Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID; Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Targhee Revised Forest Plan With Proposed Forest Plan Amendment, 29480-29481 [E8-11248]

Download as PDF 29480 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices OMB Control Number: 0578–0030. Summary of Collection: The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program regulations at 7 CFR 624 set forth the basic policies, program provisions, and eligibility requirements for sponsors to participate in the EWP program. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is responsible for administration of EWP Program. EWP assistance is provided to sponsors to undertake emergency measures for runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, flood, or any other natural disaster occurrence is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of that watershed. The sponsor’s request is submitted formally as a letter (NRCS–PDM–20A) to the NRCS State Conservationist for consideration. Form NRCS–PDM–20, Damage Survey Report (DSR) is the agency decision-making document that includes the economic, social, and environmental evaluation, as well as the engineer’s cost estimate. Need and Use of the Information: The collected information allows the responsible federal official to make EWP eligibility determinations and provide federal cost-share payments to the sponsors. Without the information NRCS would not be able to implement the program. Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government. Number of Respondents: 190. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (Disaster Occurrence). Total Burden Hours: 5,035. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E8–11357 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID; Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Targhee Revised Forest Plan With Proposed Forest Plan Amendment Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is proposing to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to the Targhee Revised VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 May 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 Forest Plan (FEIS) to disclose effects of a proposed amendment to the TRFP to address Plan direction for forested vegetation that presently does not reflect the ecological capability of forest ecosystems found on the Targhee National Forest and to also clarify TRFP direction on snags. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received within 45 days from the date of this publication. The draft supplemental environmental impact statement is expected July of 2008 and the final supplemental environmental impact statement is expected November 2008. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Robbin Redman, Forest Planner, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Electronic comments can be sent to comments-intermtn-cariboutarghee@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robbin Redman, Forest Planner, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 or telephone (208) 557–5821. Purpose and Need for Action The Caribou-Targhee National Forest (C–T) has completed an assessment of forest vegetation for the Targhee portion of the C–T and in addition to this assessment the Forest has previously completed identification of the properly functioning condition (PFC) for forested landscapes in the Madison-Pitchstone Plateau Subsection. Scientific research papers published after the TRFP and PFC were also completed that help the Forest to identify desired conditions that better match the ecological capabilities of forested vegetation including a range of amounts and distribution of old growth and late seral structural stages by forest type. The results of the information discussed above indicate a need to amend guidance in the TRFP for old growth and late seral structural stages to better describe desired conditions in the TRFP for old growth and late seral structural stages. Specifically, review of existing information and TRFP direction indicates the following: The TRFP established guidelines for old growth and late seral forest stages that suggest minimum percentages of forested acres of old growth and late seral forest be present in each principal watershed. Presence and persistence of late seral stages and old growth are highly dependent on natural disturbance cycles that vary with forest type. For example, several principal watersheds are dominated by the lodgepole pine forest type, which rarely PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 develops old growth conditions on the Targhee National Forest. Natural disturbance cycles in lodgepole pine forest such as insects, disease, and fire recur frequently enough to preclude development of old-growth conditions in most of this type. Therefore, the old growth and late seral guidelines presently in the TRFP do not reflect the ecological capability of these forest ecosystems. Similarly, several principal watersheds have a large component of the aspen forest type. On the Targhee, aspen is primarily seral to conifer. Stable aspen is rare and limited to harsh sites generally along ecotones with poor growing conditions where conifer cannot establish. Absent disturbances in seral types, these aspen stands will eventually be replaced by conifer types and it is unlikely that late seral or old growth aspen stands will develop or persist. Even though the ecological capability of these forest types is different from others such as spruce/fir the Forest is still proposing to manage for old growth and replacement old growth in these forest types, this would be for vegetation diversity. Recent insect outbreaks have changed the number and distribution of snags over much of the Targhee NF. Currently TRFP snag direction requires several levels of analysis of snags: at the prescription area, at the watershed level and at a 100 acre