Olympia National Forest, Jefferson County, Oregon Dosewallips Road Washout Project, 47171-47173 [05-16004]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2005 / Notices
South Building, 14th Street and
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC. Normal reading room
hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except holidays. To be
sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 690–2817 before
coming.
Other Information: You may view
APHIS documents published in the
Federal Register and related
information on the Internet at https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/
webrepor.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Rudaina Alrefai, Biotechnology
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–
1236; (301) 734–4866. To obtain copies
of the petition or the environmental
assessment (EA), contact Ms. Ingrid
Berlanger at (301) 734–4885; e-mail:
ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov. The
EA is also available on the Internet at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/
aphisdocs/05_09701r_ea.pdf.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
regulations in 7 CFR part 340,
‘‘Introduction of Organisms and
Products Altered or Produced Through
Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant
Pests or Which There Is Reason to
Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate,
among other things, the introduction
(importation, interstate movement, or
release into the environment) of
organisms and products altered or
produced through genetic engineering
that are plant pests or that there is
reason to believe are plant pests. Such
genetically engineered organisms and
products are considered ‘‘regulated
articles.’’ A permit must be obtained or
a notification acknowledged before a
regulated article may be introduced. The
regulations set forth the permit
application requirements and the
notification procedures for the
importation, interstate movement, or
release into the environment of a
regulated article.
On April 7, 2005, the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
received a permit application (APHIS
permit number 05–097–01r) from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Department of Plant Pathology,
Madison, WI, for a permit for a field
trial of Erwinia carotovora. These
bacteria have been genetically
engineered not to express specific hrp/
hrc (hypersensitive reaction on non-host
plants and pathogenesis on host plants
or conserved among plant and animal
pathogens) genes resulting in the
disruption of the disease-causing
mechanism. These mutations are
expected to make the bacterial strains
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avirulent or non-pathogenic. The
application describes four genetically
engineered strains to be used in this
field trial.
The E. carotovora ssp. carotovora
WPP14 strain was initially isolated from
a diseased potato plant obtained from a
commercial farm in Waushara County,
WI. This strain was used to create four
new genetically engineered strains by
inserting a marker gene into genes that
may be necessary for E. carotovora
infection of potatoes. The four strains
resulting from this mutatgenesis that are
proposed for use in this field trial are
described below.
• Strain WPP40 contains an insertion
of a kanamycin resistance gene (aph)
cassette into outD. The outD gene
encodes for an outer membrane porin
that is required for a functional type II
secretion system. This mutant is unable
to secrete plant cell wall degrading
enzymes and is avirulent. The
kanamycin resistance gene cassette
contains aph, which encodes neomycin
phosphotransferase which was
originally isolated from Tn5, and two
FRT sites derived from Saccharomyces
cerevisiae.
• Strain WPP60 has an insertion of a
spectromycin resistance gene (aadA
cassette into hrcC, an outer membrane
porin which is required for a functional
type III secretion system. This mutant is
unable to secrete harpins or effector
(Avr) proteins. It is hypersensitive
response minus and reduced in
virulence. The spectinomycin resistance
gene cassette is constructed from the
aadD gene which encodes
aminoglycoside-3 adenyltransferase,
originally derived from Shigella
flexneri, with termination sequences
derived from bacterophage T4.
• Strain Wpp195 has a deletion of
hrpN and an insertion of a
chloramphenicol resistance gene (cat)
cassette and a modified green
fluorescent protein (gfpmut2) into this
locus. This mutant is unable to produce
or secrete the harpin, HrpN. The
gfpmut2 gene was originally cloned
from Aequorea victoria and was
modified to be brighter. Its expression is
driven by the nptII kan promoter from
Tn5. The cat gene encodes
cholramphenicol acetyltransferase,
which was originally isolated from
Escherichia coli. This construct also
contains FRT sites.
