Chugach National Forest, Glacier Ranger District, Alaska-Spencer Mineral Materials Project, 9501-9502 [07-944]
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9501
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 72, No. 41
Friday, March 2, 2007
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
Chugach National Forest, Glacier
Ranger District, Alaska—Spencer
Mineral Materials Project
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This project proposes the sale
of mineral materials in the form of
gravel aggregate and quarry rock from
up to 570 acres at Spencer on the
Glacier Ranger District of the Chugach
National Forest, and will analyze
removal of these materials within the
constraints of the Chugach National
Forest Revised Land and Resource
Management Plan.
DATES: Comments and input regarding
the proposal were requested from the
public, other groups and agencies via
direct mailing on November 16, 2006.
Based on the comments received, the
Responsible Official has determined
that an environmental impact statement
will be prepared for this project. The
draft environmental impact statement is
expected in May, 2007 and the final
environmental impact statement is
expected August, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Alice Allen, Hell Canyon Ranger
District, 330 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer,
South Dakota 57730. Comment may also
be submitted by e-mail to: commentsalaska-chugach-glacier@fs.fed.us with
‘‘Spencer Minerals’’ as subject.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alice Allen, Project Coordinator, Black
Hills National Forest, Hell Canyon
Ranger District, at 330 Mt. Rushmore
Rd., phone (605) 673–4853.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action: The
purpose of the project is to authorize the
sale of mineral materials (gravel
aggregate and quarry rock). The EIS will
determine current conditions, analyze
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:44 Mar 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
environmental consequences of mineral
extraction on those conditions, and
assist the decisionmaker in selecting
management/monitoring strategies
consistent with meeting desired
conditions in the CRLRMP, including
one of the goals for ‘‘Minerals’’. The
Forest Service seeks to continue to
provide high quality mineral materials
for the State of Alaska from the Spencer
site as a valid multiple use while
maintaining the integrity of the
recreational experience at Spencer and
restoring a more natural landscape.
Proposed Action: The Forest Service
will evaluate, analyze and determine the
ability to develop and extract quarry
rock and gravel aggregate from a mineral
materials site at Spencer. Production of
these materials will be permitted on all
or a portion of the approximately 570acre site for up to 15 years. The site(s)
chosen for mineral material extraction
will be situated and operated so as not
to conflict with a high quality recreation
experience at the Spencer Glacier
Whistle Stop.
Issues: Key issues identified during
scoping include impacts of the proposal
to recreationists at Spencer; conflicts
with valid existing placer claims;
impacts on water quality; impacts on
wildlife and wildlife habitat; economic
feasibility of the proposal; and public
safety.
Possible Alternatives: The No Action
alternative would not allow extraction
of mineral materials from the Spencer
site at this time. Alternative B would
minimize impacts to recreationists.
Alternative C would minimize visual
impacts. Alternative D would allow
gravel extraction from a larger area than
Alternative B or C but less than
Alternative A.
Responsible Official: The Responsible
Official for this project on the Glacier
Ranger District is Joe Meade, Forest
Supervisor, Chugach National Forest,
3301 ‘‘C’’ Street, Suite 300, Anchorage,
Alaska.
Nature of Decision To Be Made: The
Forest Service will evaluate the
proposed action and alternatives. After
reviewing the proposed action, the
alternatives, the environmental analysis,
and considering public comment, the
Forest Supervisor will reach a decision
that is in accordance with the purpose
and need for this project. The decision
will include, but not be limited to:
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(1) Whether or not to permit
production of mineral materials from
the Spencer site.
(2) What will be the size and location
of the area(s) permitted for mineral
materials production.
(3) What types of equipment and
facilities will be allowed in the
permitted area to support minerals
materials operations.
(4) What methods of extraction will be
allowed and/or prohibited.
(5) What constraints will apply to
mineral materials operations to provide
a high quality recreational experience at
the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop.
Public Comment: Comments and
input regarding the proposal were
requested from the public, other groups
and agencies via direct mailing on
November 16, 2006. Based on the
comments received, the Responsible
Official has determined that an
environmental impact statement will be
prepared for this project. Additional
comments will be accepted during a 45day public comment following
publication of the draft environmental
impact statement in May, 2007.
