Inyo National Forest, California, Inyo National Forest Motorized Travel Management EIS, 55738-55741 [07-4774]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
55738
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 189 / Monday, October 1, 2007 / Notices
Submit written, faxed, or email comments by: (1) Mail—Travel
Management Planning Team;
Stevensville Ranger District; 88 Main;
Stevensville, Montana 59870 (2) fax—
(406) 777–7423; (3) e-mail—commentsnorthern-bitterroot@fs.fed.us
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Ritter, Stevensville District Ranger (406)
777–5461 or Sandy Mack, Project Team
Leader (406) 777–7415 (see ADDRESSES
above)
Responsible Official
The responsible official for the Travel
Management Planning Project is Dave T.
Bull, Forest Supervisor, Bitterroot
National Forest 1801 N. First, Hamilton
59840–3114.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Scoping Process
Comments will be accepted during
the 60-day scoping period as described
in this notice of intent. To assist in
commenting, a coping package
providing more detailed information on
the project proposal has been prepared
and is available to interested parties.
Contact Sandy Mack, Project Leader at
the address listed in this notice of intent
if you would like to receive a copy. The
information is also available on the web
at www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/projects/
motorizedlrec.shtml, and at each
District Office and at the public libraries
in Darby, Hamilton, Stevensville and
Missoula. the Forest will schedule
public meetings in November, prior to
the end of the public comment period.
Meeting times and locations will be
announced at a later date.
ADDRESSES:
Purpose
The objectives of the project are to: 1.
Change the existing motorized
recreation designations provide quality
motorized recreation experiences while
protecting natural resources and
providing non-motorized recreation
opportunities.
• Provide motorized loop routes that
offer a quality recreational experience,
with the focus on using old roads and
linkages with only minor resource
impacts.
• Provide areas for non-motorized
recreation experiences.
• Close routes to motorized use that
have resource concerns that can’t
reasonably be mitigated.
2. Close routes that offer little value
as a motorized experience and have
resource concerns.
3. Clarify and simplify the motor
vehicle use designations.
4. Comply with the 2005 Travel
Management Rule.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Proposed Action
The proposed action establishes clear,
standardized designations of where
motorized recreation is appropriate,
sustainable and desirable on the
Bitterroot National Forest. It would
provide 2,487 miles of routes open to
wheeled motorized use including: 25
mi. of roads open to all vehicles,
yearlong or seasonal (mixed-motorized);
1,479 mi. of roads open to highway legal
vehicles only, yearlong or seasonal; 746
mi. of trails open to vehicles 50″ or less
in width, yearlong or seasonal; 237 mi.
of trails open to motorcycles, yearlong
or seasonal. It would also provide
1,030,405 acres of non-motorized use
(1⁄2 mile or more from wheeled
motorized use designations) across the
Forest. The proposed action would
provide 58 miles of groomed
snowmobile trails, 341 miles of open
snowmobile routes and 608,031 acres
open to snowmobile use.
Alternatives to the proposed action
will be developed based on public
comments.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:31 Sep 28, 2007
Jkt 214001
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official will
determine whether or not to proceed
with the proposed motorized use
designations.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process that guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement.
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 at least 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
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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 24
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: September 20, 2007.
Barry Paulson,
Deputy Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 07–4805 Filed 9–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Inyo National Forest, California, Inyo
National Forest Motorized Travel
Management EIS
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Inyo National Forest
(INF) will prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement to disclose the
impacts associated with the following
proposed actions: 1. The prohibition of
wheeled motorized vehicle travel off
designated National Forest System
(NFS) roads, NFS trails and areas by the
public except as allowed by permit or
other authorization. 2. Changes in the
INF Transportation System, including
E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM
01OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 189 / Monday, October 1, 2007 / Notices
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
the addition of approximately 925 miles
of existing unauthorized (non-system)
routes to the current system of National
Forest System (NFS) roads and
motorized trails and minor changes to
existing motor vehicle restrictions.
DATES: The comment period on the
proposed action will extend 45 days
from the date the Notice of Intent is
published in the Federal Register.
