Wild and Scenic River Suitability Study for National Forest System Lands in Utah; Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-La Sal, Uinta, and Wasatch-Cache National Forests; Utah, 21203-21205 [E7-8149]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 82 / Monday, April 30, 2007 / Notices
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB),
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received
within 30 days of this notification.
Copies of the submission(s) may be
obtained by calling (202) 720–8681.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Federal Seed Act Program.
OMB Control Number: 0581–0026.
Summary of Collection: The Federal
Seed Act (FSA) (7 U.S.C. 1551–1611)
regulates agricultural and vegetable
seeds in interstate commerce.
Agricultural and vegetable seeds
shipped in interstate commerce are
required to be labeled with certain
quality information such as the name of
the seed, the purity, the germination,
and the noxious-weed seeds of the state
into which the seed is being shipped.
State seed regulatory agencies refer to
the Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS) complaints involving seed found
to be mislabeled and to have moved in
interstate commerce. AMS investigates
the alleged violations and if the
violation is substantiated, takes
regulatory action ranging from letters of
warning to monetary penalties. AMS
will collect information from records of
each lot of seed and make them
available for inspection by agents of the
Secretary.
Need and Use of the Information: The
information collected consists of records
pertaining to interstate shipments of
seed which have been alleged to be in
violation of the FSA. The shipper’s
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18:27 Apr 27, 2007
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records pertaining to a complaint are
examined by FSA program specialists
and are used to determine if a violation
of the FSA occurred. The records are
also used to determine the precautions
taken by the shipper to assure that the
seed was accurately labeled. The FSA
program would be ineffective without
the ability to examine pertinent records
as necessary to resolve complaints of
violations.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for-profit; Farm.
Number of Respondents: 2,880.
Frequency of Responses:
Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 40,263.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E7–8154 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Wild and Scenic River Suitability Study
for National Forest System Lands in
Utah; Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-La
Sal, Uinta, and Wasatch-Cache
National Forests; Utah
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare a
legislative environmental impact
statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Forest Service, in
cooperation with the State of Utah, will
prepare a draft and final legislative
environmental impact statement (LEIS)
to complete the process for giving
consideration to potential national wild,
scenic, and recreational river areas on
the National Forests in Utah under the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Portions of
those National Forests extend into
Colorado and Wyoming, and those areas
will be included in the study. The
Forest Service has evaluated river
segments on these National Forests to
determine which ones meet criteria for
eligibility for inclusion in the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The
purpose of the LEIS is to determine
which eligible river segments are
suitable for inclusion in the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System. More
information including: the full text of
the proposal, a list of eligible river
segments by county and forest, and a
map showing eligible river segments is
posted on the web at: https://
www.fs.fed.us/r4/rivers/.
The Forest Service invites written
comments and suggestions on the
suitability of eligible river segements for
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21203
designation as wild, scenic, or
recreational rivers. The Forest Service
gives notice of the environmental
analysis and determinations that will
occur as a result of this study so that
interested and affected people are aware
of how they may participate and
contribute to the final determination of
suitability for inclusion in the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis will be most useful if
submitted on or before June 30, 2007.
The draft legislative environmental
impact statement is expected in
November 2007 and the final legislative
environmental impact statement is
expected to be completed by the
summer of 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments
concerning the suitability of the river
segments to: Catherine Kahlow, USFS
WSR Team Leader, Attention: WSR,
P.O. Box 68, Kamas, UT 84036.
Comments can also be hand delivered
Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30
pm at: 50 East Center Street in Kamas,
Utah. In addition, comments can be
submitted electronically to:
r4_utah_rivers@fs.fed.us on or before
June 30, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visit
the website for up-to-date information
at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/rivers/ or
contact Catherine Kahlow, USFS WSR
Team Leader (see previous address
information). For information regarding
meetings or media inquiries contact:
Loyal Clark, USFS Public Affairs Officer
(Northern Utah) at (801) 342–5117 or
Kenton Call, USFS Public Affairs Officer
(Southern Utah) at (435) 865–3730.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
This Forest Service proposes to
complete the process for considering
potential national wild, scenic, and
recreational river areas on the National
Forest System lands in Utah under the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The
purpose of and need for this study is to
assess whether or not eligible river
segments should be recommended to
Congress for inclusion in the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is proposing to
conduct an environmental analysis to
complete the process for considering
potential national wild, scenic, and
recreational river areas on the National
Forests in Utah under the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act. This action is
conducted pursuant to the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law
90–542) and complies with the National
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 82 / Monday, April 30, 2007 / Notices
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969.