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
E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM
02MRN1
9502
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 41 / Friday, March 2, 2007 / Notices
these courts 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, 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: February 15, 2007.
Joe L. Meade,
Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest.
[FR Doc. 07–944 Filed 3–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Eastern Washington Cascades
Provincial Advisory Committee and the
Yakima Provincial Advisory Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Eastern Washington
Cascades Provincial Advisory
Committee and the Yakima Provincial
Advisory Committee will meet on
Wednesday, March 21, Monday, April
23, and Friday, May 18, 2007 at the
Okanogan and Wenatchee National
Forests Headquarters office, 215 Melody
Lane, Wenatchee, WA. These meetings
will begin 9 a.m. and continue until 4
p.m. During these meetings Provincial
Advisory Committee members will
continue discussion on Roadless Area
considerations and potential Wilderness
recommendations in conjunction with
Forest Plan Revision for the Okanogan
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18:44 Mar 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
and Wenatchee National Forests. All
Eastern Washington Cascades and
Yakima Province Advisory Committee
meetings are open to the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct questions regarding this meeting
to Paul Hart, Designated Federal
Official, USDA, Wenatchee National
Forest, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee,
Washington 98801, 509–664–9200.
services since April 7, 1978. On January
2, 2007, Minnesota requested that they
cease providing official services on
April 2, 2007. Accordingly, Minnesota’s
delegation will be cancelled. For export
services in Minnesota after April 2,
2007, contact David Mundwiler, Field
Office Manager, Toledo, Ohio,
telephone number 419–259–6276.
Dated: February 26, 2007.
Paul Hart,
Designated Federal Official, Okanogan and
Wenatchee National Forests.
[FR Doc. 07–943 Filed 3–1–07; 8:45 am]
Pat Donohue-Galvin,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. E7–3646 Filed 3–1–07; 8:45 am]
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 71 et seq.
BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration
Cancellation of Minnesota’s Delegation
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration
Opportunity To Comment on the
Applicants for the Savage (MN) Area
AGENCY:
Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The United States Grain
Standards Act, as amended (Act),
provides for state agency delegations at
export port locations within a state. The
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
(Minnesota) is delegated to provide
official export inspection and weighing
services. Minnesota requested that they
cease providing official services on
April 2, 2007. Accordingly, Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards
Administration, USDA (GIPSA) is
announcing that Minnesota’s delegation
will be cancelled effective April 2, 2007.
DATES: Effective April 2, 2007.
ADDRESSES: USDA, GIPSA, Karen
Guagliardo, Chief, Review Branch,
Compliance Division, STOP 3604, room
1647–S, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–3604.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Guagliardo at 202–720–8262, email Karen.W.Guagliardo@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
action has been reviewed and
determined not to be a rule or regulation
as defined in Executive Order 12866
and Departmental Regulation 1512–1;
therefore, the Executive Order and
Departmental Regulation do not apply
to this action.
Section 7(e)(2) of the Act authorizes
GIPSA’ Administrator to delegate
authority to a qualified State agency to
perform all or specified functions
involved in official inspection at export
port locations within the state.
Minnesota has been delegated authority
to provide official export and weighing
SUMMARY: GIPSA requests comments on
the applicants for designation to provide
official services in Minnesota.
DATES: Comments must be postmarked
or electronically dated on or before
April 2, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Comments must be
submitted in writing to USDA, GIPSA,
Karen Guagliardo, Review Branch Chief,
Compliance Division, STOP 3604, Room
1647–S, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20250–3604. FAX
202–690–2755; e-mail
Karen.W.Guagliardo@usda.gov. All
comments received will be made
available for public inspection at the
above address located at 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., during
regular business hours.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Guagliardo at 202–720–7312, email Karen.W.Guagliardo@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
action has been reviewed and
determined not to be a rule or regulation
as defined in Executive Order 12866
and Departmental Regulation 1512–1;
therefore, the Executive Order and
Departmental Regulation do not apply
to this action.
In the December 8, 2006, Federal
Register (71 FR 71122), GIPSA asked
persons interested in providing official
services in the Savage, Minnesota, area
to submit an application for designation.
