Klamath National Forest, California, Westpoint, 36056-36058 [06-5628]

Download as PDF 36056 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 121 / Friday, June 23, 2006 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES whether food has been processed using good manufacturing practices. Appointments to the Committee will be made by the Secretary of Agriculture after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that recommendations made by the Committee take into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department. Membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Given the complexity of issues, the full Committee expects to meet at least twice yearly, and the meetings will be announced in the Federal Register. The subcommittees will meet as deemed necessary by the chairperson and will be held as working group meetings in an open public forum. The subcommittee meetings will not be announced in the Federal Register. FSIS will announce the agenda and subcommittee working group meetings through the Constituent Update, available on-line at https:// www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/ 2006_Constituent_Update/index.asp. NACMCF holds subcommittee working group meetings in order to accomplish the work of the NACMCF; all work accomplished by the subcommittees is reviewed and approved by the full Committee during a public meeting of the full Committee, as announced in the Federal Register. The subcommittee may invite technical experts to present information for consideration by the subcommittee. All data and records available to the full Committee are expected to be available to the public at the time the full Committee reviews and approves the work of the subcommittee. Appointment to the Advisory Committee is for a two-year term, renewable for a total of three consecutive terms. Members are required to attend all meetings inperson as this is necessary for the functioning of this advisory committee. Members must be prepared to work outside of scheduled Committee and subcommittee meetings, and may be required to assist in document preparation. Committee members serve on a voluntary basis; however, travel reimbursement and per diem are available. Regarding Nominees Who Are Selected All nominees who are selected must submit a USDA Advisory Committee Membership Background Information form AD–755, available on-line at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSISForms/ AD–755.pdf. As new appointees, SGEs must complete the Office of Government VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:22 Jun 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 Ethics (OGE) 450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, before rendering any advice, or prior to their first meeting. All members will be reviewed for conflict of interest pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 208 in relation to specific NACMCF work charges. Financial disclosure updates will be required annually. Members must report any changes in financial holdings requiring additional disclosure. 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The update is communicated via Listserv, a free electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade and farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals and other individuals who have asked to be included. The update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the Listserv and Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader and more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/ news_and_events/email_subscription/. 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. Done at Washington, DC, on: June 20, 2006. Barbara J. Masters, Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–9949 Filed 6–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Klamath National Forest, California, Westpoint Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement (the Westpoint Project) on a proposal to treat vegetation using a variety of silvicultural methods on approximately 930 acres of National Forest System lands in the Middle Creek and Scott Bar Mountain areas about 12 miles west of the town of Fort Jones, in Siskiyou County, California. Approximately five miles of classified roads are proposed for decommissioning. Approximately two miles of existing unclassified roads would be added to the transportation system. Activities would likely take place within five years of the decision. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received within 30 days of the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. The draft environmental impact statement is expected by November 2006, and the final environmental impact statement is expected by March 2007. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Ray Haupt, District Ranger, Scott River Ranger District, 11263 N. Highway 3, Fort Jones, CA 96032. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Bailey, Timber Management Officer, at the above address or call (530) 463– 5351. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose and Need for Action The Westpoint Project analysis area of the Klamath National Forest consists of two separate areas covering approximately 10,900 acres. Both the Scott River and the Siskiyou County Highway 7F01 (Scott River Road) bisect the analysis area into eastern and western portions. The road and river, in this corridor, are used extensively by residents of the town of Scott Bar and private homeowners along the river. Forest recreation visitors use the road as access to Indian Scotty Campground, Jones Beach Day Use Area, and four trailheads into the Marble Mountain Wilderness. Projects proposed for the entire project area are intended to protect and maintain three important landscape conditions: (1) Northern spotted owl habitat, (2) forest health, and community safety near homes, and (3) E:\FR\FM\23JNN1.SGM 23JNN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 121 / Friday, June 23, 2006 / Notices old forest structure in the wilderness and late successional reserve. The biggest threat to these important landscape characteristics come from the declining health of the forested landscapes. This decline produces a greater risk from stand-replacing events associated with intense wildfire, insect epidemics, and disease. The area proposed for treatment is adjacent to late successional reserves to the north and west, and near the Marble Mountain Wilderness area to the northwest. Threats to older forest structure and spotted owl habitat in the Late Successional Reserves and Wilderness, fish habitat in the river and streams, and community safety near homes come from the declining health of the surrounding forested landscapes. This decline produces a greater risk from stand-replacing events associated with intense wildfire, insect epidemics, and disease. The risk of rapid fire spread is generally uphill in this area due to the very steep river canyons. The most likely source of a human-caused ignition is along the river corridor, where homes, recreation, public utility corridors, and public transportation are concentrated at the bottom of this drainage. Natural fire cycles have been prevented for 100 years in this area by fire suppression activities. Without the beneficial maintenance that these natural low intensity fires provide, actions such as stand-tending and prescribed fire are now needed as a fire replacement technique in the Westpoint Project area to minimize the chance of stand-replacing wildfires. Younger trees and brush, now predominant on this landscape, provide an abundant fuel source, and a ‘‘fuel ladder’’ by which a ground fire will climb into the tree canopy and kill large fire-resistant trees, and unnatural stand-replacing fire situation. These fire entrapment situations significantly increase the risk to both firefighters and the public. The purpose or objective of taking action in the Westpoint Project area is: • Improve forest health by returning the vegetation densities on this landscape to more natural historic levels, protect surrounding areas of older forest structure and owl habitat, build more fire resilience into this landscape, and provide wood and job opportunities for local communities through project activities. • Reduce the occurrence or risk of stand-replacing wildfire. • Protect public safety and homes by providing safe access for firefighters and the public. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:22 Jun 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 36057 Proposed Action Scoping Process The Scott River District of the Klamath National Forest proposes that the Westpoint treats vegetation on approximately 930 acres in the general area of Middle Creek Watershed and Scott Bar Mountain about 12 miles west of the community of Fort Jones, California. The vegetation treatment would utilize a variety of silvicultural prescriptions. Tractor, cable, and helicopter logging methods would be used, with cable as the predominant method. Project-generated fuels would be treated through a combination of methods. All Shasta red fir, white fir, and hemlock stumps would be hand treated with the fungicide Sporax to reduce the spread of fungus Heterobasidion annosum (Fomes annosus). Openings created from group selection and green tree retention prescriptions would be planted and baiting for pocket gophers. Baiting application method would consist of probing and/or spooning method of below-ground application of strychnine. There would be no new classified road construction. Approximately five miles of classified roads are proposed for decommissioning in this project design. About two miles of new unclassified roads would be used, then closed and hydrologically restored. Around two miles of existing unclassified roads would be upgraded and added to the National Forest System road system. About 12 miles of road are proposed for maintenance level changes (seasonal road closures). The legal description for the proposal is Township 44 North, Range 10 West, Section 6; Township 44 North, Range 11 West, Section 1–18, 21–26, and 27; Township 44 North, Range 12 West, Sections 1 and 12; Township 45 North, Range 11 West, Section 31; and Township 45 North, Range 12 West, Section 36, Mount Diablo Meridian. All activities would likely be completed within five years of the decision being made. In the winter of 2002, scoping for an environmental assessment for a similar project in the same analysis area was initiated and included in the Klamath National Forest’s Winter 2002 Schedule of Proposed Actions, which was posted on the Klamath National Forest’s Internet Web site and mailed to interested parties. In March 2002, a scoping letter was sent to potentially affected individuals and anyone who expressed interest in the proposal. The original decision was invalidated by Judge Shubb in May 2005, with direction to proceed with an environmental impact statement. In the spring of 2006, scoping for this environmental impact statement was initiated and included in the Spring 2006 Schedule of Proposed Actions and posed on the Klamath National Forest’s Internet Web site and mailed to interested parties. This project is similar to the previous proposal; however, suggestions from the public helped to define this proposal. This Notice of Intent invites additional public comment on this proposal and initiated the preparation of the environmental impact statement. Due to the extensive scoping effects already conducted, no scoping meeting is planned. The public is encouraged to take part in the planning process and to visit with Forest Service officials at any time during the analysis and prior to the decision. Nature of Decision To Be Made Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review The Forest Service must decide whether it will implement this project; implement an alternative that meets the purpose and need; or not implement any project at this time. Responsible Official Margaret Boland, Forest Supervisor, USDA Forest Service, 1312 Fairlane Road, Yreka, California 96097 is the Responsible Official. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comment Requested This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. While public participation in this analysis is welcome at any time, comments received within 30 days of the publication of this notice will be especially useful in the preparation of the draft environmental impact statement. The scoping process will include identifying potential issues, significant issues to be analyzed in depth, alternatives to the proposed action, and potential environmental effects of the proposal and alternatives. 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 E:\FR\FM\23JNN1.SGM 23JNN1 36058 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 121 / Friday, June 23, 2006 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 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 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 in response to this scoping notice as well as comments received on the subsequent draft environmental impact statement, 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: June 6, 2006. Margaret J. Boland, Forest Supervisor, Klamath National Forest. [FR Doc. 06–5628 Filed 6–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:22 Jun 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Ketchikan, Alaska, July 20, 2006 and August 24, 2006. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss potential projects under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The meetings will be held July 20, 2006 and August 24, 2006 at 6 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center Learning Center (back entrance), 50 Main Street, Ketchikan, Alaska. Send written comments to Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee, c/o District Ranger, USDA Forest Service, 3031 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan, AK 99901, or electronically to lkolund@fs.fed.us. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Kolund, District Ranger, Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District, Tongass National Forest, (907) 228– 4100. The meetings are open to the public. Committee discussion is limited to Forest Service staff and Committee members. However, public input opportunity will be provided and individuals will have the opportunity to address the Committee at that time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: June 15, 2006. Forrest Cole, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 06–5614 Filed 6–22–06; 8:45 am] 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. ACTION: Notice of Meeting. AGENCY: 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 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 County Resource Advisory Committee will meet Thursday July 13th and Friday July 14th in Susanville, California for a business meeting. The meetings are open to the public. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The business meeting on July 13th and 14th will begin at 9 a.m., at the Lassen National Forest Headquarters Office, Caribou Conference Room, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130. This meeting will review June meeting minutes; progress updates on the following projects will be provided: Archery Children’s Fuel Reduction; Gooch Valley and Beaver Creek Range Improvements; Bizz Johnson Trail Stabilization; Swain Mountain Trailhead; Diamond Mountain and Willard Creek Road enhancement projects. The remainder of the meeting will be set aside to review and listen to proposed projects for the final round of 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Andrews, Designated Federal Official at (530) 257–4188; or Public Affairs Officer Heidi Perry at (530) 252– 6604. Laurie Tippin, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 06–5616 Filed 6–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Resource Advisory Committee Meeting Modoc Resource Advisory Committee, Alturas, California, USDA Forest Service. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: 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 Modoc National Forest’s Modoc Resource Advisory Committee will meet Monday, August 7, 2006 and August 28, 2006 in Alturas, California for business meetings. The meetings are open to the public. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The business meeting August 7 begins at 6 p.m., at the Modoc National Forest Office, Conference Room, 800 West 12th St., Alturas. Agenda topics will include E:\FR\FM\23JNN1.SGM 23JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 121 (Friday, June 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36056-36058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5628]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Klamath National Forest, California, Westpoint