Completion of the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS) is expected in
March 2008 and the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
is expected in October 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to:
Travel Management Team, Inyo
National Forest, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite
200, Bishop, CA, 93514. Comments may
also be mailed electronically to:
comments-pacificsouthwestinyo@fs.fed.us. Please ensure that
‘‘Route Designation’’ occurs somewhere
in the subject line.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marty Hornick, Inyo National Forest,
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200, Bishop, CA,
93514. Phone: (760) 873–2400. E-mail:
comments-pacificsouthwestinyo@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Over the past few decades, the
availability and capability of motorized
vehicles, particularly off-highway
vehicles (OHVs) and sport utility
vehicles (SUVs) has increased
tremendously. Nationally, the number
of OHV users has climbed sevenfold in
the past 30 years, from approximately 5
million in 1972 to 36 million in 2000.
California is experiencing the highest
level of OHV use of any state in the
nation. There were 786,914 ATVs and
OHV motorcycles in California were the
highest in the U.S. for the last 5 years.
Four-wheel drive vehicle sales in
California also increased by 1500% to
3,046,866 from 1989 to 2002.
Unmanaged OHV use has resulted in
unplanned roads and trails, erosion,
watershed and habitat degradation, and
impacts to cultural resource sites.
Compaction and erosion are the primary
effects of OHV use on soils. Riparian
areas and aquatic dependent species are
particularly vulnerable to OHV use.
Unmanaged recreation, including
impacts from OHVs, os one of ‘‘Four
Key Threats Facing the Nation’s Forests
and Grasslands.’’
(USDA Forest Service, June 2004).
On August 11, 2003, the Pacific
Southwest Region of the Forest Service
entered into a Memorandum of Intent
(MOI) with the California Off-Highway
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:31 Sep 28, 2007
Jkt 214001
Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission,
and the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
Recreation Division of the California
Department of Parks and Recreation.
That MOI set in motion a region-wide
effort to ‘‘Designate OHV roads, trails,
and any specifically defined open areas
for motorized wheeled vehicles on maps
of the 19 National Forests in California
by 2007.’’ On November 9, 2005, the
Forest Service published final travel
management regulations in the Federal
Register (FR Vol. 70, No. 216–Nov. 9,
2005, pp 68264–68291). This final
Travel Management Rule requires
designation of those roads, trails, and
areas that are open to motor vehicle use
on National Forests. Designations will
be made by class of vehicle and, if
appropriate, by time of year. The final
rule prohibits the use of motor vehicles
off the designated system as well as use
of motor vehicles on routes and in areas
that are not designated.
On some NFS lands, long managed as
open to cross-country motor vehicle
travel, repeated use has resulted in
unplanned, unauthorized, roads and
trails. These routes generally developed
without environmental analysis or
public involvement, and do not have the
same status as NFS roads and NFS trails
included in the forest transportation
system. Nevertheless, some
unauthorized routes are well-sited,
provide excellent opportunities for
outdoor recreation by motorized and
non-motorized users, and would
enhance the National Forest system of
designated roads, trails and areas. Other
unauthorized routes are poorly located
and cause unacceptable impacts. Only
NFS roads and NFS trails can be
designated for wheeled motorized
vehicle use. In order for an
unauthorized route to be designated, it
must first be added to the forest
transportation system.
In accordance with the MOI, the INF
recently completed an inventory of
unauthorized routes on NFS lands and
identified approximately 1830 miles of
unauthorized routes. The INF then used
an interdisciplinary process to conduct
travel analysis that included working
with the public to determine whether
any of the unauthorized routes should
be proposed for addition to the INF
transportation system. Roads, trails and
areas that are currently part of the INF
transportation system and are open to
wheeled motorized vehicle travel will
remain designated for such use except
as described below under Proposed
Action. This proposal focuses only on
the prohibition of wheeled motorized
vehicle travel off designated routes and
needed changes to the INF
transportation system. These changes
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
55739
include minor changes to existing motor
vehicle restrictions and the addition to
the INF transportation system of some
existing unauthorized routes that
provide access to dispersed recreation
opportunities and a diversity of
motorized recreation opportunities. The
proposed action is being carried forward
in accordance with the Travel
Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212).
