Chugach National Forest; Alaska; Kenai Winter Access, 21732-21734 [05-8400]

Download as PDF 21732 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 27, 2005 / Notices Estimated Number of Respondents: 650. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 55 hours. Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from John O’Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250– 3700, (202) 720–5627, (202) 720–0345. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS’ functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS’ estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and, (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to both John O’Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at the address provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Additional Public Notification Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that the public and in particular minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it on-line through the FSIS web page located at https:// www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/ 2005_Notices_Index/index.asp. FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and stakeholders. The update is communicated via Listserv, a free e-mail subscription service consisting of industry, trade, and farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health VerDate jul<14>2003 16:41 Apr 26, 2005 Jkt 205001 professionals, scientific professionals, and other individuals who have requested to be included. The update also is available on the FSIS web page. Through Listserv and the web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which provides an automatic and customized notification when popular pages are updated, including Federal Register publications and related documents. This service is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/ news_and_events/email_subscription/ and allows FSIS customers to sign up for subscription options across eight categories. Options range from recalls to export information to regulations, directives and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their account. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 743–9476 or by e-mail to commentsalaska-chugach@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Talbott, Public Affairs Staff Officer, Chugach National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503, (907) 743–9500. Sharon Randall, Planning Staff Officer, Chugach National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503, (907) 743–9500. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service is seeking information, comments and assistance from individuals, organizations, tribal governments, and Federal, State, and local agencies that are interested or may be affected by the proposed action. The public is invited to help identify issues and define the range of alternatives to be considered in the EIS. The range of alternatives will be based on the identification of significant public issues, management concerns, resource management opportunities, and plan decisions specific to Access Management within the scope of the Chugach National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 2002 Revision (Forest Plan). Written comments identifying issues for analysis and range of alternatives are encouraged. Forest Service Background Done at Washington, DC, on April 22, 2005. Barbara J. Masters, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 05–8405 Filed 4–26–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P Chugach National Forest; Alaska; Kenai Winter Access Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Chugach National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for developing the Kenai winter access management plan on the Seward Ranger District. The objective of the Kenai winter access management plan is to respond to the public’s need for high quality winter recreation opportunities and access in the planning area that best meets the needs of past, present and future users of the area and surrounding areas. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis to be most helpful should be received on or before May 25, 2005. The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in August 2005 and the final environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in November 2005. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Kenai Winter Access, Chugach National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (907) PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 On May 31, 2002, the Alaska (Region 10) Regional Forester signed the Record of Decision for the Revised Chugach Forest Plan. A number of individuals and organizations then appealed various parts of the decision, including the closure of the Carter-Crescent Lakes area to winter motorized access. In January 2003, after reviewing the appeals and the administrative record, the Regional Forester withdrew that portion of the decision closing the Carter-Crescent Lakes area to winter motorized access. By withdrawing the decision for the Carter-Crescent Lakes area, management direction for that area remained as it was in the 1984 Chugach National Forest Plan. Under the 1984 Forest Plan, the area is open to winter motorized activities from December 1 to April 30 once there is adequate snow to protect resources. The Regional Forester also directed the Chugach National Forest to reconsider this portion of the decision at the local level, with involvement from all interested parties, to make sure that the site-specific impacts of any closure were fully disclosed and that reasonable alternatives were considered. As directed by the Regional Forester, the Forest Service began a site-specific analysis for the Carter-Crescent Lakes Area in late February and March of E:\FR\FM\27APN1.SGM 27APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 27, 2005 / Notices 2004. Several open house listening sessions specific to the Carter-Crescent Lakes area were held during that time in Anchorage, Seward, Cooper Landing, Moose Pass and Soldotna. Many of the public comments received during that period suggested that in order to find a workable longterm solution to winter recreation access, the Forest Service would need to expand the planning area beyond just the Carter-Crescent Lakes area. As stated in many of the comments, an expansion of the planning area would allow greater creative management options such as considering timing, shared-use of splitseason access periods across Forest Service lands on the Seward Ranger District. After further consideration, the Chugach National Forest asked for and received approval from the Regional Forester to expand the planning area outside of the Carter-Crescent Lakes area. Purpose and Need for Action Due to the withdrawal of the Forest Plan decision regarding winter motorized recreation access for the Carter-Crescent Lakes area, the Forest needs to address how and where to manage for motorized and nonmotorized winter access. The purpose is to have a clear and concise plan for winter access on the Seward Ranger District that addresses the needs for forest management, public access and recreation use. Proposed Action The Chugach National Forest proposes to develop a winter access management plan for the Seward Ranger District by next winter season 2005/ 2006 in order to respond to the withdrawal of the 2002 Forest Plan decision regarding winter motorized access for the Carter-Crescent Lakes area. Possible Alternatives The range of alternatives considered will address significant issues and fulfill the purpose and need. A reasonable range of alternatives will be evaluated. Rationale will be given for any alternative(s) eliminated from detailed consideration. Alternatives will represent differing management scenarios based on quality and quantity of travel. A ‘‘no-action alternative’’ is required by law. The no-action alternative under this analysis will assume winter motorized recreation access direction as described under the 2002 Forest Plan, except for the Carter-Crescent area which would continue to be managed VerDate jul<14>2003 16:41 Apr 26, 2005 Jkt 205001 21733 for winter motorized recreation access as described under the 1984 Forest Plan. Additional alternatives will provide a range of ways to address and respond to public issues, management concerns and resource opportunities identified during the collaborative learning and scoping process. Responsible Official: Joe Meade, Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503, (907) 743–9500. available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR part 215. Upon completion of the Draft EIS, the document will be provided to the public for review and comment. Comments and Forest Service responses will be responded to in the Final EIS. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Forest Supervisor, as Responsible Official, may decide to (1) select the proposed action, (2) select one of the alternatives, (3) select one of the alternatives after modifying the alternative with additional mitigating measures or combinations of activities from other alternatives, or (4) select the no-action alternative. The decisions to be made within each of the alternatives will include whether an area is open, restricted, or closed to certain winter uses. Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register. The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer’s position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement. To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to Scoping Process The Forest Service accepted comments on this issue in February and March 2004 when scoping began for the Carter-Crescent Lakes area environmental analysis. Since then the project area has expanded to include the entire Seward Ranger District. In February 2005, a Collaborative Learning approach designed to facilitate open communication and idea sharing with local communities was implemented. This has been done via public workshops in order to develop management scenarios that may lead to a range of alternatives to be analyzed. Seven public workshops were held between February and April 2005 in the communities of Anchorage, Moose Pass, Seward and Soldotna. Information about future public meetings will be announced in mailings, area media, and on the Chugach National Forest Internet site at https:// www.fs.fed.us./r10/chugach. Comment Requested This notice of intent continues the scoping process which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. Comments received in response to this notice and previous request for comments, including names and addresses when provided, will become a matter of the public record available for inspection and copying. All submissions from organizations and business, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\27APN1.SGM 27APN1 21734 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 27, 2005 / Notices refer to the Council on Environmental quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record and will be available for public inspection. (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) Dated: April 20, 2005. Joe L. Meade, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–8400 Filed 4–26–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee AGENCY: ACTION: Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting to discuss Fred Burr 80 Project in the field, and hold a short public forum (question and answer session). The meeting is being held pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 393). The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will be held on April 26, 2005, 6:30 p.m. DATES: The meeting will be held while driving South to Hamilton, on Highway 93, turning West on Tucker Road (Road #48), turning South on Road 48B connecting with Road #733. Send written comments to Daniel G. Ritter, Acting District Ranger, Stevensville Ranger District, 88 Main Street, Stevensville, MT 59870, by facsimile (406) 777–7423, or electronically to dritter@fs.fed.us. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Ritter, Stevensville District Ranger and Designated Federal Officer, Phone: (406) 777–5461. Dated: April 20, 2005. David T. Bull, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–8396 Filed 4–26–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M VerDate jul<14>2003 16:41 Apr 26, 2005 Jkt 205001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Office of the Secretary Strengthening America’s Communities Advisory Committee Office of the Secretary, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Strengthening America’s Communities Advisory Committee (the ‘‘Committee’’) will hold its second public meeting on Friday, May 13, 2005 in Kansas City, Missouri. At this meeting, the Committee will discuss policy issues relating to the President’s Strengthening America’s Communities Initiative (the ‘‘Initiative’’). During the Committee’s first meeting in Fresno, California on April 15, 2005, the Committee received its charge to undertake a high-level examination of key policy issues pertaining to the Initiative. The second meeting will feature preliminary presentations to and deliberation by the Committee of work by the Committee’s subcommittees on the policy issues presented to them. DATES: Friday, May 13, 2005; beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. (c.s.t.) and ending at approximately 12 p.m. (c.s.t.). ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64110. Mr. Robert E. Olson, Designated Federal Officer of the Committee, Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 7015, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482–4495; facsimile (202) 482–2838; email: saci@eda.doc.gov. Please note that any correspondence sent by regular mail may be substantially delayed or suspended in delivery, since all regular mail sent to the Department of Commerce (the ‘‘Department’’) is subject to extensive security screening. For information about the Initiative, please visit the Department’s Web site at https://www.commerce.gov/SACI/ index.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The meeting will be open to the public and seating will be available, but may be limited. Reservations are not accepted. Requests for sign language interpretation and other auxiliary aids must be transmitted by facsimile or email to the contact person listed above no later than May 5, 2005. The prospective agenda for the Committee meeting is as follows: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (1) Presentation of expert witnesses selected by the Committee; (2) Presentation and deliberation of subcommittee reports to the Committee; and (3) Public comment. Members of the public will have the opportunity to present oral comments to the Committee at this meeting. The Committee values most those public comments that bear upon issues under direct examination by the Committee, rather than issues unrelated to the Committee’s current scope of discussion. Members of the public may also submit written statements to the contact person listed above at any time before or after the meeting. However, to facilitate distribution of written statements to Committee members, the Committee suggests that written statements be submitted to the Designated Federal Officer listed above by facsimile or e-mail no later than May 5, 2005. This agenda is subject to change. A more detailed agenda (including details on the public comment portion of the meeting) will be posted on the Department’s Web site at https:// www.commerce.gov/SACI/index.htm, and a final agenda will be made available to the public the morning of the Committee meeting. Dated: April 22, 2005. David Bearden, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. [FR Doc. 05–8445 Filed 4–26–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–24–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economic Development Administration Revolving Loan Fund Reporting Requirements Extension of an information collection; comment request. ACTION: SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 27, 2005. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, HCHB Room E:\FR\FM\27APN1.SGM 27APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21732-21734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8400]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Chugach National Forest; Alaska; Kenai Winter Access

