Plumas National Forest, California, Roadside Noxious Weed EIS, 45765-45766 [06-6838]
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45765
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 71, No. 154
Thursday, August 10, 2006
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest, California,
Roadside Noxious Weed EIS
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
rwilkins on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Plumas National Forest,
in cooperation with Butte, Plumas and
Sierra Counties, will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
to treat noxious weeds on National
Forest system lands under an integrated
weed management approach. Actions
proposed through this project focus on
eradication or control of invasive
species along roads over the next 10
years. The potentially affected areas
includes 706 known sites that cover 310
acres and additional roadside sites
(within 100 feet of roads) within the
next ten years not previously identified.
Treatment acres for new infestations
would not exceed a total of 2,000 acres
over the 10-year period. The range of
acres treated under the proposed action
over the ten-year period would be 310
to 2,310. Up to five different control
tactics would be prescribed for each
infested area depending on phenology
of a particular species, proximity to
water and other sensitive resources, and
size of infestation. Of the 310 acres of
current infestations: 4 Acres are being
proposed to be treated by mechanical/
hand control tactics, 34.5 acres with
herbicides, 191.5 acres with a
combination of mechanical and
herbicide tactics, and 80 acres with a
combination of mechanical, biocontrol
and herbicide tactics. A variety of
noxious weeds would be treated,
including but not limited to Canada
Thistle, Medusa head, Yellow star
thistle, Scotch broom, Hariy whitetop,
Dyer’s Woad, Perennial Pepperweed,
French broom, Spanish broom, and
Spotted Knapweed.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:27 Aug 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
Although comments will be
accepted throughout any phase of this
project, comments concerning the scope
of the analysis would be helpful if
received within 30 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register. The draft EIS is expected on
March 2007 and the final EIS is
expected July 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
˜
Forest Supervisor James M. Pena,
Plumas National Forest, P.O. Box 11500,
Quincy, CA 95971. Fax: (530) 283–7746.
Comments may be: (1) Mailed to
responsible official; (2) hand delivered
between the hours of 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
weekdays Pacific Time; (3) faxed; or (4)
electronically mailed to: commentspacificsouthwest-plumas@fs.fed.us.
Comments submitted electronically
must be in Rich Text Format (.rtf).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George Garcia, Project Coordinator,
Supervisor’s Office, Plumas National
Forest (see address above).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this project is to
implement an integrated weed
management approach along roadsides
within the Plumas National Forest to
meet the following desired conditions:
(1) Contain, control and eradicate
known weed infestations along
roadsides to less than 10% of the total
existing infested acres over the next 10
years; (2) contain, control and eradicate
new weed infestation along roadsides
over the next 10 years in order to have
no net increase in roadside infestations
over existing conditions.
The goal of this project is to eradicate
or contain current roadside weed
populations while still small. This
integrated weed management approach
would help the Plumas National Forest
meet the following resource needs: (1)
Protection of Threatened, Endangered,
Sensitive and Management Indicator
species habitats (plants and animals); (2)
protection of cultural properties (i.e.,
native grasses); (3) reduction of
hazardous fuels that are created by
invasive species (i.e., Broom spp.); (4)
maintaining native forage and habitat
for plants, terrestrial wildlife and
aquatic species.
Proposed Action
The Plumas National Forest, in
cooperation with Butte, Plumas and
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Sierra Counties, proposes to treat
noxious weeds on National Forest
system lands under an integrated weed
management approach. Actions
proposed through this project focus on
eradication or control of invasive
species along roads over the next 10
years. The potentially affected area
includes 706 known sites that cover 310
acres and additional roadside sites
(within 100 feet of roads) within the
next ten years not previously identified.
Treatment of new infestations or
occurrences would be prioritized
considering funding, state and county
rankings and potential for ecological
impact and rate of spread. Treatment
acres for new infestations would not
exceed a total of 2,000 acres over the 10year period. The range of acres treated
under the proposed action over the tenyear period would be 310 to 2,310.
Ongoing inventories would confirm
locations of specific noxious weeds and
effectiveness of past treatments. The
intent of the Proposed Action is to treat
the current infestations, 310 acres,
before they proliferate and invade new
acres. Up to five different control tactics
would be prescribed for each infested
area depending on phenology of a
particular species, proximity to water
and other sensitive resources, and size
of infestation. Of the 310 acres of
current infestations: 4 acres are being
proposed to be treated by mechanical/
hand control tactics, 34.5 acres with
herbicides, 191.5 acres with a
combination of mechanical and
herbicide tactics, and 80 acres with a
combination of mechanical, biocontrol
and herbicide tactics. A variety of
noxious weeds would be treated,
including but not limited to Canada
Thistle, Medusa head, Yellow star
thistle, Scotch broom, Hairy whitetop,
Dyer’s Woad, Perennial Pepperweed,
French broom, Spanish broom, and
Spotted Knapweed.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The Plumas National Forest is the
lead federal agency for this project.