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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

SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (the Westpoint Project) on a proposal to treat vegetation 
using a variety of silvicultural methods on approximately 930 acres of 
National Forest System lands in the Middle Creek and Scott Bar Mountain 
areas about 12 miles west of the town of Fort Jones, in Siskiyou 
County, California. Approximately five miles of classified roads are 
proposed for decommissioning. Approximately two miles of existing 
unclassified roads would be added to the transportation system. 
Activities would likely take place within five years of the decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
within 30 days of the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register. The draft environmental impact statement is expected by 
November 2006, and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
by March 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Ray Haupt, District Ranger, Scott 
River Ranger District, 11263 N. Highway 3, Fort Jones, CA 96032.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Bailey, Timber Management 
Officer, at the above address or call (530) 463-5351.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Westpoint Project analysis area of the Klamath National Forest 
consists of two separate areas covering approximately 10,900 acres. 
Both the Scott River and the Siskiyou County Highway 7F01 (Scott River 
Road) bisect the analysis area into eastern and western portions. The 
road and river, in this corridor, are used extensively by residents of 
the town of Scott Bar and private homeowners along the river. Forest 
recreation visitors use the road as access to Indian Scotty Campground, 
Jones Beach Day Use Area, and four trailheads into the Marble Mountain 
Wilderness.
    Projects proposed for the entire project area are intended to 
protect and maintain three important landscape conditions: (1) Northern 
spotted owl habitat, (2) forest health, and community safety near 
homes, and (3)

[[Page 36057]]

old forest structure in the wilderness and late successional reserve. 
The biggest threat to these important landscape characteristics come 
from the declining health of the forested landscapes. This decline 
produces a greater risk from stand-replacing events associated with 
intense wildfire, insect epidemics, and disease.
    The area proposed for treatment is adjacent to late successional 
reserves to the north and west, and near the Marble Mountain Wilderness 
area to the northwest. Threats to older forest structure and spotted 
owl habitat in the Late Successional Reserves and Wilderness, fish 
habitat in the river and streams, and community safety near homes come 
from the declining health of the surrounding forested landscapes. This 
decline produces a greater risk from stand-replacing events associated 
with intense wildfire, insect epidemics, and disease. The risk of rapid 
fire spread is generally uphill in this area due to the very steep 
river canyons. The most likely source of a human-caused ignition is 
along the river corridor, where homes, recreation, public utility 
corridors, and public transportation are concentrated at the bottom of 
this drainage.
    Natural fire cycles have been prevented for 100 years in this area 
by fire suppression activities. Without the beneficial maintenance that 
these natural low intensity fires provide, actions such as stand-
tending and prescribed fire are now needed as a fire replacement 
technique in the Westpoint Project area to minimize the chance of 
stand-replacing wildfires. Younger trees and brush, now predominant on 
this landscape, provide an abundant fuel source, and a ``fuel ladder'' 
by which a ground fire will climb into the tree canopy and kill large 
fire-resistant trees, and unnatural stand-replacing fire situation. 
These fire entrapment situations significantly increase the risk to 
both firefighters and the public.
    The purpose or objective of taking action in the Westpoint Project 
area is:
     Improve forest health by returning the vegetation 
densities on this landscape to more natural historic levels, protect 
surrounding areas of older forest structure and owl habitat, build more 
fire resilience into this landscape, and provide wood and job 
opportunities for local communities through project activities.
     Reduce the occurrence or risk of stand-replacing wildfire.
     Protect public safety and homes by providing safe access 
for firefighters and the public.