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Chugach National Forest will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) for developing the Kenai winter access 
management plan on the Seward Ranger District. The objective of the 
Kenai winter access management plan is to respond to the public's need 
for high quality winter recreation opportunities and access in the 
planning area that best meets the needs of past, present and future 
users of the area and surrounding areas.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis to be most helpful 
should be received on or before May 25, 2005. The draft environmental 
impact statement is expected to be completed in August 2005 and the 
final environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in 
November 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Kenai Winter Access, Chugach 
National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503. Comments 
may also be submitted by facsimile to (907) 743-9476 or by e-mail to 
comments-alaska-chugach@fs.fed.us.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Talbott, Public Affairs Staff 
Officer, Chugach National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 
99503, (907) 743-9500. Sharon Randall, Planning Staff Officer, Chugach 
National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503, (907) 743-
9500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service is seeking information, 
comments and assistance from individuals, organizations, tribal 
governments, and Federal, State, and local agencies that are interested 
or may be affected by the proposed action. The public is invited to 
help identify issues and define the range of alternatives to be 
considered in the EIS. The range of alternatives will be based on the 
identification of significant public issues, management concerns, 
resource management opportunities, and plan decisions specific to 
Access Management within the scope of the Chugach National Forest Land 
and Resource Management Plan 2002 Revision (Forest Plan). Written 
comments identifying issues for analysis and range of alternatives are 
encouraged.

Background

    On May 31, 2002, the Alaska (Region 10) Regional Forester signed 
the Record of Decision for the Revised Chugach Forest Plan. A number of 
individuals and organizations then appealed various parts of the 
decision, including the closure of the Carter-Crescent Lakes area to 
winter motorized access.
    In January 2003, after reviewing the appeals and the administrative 
record, the Regional Forester withdrew that portion of the decision 
closing the Carter-Crescent Lakes area to winter motorized access. By 
withdrawing the decision for the Carter-Crescent Lakes area, management 
direction for that area remained as it was in the 1984 Chugach National 
Forest Plan. Under the 1984 Forest Plan, the area is open to winter 
motorized activities from December 1 to April 30 once there is adequate 
snow to protect resources.
    The Regional Forester also directed the Chugach National Forest to 
reconsider this portion of the decision at the local level, with 
involvement from all interested parties, to make sure that the site-
specific impacts of any closure were fully disclosed and that 
reasonable alternatives were considered.
    As directed by the Regional Forester, the Forest Service began a 
site-specific analysis for the Carter-Crescent Lakes Area in late 
February and March of