In accordance with the rule, following
a decision on this proposal, the Inyo
National Forest will publish a Motor
Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) identifying
all INF roads, trails and areas that are
designated for motor vehicle use. The
MVUM shall specify the classes of
vehicles and, if appropriate, the times of
year for which use is designated.
Purpose and Need for Action
The following needs have been
identified for this proposal:
1. There is a need for regulation of
unmanaged wheeled motorized vehicle
travel by the public. In their enjoyment
of the National Forest, motorized
vehicle users have created numerous
unauthorized routes. The number of
such routes continues to grow each year
with many routes having environmental
impacts and safety concerns that have
not been addressed. Currently, motor
vehicle use is restricted by a 2007
Temporary Forest Order which limits
the use of wheeled motorized vehicles
by the public to existing routes shown
on the forest order exhibit map. This
includes routes that are currently on the
INF transportation system, as well as
others which have not yet been
evaluated for suitability for continued
motorized use.
The Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR
Part 212, provides policy for ending the
trend of unauthorized route
proliferation and managing the Forest
transportation system in a sustainable
manner through designation of
motorized NFS roads, trails and areas,
and the prohibition of cross-country
travel.
2. There is a need for limited changes
and additions to the INF transportation
system to:
2.1. Provide wheeled motorized access
to dispersed recreation opportunities,
such as camping, hunting, fishing,
hiking, horseback riding and others
2.2. Provide a diversity of wheeled
motorized recreational opportunities,
such as travel in 4X4 vehicles,
motorcycles, ATVs, passenger
vehicles, etc.
It is Forest Service policy to provide a
diversity of road and trail opportunities
for experiencing a variety of
environments and modes of travel
E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM
01OCN1
55740
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 189 / Monday, October 1, 2007 / Notices
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
consistent with the National Forest
recreation role and land capability (FSM
2353.03(2)).
In meeting these needs the proposed
action must also achieve the following
purposes:
A. Avoid impacts to cultural
resources.
B. Provide for public safety.
C. Provide for a diversity of
recreational opportunities.
D. Assure adequate access to public
and private lands.
E. Provide for adequate maintenance
and administration of designations
based on availability of resources and
funding to do so.
F. Minimize damage to soil,
vegetation and other forest resources.
G. Avoid harassment of wildlife and
significant disruption of wildlife
habitat.
H. Minimize conflicts between
wheeled motor vehicles and existing or
proposed recreational uses of NFS
lands.
I. Minimize conflicts among different
classses of wheeled motor vehicle uses
of NFS lands or neighboring federal
lands.
J. Assure compatibility of wheeled
motor vehicle use with existing
conditions in populated areas, taking
into account sound, emisions, etc.
K. Have valid existing rights of use
and access (rights-of-way).
Proposed Action
1. Prohibition of wheeled motorized
vehicle travel off the designated NFS
roads, NFS trails and areas by the public
except as allowed by permit or other
authorization.
2. Additions to the National Forest
Transportation System—The Inyo
National Forest curerntly manages and
maintains approximately 1240 miles of
NFS roads within Inyo National Forest
boundaries. Based on the stated purpose
and need for action, and as a result of
the recent travel analysis process, the
INF proposes the addition of
approximately 870 miles of
unauthorized routes to its NFS roads,
which will be open to all vehicles types,
and 53 miles to its NFS motorized trails,
of which approximately 16 miles will be
open to motorcycle only, and 37 miles
will be open to motorcycles and ATVs
(<50″ width). Approximately 3 miles of
the unauthorized routes proposed will
be available for public motorized use
only after mitigation measures have
been completed, such as stabilization or
reroutes away from areas of resource
concern.
3. Limited Changes to the National
Forest Transportation System—The INF
proposes the conversion of 11 miles of
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:31 Sep 28, 2007
Jkt 214001
NFS roads to NFS motorized trails.
Approximately 4 miles will be limited
to motorcycle use only; and 7 miles will
be open only to motorcycles and ATVs
less than 50″ in width.
Maps and tables describing the
proposed action can found at: https://
www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/projects/
ohvroute5.shtml.