There were three applicants for the
Savage area: Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection,
Inc. (Mid-Iowa) and State Grain
Inspection, Inc. (State Grain) both
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Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM
02MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 41 (Friday, March 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9501-9502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-944]
========================================================================
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. 72, No. 41 / Friday, March 2, 2007 /
Notices
[[Page 9501]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Chugach National Forest, Glacier Ranger District, Alaska--Spencer
Mineral Materials Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This project proposes the sale of mineral materials in the
form of gravel aggregate and quarry rock from up to 570 acres at
Spencer on the Glacier Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest,
and will analyze removal of these materials within the constraints of
the Chugach National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan.
DATES: Comments and input regarding the proposal were requested from
the public, other groups and agencies via direct mailing on November
16, 2006. Based on the comments received, the Responsible Official has
determined that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for
this project. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in
May, 2007 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
August, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Alice Allen, Hell Canyon Ranger
District, 330 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer, South Dakota 57730. Comment may
also be submitted by e-mail to: comments-alaska-chugach-
glacier@fs.fed.us with ``Spencer Minerals'' as subject.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Allen, Project Coordinator,
Black Hills National Forest, Hell Canyon Ranger District, at 330 Mt.
Rushmore Rd., phone (605) 673-4853.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action: The purpose of the project is to
authorize the sale of mineral materials (gravel aggregate and quarry
rock). The EIS will determine current conditions, analyze environmental
consequences of mineral extraction on those conditions, and assist the
decisionmaker in selecting management/monitoring strategies consistent
with meeting desired conditions in the CRLRMP, including one of the
goals for ``Minerals''. The Forest Service seeks to continue to provide
high quality mineral materials for the State of Alaska from the Spencer
site as a valid multiple use while maintaining the integrity of the
recreational experience at Spencer and restoring a more natural
landscape.
Proposed Action: The Forest Service will evaluate, analyze and
determine the ability to develop and extract quarry rock and gravel
aggregate from a mineral materials site at Spencer. Production of these
materials will be permitted on all or a portion of the approximately
570-acre site for up to 15 years. The site(s) chosen for mineral
material extraction will be situated and operated so as not to conflict
with a high quality recreation experience at the Spencer Glacier
Whistle Stop.
Issues: Key issues identified during scoping include impacts of the
proposal to recreationists at Spencer; conflicts with valid existing
placer claims; impacts on water quality; impacts on wildlife and
wildlife habitat; economic feasibility of the proposal; and public
safety.
Possible Alternatives: The No Action alternative would not allow
extraction of mineral materials from the Spencer site at this time.
Alternative B would minimize impacts to recreationists. Alternative C
would minimize visual impacts. Alternative D would allow gravel
extraction from a larger area than Alternative B or C but less than
Alternative A.
Responsible Official: The Responsible Official for this project on
the Glacier Ranger District is Joe Meade, Forest Supervisor, Chugach
National Forest, 3301 ``C'' Street, Suite 300, Anchorage, Alaska.
Nature of Decision To Be Made: The Forest Service will evaluate the
proposed action and alternatives. After reviewing the proposed action,
the alternatives, the environmental analysis, and considering public
comment, the Forest Supervisor will reach a decision that is in
accordance with the purpose and need for this project. The decision
will include, but not be limited to:
(1) Whether or not to permit production of mineral materials from
the Spencer site.
(2) What will be the size and location of the area(s) permitted for
mineral materials production.
(3) What types of equipment and facilities will be allowed in the
permitted area to support minerals materials operations.
(4) What methods of extraction will be allowed and/or prohibited.
(5) What constraints will apply to mineral materials operations to
provide a high quality recreational experience at the Spencer Glacier
Whistle Stop.
Public Comment: Comments and input regarding the proposal were
requested from the public, other groups and agencies via direct mailing
on November 16, 2006. Based on the comments received, the Responsible
Official has determined that an environmental impact statement will be
prepared for this project. Additional comments will be accepted during
a 45-day public comment following publication of the draft
environmental impact statement in May, 2007.
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
[[Page 9502]]
these courts 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: February 15, 2007.
Joe L. Meade,
Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest.
[FR Doc. 07-944 Filed 3-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M