• Strain Wpp198 is an insertion of a
similar chloramphenicol resistance
cassette into hrpL, which is a sigma
factor required for expression of the
type III secretion system and its secreted
substrates. The mutant is unable to
produce or secrete harpins or effector
(Avr) proteins. It is hypersensitive
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
47171
response minus and reduced in
virulence.
The genetically engineered E.
carotovora are considered regulated
articles under the regulations in 7 CFR
part 340 because they may be plant
pests. The purpose of the field trial is to
use genetically engineered E. carotovora
strains with mutations in homologs of
the well-characterized Pseudomonas
syringae hrp genes as tools to:
• Understand the effects of specific
genes on the fitness of E. carotovora,
• Use the results from these
experiments to better understand the
function of these genes in plantbacterial interactions, and
• Compare the results obtained with
E. carotovora mutants with those found
for P. syringae to determine if
homologous genes play similar roles in
fitness in different environments.
To provide the public with
documentation of APHIS’ review and
analysis of any potential environmental
impacts and plant pest risk associated
with the proposed field trial of theses
strains of genetically engineered E.
carotovora, an environmental
assessment (EA) has been prepared. The
EA was prepared in accordance with (1)
The National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the
Council on Environmental Quality for
implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3)
USDA regulations implementing NEPA
(7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
372). Copies of the EA are available as
indicated in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
notice.
Done in Washington, DC, this 8th day of
August 2005.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E5–4382 Filed 8–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Olympia National Forest, Jefferson
County, Oregon Dosewallips Road
Washout Project
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service,
will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) in accordance with
Section 102(2)(C) of the National
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47172
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2005 / Notices
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub.
L. 91–190) to document the analysis and
disclose the environmental effects of the
proposed action to reestablish road
access provided by Forest Service Road
(FSR) 2610 and Park Service
Dosewallips Road to National Forest
and National Park recreational facilities.
The proposed action is to rebuild FSR
2610 through a washout area using a
low-water crossing design and to repair
damage to the Park’s Dosewallips Road,
including the portion of road in the
vicinity of the Dosewallips River Falls.
DATES: Written comments concerning
the scope of the analysis must be
postmarked within 30 days following
publication of this notice. The draft
environmental impact statement is
expected in February 2006 and the final
environmental impact statement is
expected in November 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
the Responsible Official, Dale Hom,
Forest Supervisor, Olympic National
Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW.,
Suite A, Olympia, WA, 98512. Send
electronic comments to commentspacificnorthwest-olympic@fs.fed.us.
Send National Park Service specific
comments to William G. Laitner, Park
Superintendent, Olympic National Park,
600 East Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA,
98362; or olym-ea@mps.gov.
All comments received will become
part of the public record and copies of
comments, including names and home
addresses of respondents, may be
released for public inspection.
Individual respondents may request that
their home addresses be withheld from
the public record, which will be
honored to the extent allowable by law.
Request to withhold names and/or
addresses must be stated prominently at
the beginning of the comments.
Anonymous comments will not be
considered. Submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, will be
made available for public inspection in
their entirety.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim
Davis, Project Team Leader, Olympic
National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd,
SW., Suite A, Olympia, WA, 98512;
phone (360) 956–2375; or e-mail
tedavis@fs.fed.us. For information on
the National Park Service component of
the project, contact Nancy Hendricks,
Environmental Protection Specialist,
600 East Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA,
98362; phone (360) 565–3008; or e-mail
olym-ea@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During a
storm in January 2002 approximately
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Jkt 205001
300 feet of FSR 2610 washed out,
cutting off road access to approximately
5 miles of road beyond the washout.
This road had provided access to the
Forest’s Elkhorn Campground, and
along with the Park’s Dosewallips Road
had provided access to the Olympic
National Park Dosewallips Ranger
Station and Campground, and several
trailheads. Subsequent to the FSR 2610
washout, road damage occurred on the
Park’s Dosewallips Road including
damage in the vicinity of the
Dosewallips Falls. In response to the
washout on FSR 2610 the Forest Service
prepared an environmental assessment
(EA) in May 2002, and based on the
need for additional information revised
the EA in February 2003. A decision to
reestablish road access via an upslope
reroute was made in March 2004, and it
was subsequently decided to withdraw
the decision and complete a more
detailed analysis.
