Colville National Forest; Washington; Republic Ranger Station Excess Residence Sale, 42376-42378 [07-3771]
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42376
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 148 / Thursday, August 2, 2007 / Notices
690–6647, Fax (202) 690–6519, or e-mail
NACMPI@fsis.usda.gov. Persons
requiring a sign language interpreter or
other special accommodations should
notify Loraine Cannon at the numbers
above or by e-mail.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Background
The NACMPI provides advice and
recommendations to the Secretary of
Agriculture pertaining to the Federal
and State meat and poultry inspection
programs, pursuant to sections 7(c), 24,
205, 301(a)(3), 301(a)(4), and 301(c) of
the Federal Meat Inspection Act [21
U.S.C. 607(c), 624, 645, 661(a)(3),
661(a)(4), and 661(c)] and sections
5(a)(3), 5(a)(4), 5(c), 8(b), and 11(e) of
the Poultry Products Inspection Act [21
U.S.C. 454(a)(3), 454(a)(4), 454(c),
457(b), and 460(e)].
The Administrator of FSIS is the
chairperson of the Committee.
Membership of the Committee is drawn
from representatives of consumer
groups; producers, processors, and
marketers from the meat, poultry and
egg product industries; State and local
government officials; and academia. The
current members of the NACMPI are:
Ms. Kibbe M. Conti, Northern Plains
Nutrition Consulting, Rapid City, SD;
Mr. Brian R. Covington, Keystone Foods
LLC, West Conshohocken, PA; Dr.
Catherine N. Cutter, Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA; Dr.
James S. Dickson, Iowa State University,
Ames, IA; Mr. Kevin M. Elfering,
Minnesota Department of Agriculture,
St. Paul, MN; Mr. Mike W. Finnegan,
Montana Meat & Poultry Inspection
Bureau, Helena, MT; Ms. Carol Tucker
Foreman, Consumer Federation of
America, Chevy Chase, MD; Dr. Andrea
L. Grondahl, North Dakota Department
of Agriculture, Bismarck, ND; Dr. Joseph
J. Harris, Southwest Meat Association,
Bryan, TX; Dr. Craig W. Henry, Food
Products Association, Washington, DC;
Ms. Cheryl D. Jones, Morehouse School
of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Mr. Michael
E. Kowalcyk, DunnhumbyUSA LLC,
Cincinnati, OH; Dr. Shelton E. Murinda,
California State Polytechnic University,
Pomona, CA; Dr. Edna Negron-Bravo,
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez,
PR; Dr. Michael L. Rybolt, National
Turkey Federation, Washington, DC; Mr.
Mark P. Schad, Schad Meats, Inc.,
Cincinnati, OH; and Dr. Stanley A.
Stromberg, Oklahoma Department of
Agriculture, Food, and Forestry,
Oklahoma City, OK.
The Committee has subcommittees to
deliberate on specific issues and make
recommendations to the whole
Committee. The Committee makes
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:42 Aug 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
recommendations to the Secretary of
Agriculture.
All interested parties are welcome to
attend the Meetings and to submit
written comments and suggestions
concerning issues the Committee will
review and discuss. The comments and
the official transcript of the meeting,
when they become available, will be
kept in the FSIS Docket Room, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety
and Inspection Service, 300 12th Street,
SW., Room 102, Cotton Annex,
Washington, DC 20250, and posted on
the Agency’s NACMPI Web site,
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/about_fsis/
nacmpi/index.asp.
Members of the public will be
required to register before entering the
meeting.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of
rulemaking and policy development is
important. Consequently, in an effort to
ensure that minorities, women, and
persons with disabilities are aware of
this notice, FSIS will announce it online through the FSIS Web page located
at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/
2007 Notices Index/. FSIS will also
make copies of this Federal Register
publication available through the FSIS
Constituent Update, which is used to
provide information regarding FSIS
policies, procedures, regulations,
Federal Register notices, FSIS public
meetings, and other types of information
that could affect or would be of interest
to constituents and stakeholders. The
Update is communicated via Listserv, a
free electronic mail subscription service
for industry, trade and farm groups,
consumer interest groups, allied health
professionals, and other individuals
who have asked to be included. The
Update is available on the FSIS Web
page. Through the Listserv and Web
page, FSIS is able to provide
information to a much broader and more
diverse audience. In addition, FSIS
offers an e-mail subscription service
which provides automatic and
customized access to selected food
safety news and information. This
service is available at https://
www.fsis.usda.gov/news and events/
email subscription/. Options range from
recalls to export information to
regulations, directives and notices.
Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves and have the
option to password protect their
account.
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Done in Washington, DC on July 24, 2007.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 07–3783 Filed 7–30–07; 4:29 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Colville National Forest; Washington;
Republic Ranger Station Excess
Residence Sale
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Colville National Forest,
USDA Forest Service, will prepare an
EIS (environmental impact statement)
on a proposal to sell a 0.4-acre parcel of
land with a residential building, located
on the Republic Ranger District
administrative compound, within the
City of Republic, Ferry County
Washington. The parcel and Building
are no longer needed to meet public
service of Forest Service mission
requirements. The Forest Service
Facility Realignment and Enhancement
Act of 2005 authorized the Secretary of
Agriculture to sell administrative sites
that are no longer needed for National
Forest System purposes. Project
implementation is scheduled for Fiscal
Year 2008. This project is not associated
with the proposed Secure Rural Schools
Land Sale Initiative. The Colville
National Forest invites written
comments and suggestions on the scope
of the analysis. The agency will give
notice of the full environmental analysis
and decision-making process so
interested and affected people may
participate and contribute to the final
decision.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by
August 31, 2007. The draft
environmental impact statement is
expected in November 2007 and the
final environmental impact statement is
expected in January 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Rick Brazell, Forest Supervisor, Colville
National Forest, 765 South Main,
Colville, WA 99114 (phone 509–684–
7000). Comments may be submitted
electronically to commentspacificnorthwest-colville@fs.fed.us.
Comments may also be sent by fax to
(509) 775–7401. Include your name and
mailing address with your comments so
documents pertaining to this project
may be mailed to you.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed
Shaw, Reality Specialist, Colville
E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM
02AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 148 / Thursday, August 2, 2007 / Notices
National Forest, 765 South Main,
Colville, WA 99114 (phone 509–684–
7129), or Jim Parker, EIS Project Leader,
Republic Ranger District, 650 East
Delaware, Republic WA 99166 (phone
509–775–7462).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
One of the key findings of the Colville
National Forest Facilities Master Plan is
that the Colville National Forest
maintains more facility space than it
needs to perform its mission. The
Colville National Forest needs to
remove unneeded buildings from the
Forest’s facility inventory in order to
eliminate the cost of maintaining
unneeded facilities.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to sell 0.4
acres of land with a residential building,
located on the Republic Ranger District
administrative compound, located in
Republic, Ferry County, Washington.
The property legal description is: A
portion of the SW1⁄4NW1⁄4 Section 6,
T36N, R33E, WM. The site is located
within the city limits of Republic,
Washington. The land was acquired by
the Forest Service in 1934.
The site has one residential building.
The mineral estate would be reserved by
the government. Water and sewer are
provided by a community system.
This property may be sold directly to
an identified purchaser or may be sold
under competitive bidding procedures.
The method of sale will be determined
at a later date. If the property is offered
for sale under competitive bidding
procedures, an Invitation for Bid will
provide specific information, including
a minimum bid price, the scheduled
starting date for bidding, approximate
bid closing date, requirements and
instructions for bidding, payment and
other closing procedures. An Offer to
Sell will be released after all
environmental studies and other
required analysis ar completed and a
final decision to sell the property is
made.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official is Rick
Brazell, Forest Supervisor, Colville
National Forest, 765 South Main,
Colville, WA 99114.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official will decide
whether or not to proceed with sale of
Republic Ranger Station residence and
property, including any outstanding
interests or conditions to be conveyed.