In addition, maps will be available for
viewing at:
Inyo National Forest Supervisor’s
Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Bishop, CA
Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor
Center, Junction Hwy 395 & SR 136 (1
mile south of Lone Pine, CA)
Mammoth Welcome Center, Hwy 203
east of the Town of Mammoth Lakes,
CA
Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center,
Hwy 395, Lee Vining, CA
Responsible Official
Marlene Finley, Acting Forest
Supervisor, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200,
Bishop, CA 93514
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The responsible official will decide
whether to adopt and implement the
proposed action, an alternative to the
proposed action, or take no action to
make changes to the existing Inyo
National Forest Transportation System
and prohibit cross country wheeled
motorized vehicle travel by the public
off the designated system. Once the
decision is made, the Inyo National
Forest will publish a Motor Vehicle Use
Map (MVUM) identifying the roads,
trails and areas that are designated for
motor vehicle use. The MVUM shall
specify the classes of vehicles and, if
appropriate, the times of year for which
use is designated.
Scoping Process
Public participation will be especially
important at several points during the
analysis. The Forest Service will be
seeking information, comments, and
assistance from the federal, state, and
local agencies and other individuals or
organizations who may be interested in
or affected by the proposed action.
The Notice of Intent is expected to be
published in the Federal Register on
October 1, 2007. The common period on
the proposed action will extend 45 days
from the date the Notice of Intent is
published in the Federal Register.
The draft environmental impact
statement is expected to be filed with
the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and to be available for public
review in March 2008. EPA will publish
a notice of availability of the draft EIS
in the Federal Register. The comment
period on the draft EIS will extend 45
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
days from the date the EPA notice
appears in the Federal Register. At that
time, copies of the draft EIS will be
distributed to interested and affected
agencies, organizations, and members of
the public for their review and
comment. It is very important that those
interested in the management of the
Inyo National Forest participate at that
time.
The final EIS is scheduled to be
completed in October 2008. In the final
EIS, the Forest Service will respond to
comments received during the 45-day
comment period that pertain to the
environmental consequences discussed
in the draft EIS and applicable laws,
regulations, and policies considered in
making the decision. Submission of
comments in response to the draft EIS
is a prerequisite for eligibility to appeal
under the 36 CFR part 215 regulations.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement.
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 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
E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM
01OCN1
55741
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 189 / Monday, October 1, 2007 / Notices
and respond to them in the final
environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in
identifying and considering issues and
concerns on the
To assist 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
helpful if the comments refer to specific
pages or chapters of the draft
environmental impact statement.
Comments may also address the
adequacy for 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: September 24, 2007.
Marlene Finley,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Inyo National
Forest.
[FR Doc. 07–4774 Filed 9–28–07; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF ARCTIC RESEARCH
COMMISSION
Arctic Research Commission
Notice of Meeting
September 14, 2007.
Notice is hereby given that the U.S.
Arctic Research Commission will hold
its 84th meeting in Nome, AK on
October 8–9, 2007. the Business
Session, open to the public, will
convene at 9 a.m. Monday, October 8,
2007 in Nome, AK. An Executive
Session will follow adjournment of the
Business Session.
The Agenda items include:
(1) Call to order and approval of the
Agenda.
(2) Approval of the Minutes of the
83rd Meeting.
(3) Reports from Congressional
Liaisons.
(4) Agency Reports.
The focus of the meeting will be
reports and updates on programs and
research projects affecting the Arctic.
Any person planning to attend this
meeting who requires special
accessibility features and/or auxiliary
aids, such as sign language interpreters,
must inform the Commission in advance
of those needs.
Contact Person for More Information:
John Farrell, Executive Director, US
Arctic Research Commission 703–525–
0111 or TDD 703–306–0090.