County Agriculture Departments in
Butte, Plumas and Sierra counties will
assist the Forest in implementation of
this action once a decision has been
made.
Responsible Official
Plumas National Forest, Forest
˜
Supervisor James M. Pena, is the
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
45766
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 154 / Thursday, August 10, 2006 / Notices
Responsible Official for this EIS. James
˜
M. Pena, Forest Supervisor, P.O. Box
11500, Quincy, CA 95971.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor will decide,
based on the environmental analysis
disclosed in this EIS, whether to
implement the Proposed Action,
another action alternative, or to
implement the No Action Alternative in
accordance with forest plan goals and
desired future conditions. Indicator
measures that will be considered in
developing and evaluating the Proposed
Action and Alternative include: (1)
Effectiveness in treating noxious weed
infestations, (2) potential adverse effects
to human health and the environment,
and (3) monetary costs and financial
efficiency.
Scoping Process
The Plumas National Forest will be
conducting public scoping on the
proposed action. Public scoping will
consist of a letter to the Forest’s mailing
list requesting public input and
comments on the proposed action, and
any relevant issues the public may have
with regard to the integrated weed
management approach outlined under
the Roadside Noxious Weed proposal.
No public meetings for this proposed
action are currently scheduled.
rwilkins on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. Comments submitted
to be specific to the proposed action and
the treatments proposed.
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 the draft environmental
impact statement 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:34 Aug 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
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, 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.
Forests’ Eastern Idaho Resource
Advisory Committee will meet
Thursday, September 21, 2006 in Idaho
Falls for a business meeting. The
meeting is open to the public.
DATES: The business meeting will be
held on September 21, 2006 from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting location is the
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Headquarters Office, 1405 Hollipark
Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Larry Timchak, Caribou-Targhee
National Forest Supervisor and
Designated Federal Officer, at (208)
524–7500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
business meeting on September 21,
2006, begins at 9 a.m. at the CaribouTarghee National Forest Headquarters
Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho
Falls, Idaho. Agenda topics will include
a vote on obligating project
identification percentages for the
upcoming year 2007 and a field trip to
view completed projects from years
past.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22;
Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section
21.)
Establishment of the Measuring
Innovation in the 21st Century
Economy Advisory Committee and
Recruitment of Members
Dated: August 3, 2006.
Terri Simon-Jackson,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Plumas National
Forest.
[FR Doc. 06–6838 Filed 8–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Eastern Idaho Resource Advisory
Committee; Caribou-Targhee National
Forest, Idaho Falls, ID
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in
the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure
Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106–
393) the Caribou-Targhee National
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: August 4, 2006.
Lawrence A. Timchak,
Caribou-Targhee Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 06–6815 Filed 8–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics
Administration
Economics and Statistics
Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of the Establishment of
the Measuring Innovation in the 21st
Century Economy Advisory Committee
and Recruitment of Members from the
Business and Academic Communities.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce is
announcing the establishment of and
recruitment for members of a Federal
Advisory Committee. In accordance
with the provisions of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.
2, and the General Services
Administration rule on the Federal
Advisory Committee Management, 41
CFR part 101–6, the Secretary of
Commerce has determined that the
establishment of the Measuring
Innovation in the 21st Century Economy
Advisory Committee (the ‘‘Committee’’),
is in the public interest in connection
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 154 (Thursday, August 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45765-45766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6838]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 154 / Thursday, August 10, 2006 /
Notices
[[Page 45765]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest, California, Roadside Noxious Weed EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Plumas National Forest, in cooperation with Butte, Plumas
and Sierra Counties, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) to treat noxious weeds on National Forest system lands under an
integrated weed management approach. Actions proposed through this
project focus on eradication or control of invasive species along roads
over the next 10 years. The potentially affected areas includes 706
known sites that cover 310 acres and additional roadside sites (within
100 feet of roads) within the next ten years not previously identified.
Treatment acres for new infestations would not exceed a total of 2,000
acres over the 10-year period. The range of acres treated under the
proposed action over the ten-year period would be 310 to 2,310. Up to
five different control tactics would be prescribed for each infested
area depending on phenology of a particular species, proximity to water
and other sensitive resources, and size of infestation. Of the 310
acres of current infestations: 4 Acres are being proposed to be treated
by mechanical/hand control tactics, 34.5 acres with herbicides, 191.5
acres with a combination of mechanical and herbicide tactics, and 80
acres with a combination of mechanical, biocontrol and herbicide
tactics. A variety of noxious weeds would be treated, including but not
limited to Canada Thistle, Medusa head, Yellow star thistle, Scotch
broom, Hariy whitetop, Dyer's Woad, Perennial Pepperweed, French broom,
Spanish broom, and Spotted Knapweed.
