Hoosier National Forest, Indiana; German Ridge Restoration Project, 5639-5640 [06-975]

Download as PDF hsrobinson on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 22 / Thursday, February 2, 2006 / Notices Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average .5 hours per response. Respondents: PVP applicants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 75. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 225. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 112.50. Form ST–473: Recordation Form for Plant Variety Protection Office. Abstract: For program purposes, it is important that the ownership, contact information, and any encumbrances against PVP Certificates are recorded within the PVP Office. Currently, changes in this information are often reported in an inconsistent or incomplete manner. This can cause difficulties in recording the information and contacting the owner, which can result in cancellation of their intellectual property rights. The information collected on Form ST–473 will be used to record changes in ownership, contact information, assignment, security interest, variety name, and certified seed options, in an orderly fashion. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average .5 hours per response. Respondents: PVP Applicants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 25. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 25. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12.50. The information collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of the PVPA, to provide applicants with certificates of protection, to provide the respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the program. Estimate of Burden: Total public reporting burden for this entire collection is estimated to average .733 hours per response. Respondents: Businesses or other forprofit, not-for-profit institutions, and Federal Government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 110. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 21. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2,280. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,671. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:26 Feb 01, 2006 Jkt 208001 of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Bernadette Thomas, Information Technology Specialist, Plant Variety Protection Office, Room 401, NAL Building, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705. All comments received will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the same address. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Dated: January 30, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–1382 Filed 2–1–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P 5639 The Forest Supervisor signed the Record of Decision on January 24, 2006. Copies: To receive a CD or a hard copy of the FEIS or the Record of Decision, request it from Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator; Hoosier National Forest; 811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, IN 47421. To request a CD electronically, send a message with your request to r9_hoosier_website@fs.fed.us. Appeal Opportunities: Only those who submitted substantive comments during one of the two comments periods are eligible to appeal this decision. DATES: Send any appeal to the Appeal Deciding Officer: Regional Forester Randy Moore, 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202; fax: 414–944–3963. Send electronic appeals to: appeals-easternhoosier@fs.fed.us. When submitting electronic comments, please reference the German Ridge Restoration Project on the subject line. In addition, include your name and mailing address. ADDRESSES: Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator, Hoosier National Forest, USDA Forest Service; telephone: 812 275–5987. See address above under Copies (under SUMMARY). Another means of obtaining information on the project is to visit the Forest Web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ hoosier—click on ‘‘Forest Projects,’’ then ‘‘Scoping Packages,’’ and then ‘‘German Ridge Restoration.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Selected Alternative Forest Service The selected alternative is to implement the proposed action, which would fulfill the goals and objectives of the Forest Plan involving the restoration of native communities; replace pine plantations with native hardwood communities that include a strong component of oaks, hickories, and other fire-adapted plants; and restore natural vegetative conditions to a set of barrens within the project area. To accomplish those goals, the Forest would during the next six or seven years; (1) Apply prescribed fire on approximately 2,170 acres, (2) thin approximately 215 acres, (3) implement pine removal on approximately 355 acres, and (4) complete shelterwood harvest on approximately 120 acres. Additional activities would also be pursued. Hoosier National Forest, Indiana; German Ridge Restoration Project Forest Service, USDA. Notice of Availability; FEIS available. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest has made a decision on a final environmental impact statement for German Ridge Restoration project. The Acting Forest Supervisor has selected Alternative A for implementation. The DEIS discloses the environmental consequences of replacing nonnative pine plantations in the German Ridge area of Perry County, Indiana with native hardwood communities. The DEIS was available for comment during two comment periods. A previous decision was withdrawn so that a second comment period could be provided in case someone had not been aware of the original opportunity to comment. No additional substantive comments were received during the additional comment period. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Responsible Official James L. Lowe, Acting Forest Supervisor; Hoosier National Forest; 811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, Indiana 47421. (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM 02FEN1 5640 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 22 / Thursday, February 2, 2006 / Notices Dated: January 24, 2006. James L. Lowe, Acting Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 06–975 Filed 2–1–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Uinta National Forest, Utah; Oil and Gas Leasing Environmental Impact Statement Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: hsrobinson on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The Uinta National Forest is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement that would determine under what conditions (stipulations) leases would be issued. The EIS would analyze all lands with a federally-owned leasable mineral estate within the Uinta National Forest. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be postmarked or received within 45 days from date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register to ensure full consideration. The draft environmental impact statement is expected December 2006 and the final environmental impact statement is expected November 2007. ADDRESSES: Please submit substantive issues or concerns to the Responsible Official: Dan Dallas, Acting Forest Supervisor, Uinta National Forest, P.O. Box 1428, 88 West 100 North, Provo, UT, 84603; phone (801) 342–5100; fax (801) 342–5185; e-mail: commentsintermtn-uinta@fs.fed.us. E-mailed comments must be submitted in MS Word (*.doc) or rich text format (*.rtf) and should include the project name in the subject line. Oral comments as well as written comments may also be submitted at the above address during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Each individual or representative from each organization submitting substantive comments must either sign the comments or otherwise verify identity in order to attain appeal eligibility. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record for this project. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jarnecke, Environmental Coordinator, or Kim Martin, Minerals Staff Officer, Supervisor’s Office of the Uinta National Forest at the address and phone number listed above. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:26 Feb 01, 2006 Jkt 208001 The EIS analysis area includes the entire Uinta National Forest (approximately 897,400 acres), with the exception of designated wilderness areas (approximatley 58,400 acres) and privately held mineral resources in the Strawberry Reservoir area which cover approximately 61,300 acres, for a total study area of approximately 777,700 acres. The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), acts as the onshore leasing agent for the Federal government. The Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act states that the BLM cannot lease over the objection of the Forest Service and authorizes the Forest Service to regulate all surfacedistrubing activities conducted pursuant to a lease. Therefore, the Forest Service has established an incremental decisionmaking framework for the consideration of oil and gas leasing activites on National Forest System lands. In general, the various steps that are undertaken are: (1) Forest Service leasing analysis; (2) Forest Service notification to BLM of lands administratively available for leasing; (3) Forest Service review and verification of BLM leasing proposals; (4) BLM assessment of Forest Service conditions of surface occupancy; (5) BLM offers lease; (6) BLM issues lease; (7) Forest Service review and approval of lessee’s surface use plan of operations; (8) BLM review and approval of lessee’s application for permit to drill; and (9) ensures final reclamation. Based upon the Forest Service leasing analysis (step 1 from above) the Forest Service decides whether or not lands will be available for leasing and decides under what conditions (stipulations) the leases will be issued. This EIS will fullfill this step. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the proposed action is to complete a forest-wide leasing analysis. The need is to be responsive to requests for oil and gas leasing on the Forest. Currently only a portion of the Forest is available for leasing and most of that area has already been leased. Also, the proposed action is needed in order to comply with the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Reform Act of 1987 which requires the Forest Service to analyze lands under its jurisdiciton that are legally avialable for leasing in accordance with the National Enviornmental Policy Act of 1969. Proposed Action The Proposed Action would make leasing decisions, including identification of stipulations as required PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 by 36 CFR 228.102(d) for the Uinta National Forest System lands. Leasing stipulations outlined on page 3–7 of the 2003 LRMP will be the basis of the stipulations applied forest-wide. The Proposed Action may result in an amendment to the Uinta Revised Forest Plan. Possible Alternatives In addition to the Proposed Action, the No Action alternative will be analyzed in detail. The No Action Alternative would continue current management of leasing activities on approximately 197,000 acres of the Uinta National Forest. The remainder of the Uinta National Forest would continue to have no leasing opportunities. Lead and Cooperating Agencies The Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office, and the State of Utah are cooperating agencies for this project. Responsible Official Dan Dallas, Acting Forest Supervisor, Uinta National Forest, P.O. Box 1428, 88 West 100 North, Provo, UT, 84603. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Forest Supervisor will decide which lands with federal mineral ownership are administratively available for oil and gas leasing and determine what conditions (stipulations) would be applied to future oil leases on the Uinta National Forest. This decision will not result in grounddisturbing activities within National Forest System lands administered by the Uinta NF such as exploration, drilling, and/or field development. Any ground disturbing activity that may be proposed subsequent to leasing would require further review and environmental analysis prior to approval, as outlined in current Federal regulations (36 CFR 228.107). Scoping Process One public scoping meeting will be held using an informal workshop format on Friday, March 3, 2006, at the Provo City Library’s Bullock Room from 5 p.m.–7 p.m. The Library is located at 550 North University Avenue, Provo, UT 84601. Preliminary Issues Issues which may be analyzed in both alternatives include: the socioeconomic effects of oil and gas leasing and subsequent activities; effects on terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species, sensitive species, and management indicator species; effects E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM 02FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5639-5640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-975]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Hoosier National Forest, Indiana; German Ridge Restoration 
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability; FEIS available.