The final record of decision may also
include amendments to the Land and
Resource Management Plans for the
Utah National Forests to provide
direction for management of river
segments determined to be suitable for
inclusion in the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System.
Background: Over the past decade,
National Forests in Utah have evaluated
river segments on the National Forest
for potential eligibility for designation
under the National Wild and Scenic
Rivers System. The majority of the
eligibility inventory and tentative
classification took place during forest
land and resource management plan
revision processes. However, eight river
segments on the Dixie National Forest
were analyzed in conjunction with the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in
the Grand Staircase Escalante National
Monument Management Plan.
In order to be eligible, a river segment
must be free-flowing and must possess
at least one outstandingly remarkable
value. River segments determined to be
eligible were assigned a potential
classification as wild, scenic, or
recreational based on the level of
development and access along the river
corridor.
Forest Supervisors proposed interim
direction for the management of
activities and uses that have the
potential to affect the outstandingly
remarkable values and/or the wild,
scenic, or recreational classification of
the eligible river segments until such a
time that the suitability studies are
completed and a new management
emphasis is developed.
The eligibility process has largely
been completed for all National Forests
in Utah. The purpose of this study is to
further evaluate the suitability of
eligible river segements for inclusion in
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System.
A suitability study is the final
administrative step before a
recommendation is made to Congress.
Evaluation of suitability will provide an
opportunity to determine if it will be
appropriate to pursue Congressional
designation for specific river segments.
The Forest Service and State of Utah
will consider, but not be limited to, the
following: ‘‘worthy additions’’ to the
National System; tradeoffs in
management scenarios other than
designation; land ownership status;
existing and potential uses of that
segment; interest expressed by the
public, and tribal, Federal, State, and
local agencies; estimated costs for
management and protection of
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18:27 Apr 27, 2007
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identified outstandingly remarkable
values; ability of agency to manage and/
or protect the river; and, historical and
existing uses which could be affected.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Team will
evaluate the suitability of the eligible
river segments together in one analysis
to maintain consistency and to complete
the work efficiently.
be considered during preparation of the
Draft LEIS.
Scoping meetings will be held around
the State of Utah and in Paradox,
Colorado and Lyman, Wyoming during
May and June of 2007. For a list of
meeting dates and locations, please
check the WSR Web site at: https://
www.fs.fed.us/r4/rivers.
Possible Alternatives
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. This suitability study
is driven by suitability factors that will
shape the analysis of each river
segment. These suitability factors are
used to identify and evaluate the tradeoffs between competing uses and need
for potential designation of these rivers
to the Wild and Scenic River System.
Suitability factors are noted on the
website at https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/
rivers. Comment on the application of
existing suitability factors, additional
factors for the agency to consider,
potential alternatives to analyze and
other related specific comments is
requested.
A range of alternatives will be
considered. The range of alternatives
will include, as required be NEPA, a no
action alternative that does not
recommend any eligible river segment
for designation into the National Wild
and Scenic Rivers System, and may
include an alternative that recommends
designation of all eligible rivers (All
Suitable). Additional alternatives may
be developed from information analyzed
during the suitability study, including
public comments received during the
scoping process.
Cooperating Agencies
The State of Utah is a Cooperating
Agency.
Responsible Officials
Kevin B. Elliott, Ashley National
Forest, 355 North Vernal Avenue,
Vernal, Utah 84078;
Rob MacWhorter, Dixie National
Forest, 1789 North Wedgewood Lane,
Cedar City, Utah 84720;
Mary C. Erickson, Fishlake National
Forest, 115 East 900 North, Richfield,
Utah 84701;
Alice B. Carlton, Manti-La Sal
National Forest, 599 West Price River
Dr., Price, Utah 84501;
Brian A. Ferebee, Uinta National
Forest, 88 West 100 North, Provo, Utah
84601;
Faye L. Krueger, Wasatch-Cache
National Forest, 125 South State Street,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84138.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The record of decision will answer
the following question: Which, if any, of
the eligible river segments under
consideration should be recommended
to the Congress of the United States for
inclusion in the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System?
