National Forest System Land Management Planning, 26775-26776 [E7-9078]

Download as PDF ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 91 / Friday, May 11, 2007 / Notices Soviet Union in 1972. To make sure that all parties involved in the production and export of U.S. grain have access to up-to-date export information, the U.S. Congress mandated as export sales reporting requirements in 1973. Prior to the establishment of the Export Sales Reporting System, it was impossible for the public to obtain information on export sales activity until the actual shipments had taken place. This frequently resulted in considerable delay in the availability of information. Under the export sales reporting system, U.S. exporters are required to report all large sales of certain designated commodities by 3 p.m. (eastern time) on the next business days after the sale is made. The designated commodities for these daily reports are wheat (by class), barley, corn, grain sorghum, oats, soybeans, soybean cake and meal, and soybean oil. Large sales for all reportable commodities except soybean oil are defined as 100,000 metric tons or more of one commodity in one day to a single destination or 200,000 tons or more of one commodity during the weekly reporting period. Large sales for soybean oil are 200,000 tons and 40,000 tons, respectively. Weekly reports are also required, regardless of the size of the sales transaction, for all of these commodities, as well as wheat products, rye, flaxseed, linseed oil, sunflowerseed oil, cotton (by staple length), cottonseed, cottonseed cake and meal, cottonseed oil, rice (by class), cattle hides and skins (cattle, calf, and kip), and beef. The reporting week for the export sales reporting system is Friday–Thursday. The Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to add other commodities to this list. U.S. exporters provide information on the quantity of their sales transactions, the type and class of commodity, the marketing year of shipment, and the destination. They also report any changes in previously reported information, such as cancellations and changes in destinations. The estimated total annual burden of 31,190 hours in the OMB inventory for the currently approved information collection will be increased by 11,757 hours to 42,947 hours. The estimated increase is based on the growth in U.S. exports of reported commodities during this period. Estimate of Burden: The average burden, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data needed, completing forms, and record keeping is estimated to be 30 minutes. Respondents: All reports of wheat and wheat flour, feed grains, oil seeds, cotton, rice, cattle hides and skins, beef, VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:09 May 10, 2007 Jkt 211001 and any products thereof, and other commodities that the Secretary may designate as produced in the United States. Estimated number of respondents: 340 for forms FAS 97, 98, 99, and 100. Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Copies of the current information collection may be obtained from Tamoria Thompson-Hall, FAS Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 690–1690 or e-mail at Tamoria.Thompson@usda.gov. Comments may be sent to Peter W. Burr, Office of Trade Programs/Import and Trade Support Programs Division/ Export Sales Reporting, FAS, 1400 Independence Avenue, Stop 1021, SW., Washington, DC 20250–1021 or esr@fas.usda.gov, or to the Desk Office for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments can also be hand delivered to Export Sales Reporting, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 456, 1250 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20024. Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means of communication of information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Government Paperwork Elimination Act: FAS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, which requires Government agencies, in general, to provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26775 Signed at Washington, DC, on April 26, 2007. Michael W. Yost, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service. [FR Doc. 07–2323 Filed 5–10–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–10–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service National Forest System Land Management Planning Forest Service, USDA. Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Forest Service is giving notice of its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement to analyze and disclose potential environmental consequences associated with a National Forest System land management planning rule. This environmental impact statement is being prepared in partial response to an order dated March 30, 2007, in which the United States District Court in Citizens for Better Forestry et al. v. USDA (N.D. Calif.) enjoined the USDA from implementation and utilization of the National Forest land management planning rule published in 2005 until the agency complies with the court’s order. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by June 11, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via e-mail to planningrulenoi@fscomments.org. Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Planning Rule NOI Comments, P.O. Box 162969, Sacramento, CA 95816–2969, or via facsimile to (916) 456–6724. All comments, including names and addresses, when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Sire, (202) 205–1006, dsire@fs.fed.us or Regis Terney, (202) 205–1552, rterney@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This action responds in part to an order dated March 30, 2007, by the United States District Court in Citizens for Better Forestry et al. v. USDA (N.D. E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1 26776 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 91 / Friday, May 11, 2007 / Notices Calif.). The court enjoined the USDA from implementing and utilizing the 2005 Rule until it complies with the court’s opinion regarding the Administrative Procedures Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. While the Agency is not in agreement with the Court’s decision, it has decided, in the interest of moving forward with land management planning, to prepare an environmental impact statement to comply with the court order. ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES Estimated Dates The draft environmental impact statement is expected June, 2007, and the final environmental impact statement is expected November, 2007. Purpose and Need for Action The 2005 Rule at 36 CFR part 219 resulted from a review of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule issued on November 9, 2000 (2000 Rule) by Forest Service personnel at the direction of the Office of the Secretary. The review affirmed much of the 2000 Rule and the underlying concepts of sustainability, monitoring, evaluation, collaboration, and use of science. Although the 2000 Rule was intended to simplify and streamline the development and amendment of land and resource management plans, the review concluded that the 2000 Rule was neither straightforward nor easy to implement. The review found the following: (1) The 2000 rule has both definitions and analytical requirements that are very complex, unclear, and, therefore, subject to inconsistent implementation across the agency; (2) Compliance with the regulatory direction on such matters as ecological sustainability and science consistency checks would be difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish; and (3) The complexity of the 2000 rule makes it difficult and expensive to implement. Based on the review and over two decades of experience with land management plans, the Agency promulgated a new planning rule that improved upon the 2000 rule by providing a planning process that was more readily understood and that was within the Agency’s capability to implement. The 2005 Rule also responded to additional needs identified through public comments received during the rulemaking. Under the 2005 rule: (1) Land management plans are strategic in nature; VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:09 May 10, 2007 Jkt 211001 (2) Are adaptive and based on current information and science; (3) Guide sustainable management of National Forest System lands; and (4) The public is involved in planning; and (5) Planning must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Proposed Action The Agency expects to publish a rule for comment in late June. Possible Alternatives Other than the Proposed Action and a No Action alternative, additional alternatives to this proposed action have not yet been identified. Issues with and alternatives to the proposed action will be framed during the internal and external scoping and public comment periods in the NEPA process. Responsible Official The responsible official is Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250. Nature of Decision to be Made Scoping Process This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations (40 CFR part 1500). As part of the scoping process, the Forest Service solicits public comment on the nature and scope of environmental, social, and economic issues that should be analyzed in the draft environmental impact statement. Scoping will include review of comments previously collected during promulgation of the 2005 planning rule (70 FR 1022), agency planning directives (72 FR 4478, 71 FR 10956, 71 FR 5124), and the Agency categorical exclusion for land management planning (71 FR 75481). The nature and scope of the analysis for the draft environmental impact statement will focus on the process for development, revision, and amendment of land management plans, and alternatives to it. Because of the extensive amount of public comment received on the 2005 planning rule, planning directives, and the Agency categorical exclusion for land management planning, no public Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comment Requested Reviewers should provide their comments during the comment period. Timely comments will enable the Agency to analyze and respond to them at one time and to use them in the preparation of the environmental impact statement, thus avoiding undue delay in the decisionmaking process. Furthermore, specific and substantive comments will facilitate meaningful review and consideration. Reviewers have an obligation to structure their participation in the National Environmental Policy Act process so that it is meaningful and alerts the Agency to the reviewer’s position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Dept. of Transportation v. Public Citizen, 541 U.S. 752, 764 (2004). Dated: April 27, 2007. Gregory Smith, Acting Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. E7–9078 Filed 5–10–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The responsible official will promulgate a land management planning rule based on an alternative that meets the agency’s purpose and need. PO 00000 meetings are planned for this scoping effort. Forest Service Olympic National Forest, Jefferson County, WA; Dosewallips Road Washout Project Forest Service, USDA. Revised Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: On August 12, 2005, the USDA Forest Service (FS), Olympic National Forest (ONF), published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (70 FR 47171) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Dosewallips Road Washout Project. A revised Notice of Intent was published on August 26, 2005 in Federal Register (70 FR 50297). The FS and Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) further revise this Notice of Intent as follows. Except for the sections noted, all prior information remains the same. DATES: The draft EIS is expected to be released in July 2007, and the final EIS is expected to be released in May 2008. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Action The original proposed action to restore and rebuild the washed out section of Forest Service Road (FSR) E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 91 (Friday, May 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26775-26776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9078]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