Although previous NEPA analyses
were completed in EAs, a recent
preliminary effects analysis indicated
that there may be significant effects on
the environment (related to threatened
and endangered species and habitat)
which requires the completion of an
EIS.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Olympic National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan (Forest
Plan) established certain management
area prescriptions and corresponding
goals and desired conditions for
National Forest System Land along FSR
2610 in and beyond the washout area.
Two of these management area
prescriptions [Undeveloped Recreation
(Motorized) and Developed Recreation
Sites and Administrative Sites] are
dependent on the road access provided
by FSR 2610. Additionally, road access
to Forest Service Elkhorn Campground
provided by FSR 2610 helps achieve
two Forest level recreation goals and
objectives. These are Forest
Management Goal for recreation
(number 5), ‘‘Provide safe and wellmaintained facilities at developed
recreation sites that offer a range of
opportunities and experiences. Assure
that facilities are readily accessible to a
diverse public, including the physically
impaired’’; ;and Forest Management
Objective for recreation at developed
sites (objective 4.a) as this is a site
identified in the Forest Plan for
reconstruction/expansion to meet the
projected increase in demand for
developed campgrounds.
The Olympic National Park considers
the road access provided by FSR 2610
and Dosewallips Road an important part
of its overall management strategy as
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they provide one of two motorized
vehicle access points on the east side of
the park. The roads provide access for
a more primitive recreational experience
for Olympic National Park visitors than
those found at the more developed sites
with road access within the park, and
this assists the park in meeting its goal
of providing a wide range of recreational
opportunities. Based on the established
need, the purpose of this project is to
reestablish road access on FSR 2610 at
the washout site, and on the park’s
Dosewallips Road.
Those familiar with the project’s
previous NEPA analyses will note the
change in project purpose from a more
generic restoration of access to the more
focused road access. The views of some
who commented during the previous
NEPA analyses and expressed a desire
to change the land use of the area to
non-motorized were considered in
making this change. However after
further review of the importance of road
access to the Park’s Dosewallips
recreation facilities and the existing
Forest Plan direction for this area it was
determined that restoring road access is
the more appropriate purpose.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is proposing to
address the project’s purpose and need
related to FSR 2610 by rebuilding the
road through the washout area using a
low-water crossing design. This narrow,
single-lane road would be
approximately 600 feet long, be at a
lower grade (about 8 feet) than the
existing road, and curve close to the
washout bank. The road would be
designed so that it would be overtopped
by the river during moderately large
flood events (Q20 or 20 year flood). This
road would provide seasonal access for
passenger cars, recreational vehicles,
and vehicles pulling trailers. This
proposed action also includes a
proposal to amend the Forest Plan. The
amendment would waive compliance
with ACS (Aquatic Conservation
Strategy) objectives at the watershed
scale. The waiver of this requirement
applies only to the Forest Service’s part
of the site-specific Dosewallips Road
Washout Project.
The Park Service is proposing to
address the purpose and need
associated with the Dosewallips Road
by reinforcing the road fill slope with
rock filled gabions at the Dosewallips
Falls area, and repairing the road
surface to current road standards.
Possible Alternatives
The following preliminary
alternatives were developed either
during the previous NEPA analysis or in
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2005 / Notices
recent interdisciplinary team meetings.
These alternatives are No Action,
Rebuild the Road in Place, Single Land
Bridge, Reroute (car, recreational
vehicle, and trailer access) upslope with
design to minimize construction costs,
and Reroute (car, recreational vehicle,
and trailer access) upslope with design
to minimize resource impacts by
reducing clearing limits. As in the case
of the Proposed Action, the other action
alternatives include proposals to amend
the Forest Plan. These proposed
amendments will be identified and
analyzed in the EIS. Under all the action
alternatives, the National Park Service
proposes to reinforce the Dosewallips
Road at the Dosewallips Falls site and
repair the road to current road
standards.