Scoping Process
Public participation is especially
important at several points in the study
process. The first is the scoping process.
The Forest Service is seeking
information and comments from
Federal, State, and local agencies,
Tribes, organizations, and individuals
who may be interested in or affected by
the proposed action. Public input will
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Early Notice of Importance of Public
Participation in Subsequent
Environmental Review
A draft environmental impact
statement will be prepared for comment.
The comment period on the draft
environmental impact statement will be
45 days from the date the
Environmental Protection Agency
publishes the notice of availability in
the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this
early stage, it is important to give
reviewers notice of several court rulings
related to public participation in the
environmental review process. First,
reviewers of draft environmental impact
statements must structure their
participation in the environmental
review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the
reviewer’s position and contentions.
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v.
NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also,
environmental objections that could be
raised at the draft environmental impact
statement stage but that are not raised
until after completion of the final
environmental impact statement may be
waived or dismissed by the courts. City
of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016,
1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp.
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of
these court rulings, it is very important
that those interested in this proposed
action participate by the close of the 45
day comment period so that comments
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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: April 24, 2007.
Faye L. Krueger,
Wasatch-Cache Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E7–8149 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region, Regional
Office, California, Sierra Nevada
Forests—Management Indicator
Species Amendment
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Pacific Southwest Region
of the U.S. Forest Service proposes to
adopt a common list of Management
Indicator Species (MIS) and associated
monitoring strategies by amending the
Land and Resource Management Plans
(LRMPs) for the Eldorado, Inyo, Lassen,
Modoc, Plumas, Sequoia, Sierra,
Stanislaus, and Tahoe National Forests
and Lake Tahoe Basin Management
Unit. These will likely be nonsignificant forest plan amendments.
DATES: To be most effective, comments
concerning the scope of the analysis
should be received by May 21, 2007.
Public scoping for this analysis,
originally expected to be documented in
an Environmental Assessment, began on
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18:27 Apr 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
February 21, 2007. Unless response to
this notice raises concerns not yet
expressed, the draft environmental
impact statement is expected in late
May 2007 and the final environmental
impact statement is expected in July
2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to the
Forest Service at the following
addresses. Hardcopy mail: U.S. Forest
Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA
94592, ATTN: Brenda Kendrix.
Electronic mail: commentspacificsouthwest-regionaloffice@fs.fed.us, Subject Line: Sierra
Nevada Forests MIS Amendment. Use
Rich Text Format (.rtf) or Word (.doc).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information contact Diana Craig,
Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at U.S.
Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo,
CA, or at the e-mail address above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
This proposed action responds to a
need for a more suitable and
manageable list of MIS, while
maintaining a sufficient number of
species to cover the range of habitats in
the Sierra Nevada affected by Forest
Service management activities.
Monitoring and recent judicial
interpretations have led to the
conclusion that the Forest plan
provisions related to MIS and MIS
monitoring are in need of
reconsideration. Specifically, some MIS
currently identified in the LRMPs are
problematic because (1) no tested
monitoring methodology exists or the
methodology is prohibitively expensive,
(2) some MIS currently identified in the
LRMPs are not strongly linked to
habitats or ecosystem components that
are affected by national forest
management activities, or (3) some MIS
do not occur on or occur only
incidentally on a Forest and, therefore,
neither populations nor habitat
relationships can be monitored for MIS
objectives.
In addition, the current lists provide
no coordination or standardization
across the Sierra Nevada Forests. Each
national forest has a different, and often
unrelated, MIS list. Often forest scale
information does not provide the most
meaningful biological data. Maintaining
a monitoring program on each
individual forest is not strategic and is
an inefficient use of money and
resources.