level. This direction will be reviewed and adjusted to reflect current conditions and allow for wildlife habitat needs. Proposed Action The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is proposing to amend the TRFP with regard to Plan direction for old growth and late seral forested vegetation. The Proposed old growth direction will be to manage for ten percent of forested acres in a combination of old growth and replacement old growth in ecological subsections. The old growth would meet Region 4 Characteristics of Old Growth Forests definitions. The Forest is also proposing to clarify snag direction in the Plan to allow more ease in implementation while still providing for wildlife habitat needs. Possible Alternatives The Forest has developed the Proposed Action and the no-action alternative which is to continue with current TRFP direction. Lead and Cooperating Agencies The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is the lead agency for this project. E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices Responsible Official The responsible official is: Larry Timchak, Forest Supervisor, CaribouTarghee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401. Nature of Decision To Be Made Given the purpose and need, the deciding officer will decide whether or not to amend the Targhee Revised Forest Plan with regard to TRFP direction for old growth and late seral structural stages and to clarify TRFP snag direction. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES Scoping Process The C–T Forest is now seeking comments on this proposal and will seek comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement when it becomes available. Comment Requested This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides the development of the supplemental environmental impact statement. The Forest is seeking comments that may be used to develop alternatives to the Proposed Action. We are seeking specific comments on snag requirements for cavity nesters for the TRFP, specifically management guidance for retention of snags and specific comments on a more appropriate percentage of old growth and at what level it is appropriate to be maintained for vegetation diversity. To be most helpful comments should include rationale for any recommendations. Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review: A draft supplemental environmental impact statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft supplemental 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 supplemental 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 May 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 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. Dated: May 14, 2008. Lawrence Timchak, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. E8–11248 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration (A–122–840) Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Canada: Notice of Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 21, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Salim Bhabhrawala or David Neubacher, at (202) 482–1784 or (202) 482–5823, respectively; AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import Administration, AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29481 International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. On January 24, 2006, the Department of Commerce (‘‘Department’’) published in the Federal Register the final results for the second administrative review of the antidumping duty order on carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Canada. See Notice of Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Carbon and Certain Steel Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Canada, 71 FR 3822 (Jan. 24, 2006) (Final Results). Mittal Canada, Inc. (formerly Ispat Sidbec Inc.) (‘‘Mittal’’) challenged several aspects of the Final Results before a NAFTA binational panel. On November 28, 2007, the panel issued a decision. See Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Canada, Decision of the Panel, USA–CDA–2006–1904–04 (Nov. 28, 2007). On April 17, 2008, the United States Department of Commerce, Mittal, and Gerdau Ameristeel U.S., Inc. and Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc. entered into a Settlement Agreement covering this NAFTA proceeding (‘‘Agreement’’). Pursuant to this settlement of litigation, Mittal filed a consent motion to terminate the panel review and vacate the panel’s decisions in the proceeding referenced above. On April 29, 2008, the NAFTA Secretariat of the U.S. Section published the notice of termination of the panel review. See North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Article 1904; Binational Panel Reviews: Notice of Consent Motion to Terminate Panel Review, 73 FR 23183 (Apr. 29, 2008). The review period covered by these amended final results is from October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Assessment of Duties Pursuant to the Agreement, the Department is amending the final results of the contested review and will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to liquidate all entries of Canadian wire rod that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption during the period of October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004, that were produced and exported by Mittal or Ispat Sidbec Inc., at the assessment rate of 3.86% ad valorem. Because parties waived any right to challenge these amended final results pursuant to the Agreement, the Department will issue assessment instructions to CBP following publication of this notice. E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29480-29481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11248]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID; Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Targhee Revised Forest Plan With Proposed 
Forest Plan Amendment

