system road construction, reconstruction of unclassified roads and/or construction of new temporary roads to facilitate treatments within the potential units are to be considered (approximately 8 miles). In addition, reconstruction and/or maintenance of existing system roads will be considered (approximately 22 miles). It is estimated the project could produce up to 55 million board feet from the 3,650 acres being considered, from multiple timber sales over a 5-year period. The alternatives will include the proposed action, no action, and additional alternatives that respond to issues generated through the scoping process. The agency will give notice of the full environmental analysis and decision making process so interested and affected people may participate and contribute to the final decision.