The purpose of this action is to
improve the ability of the national
forests to provide for the diversity of
plant and animal communities, as
identified in the National Forest
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21205
Management Act (NFMA). This will be
accomplished by identifying MIS for the
10 national forests (1) that are clearly
linked to habitats or ecosystem
components that are affected by national
forest management activities, and (2) for
which population or habitat status and
change can be effectively and affordably
monitored and evaluated.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposes to adopt
common list of MIS and associated
monitoring strategies by amending, via
non-significant forest plan amendment,
the LRMPs for the ten Sierra Nevada
National Forests in the Pacific
Southwest Region (Eldorado, Inyo,
Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sequoia, Sierra,
Stanislaus, and Tahoe National Forests
and Lake Tahoe Basin Management
Unit). These ten national forests occur
in Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El
Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Lassen,
Madera, Mariposa, Modoc, Mono,
Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra,
Siskiyou, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yuba, and
Douglas Counties in California and
Esmeralda and Mineral Counties in
Nevada.
This action will replace the existing
MIS lists and associated monitoring
strategies identified in the LRMPs for
each of the 10 national forests. Other
MIS-related parts of the LRMPs (e.g.,
habitat objectives, desired conditions,
standards and guidelines) will NOT be
changed by this proposal; therefore,
habitat and species-specific protection
measures will continue for all current
MIS.
The proposed action will have the
following components: (1) Major
habitats or ecosystem components that
are affected by national forest
management activities on the ten
national forests; (2) suitability and
feasability criteria to assess whether a
species meets the identified need; (3)
MIS for major habitats or ecosystem
components identified in component 1;
and (4) appropriate monitoring
strategies for each identified MIS
(habitat or population monitoring,
including the specific type of
population monitoring).
Possible Alternatives
Public comment has suggested an
alternative analyzing all species
identified as MIS in Appendix E of the
2001 Final Environmental Impact
Statement for the Sierra Nevada Forest
Plan Amendment (2001 SNFPA FEIS)
and associated monitoring. We will
analyze this alternative, called SNFPA
Appendix E, in detail.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 82 (Monday, April 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21203-21205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8149]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Wild and Scenic River Suitability Study for National Forest
System Lands in Utah; Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-La Sal, Uinta, and
Wasatch-Cache National Forests; Utah
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a legislative environmental impact
statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Forest Service, in cooperation with the State of Utah,
will prepare a draft and final legislative environmental impact
statement (LEIS) to complete the process for giving consideration to
potential national wild, scenic, and recreational river areas on the
National Forests in Utah under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Portions
of those National Forests extend into Colorado and Wyoming, and those
areas will be included in the study. The Forest Service has evaluated
river segments on these National Forests to determine which ones meet
criteria for eligibility for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic
Rivers System. The purpose of the LEIS is to determine which eligible
river segments are suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System. More information including: the full text of the
proposal, a list of eligible river segments by county and forest, and a
map showing eligible river segments is posted on the web at: https://
www.fs.fed.us/r4/rivers/.
The Forest Service invites written comments and suggestions on the
suitability of eligible river segements for designation as wild,
scenic, or recreational rivers. The Forest Service gives notice of the
environmental analysis and determinations that will occur as a result
of this study so that interested and affected people are aware of how
they may participate and contribute to the final determination of
suitability for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis will be most
useful if submitted on or before June 30, 2007. The draft legislative
environmental impact statement is expected in November 2007 and the
final legislative environmental impact statement is expected to be
completed by the summer of 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning the suitability of the
river segments to: Catherine Kahlow, USFS WSR Team Leader, Attention:
WSR, P.O. Box 68, Kamas, UT 84036. Comments can also be hand delivered
Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at: 50 East Center Street in
Kamas, Utah. In addition, comments can be submitted electronically to:
r4_utah_rivers@fs.fed.us on or before June 30, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visit the website for up-to-date
information at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/rivers/ or contact Catherine
Kahlow, USFS WSR Team Leader (see previous address information). For
information regarding meetings or media inquiries contact: Loyal Clark,
USFS Public Affairs Officer (Northern Utah) at (801) 342-5117 or Kenton
Call, USFS Public Affairs Officer (Southern Utah) at (435) 865-3730.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
This Forest Service proposes to complete the process for
considering potential national wild, scenic, and recreational river
areas on the National Forest System lands in Utah under the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act. The purpose of and need for this study is to assess
whether or not eligible river segments should be recommended to
Congress for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is proposing to conduct an environmental
analysis to complete the process for considering potential national
wild, scenic, and recreational river areas on the National Forests in
Utah under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This action is conducted
pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-542)
and complies with the National
[[Page 21204]]
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
The final record of decision may also include amendments to the
Land and Resource Management Plans for the Utah National Forests to
provide direction for management of river segments determined to be
suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Background: Over the past decade, National Forests in Utah have
evaluated river segments on the National Forest for potential
eligibility for designation under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System. The majority of the eligibility inventory and tentative
classification took place during forest land and resource management
plan revision processes. However, eight river segments on the Dixie
National Forest were analyzed in conjunction with the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Management Plan.