National Forest System Land Management Planning

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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

SUMMARY: The Forest Service is giving notice of its intent to prepare 
an environmental impact statement to analyze and disclose potential 
environmental consequences associated with a National Forest System 
land management planning rule. This environmental impact statement is 
being prepared in partial response to an order dated March 30, 2007, in 
which the United States District Court in Citizens for Better Forestry 
et al. v. USDA (N.D. Calif.) enjoined the USDA from implementation and 
utilization of the National Forest land management planning rule 
published in 2005 until the agency complies with the court's order.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by June 11, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via e-mail to 
planningrulenoi@fscomments.org.
    Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed to 
Planning Rule NOI Comments, P.O. Box 162969, Sacramento, CA 95816-2969, 
or via facsimile to (916) 456-6724.
    All comments, including names and addresses, when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Sire, (202) 205-1006, 
dsire@fs.fed.us or Regis Terney, (202) 205-1552, rterney@fs.fed.us.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This action responds in part to an order dated March 30, 2007, by 
the United States District Court in Citizens for Better Forestry et al. 
v. USDA (N.D.

[[Page 26776]]

Calif.). The court enjoined the USDA from implementing and utilizing 
the 2005 Rule until it complies with the court's opinion regarding the 
Administrative Procedures Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the 
National Environmental Policy Act.
    While the Agency is not in agreement with the Court's decision, it 
has decided, in the interest of moving forward with land management 
planning, to prepare an environmental impact statement to comply with 
the court order.

Estimated Dates

    The draft environmental impact statement is expected June, 2007, 
and the final environmental impact statement is expected November, 
2007.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The 2005 Rule at 36 CFR part 219 resulted from a review of the 
National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule issued on November 
9, 2000 (2000 Rule) by Forest Service personnel at the direction of the 
Office of the Secretary. The review affirmed much of the 2000 Rule and 
the underlying concepts of sustainability, monitoring, evaluation, 
collaboration, and use of science. Although the 2000 Rule was intended 
to simplify and streamline the development and amendment of land and 
resource management plans, the review concluded that the 2000 Rule was 
neither straightforward nor easy to implement. The review found the 
following:
    (1) The 2000 rule has both definitions and analytical requirements 
that are very complex, unclear, and, therefore, subject to inconsistent 
implementation across the agency;
    (2) Compliance with the regulatory direction on such matters as 
ecological sustainability and science consistency checks would be 
difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish; and
    (3) The complexity of the 2000 rule makes it difficult and 
expensive to implement.
    Based on the review and over two decades of experience with land 
management plans, the Agency promulgated a new planning rule that 
improved upon the 2000 rule by providing a planning process that was 
more readily understood and that was within the Agency's capability to 
implement. The 2005 Rule also responded to additional needs identified 
through public comments received during the rulemaking. Under the 2005 
rule:
    (1) Land management plans are strategic in nature;
    (2) Are adaptive and based on current information and science;
    (3) Guide sustainable management of National Forest System lands; 
and
    (4) The public is involved in planning; and
    (5) Planning must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and 
policies.

Proposed Action

    The Agency expects to publish a rule for comment in late June.

Possible Alternatives

    Other than the Proposed Action and a No Action alternative, 
additional alternatives to this proposed action have not yet been 
identified. Issues with and alternatives to the proposed action will be 
framed during the internal and external scoping and public comment 
periods in the NEPA process.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official is Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural 
Resources and Environment, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250.

Nature of Decision to be Made

    The responsible official will promulgate a land management planning 
rule based on an alternative that meets the agency's purpose and need.

Scoping Process

    This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process in compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations (40 CFR part 1500). As part of the scoping process, the 
Forest Service solicits public comment on the nature and scope of 
environmental, social, and economic issues that should be analyzed in 
the draft environmental impact statement. Scoping will include review 
of comments previously collected during promulgation of the 2005 
planning rule (70 FR 1022), agency planning directives (72 FR 4478, 71 
FR 10956, 71 FR 5124), and the Agency categorical exclusion for land 
management planning (71 FR 75481). The nature and scope of the analysis 
for the draft environmental impact statement will focus on the process 
for development, revision, and amendment of land management plans, and 
alternatives to it. Because of the extensive amount of public comment 
received on the 2005 planning rule, planning directives, and the Agency 
categorical exclusion for land management planning, no public meetings 
are planned for this scoping effort.

Comment Requested

    Reviewers should provide their comments during the comment period. 
Timely comments will enable the Agency to analyze and respond to them 
at one time and to use them in the preparation of the environmental 
impact statement, thus avoiding undue delay in the decisionmaking 
process. Furthermore, specific and substantive comments will facilitate 
meaningful review and consideration. Reviewers have an obligation to 
structure their participation in the National Environmental Policy Act 
process so that it is meaningful and alerts the Agency to the 
reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. 
v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Dept. of Transportation v. Public 
Citizen, 541 U.S. 752, 764 (2004).

    Dated: April 27, 2007.
Gregory Smith,
Acting Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
 [FR Doc. E7-9078 Filed 5-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P

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