[[Page 21733]]

2004. Several open house listening sessions specific to the Carter-
Crescent Lakes area were held during that time in Anchorage, Seward, 
Cooper Landing, Moose Pass and Soldotna.
    Many of the public comments received during that period suggested 
that in order to find a workable long-term solution to winter 
recreation access, the Forest Service would need to expand the planning 
area beyond just the Carter-Crescent Lakes area. As stated in many of 
the comments, an expansion of the planning area would allow greater 
creative management options such as considering timing, shared-use of 
split-season access periods across Forest Service lands on the Seward 
Ranger District.
    After further consideration, the Chugach National Forest asked for 
and received approval from the Regional Forester to expand the planning 
area outside of the Carter-Crescent Lakes area.

Purpose and Need for Action

    Due to the withdrawal of the Forest Plan decision regarding winter 
motorized recreation access for the Carter-Crescent Lakes area, the 
Forest needs to address how and where to manage for motorized and 
nonmotorized winter access. The purpose is to have a clear and concise 
plan for winter access on the Seward Ranger District that addresses the 
needs for forest management, public access and recreation use.

Proposed Action

    The Chugach National Forest proposes to develop a winter access 
management plan for the Seward Ranger District by next winter season 
2005/2006 in order to respond to the withdrawal of the 2002 Forest Plan 
decision regarding winter motorized access for the Carter-Crescent 
Lakes area.

Possible Alternatives

    The range of alternatives considered will address significant 
issues and fulfill the purpose and need. A reasonable range of 
alternatives will be evaluated. Rationale will be given for any 
alternative(s) eliminated from detailed consideration. Alternatives 
will represent differing management scenarios based on quality and 
quantity of travel.
    A ``no-action alternative'' is required by law. The no-action 
alternative under this analysis will assume winter motorized recreation 
access direction as described under the 2002 Forest Plan, except for 
the Carter-Crescent area which would continue to be managed for winter 
motorized recreation access as described under the 1984 Forest Plan. 
Additional alternatives will provide a range of ways to address and 
respond to public issues, management concerns and resource 
opportunities identified during the collaborative learning and scoping 
process.
    Responsible Official: Joe Meade, Forest Supervisor, Chugach 
National Forest, 3301 C St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503, (907) 743-
9500.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Forest Supervisor, as Responsible Official, may decide to (1) 
select the proposed action, (2) select one of the alternatives, (3) 
select one of the alternatives after modifying the alternative with 
additional mitigating measures or combinations of activities from other 
alternatives, or (4) select the no-action alternative. The decisions to 
be made within each of the alternatives will include whether an area is 
open, restricted, or closed to certain winter uses.

Scoping Process

    The Forest Service accepted comments on this issue in February and 
March 2004 when scoping began for the Carter-Crescent Lakes area 
environmental analysis. Since then the project area has expanded to 
include the entire Seward Ranger District. In February 2005, a 
Collaborative Learning approach designed to facilitate open 
communication and idea sharing with local communities was implemented. 
This has been done via public workshops in order to develop management 
scenarios that may lead to a range of alternatives to be analyzed. 
Seven public workshops were held between February and April 2005 in the 
communities of Anchorage, Moose Pass, Seward and Soldotna.
    Information about future public meetings will be announced in 
mailings, area media, and on the Chugach National Forest Internet site 
at https://www.fs.fed.us./r10/chugach.

Comment Requested

    This notice of intent continues the scoping process which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Comments 
received in response to this notice and previous request for comments, 
including names and addresses when provided, will become a matter of 
the public record available for inspection and copying.
    All submissions from organizations and business, and from 
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of 
organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in 
their entirety. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and 
considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have 
standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR part 215. Upon 
completion of the Draft EIS, the document will be provided to the 
public for review and comment. Comments and Forest Service responses 
will be responded to in the Final EIS.

Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review

    A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for 
comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement 
will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency 
publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements must structure their 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may 
be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 
1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, 
it is very important that those interested in this proposed action 
participate by the close of the 45-day comment period so that 
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest 
Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to 
them in the final environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to

[[Page 21734]]

refer to the Council on Environmental quality Regulations for 
implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental 
Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
    Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who 
comment, will be considered part of the public record and will be 
available for public inspection.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21)
    Dated: April 20, 2005.
Joe L. Meade,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 05-8400 Filed 4-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
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