Lead and Cooperative Agencies
The U.S. Forest Service, Olympic
National Forest, will be the lead agency
in preparation and completion of the
EIS. The National Park Service, Olympic
National Park will be a cooperating
agency in the completion of the EIS.
Responsible Official
Dale Horn, Forest Supervisor,
Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black
Lake Blvd, SW. Suite A, Olympia, WA,
98512 will be the Responsible Official
for Forest Service decisions. The
Responsible Official for the National
Park Service is Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region;
subsequently, the implementing official
for the National Park Service is
Superintendent, Olympic National Park.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
How road access on FSR 2610 and the
Park’s Dosewallips Road will be
restored, if at all; what if any Forest Plan
amendments will be required; and what
if any mitigation and monitoring
requirements will apply.
Scoping Process
This Notice of Intent initiates the
scoping process for the development of
the environmental impact statement.
Comments received during the scoping
process for the previous National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
environmental assessment analysis will
be considered during this current
analysis. Scoping will also include
informational mailings and public
meetings, which have not yet been
scheduled. The Forest Service and Park
Service will be seeking information,
comments, and assistance from Federal,
State, and local agencies, Tribes, and
other individuals or organizations that
may be interested in or affected by the
proposal.
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17:14 Aug 11, 2005
Jkt 205001
Preliminary Issues
Issues identified during the previous
NEPA analysis are the basis of these
preliminary issues. They are access,
wilderness, social, soil productivity,
aquatic and terrestrial habitat
conditions, and riparian function. In
addition, the National Park Service must
make an impairment determination for
any actions proposed within Olympic
National Park in accordance with the
NPS Organic Act and NPS Management
Policies (NPS 2001c, Section 1,4,5); this
mandate does not apply to National
Forest System Lands.
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 60 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 60
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
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47173
alternatives formulated and discussed in
the statement. Reviewers may wish to
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 on this proposal and will
be available for public inspection.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22;
Forest Services Handbook 1909.15, Section
21).
Dated: August 3, 2005.
Virginia Grilley,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Olympic National
Forest.
[FR Doc. 05–16004 Filed 8–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Glenn/Colusa County Resource
Advisory Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Glenn/Colusa County
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
will meet in Willows, California.
Agenda items to be covered include: (1)
Introductions, (2) Approval of Minutes,
(3) Public Comment, (4) Project
Proposal/Possible Action, (5) Web site
Update, (6) Update on Colusa Title III
Money, (7) General Discussion, (8) Next
Agenda.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
August 22, 2005, from 1:30 p.m. and
end at approximately 4:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Mendocino National Forest
Supervisor’s Office, 825 N. Humboldt
Ave., Willows, CA 95988. Individuals
wishing to speak or propose agenda
items must send their names and
proposals to Jim Giachino, DFO, 825 N.
Humboldt Ave., Willows, CA 95988.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bobbin Gaddini, Committee
Coordinator, USDA, Mendocino
National Forest, Grindstone Ranger
District, P.O. Box 164, Elk Creek, CA
95939. (530) 968–1815; e-mail
ggadddini@fs.fed.us.
The
meeting is open to the public.
Committee discussion is limited to
Forest Service staff and Committee
members. However, persons who wish
to bring matters to the attention of the
Committee may file written statements
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47171-47173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16004]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Olympia National Forest, Jefferson County, Oregon Dosewallips
Road Washout Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) in accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of the National
[[Page 47172]]
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) to document the
analysis and disclose the environmental effects of the proposed action
to reestablish road access provided by Forest Service Road (FSR) 2610
and Park Service Dosewallips Road to National Forest and National Park
recreational facilities. The proposed action is to rebuild FSR 2610
through a washout area using a low-water crossing design and to repair
damage to the Park's Dosewallips Road, including the portion of road in
the vicinity of the Dosewallips River Falls.