DATES: Although comments will be accepted throughout any phase of this
project, comments concerning the scope of the analysis would be helpful
if received within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice in
the Federal Register. The draft EIS is expected on March 2007 and the
final EIS is expected July 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Forest Supervisor James M.
Pe[ntilde]a, Plumas National Forest, P.O. Box 11500, Quincy, CA 95971.
Fax: (530) 283-7746. Comments may be: (1) Mailed to responsible
official; (2) hand delivered between the hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
weekdays Pacific Time; (3) faxed; or (4) electronically mailed to:
comments-pacificsouthwest-plumas@fs.fed.us. Comments submitted
electronically must be in Rich Text Format (.rtf).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Garcia, Project Coordinator,
Supervisor's Office, Plumas National Forest (see address above).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this project is to implement an integrated weed
management approach along roadsides within the Plumas National Forest
to meet the following desired conditions: (1) Contain, control and
eradicate known weed infestations along roadsides to less than 10% of
the total existing infested acres over the next 10 years; (2) contain,
control and eradicate new weed infestation along roadsides over the
next 10 years in order to have no net increase in roadside infestations
over existing conditions.
The goal of this project is to eradicate or contain current
roadside weed populations while still small. This integrated weed
management approach would help the Plumas National Forest meet the
following resource needs: (1) Protection of Threatened, Endangered,
Sensitive and Management Indicator species habitats (plants and
animals); (2) protection of cultural properties (i.e., native grasses);
(3) reduction of hazardous fuels that are created by invasive species
(i.e., Broom spp.); (4) maintaining native forage and habitat for
plants, terrestrial wildlife and aquatic species.
Proposed Action
The Plumas National Forest, in cooperation with Butte, Plumas and
Sierra Counties, proposes to treat noxious weeds on National Forest
system lands under an integrated weed management approach. Actions
proposed through this project focus on eradication or control of
invasive species along roads over the next 10 years. The potentially
affected area includes 706 known sites that cover 310 acres and
additional roadside sites (within 100 feet of roads) within the next
ten years not previously identified. Treatment of new infestations or
occurrences would be prioritized considering funding, state and county
rankings and potential for ecological impact and rate of spread.
Treatment acres for new infestations would not exceed a total of 2,000
acres over the 10-year period. The range of acres treated under the
proposed action over the ten-year period would be 310 to 2,310. Ongoing
inventories would confirm locations of specific noxious weeds and
effectiveness of past treatments. The intent of the Proposed Action is
to treat the current infestations, 310 acres, before they proliferate
and invade new acres. Up to five different control tactics would be
prescribed for each infested area depending on phenology of a
particular species, proximity to water and other sensitive resources,
and size of infestation. Of the 310 acres of current infestations: 4
acres are being proposed to be treated by mechanical/hand control
tactics, 34.5 acres with herbicides, 191.5 acres with a combination of
mechanical and herbicide tactics, and 80 acres with a combination of
mechanical, biocontrol and herbicide tactics. A variety of noxious
weeds would be treated, including but not limited to Canada Thistle,
Medusa head, Yellow star thistle, Scotch broom, Hairy whitetop, Dyer's
Woad, Perennial Pepperweed, French broom, Spanish broom, and Spotted
Knapweed.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The Plumas National Forest is the lead federal agency for this
project. County Agriculture Departments in Butte, Plumas and Sierra
counties will assist the Forest in implementation of this action once a
decision has been made.
Responsible Official
Plumas National Forest, Forest Supervisor James M. Pe[ntilde]a, is
the
[[Page 45766]]
Responsible Official for this EIS. James M. Pe[ntilde]a, Forest
Supervisor, P.O. Box 11500, Quincy, CA 95971.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor will decide, based on the environmental
analysis disclosed in this EIS, whether to implement the Proposed
Action, another action alternative, or to implement the No Action
Alternative in accordance with forest plan goals and desired future
conditions. Indicator measures that will be considered in developing
and evaluating the Proposed Action and Alternative include: (1)
Effectiveness in treating noxious weed infestations, (2) potential
adverse effects to human health and the environment, and (3) monetary
costs and financial efficiency.
Scoping Process
The Plumas National Forest will be conducting public scoping on the
proposed action. Public scoping will consist of a letter to the
Forest's mailing list requesting public input and comments on the
proposed action, and any relevant issues the public may have with
regard to the integrated weed management approach outlined under the
Roadside Noxious Weed proposal. No public meetings for this proposed
action are currently scheduled.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. Comments
submitted to be specific to the proposed action and the treatments
proposed.
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
the draft environmental impact statement 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, 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: August 3, 2006.
Terri Simon-Jackson,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Plumas National Forest.
[FR Doc. 06-6838 Filed 8-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