Proposed Action

    The Scott River District of the Klamath National Forest proposes 
that the Westpoint treats vegetation on approximately 930 acres in the 
general area of Middle Creek Watershed and Scott Bar Mountain about 12 
miles west of the community of Fort Jones, California. The vegetation 
treatment would utilize a variety of silvicultural prescriptions. 
Tractor, cable, and helicopter logging methods would be used, with 
cable as the predominant method. Project-generated fuels would be 
treated through a combination of methods.
    All Shasta red fir, white fir, and hemlock stumps would be hand 
treated with the fungicide Sporax[supreg] to reduce the spread of 
fungus Heterobasidion annosum (Fomes annosus).
    Openings created from group selection and green tree retention 
prescriptions would be planted and baiting for pocket gophers. Baiting 
application method would consist of probing and/or spooning method of 
below-ground application of strychnine.
    There would be no new classified road construction. Approximately 
five miles of classified roads are proposed for decommissioning in this 
project design. About two miles of new unclassified roads would be 
used, then closed and hydrologically restored. Around two miles of 
existing unclassified roads would be upgraded and added to the National 
Forest System road system. About 12 miles of road are proposed for 
maintenance level changes (seasonal road closures).
    The legal description for the proposal is Township 44 North, Range 
10 West, Section 6; Township 44 North, Range 11 West, Section 1-18, 21-
26, and 27; Township 44 North, Range 12 West, Sections 1 and 12; 
Township 45 North, Range 11 West, Section 31; and Township 45 North, 
Range 12 West, Section 36, Mount Diablo Meridian. All activities would 
likely be completed within five years of the decision being made.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Forest Service must decide whether it will implement this 
project; implement an alternative that meets the purpose and need; or 
not implement any project at this time.

Responsible Official

    Margaret Boland, Forest Supervisor, USDA Forest Service, 1312 
Fairlane Road, Yreka, California 96097 is the Responsible Official.

Scoping Process

    In the winter of 2002, scoping for an environmental assessment for 
a similar project in the same analysis area was initiated and included 
in the Klamath National Forest's Winter 2002 Schedule of Proposed 
Actions, which was posted on the Klamath National Forest's Internet Web 
site and mailed to interested parties. In March 2002, a scoping letter 
was sent to potentially affected individuals and anyone who expressed 
interest in the proposal. The original decision was invalidated by 
Judge Shubb in May 2005, with direction to proceed with an 
environmental impact statement. In the spring of 2006, scoping for this 
environmental impact statement was initiated and included in the Spring 
2006 Schedule of Proposed Actions and posed on the Klamath National 
Forest's Internet Web site and mailed to interested parties. This 
project is similar to the previous proposal; however, suggestions from 
the public helped to define this proposal.
    This Notice of Intent invites additional public comment on this 
proposal and initiated the preparation of the environmental impact 
statement. Due to the extensive scoping effects already conducted, no 
scoping meeting is planned. The public is encouraged to take part in 
the planning process and to visit with Forest Service officials at any 
time during the analysis and prior to the decision.

Comment Requested

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. While public 
participation in this analysis is welcome at any time, comments 
received within 30 days of the publication of this notice will be 
especially useful in the preparation of the draft environmental impact 
statement. The scoping process will include identifying potential 
issues, significant issues to be analyzed in depth, alternatives to the 
proposed action, and potential environmental effects of the proposal 
and alternatives.

Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review

    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

[[Page 36058]]

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 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 in response to this scoping notice as well as 
comments received on the subsequent draft environmental impact 
statement, 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: June 6, 2006.
Margaret J. Boland,
Forest Supervisor, Klamath National Forest.
[FR Doc. 06-5628 Filed 6-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
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