BILLING CODE 7555–01–M
International Trade Administration
Antidumping or Countervailing Duty
Order, Finding, or Suspended
Investigation; Opportunity to Request
Administrative Review
[Docket No. USARC 07–081]
John Farrell,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 07–4830 Filed 9–28–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sheila E. Forbes, Office of AD/CVD
Operations, Customs Unit, Import
Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230,
telephone: (202) 482–4697.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Background
Each year during the anniversary
month of the publication of an
antidumping or countervailing duty
order, finding, or suspension of
investigation, an interested party, as
defined in section 771(9) of the Tariff
Act of 1930, as amended, may request,
in accordance with section 351.213
(2002), that the Department conduct an
administrative review of that
antidumping or countervailing duty
order, finding, or suspended
investigation.
Opportunity to Request a Review:
Not later than the last day of October
20071, interested parties may request
administrative review of the following
orders, findings, or suspended
investigations, with anniversary dates in
October for the following periods:
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Antidumping Duty Proceedings
Period
BRAZIL: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod.
A–351–832 .................................................................................................................................................................
CANADA: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod.
A–122–840 .................................................................................................................................................................
INDONESIA: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod.
A–560–815 .................................................................................................................................................................
ITALY: Pressure Sensitive Plastic Tape.
A–475–059 .................................................................................................................................................................
MEXICO: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod.
A–201–830 .................................................................................................................................................................
MOLDOVA: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod.
A–841–805 .................................................................................................................................................................
REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Polyvinyl Alcohol.
A–580–850 .................................................................................................................................................................
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: Barium Carbonate.
A–570–880 .................................................................................................................................................................
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: Barium Chloride.
A–570–007 .................................................................................................................................................................
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: Helical Spring Lock Washers.
A–570–822 .................................................................................................................................................................
1 Or the next business day, if the deadline falls
on a weekend, federal holiday or any other day
when the Department is closed.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:31 Sep 28, 2007
Jkt 214001
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM
01OCN1
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
10/1/06 - 9/30/07
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 189 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55738-55741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4774]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Inyo National Forest, California, Inyo National Forest Motorized
Travel Management EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Inyo National Forest (INF) will prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement to disclose the impacts associated with the following
proposed actions: 1. The prohibition of wheeled motorized vehicle
travel off designated National Forest System (NFS) roads, NFS trails
and areas by the public except as allowed by permit or other
authorization. 2. Changes in the INF Transportation System, including
[[Page 55739]]
the addition of approximately 925 miles of existing unauthorized (non-
system) routes to the current system of National Forest System (NFS)
roads and motorized trails and minor changes to existing motor vehicle
restrictions.
DATES: The comment period on the proposed action will extend 45 days
from the date the Notice of Intent is published in the Federal
Register. Completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
is expected in March 2008 and the Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) is expected in October 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Travel Management Team, Inyo
National Forest, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200, Bishop, CA, 93514. Comments
may also be mailed electronically to: comments-pacificsouthwest-
inyo@fs.fed.us. Please ensure that ``Route Designation'' occurs
somewhere in the subject line.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marty Hornick, Inyo National Forest,
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200, Bishop, CA, 93514. Phone: (760) 873-2400. E-
mail: comments-pacificsouthwest-inyo@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Over the past few decades, the availability and capability of
motorized vehicles, particularly off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and sport
utility vehicles (SUVs) has increased tremendously. Nationally, the
number of OHV users has climbed sevenfold in the past 30 years, from
approximately 5 million in 1972 to 36 million in 2000. California is
experiencing the highest level of OHV use of any state in the nation.
There were 786,914 ATVs and OHV motorcycles in California were the
highest in the U.S. for the last 5 years. Four-wheel drive vehicle
sales in California also increased by 1500% to 3,046,866 from 1989 to
2002.
Unmanaged OHV use has resulted in unplanned roads and trails,
erosion, watershed and habitat degradation, and impacts to cultural
resource sites. Compaction and erosion are the primary effects of OHV
use on soils. Riparian areas and aquatic dependent species are
particularly vulnerable to OHV use. Unmanaged recreation, including
impacts from OHVs, os one of ``Four Key Threats Facing the Nation's
Forests and Grasslands.''
(USDA Forest Service, June 2004).