DATES: Written comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be
postmarked within 30 days following publication of this notice. The
draft environmental impact statement is expected in February 2006 and
the final environmental impact statement is expected in November 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Responsible Official, Dale Hom,
Forest Supervisor, Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW.,
Suite A, Olympia, WA, 98512. Send electronic comments to comments-
pacificnorthwest-olympic@fs.fed.us. Send National Park Service specific
comments to William G. Laitner, Park Superintendent, Olympic National
Park, 600 East Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA, 98362; or olym-ea@mps.gov.
All comments received will become part of the public record and
copies of comments, including names and home addresses of respondents,
may be released for public inspection. Individual respondents may
request that their home addresses be withheld from the public record,
which will be honored to the extent allowable by law. Request to
withhold names and/or addresses must be stated prominently at the
beginning of the comments. Anonymous comments will not be considered.
Submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations
or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their
entirety.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Davis, Project Team Leader,
Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd, SW., Suite A, Olympia,
WA, 98512; phone (360) 956-2375; or e-mail tedavis@fs.fed.us. For
information on the National Park Service component of the project,
contact Nancy Hendricks, Environmental Protection Specialist, 600 East
Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA, 98362; phone (360) 565-3008; or e-mail
olym-ea@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During a storm in January 2002 approximately
300 feet of FSR 2610 washed out, cutting off road access to
approximately 5 miles of road beyond the washout. This road had
provided access to the Forest's Elkhorn Campground, and along with the
Park's Dosewallips Road had provided access to the Olympic National
Park Dosewallips Ranger Station and Campground, and several trailheads.
Subsequent to the FSR 2610 washout, road damage occurred on the Park's
Dosewallips Road including damage in the vicinity of the Dosewallips
Falls. In response to the washout on FSR 2610 the Forest Service
prepared an environmental assessment (EA) in May 2002, and based on the
need for additional information revised the EA in February 2003. A
decision to reestablish road access via an upslope reroute was made in
March 2004, and it was subsequently decided to withdraw the decision
and complete a more detailed analysis.
Although previous NEPA analyses were completed in EAs, a recent
preliminary effects analysis indicated that there may be significant
effects on the environment (related to threatened and endangered
species and habitat) which requires the completion of an EIS.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Olympic National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan
(Forest Plan) established certain management area prescriptions and
corresponding goals and desired conditions for National Forest System
Land along FSR 2610 in and beyond the washout area. Two of these
management area prescriptions [Undeveloped Recreation (Motorized) and
Developed Recreation Sites and Administrative Sites] are dependent on
the road access provided by FSR 2610. Additionally, road access to
Forest Service Elkhorn Campground provided by FSR 2610 helps achieve
two Forest level recreation goals and objectives. These are Forest
Management Goal for recreation (number 5), ``Provide safe and well-
maintained facilities at developed recreation sites that offer a range
of opportunities and experiences. Assure that facilities are readily
accessible to a diverse public, including the physically impaired'';
;and Forest Management Objective for recreation at developed sites
(objective 4.a) as this is a site identified in the Forest Plan for
reconstruction/expansion to meet the projected increase in demand for
developed campgrounds.
The Olympic National Park considers the road access provided by FSR
2610 and Dosewallips Road an important part of its overall management
strategy as they provide one of two motorized vehicle access points on
the east side of the park. The roads provide access for a more
primitive recreational experience for Olympic National Park visitors
than those found at the more developed sites with road access within
the park, and this assists the park in meeting its goal of providing a
wide range of recreational opportunities. Based on the established
need, the purpose of this project is to reestablish road access on FSR
2610 at the washout site, and on the park's Dosewallips Road.