The decision and rationale for the
decision will be documented in the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:42 Aug 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
Record of Decision, which will be
subject to Forest Service Appeal
Regulations (36 CFR Part 215).
Scoping Process
The scoping process will identify and
clarify issues, identify key issues to be
analyzed in depth, explore alternatives
based on themes derived from key
issues recognized during the scoping
process, and identify potential
environmental effects associated with
the proposed action. A No Action
alternative will be considered.
Preliminary Issues
Only one key issue was identified in
preliminary project assessment: The
National Historic Preservation Act of
1966, Revised, requires that Federal
agencies evaluate properties for historic
significance under Section 106. The
residential structure has been found
eligible to the NHRP (National Register
of Historic Places), with the Washington
State Historic Preservation Office
concurring on this finding. Conveyance
of the property from Federal ownership
will be an adverse effect because of
NRHP eligibility based on the following
criteria: The property may represent a
significant contribution to the American
history (Criterion A), is associated with
the lives of significant persons in our
past (Criterion B), displays distinctive
characteristics of type or period
(Criterion C), or may be likely to yield
information important to history
(Criterion D). The NRHP eligibility for
the structure is based on a national
significance of context in association
with the Depression-era Civilian
Conservation Corps. Eligibility is also
based on national and regional
significance of context associated with
distinctive architectural characteristics.
The property also contains a deposit of
prehistoric lithic material which would
also be eligible for listing on the NRHP;
however, the Forest Service intends to
conduct a data recovery excavation of
the site. Data will be professionally
recorded, and artifacts recovered will be
curated at an approved curation facility.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. The Forest Service is
seeking information, comments, and
assistance from other agencies,
organizations, Indian Tribes, and
individuals who may be interested in or
affected by the Proposed Action. This
input will be used in preparation of the
Draft EIS. Your comments are
appreciated throughout the analysis
process.
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42377
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 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)
E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM
02AUN1
42378
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 148 / Thursday, August 2, 2007 / Notices
Dated: July 26, 2007.
Rick Brazell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 07–3771 Filed 8–1–07; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Siskiyou Resource Advisory
Committee; Notice of Meeting
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
USDA Forest Service.
Notice of Meeting; Siskiyou
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Glenn/Colusa County Resource
Advisory Committee
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
SUMMARY: The Glenn/Colusa County
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
will meet in Willows, California.
Agenda items covered include: (1)
Introductions, (2) Approve Minutes, (3)
Public Comment, (4) Project Proposals/
Action, (5) General Discussion, (6) Next
Agenda.
The meeting will be held on
August 13, 2007, from 1:30 p.m. and
end at approximately 4:30 p.m.
DATES:
The meeting will be held at
the Mendocino National Forest
Supervisor’s Office, 825 N. Humboldt
Ave., Willows, CA 95988. Individuals
who wish to speak or propose agenda
items send their names and proposals to
Eduardo Olmedo, DFO, 825 N.
Humboldt Ave., Willows, CA 95988.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bobbin Gaddini, Committee
Coordinator, USDA, Mendocino
National Forest, Grindstone Ranger
District, P.O. Box 164, Elk Creek, CA
95939. (530) 968–1815; e-mail
ggaddini@fs.fed.us.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Dated: July 25, 2007.
Eduardo Olmedo,
Designated Federal Official.
[FR Doc. 07–3765 Filed 8–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:42 Aug 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
Dated: July 26, 2007.
Cassius M. Cash,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Rogue RiverSiskiyou National Forest.
[FR Doc. 07–3772 Filed 8–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The
meeting will be open to the public.