On August 11, 2003, the Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest
Service entered into a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with the California
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, and the Off-Highway
Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the California Department of Parks
and Recreation. That MOI set in motion a region-wide effort to
``Designate OHV roads, trails, and any specifically defined open areas
for motorized wheeled vehicles on maps of the 19 National Forests in
California by 2007.'' On November 9, 2005, the Forest Service published
final travel management regulations in the Federal Register (FR Vol.
70, No. 216-Nov. 9, 2005, pp 68264-68291). This final Travel Management
Rule requires designation of those roads, trails, and areas that are
open to motor vehicle use on National Forests. Designations will be
made by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The
final rule prohibits the use of motor vehicles off the designated
system as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that are
not designated.
On some NFS lands, long managed as open to cross-country motor
vehicle travel, repeated use has resulted in unplanned, unauthorized,
roads and trails. These routes generally developed without
environmental analysis or public involvement, and do not have the same
status as NFS roads and NFS trails included in the forest
transportation system. Nevertheless, some unauthorized routes are well-
sited, provide excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation by
motorized and non-motorized users, and would enhance the National
Forest system of designated roads, trails and areas. Other unauthorized
routes are poorly located and cause unacceptable impacts. Only NFS
roads and NFS trails can be designated for wheeled motorized vehicle
use. In order for an unauthorized route to be designated, it must first
be added to the forest transportation system.
In accordance with the MOI, the INF recently completed an inventory
of unauthorized routes on NFS lands and identified approximately 1830
miles of unauthorized routes. The INF then used an interdisciplinary
process to conduct travel analysis that included working with the
public to determine whether any of the unauthorized routes should be
proposed for addition to the INF transportation system. Roads, trails
and areas that are currently part of the INF transportation system and
are open to wheeled motorized vehicle travel will remain designated for
such use except as described below under Proposed Action. This proposal
focuses only on the prohibition of wheeled motorized vehicle travel off
designated routes and needed changes to the INF transportation system.
These changes include minor changes to existing motor vehicle
restrictions and the addition to the INF transportation system of some
existing unauthorized routes that provide access to dispersed
recreation opportunities and a diversity of motorized recreation
opportunities. The proposed action is being carried forward in
accordance with the Travel Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212).
In accordance with the rule, following a decision on this proposal,
the Inyo National Forest will publish a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM)
identifying all INF roads, trails and areas that are designated for
motor vehicle use. The MVUM shall specify the classes of vehicles and,
if appropriate, the times of year for which use is designated.
Purpose and Need for Action
The following needs have been identified for this proposal:
1. There is a need for regulation of unmanaged wheeled motorized
vehicle travel by the public. In their enjoyment of the National
Forest, motorized vehicle users have created numerous unauthorized
routes. The number of such routes continues to grow each year with many
routes having environmental impacts and safety concerns that have not
been addressed. Currently, motor vehicle use is restricted by a 2007
Temporary Forest Order which limits the use of wheeled motorized
vehicles by the public to existing routes shown on the forest order
exhibit map. This includes routes that are currently on the INF
transportation system, as well as others which have not yet been
evaluated for suitability for continued motorized use.
The Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR Part 212, provides policy for
ending the trend of unauthorized route proliferation and managing the
Forest transportation system in a sustainable manner through
designation of motorized NFS roads, trails and areas, and the
prohibition of cross-country travel.
2. There is a need for limited changes and additions to the INF
transportation system to:
2.1. Provide wheeled motorized access to dispersed recreation
opportunities, such as camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback
riding and others
2.2. Provide a diversity of wheeled motorized recreational
opportunities, such as travel in 4X4 vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs,
passenger vehicles, etc.
It is Forest Service policy to provide a diversity of road and trail
opportunities for experiencing a variety of environments and modes of
travel
[[Page 55740]]
consistent with the National Forest recreation role and land capability
(FSM 2353.03(2)).
In meeting these needs the proposed action must also achieve the
following purposes:
A. Avoid impacts to cultural resources.
B. Provide for public safety.
C. Provide for a diversity of recreational opportunities.
D. Assure adequate access to public and private lands.
E. Provide for adequate maintenance and administration of
designations based on availability of resources and funding to do so.
F. Minimize damage to soil, vegetation and other forest resources.
G. Avoid harassment of wildlife and significant disruption of
wildlife habitat.
