Revision of Land Management Plans, Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, Located in Central WA, 68394-68395 [05-22434]

Download as PDF 68394 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 217 / Thursday, November 10, 2005 / Notices habitat, and (8) remove and abate noxious weeds. Fuel treatments would consist of construction of about 5,700 acres of defensible fuel profile zones and prescribed burning on about 900 acres, totalling about 6, 600 acres. Group selection timber harvest as part of the HFQLG pilot project would be conducted on about 1,200 acres. Thinning and biomass removal are proposed on about 4,255 acres. Also, thinning is proposed in plantations (about 800 acres) riparian habitat conservation areas (about 1,256 acres), aspen stands (about 820 acres), Baker cypress stands (about 140 acres). Six areas of stream channel restoration is proposed. And about two miles of new system roads would be constructed; ten miles of temporary roads would be constructed and decommissioned after use; twelve miles of existing roads would be permanently decommissioned; 107 miles of reconstruction fo existing roads, and seven culverts would be replaced or installed for fish passage. About 400 locations of Canada thistle (Cirsium avense) would be treated with either clopyralid or glyphopsate on about 120 acres. the remaining 2 acres of noxious weed locations would be treated with mechanical, hand, or burning methods. Lead Agency The USDA Forest Service is the lead agency for this proposal. Responsible Official Plumas National Forest Supervisor ˜ James M. Pena is the responsible official. Plumas National Forest, P.O. Box 11500, Quincy, CA 95971. Nature of Decision To Be Made ˜ Forest Supervisor James M. Pena will decide whether to implement the Diamond Project as proposed and described above, implement the project based on an alternative to this proposal that is formulated to resolve identified conflicts, or not implement this project at this time. Scoping Process Public questions and comments regarding this proposal are an integral part of this environmental analysis process. Comments will be used to identify issues and develop alternatives to the proposed action. To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments should be as specific as possible. A copy of the Proposed Action will be mailed to adjacent landowners, as well as those people and organizations that have indicated a specific interest in the VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:02 Nov 09, 2005 Jkt 208001 Diamond project, interested individuals who attended the open house held prior to the development of a landscape assessment for the watersheds encompassing the project, to Native American Tribes, Federal, State, and local agencies. The public will be notified of any meetings regarding this proposal by mailings and press releases sent to the local newspaper and media. Permits or Licenses Required An Air Pollution Permit and a Smoke Management Plan are required by local agencies. Comment This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides the development of the environmental impact statement under NEPA, which will guide development of the EIS. Our desire is to receive substantive comments on the merits of the Proposed Action, as well as comments that address errors, misinformation, or information that has been omitted. Substantive comments are defined as comments within the scope of the proposal, that have a direct relationship to the proposal, and that include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official’s consideration. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 that those interested in this proposal 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 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 Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) Dated: November 3, 2005. ˜ James M. Pena, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–22435 Filed 11–9–05; 8:45am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Revision of Land Management Plans, Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, Located in Central WA Forest Service, USDA. Notice of adjustment to Federal Register Notice of Vol. 69, No. 46, p. 10974, March 9, 2004, and transition to the 2005 Planning Rule at 36 CFR 219 (Federal Register Vol. 70, No.3/January 5, 2005, p. 1023). AGENCY: ACTION: Authority: 36 CFR 219.14(e). The Responsible Officials (Forest Supervisors) for the Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests will exercise their option to adjust the land management plan revision process from compliance with the 1982 planning regulations, to conformance with new planning regulations adopted in January SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 217 / Thursday, November 10, 2005 / Notices 2005. This adjustment will have the following effects: 1. The new rule redefines forest plans to be more strategic and flexible to better facilitate adaptive management and public collaboration. 2. The new rule focuses more on the goals of ecological, social, and economic sustainability and less on prescriptive means of producing goods and services. 3. The Responsible Official who will approve the final plan will now be the Forest Supervisor instead of the Regional Forester. 4. The Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests will establish an environmental management system (per ISO 14001:2004(E)) prior to completion of the revised forest plan. 5. Upon completion of final rulemaking, the planning and decisionmaking process may be categorically excluded from analysis and documentation in an environmental impact statement and record of decision (see draft rule at Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 3, January 5, 2005, p. 1062). 6. The emphasis on public involvement will shift from public comment on a range of alternative plans, to a collaborative process intended to yield a single, broadly supported plan. 7. Administrative review has changed from a post-decision appeals process to a pre-decision objection process. DATES: Transition to the 2005 Planning Rule is effective immediately upon publication of this notice in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Hartzell, Plan Revision Team Leader, Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, (509) 826– 3275 or e-mail: mhartzell@fs.fed.us; or view our Web site at https:// www.fs.fed.us/r6/colville/cow, or mail: Forest Plans Revision Team, 1240 Second Avenue South, Okanogan, WA 98840. Responsible Officials: James L. Boynton, Forest Supervisor, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801 and Rick Brazell, Colville National Forest, 765 South Main, Colville, WA 99114. The Responsible Officials (Forest Supervisors) of the Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests have elected to transition the previously initiated Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan) Revisions so that they fall under the requirements of the 2005 Planning Rule. The Plan Revision will be conducted in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:02 Nov 09, 2005 Jkt 208001 accordance with all Forest Service directive applicable to the 2005 Planning Rule. All three proclaimed units (Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee) have their own current Plan. As part of the Revision Process, the Responsible Officials will revise all three Plans. Revised Forest Plans are expected to be approved in September 2006. The public will be invited to collaborate during the development of each revised Plan. Options for the public include any of the following methods: (1) Reviewing and commenting on the materials posted on our Web site, (2) attending open house meetings, (3) requesting planning team presentations to specific groups, (4) newsletters, (5) participating in collaborative dialogue in working groups, or (6) providing input during formal comment periods. Public participation and collaborative work on this planning process has occurred since January 2003. This and other planning process details are available for review on the Web site. Dated: November 3, 2005. James L. Boynton, Forest Supervisor, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. Dated: October 27, 2005. Rick Brazell, Forest Supervisor, Colville National Forest. [FR Doc. 05–22434 Filed 11–9–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Tri-County Advisory Committee Meetings Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Public Law 92–463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–393) the BeaverheadDeerlodge National Forest’s Tri-County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, December 1, 2005, and on Thursday, January 12, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Deer Lodge, Montana, for business meetings. The meetings are open to the public. DATES: Thursday, December 1, 2005 and Thursday, January 12, 2006. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the USDA Service Center, 1002 Hollenback Road, Deer Lodge, Montana. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Ramsey, Designated Forest PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68395 Official (DFO), Forest Supervisor, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, at (406) 683–3973. Agenda topics for these meetings include a review of projects proposed for funding as authorized under Title II of Pub. L. 106–393, and public comment. If the meeting location is changed, notice will be posted in local newspapers, including The Montana Standard. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: November 4, 2005. Bruce Ramsey, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–22433 Filed 11–9–05; 8:45am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Resource Advisory Committee Meeting Lassen Resource Advisory Committee, Susanville, California, USDA Forest Service. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of meetings. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committees Act (Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 393) the Lassen National Forest’s Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17th in Susanville, California for a business meeting. The meetings are open to the public. The business meetings on November 16th and 17th will begin at 8 a.m., at the Lassen National Forest Headquarters Office, Caribou Conference Room, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130. These meetings will be dedicated to hearing presentations from project proponents on Wednesday and voting on Thursday for funding through the ‘‘Secure Rural Schools and Self Determination Act of 2000,’’ commonly known as Payments to States. Time will also be set aside for public comments at the beginning of the meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Andrews, District Ranger, Designated Federal Officer, at (530) 257–4188; or Public Affairs Officer, Heidi Perry, at (530) 252–6604. Laurie Tippin, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–22471 Filed 11–9–05; 8:45am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68394-68395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22434]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revision of Land Management Plans, Colville, Okanogan and 
Wenatchee National Forests, Located in Central WA