Committee discussion is limited to
Forest Service staff and Committee
members. However, persons who wish
to bring matters to the attention of the
Committee will file written statements
with the Committee staff before or after
the meeting. Public input sessions are
provided and individuals who made
written requests by August 10, 2007
have the opportunity to address the
committee at those sessions.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY: The Siskiyou Resource
Advisory Committee will meet on
Thursday, August 30, 2007 to
recommend Title II projects for fiscal
year 2008 under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community Self
Determination Act of 2000. The meeting
will be held at the Chetco Community
Public Library, Large Community
Meeting Room at 405 Alder Street,
Brookings, Oregon. It begins at 10 a.m.,
ends at 2:30 p.m.; the open public
comments begin at 11 a.m. and ends at
11:30 a.m. Written comments may be
submitted prior to the meeting and
delivered to Designated Federal Official,
Scott Conroy at the Rogue RiverSiskiyou National Forest, P.O. Box 520,
Medford, Oregon 97501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Public Affairs Officer Patty Burel at
telephone: (541) 858-2211, e-mail:
pburel@fs.fed.us, or USDA Forest
Service, P.O. Box 520, 333 West 8th
Street, Medford, OR, 97501.
Vol. 72, No. 112, on Tuesday, June 12,
2007. After considering comments, the
USDA Forest Service proposes to issue
a supplemental directive for each
Region. The directives would also
amend the CDNST Comprehensive Plan
of 1985.
Policy direction is needed to clarify
the nature and purposes of the CDNST
and to align the CDNST planning with
USDA Forest Service land management
planning processes. The directives
would have no effect on the ground
until site-specific planning decisions are
completed, with additional opportunity
for public involvement. Additional
information regarding this proposed
directive can be found on the Internet
at: https://www.fs.fed.us/cdt.
DATES: Comments are requested and
must be submitted on or before October
12, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg
Warren, CDNST Administrator, (303)
275–5054.
Written comments concerning this
proposal are to be sent to US Forest
Service, Attn: CDNST, 740 Simms St,
Golden, CO 80401–4720; or via e-mail
cdnst@fs.fed.us.
All comments, including names and
addresses, when provided, will be
placed in the record and will be
available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect
comments received in the office of the
Director of Recreation, Heritage, and
Wilderness Resources, USDA Forest
Service, Rocky Mountain Regional
Office, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO
80401, on business days between the
hours 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Those
wishing to inspect comments are
encouraged to call ahead at (303) 275–
5200 to facilitate entry into the building.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Forest Service
Background
[FSM 2350]
The USDA Forest Service provides
internal direction to field units through
its Directives System, consisting of the
USDA Forest Service Manuals (FSM)
and USDA Forest Service Handbooks
(FSH). Directives provide guidance to
field units in implementing programs
established by statute and regulation.
USDA Forest Service directives
establish agency policies for delegations
of authority, consistent definitions of
terms, clear and consistent
interpretation of regulatory language,
and standard processes.
The USDA Forest Service is
requesting comment on policy that
promotes the nature and purposes of the
CDNST as depicted in the CDNST Study
Report and Final Environment
Statement. In addition, the directives
Continental Divide National Scenic
Trail
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of extension of public
comment period for Proposed
Continental Divide National Scenic
Trail (CDNST) Directives.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Northern, Rocky
Mountain, Southwestern, and
Intermountain Regions of the USDA
Forest Service are extending the public
comment period through October 12,
2007, for the proposed directives for the
planning, development, and
management of the CDNST. The notice
of proposed directives was first
published in Federal Register Notice
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 148 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42376-42378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3771]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Colville National Forest; Washington; Republic Ranger Station
Excess Residence Sale
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Colville National Forest, USDA Forest Service, will
prepare an EIS (environmental impact statement) on a proposal to sell a
0.4-acre parcel of land with a residential building, located on the
Republic Ranger District administrative compound, within the City of
Republic, Ferry County Washington. The parcel and Building are no
longer needed to meet public service of Forest Service mission
requirements. The Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement
Act of 2005 authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to sell
administrative sites that are no longer needed for National Forest
System purposes. Project implementation is scheduled for Fiscal Year
2008. This project is not associated with the proposed Secure Rural
Schools Land Sale Initiative. The Colville National Forest invites
written comments and suggestions on the scope of the analysis. The
agency will give notice of the full environmental analysis and
decision-making process so interested and affected people may