H. Minimize conflicts between wheeled motor vehicles and existing
or proposed recreational uses of NFS lands.
I. Minimize conflicts among different classses of wheeled motor
vehicle uses of NFS lands or neighboring federal lands.
J. Assure compatibility of wheeled motor vehicle use with existing
conditions in populated areas, taking into account sound, emisions,
etc.
K. Have valid existing rights of use and access (rights-of-way).
Proposed Action
1. Prohibition of wheeled motorized vehicle travel off the
designated NFS roads, NFS trails and areas by the public except as
allowed by permit or other authorization.
2. Additions to the National Forest Transportation System--The Inyo
National Forest curerntly manages and maintains approximately 1240
miles of NFS roads within Inyo National Forest boundaries. Based on the
stated purpose and need for action, and as a result of the recent
travel analysis process, the INF proposes the addition of approximately
870 miles of unauthorized routes to its NFS roads, which will be open
to all vehicles types, and 53 miles to its NFS motorized trails, of
which approximately 16 miles will be open to motorcycle only, and 37
miles will be open to motorcycles and ATVs (<50'' width). Approximately
3 miles of the unauthorized routes proposed will be available for
public motorized use only after mitigation measures have been
completed, such as stabilization or reroutes away from areas of
resource concern.
3. Limited Changes to the National Forest Transportation System--
The INF proposes the conversion of 11 miles of NFS roads to NFS
motorized trails. Approximately 4 miles will be limited to motorcycle
use only; and 7 miles will be open only to motorcycles and ATVs less
than 50'' in width.
Maps and tables describing the proposed action can found at: http:/
/www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/projects/ohvroute5.shtml.
In addition, maps will be available for viewing at:
Inyo National Forest Supervisor's Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Bishop, CA
Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center, Junction Hwy 395 & SR 136 (1
mile south of Lone Pine, CA)
Mammoth Welcome Center, Hwy 203 east of the Town of Mammoth Lakes, CA
Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, Hwy 395, Lee Vining, CA
Responsible Official
Marlene Finley, Acting Forest Supervisor, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200,
Bishop, CA 93514
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The responsible official will decide whether to adopt and implement
the proposed action, an alternative to the proposed action, or take no
action to make changes to the existing Inyo National Forest
Transportation System and prohibit cross country wheeled motorized
vehicle travel by the public off the designated system. Once the
decision is made, the Inyo National Forest will publish a Motor Vehicle
Use Map (MVUM) identifying the roads, trails and areas that are
designated for motor vehicle use. The MVUM shall specify the classes of
vehicles and, if appropriate, the times of year for which use is
designated.
Scoping Process
Public participation will be especially important at several points
during the analysis. The Forest Service will be seeking information,
comments, and assistance from the federal, state, and local agencies
and other individuals or organizations who may be interested in or
affected by the proposed action.
The Notice of Intent is expected to be published in the Federal
Register on October 1, 2007. The common period on the proposed action
will extend 45 days from the date the Notice of Intent is published in
the Federal Register.
The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be filed
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for
public review in March 2008. EPA will publish a notice of availability
of the draft EIS in the Federal Register. The comment period on the
draft EIS will extend 45 days from the date the EPA notice appears in
the Federal Register. At that time, copies of the draft EIS will be
distributed to interested and affected agencies, organizations, and
members of the public for their review and comment. It is very
important that those interested in the management of the Inyo National
Forest participate at that time.
The final EIS is scheduled to be completed in October 2008. In the
final EIS, the Forest Service will respond to comments received during
the 45-day comment period that pertain to the environmental
consequences discussed in the draft EIS and applicable laws,
regulations, and policies considered in making the decision. Submission
of comments in response to the draft EIS is a prerequisite for
eligibility to appeal under the 36 CFR part 215 regulations.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement.
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 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
[[Page 55741]]
and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the
To assist 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 helpful if
the comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft
environmental impact statement. Comments may also address the adequacy
for 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: September 24, 2007.
Marlene Finley,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Inyo National Forest.
[FR Doc. 07-4774 Filed 9-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