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of adjustment to Federal Register Notice of Vol. 69, No. 
46, p. 10974, March 9, 2004, and transition to the 2005 Planning Rule 
at 36 CFR 219 (Federal Register Vol. 70, No.3/January 5, 2005, p. 
1023).

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

    Authority: 36 CFR 219.14(e).

SUMMARY: The Responsible Officials (Forest Supervisors) for the 
Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee National 
Forests will exercise their option to adjust the land management plan 
revision process from compliance with the 1982 planning regulations, to 
conformance with new planning regulations adopted in January

[[Page 68395]]

2005. This adjustment will have the following effects:
    1. The new rule redefines forest plans to be more strategic and 
flexible to better facilitate adaptive management and public 
collaboration.
    2. The new rule focuses more on the goals of ecological, social, 
and economic sustainability and less on prescriptive means of producing 
goods and services.
    3. The Responsible Official who will approve the final plan will 
now be the Forest Supervisor instead of the Regional Forester.
    4. The Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee 
National Forests will establish an environmental management system (per 
ISO 14001:2004(E)) prior to completion of the revised forest plan.
    5. Upon completion of final rulemaking, the planning and decision-
making process may be categorically excluded from analysis and 
documentation in an environmental impact statement and record of 
decision (see draft rule at Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 3, January 5, 
2005, p. 1062).
    6. The emphasis on public involvement will shift from public 
comment on a range of alternative plans, to a collaborative process 
intended to yield a single, broadly supported plan.
    7. Administrative review has changed from a post-decision appeals 
process to a pre-decision objection process.

DATES: Transition to the 2005 Planning Rule is effective immediately 
upon publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Hartzell, Plan Revision Team 
Leader, Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, (509) 826-
3275 or e-mail: mhartzell@fs.fed.us; or view our Web site at https://
www.fs.fed.us/r6/colville/cow, or mail: Forest Plans Revision Team, 
1240 Second Avenue South, Okanogan, WA 98840.
    Responsible Officials: James L. Boynton, Forest Supervisor, 
Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 
98801 and Rick Brazell, Colville National Forest, 765 South Main, 
Colville, WA 99114.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Responsible Officials (Forest 
Supervisors) of the Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and 
Wenatchee National Forests have elected to transition the previously 
initiated Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan) Revisions so that 
they fall under the requirements of the 2005 Planning Rule. The Plan 
Revision will be conducted in accordance with all Forest Service 
directive applicable to the 2005 Planning Rule.
    All three proclaimed units (Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee) have 
their own current Plan. As part of the Revision Process, the 
Responsible Officials will revise all three Plans. Revised Forest Plans 
are expected to be approved in September 2006.
    The public will be invited to collaborate during the development of 
each revised Plan. Options for the public include any of the following 
methods: (1) Reviewing and commenting on the materials posted on our 
Web site, (2) attending open house meetings, (3) requesting planning 
team presentations to specific groups, (4) newsletters, (5) 
participating in collaborative dialogue in working groups, or (6) 
providing input during formal comment periods. Public participation and 
collaborative work on this planning process has occurred since January 
2003. This and other planning process details are available for review 
on the Web site.

    Dated: November 3, 2005.
James L. Boynton,
Forest Supervisor, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests.
    Dated: October 27, 2005.
Rick Brazell,
Forest Supervisor, Colville National Forest.
[FR Doc. 05-22434 Filed 11-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M

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