In order to be eligible, a river segment must be free-flowing and
must possess at least one outstandingly remarkable value. River
segments determined to be eligible were assigned a potential
classification as wild, scenic, or recreational based on the level of
development and access along the river corridor.
Forest Supervisors proposed interim direction for the management of
activities and uses that have the potential to affect the outstandingly
remarkable values and/or the wild, scenic, or recreational
classification of the eligible river segments until such a time that
the suitability studies are completed and a new management emphasis is
developed.
The eligibility process has largely been completed for all National
Forests in Utah. The purpose of this study is to further evaluate the
suitability of eligible river segements for inclusion in the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
A suitability study is the final administrative step before a
recommendation is made to Congress. Evaluation of suitability will
provide an opportunity to determine if it will be appropriate to pursue
Congressional designation for specific river segments. The Forest
Service and State of Utah will consider, but not be limited to, the
following: ``worthy additions'' to the National System; tradeoffs in
management scenarios other than designation; land ownership status;
existing and potential uses of that segment; interest expressed by the
public, and tribal, Federal, State, and local agencies; estimated costs
for management and protection of identified outstandingly remarkable
values; ability of agency to manage and/or protect the river; and,
historical and existing uses which could be affected. The Wild and
Scenic Rivers Team will evaluate the suitability of the eligible river
segments together in one analysis to maintain consistency and to
complete the work efficiently.
Possible Alternatives
A range of alternatives will be considered. The range of
alternatives will include, as required be NEPA, a no action alternative
that does not recommend any eligible river segment for designation into
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and may include an
alternative that recommends designation of all eligible rivers (All
Suitable). Additional alternatives may be developed from information
analyzed during the suitability study, including public comments
received during the scoping process.
Cooperating Agencies
The State of Utah is a Cooperating Agency.
Responsible Officials
Kevin B. Elliott, Ashley National Forest, 355 North Vernal Avenue,
Vernal, Utah 84078;
Rob MacWhorter, Dixie National Forest, 1789 North Wedgewood Lane,
Cedar City, Utah 84720;
Mary C. Erickson, Fishlake National Forest, 115 East 900 North,
Richfield, Utah 84701;
Alice B. Carlton, Manti-La Sal National Forest, 599 West Price
River Dr., Price, Utah 84501;
Brian A. Ferebee, Uinta National Forest, 88 West 100 North, Provo,
Utah 84601;
Faye L. Krueger, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 125 South State
Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The record of decision will answer the following question: Which,
if any, of the eligible river segments under consideration should be
recommended to the Congress of the United States for inclusion in the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System?
Scoping Process
Public participation is especially important at several points in
the study process. The first is the scoping process. The Forest Service
is seeking information and comments from Federal, State, and local
agencies, Tribes, organizations, and individuals who may be interested
in or affected by the proposed action. Public input will be considered
during preparation of the Draft LEIS.
Scoping meetings will be held around the State of Utah and in
Paradox, Colorado and Lyman, Wyoming during May and June of 2007. For a
list of meeting dates and locations, please check the WSR Web site at:
https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/rivers.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. This suitability
study is driven by suitability factors that will shape the analysis of
each river segment. These suitability factors are used to identify and
evaluate the trade-offs between competing uses and need for potential
designation of these rivers to the Wild and Scenic River System.
Suitability factors are noted on the website at https://www.fs.fed.us/
r4/rivers. Comment on the application of existing suitability factors,
additional factors for the agency to consider, potential alternatives
to analyze and other related specific comments is requested.
Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent
Environmental Review
A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for
comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement
will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency
publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of
draft environmental impact statements must structure their
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519,
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may
be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d
1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings,
it is very important that those interested in this proposed action
participate by the close of the 45 day comment period so that comments
[[Page 21205]]
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: April 24, 2007.
Faye L. Krueger,
Wasatch-Cache Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E7-8149 Filed 4-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