participate and contribute to the final decision.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by August 31, 2007. The draft environmental impact statement is
expected in November 2007 and the final environmental impact statement
is expected in January 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Rick Brazell, Forest Supervisor,
Colville National Forest, 765 South Main, Colville, WA 99114 (phone
509-684-7000). Comments may be submitted electronically to comments-
pacificnorthwest-colville@fs.fed.us. Comments may also be sent by fax
to (509) 775-7401. Include your name and mailing address with your
comments so documents pertaining to this project may be mailed to you.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Shaw, Reality Specialist, Colville
[[Page 42377]]
National Forest, 765 South Main, Colville, WA 99114 (phone 509-684-
7129), or Jim Parker, EIS Project Leader, Republic Ranger District, 650
East Delaware, Republic WA 99166 (phone 509-775-7462).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
One of the key findings of the Colville National Forest Facilities
Master Plan is that the Colville National Forest maintains more
facility space than it needs to perform its mission. The Colville
National Forest needs to remove unneeded buildings from the Forest's
facility inventory in order to eliminate the cost of maintaining
unneeded facilities.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to sell 0.4 acres of land with a residential
building, located on the Republic Ranger District administrative
compound, located in Republic, Ferry County, Washington. The property
legal description is: A portion of the SW\1/4\NW\1/4\ Section 6, T36N,
R33E, WM. The site is located within the city limits of Republic,
Washington. The land was acquired by the Forest Service in 1934.
The site has one residential building. The mineral estate would be
reserved by the government. Water and sewer are provided by a community
system.
This property may be sold directly to an identified purchaser or
may be sold under competitive bidding procedures. The method of sale
will be determined at a later date. If the property is offered for sale
under competitive bidding procedures, an Invitation for Bid will
provide specific information, including a minimum bid price, the
scheduled starting date for bidding, approximate bid closing date,
requirements and instructions for bidding, payment and other closing
procedures. An Offer to Sell will be released after all environmental
studies and other required analysis ar completed and a final decision
to sell the property is made.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official is Rick Brazell, Forest Supervisor,
Colville National Forest, 765 South Main, Colville, WA 99114.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official will decide whether or not to proceed with
sale of Republic Ranger Station residence and property, including any
outstanding interests or conditions to be conveyed. The decision and
rationale for the decision will be documented in the Record of
Decision, which will be subject to Forest Service Appeal Regulations
(36 CFR Part 215).
Scoping Process
The scoping process will identify and clarify issues, identify key
issues to be analyzed in depth, explore alternatives based on themes
derived from key issues recognized during the scoping process, and
identify potential environmental effects associated with the proposed
action. A No Action alternative will be considered.
Preliminary Issues
Only one key issue was identified in preliminary project
assessment: The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Revised,
requires that Federal agencies evaluate properties for historic
significance under Section 106. The residential structure has been
found eligible to the NHRP (National Register of Historic Places), with
the Washington State Historic Preservation Office concurring on this
finding. Conveyance of the property from Federal ownership will be an
adverse effect because of NRHP eligibility based on the following
criteria: The property may represent a significant contribution to the
American history (Criterion A), is associated with the lives of
significant persons in our past (Criterion B), displays distinctive
characteristics of type or period (Criterion C), or may be likely to
yield information important to history (Criterion D). The NRHP
eligibility for the structure is based on a national significance of
context in association with the Depression-era Civilian Conservation
Corps. Eligibility is also based on national and regional significance
of context associated with distinctive architectural characteristics.
The property also contains a deposit of prehistoric lithic material
which would also be eligible for listing on the NRHP; however, the
Forest Service intends to conduct a data recovery excavation of the
site. Data will be professionally recorded, and artifacts recovered
will be curated at an approved curation facility.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest
Service is seeking information, comments, and assistance from other
agencies, organizations, Indian Tribes, and individuals who may be
interested in or affected by the Proposed Action. This input will be
used in preparation of the Draft EIS. Your comments are appreciated
throughout the analysis process.
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
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)
[[Page 42378]]
Dated: July 26, 2007.
Rick Brazell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 07-3771 Filed 8-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