Those familiar with the project's previous NEPA analyses will note
the change in project purpose from a more generic restoration of access
to the more focused road access. The views of some who commented during
the previous NEPA analyses and expressed a desire to change the land
use of the area to non-motorized were considered in making this change.
However after further review of the importance of road access to the
Park's Dosewallips recreation facilities and the existing Forest Plan
direction for this area it was determined that restoring road access is
the more appropriate purpose.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is proposing to address the project's purpose
and need related to FSR 2610 by rebuilding the road through the washout
area using a low-water crossing design. This narrow, single-lane road
would be approximately 600 feet long, be at a lower grade (about 8
feet) than the existing road, and curve close to the washout bank. The
road would be designed so that it would be overtopped by the river
during moderately large flood events (Q20 or 20 year flood). This road
would provide seasonal access for passenger cars, recreational
vehicles, and vehicles pulling trailers. This proposed action also
includes a proposal to amend the Forest Plan. The amendment would waive
compliance with ACS (Aquatic Conservation Strategy) objectives at the
watershed scale. The waiver of this requirement applies only to the
Forest Service's part of the site-specific Dosewallips Road Washout
Project.
The Park Service is proposing to address the purpose and need
associated with the Dosewallips Road by reinforcing the road fill slope
with rock filled gabions at the Dosewallips Falls area, and repairing
the road surface to current road standards.
Possible Alternatives
The following preliminary alternatives were developed either during
the previous NEPA analysis or in
[[Page 47173]]
recent interdisciplinary team meetings. These alternatives are No
Action, Rebuild the Road in Place, Single Land Bridge, Reroute (car,
recreational vehicle, and trailer access) upslope with design to
minimize construction costs, and Reroute (car, recreational vehicle,
and trailer access) upslope with design to minimize resource impacts by
reducing clearing limits. As in the case of the Proposed Action, the
other action alternatives include proposals to amend the Forest Plan.
These proposed amendments will be identified and analyzed in the EIS.
Under all the action alternatives, the National Park Service proposes
to reinforce the Dosewallips Road at the Dosewallips Falls site and
repair the road to current road standards.
Lead and Cooperative Agencies
The U.S. Forest Service, Olympic National Forest, will be the lead
agency in preparation and completion of the EIS. The National Park
Service, Olympic National Park will be a cooperating agency in the
completion of the EIS.
Responsible Official
Dale Horn, Forest Supervisor, Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black
Lake Blvd, SW. Suite A, Olympia, WA, 98512 will be the Responsible
Official for Forest Service decisions. The Responsible Official for the
National Park Service is Jonathan B. Jarvis, Regional Director, Pacific
West Region; subsequently, the implementing official for the National
Park Service is Superintendent, Olympic National Park.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
How road access on FSR 2610 and the Park's Dosewallips Road will be
restored, if at all; what if any Forest Plan amendments will be
required; and what if any mitigation and monitoring requirements will
apply.
Scoping Process
This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process for the
development of the environmental impact statement. Comments received
during the scoping process for the previous National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessment analysis will be considered
during this current analysis. Scoping will also include informational
mailings and public meetings, which have not yet been scheduled. The
Forest Service and Park Service will be seeking information, comments,
and assistance from Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, and
other individuals or organizations that may be interested in or
affected by the proposal.
Preliminary Issues
Issues identified during the previous NEPA analysis are the basis
of these preliminary issues. They are access, wilderness, social, soil
productivity, aquatic and terrestrial habitat conditions, and riparian
function. In addition, the National Park Service must make an
impairment determination for any actions proposed within Olympic
National Park in accordance with the NPS Organic Act and NPS Management
Policies (NPS 2001c, Section 1,4,5); this mandate does not apply to
National Forest System Lands.
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 60 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 60 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 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 on this proposal
and will be available for public inspection.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Services Handbook
1909.15, Section 21).
Dated: August 3, 2005.
Virginia Grilley,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Olympic National Forest.
[FR Doc. 05-16004 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