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

SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest has made a 
decision on a final environmental impact statement for German Ridge 
Restoration project. The Acting Forest Supervisor has selected 
Alternative A for implementation. The DEIS discloses the environmental 
consequences of replacing nonnative pine plantations in the German 
Ridge area of Perry County, Indiana with native hardwood communities.
    The DEIS was available for comment during two comment periods. A 
previous decision was withdrawn so that a second comment period could 
be provided in case someone had not been aware of the original 
opportunity to comment. No additional substantive comments were 
received during the additional comment period.

DATES: The Forest Supervisor signed the Record of Decision on January 
24, 2006.
    Copies: To receive a CD or a hard copy of the FEIS or the Record of 
Decision, request it from Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator; Hoosier National 
Forest; 811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, IN 47421. To request a CD 
electronically, send a message with your request to r9_hoosier_
website@fs.fed.us.
    Appeal Opportunities: Only those who submitted substantive comments 
during one of the two comments periods are eligible to appeal this 
decision.

ADDRESSES: Send any appeal to the Appeal Deciding Officer: Regional 
Forester Randy Moore, 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202; 
fax: 414-944-3963. Send electronic appeals to: appeals-eastern-
hoosier@fs.fed.us. When submitting electronic comments, please 
reference the German Ridge Restoration Project on the subject line. In 
addition, include your name and mailing address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator, Hoosier 
National Forest, USDA Forest Service; telephone: 812 275-5987. See 
address above under Copies (under SUMMARY). Another means of obtaining 
information on the project is to visit the Forest Web page at https://
www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier_click on ``Forest Projects,'' then ``Scoping 
Packages,'' and then ``German Ridge Restoration.''

Selected Alternative

    The selected alternative is to implement the proposed action, which 
would fulfill the goals and objectives of the Forest Plan involving the 
restoration of native communities; replace pine plantations with native 
hardwood communities that include a strong component of oaks, 
hickories, and other fire-adapted plants; and restore natural 
vegetative conditions to a set of barrens within the project area. To 
accomplish those goals, the Forest would during the next six or seven 
years; (1) Apply prescribed fire on approximately 2,170 acres, (2) thin 
approximately 215 acres, (3) implement pine removal on approximately 
355 acres, and (4) complete shelterwood harvest on approximately 120 
acres. Additional activities would also be pursued.

Responsible Official

    James L. Lowe, Acting Forest Supervisor; Hoosier National Forest; 
811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, Indiana 47421.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21)


[[Page 5640]]


    Dated: January 24, 2006.
James L. Lowe,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 06-975 Filed 2-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M

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