Forest-Wide Integrated Weed Management, Lolo National Forest; Missoula, Mineral, Sanders, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Flathead, Ravalli, Lake and Powell Counties, MT, 17404-17405 [05-6785]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17404-17405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6785]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest-Wide Integrated Weed Management, Lolo National Forest; 
Missoula, Mineral, Sanders, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Flathead, 
Ravalli, Lake and Powell Counties, MT

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised Notice: intent to prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: This is a revision of a Notice of Intent originally published 
in the Federal Register on August 4, 2004. This revision also hereby 
withdraws another Notice of Intent, originally published in the Federal 
Register on August 31, 2004, and incorporates that project into this 
one.
    The original Notice of August 4, 2004 for the ``Forest-Wide 
Integrated Weed Management'' project stated the Forest Service would 
prepare an environmental impact statement to address noxious weeds on a 
maximum of 15,000 acres per year on the Lolo National Forest, using 
aerial and ground application of herbicides, biological and manual 
control methods.
    The Notice of August 31, 2004 for the ``Pattee Canyon Weed 
Management Project'' stated the Forest Service would prepare an 
environmental impact statement to control invasive weeds on 
approximately 2,500 acres of land near Missoula, Montana, using aerial 
and ground applications of herbicides, biological control agents, and 
revegetation.
    This revision withdraws the ``Pattee Canyon Weed Management 
Project'' as a separate project, and combines it into the ``Forest-Wide 
Integrated Weed Management'' project. The reason for the change is to 
make the analysis more efficient, because the ``Pattee Canyon Weed 
Management Project'' area is wholly within the ``Forest-Wide Integrated 
Weed Management'' project area, because the proposed weed management 
methods and aims are the same for both projects, and because 
undertaking two analyses would be less efficient.
    The issues identified in the August 31, 2004 Federal Register 
Notice for the ``Pattee Canyon Weed Management Project'' included the 
effectiveness of the proposed treatments, potential risks to human 
health and safety associated with herbicides, and the potential adverse 
effects of herbicides on native vegetation.
    The August 4, 2004 Federal Register Notice for the ``Forest-Wide 
Integrated Weed Management'' project did not list any specific issues. 
However, based on public scoping, the issues identified for the 
``Pattee Canyon Weed Management Project'' apply to the ``Forest-Wide 
Integrated Weed Management'' project as well. The public comments 
received for the ``Pattee Canyon Weed Management Project'' will be 
incorporated into the ``Forest-Wide Integrated Weed Management'' 
project. The August 4, 2004 Federal Register Notice is hereby amended 
to include them.
    The August 4, 2004 Notice is further amended to also include the 
following additional issues:
    1. Recognizing that invasive weeds are spreading rapidly in Western 
Montana, what effect will invasive weeds have on wildlife and native 
plant communities?
    2. What potential adverse effects might herbicides have on 
wildlife, fish and water quality?

DATES: Comments concerning this revision should be received in writing 
within 30 days of this Notice's publication. Persons who have already 
commented on either the original Notices of Intent do not need to 
resubmit those comments.

ADDRESSES: The responsible official is Deborah L. R. Austin, Forest 
Supervisor, Lolo National Forest, Supervisor's Office, Building 24, 
Fort Missoula; Missoula, MT 59804. Phone (406) 329-3797.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Kulla, Resource Assistant, 
Missoula Ranger District, at (406) 329-3962. Please direct written 
comments to him at Missoula Ranger District; Building 24A, Fort 
Missoula; Missoula, MT 59804.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Further information about the proposal can 
be found in the original Notice of Intent. Another formal opportunity 
to comment will be provided following completion of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS will be available for 
public review by the fall of 2005. The Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) will be filed by the fall of 2006. The responsible 
official will make a decision on this proposal after considering 
comments and responses, environmental consequences discussed in the 
FEIS and applicable laws, regulations and policies. The decision and 
reasons for the decision will be documented in a Record of Decision.


[[Page 17405]]


    Dated: March 22, 2005.
Deborah L.R. Austin,
Forest Supervisor, Lolo National Forest.
[FR Doc. 05-6785 Filed 4-5-05; 8:45 am]
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