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact 
statement.

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

SUMMARY: The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is proposing to prepare a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to the Targhee 
Revised Forest Plan (FEIS) to disclose effects of a proposed amendment 
to the TRFP to address Plan direction for forested vegetation that 
presently does not reflect the ecological capability of forest 
ecosystems found on the Targhee National Forest and to also clarify 
TRFP direction on snags.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
within 45 days from the date of this publication. The draft 
supplemental environmental impact statement is expected July of 2008 
and the final supplemental environmental impact statement is expected 
November 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Robbin Redman, Forest Planner, 
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, 
Idaho. Electronic comments can be sent to comments-intermtn-caribou-
targhee@fs.fed.us.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robbin Redman, Forest Planner, 
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, 
Idaho 83401 or telephone (208) 557-5821.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Caribou-Targhee National Forest (C-T) has completed an 
assessment of forest vegetation for the Targhee portion of the C-T and 
in addition to this assessment the Forest has previously completed 
identification of the properly functioning condition (PFC) for forested 
landscapes in the Madison-Pitchstone Plateau Subsection. Scientific 
research papers published after the TRFP and PFC were also completed 
that help the Forest to identify desired conditions that better match 
the ecological capabilities of forested vegetation including a range of 
amounts and distribution of old growth and late seral structural stages 
by forest type.
    The results of the information discussed above indicate a need to 
amend guidance in the TRFP for old growth and late seral structural 
stages to better describe desired conditions in the TRFP for old growth 
and late seral structural stages. Specifically, review of existing 
information and TRFP direction indicates the following:
    The TRFP established guidelines for old growth and late seral 
forest stages that suggest minimum percentages of forested acres of old 
growth and late seral forest be present in each principal watershed. 
Presence and persistence of late seral stages and old growth are highly 
dependent on natural disturbance cycles that vary with forest type. For 
example, several principal watersheds are dominated by the lodgepole 
pine forest type, which rarely develops old growth conditions on the 
Targhee National Forest. Natural disturbance cycles in lodgepole pine 
forest such as insects, disease, and fire recur frequently enough to 
preclude development of old-growth conditions in most of this type. 
Therefore, the old growth and late seral guidelines presently in the 
TRFP do not reflect the ecological capability of these forest 
ecosystems.
    Similarly, several principal watersheds have a large component of 
the aspen forest type. On the Targhee, aspen is primarily seral to 
conifer. Stable aspen is rare and limited to harsh sites generally 
along ecotones with poor growing conditions where conifer cannot 
establish. Absent disturbances in seral types, these aspen stands will 
eventually be replaced by conifer types and it is unlikely that late 
seral or old growth aspen stands will develop or persist. Even though 
the ecological capability of these forest types is different from 
others such as spruce/fir the Forest is still proposing to manage for 
old growth and replacement old growth in these forest types, this would 
be for vegetation diversity.
    Recent insect outbreaks have changed the number and distribution of 
snags over much of the Targhee NF. Currently TRFP snag direction 
requires several levels of analysis of snags: at the prescription area, 
at the watershed level and at a 100 acre level. This direction will be 
reviewed and adjusted to reflect current conditions and allow for 
wildlife habitat needs.

Proposed Action

    The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is proposing to amend the TRFP 
with regard to Plan direction for old growth and late seral forested 
vegetation. The Proposed old growth direction will be to manage for ten 
percent of forested acres in a combination of old growth and 
replacement old growth in ecological subsections. The old growth would 
meet Region 4 Characteristics of Old Growth Forests definitions. The 
Forest is also proposing to clarify snag direction in the Plan to allow 
more ease in implementation while still providing for wildlife habitat 
needs.

Possible Alternatives

    The Forest has developed the Proposed Action and the no-action 
alternative which is to continue with current TRFP direction.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is the lead agency for this 
project.

[[Page 29481]]

Responsible Official

    The responsible official is: Larry Timchak, Forest Supervisor, 
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, 
Idaho 83401.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose and need, the deciding officer will decide 
whether or not to amend the Targhee Revised Forest Plan with regard to 
TRFP direction for old growth and late seral structural stages and to 
clarify TRFP snag direction.

Scoping Process

    The C-T Forest is now seeking comments on this proposal and will 
seek comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
when it becomes available.

Comment Requested

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides 
the development of the supplemental environmental impact statement. The 
Forest is seeking comments that may be used to develop alternatives to 
the Proposed Action. We are seeking specific comments on snag 
requirements for cavity nesters for the TRFP, specifically management 
guidance for retention of snags and specific comments on a more 
appropriate percentage of old growth and at what level it is 
appropriate to be maintained for vegetation diversity. To be most 
helpful comments should include rationale for any recommendations.
    Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review: A draft supplemental environmental impact 
statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft 
supplemental 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 supplemental 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.

    Dated: May 14, 2008.
Lawrence Timchak,
Forest Supervisor.
 [FR Doc. E8-11248 Filed 5-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
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