Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California; Shasta-Trinity National Forest Motorized Travel Management EIS, 46238-46242 [E8-17995]
Download as PDF
46238
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 154 / Friday, August 8, 2008 / Notices
Dated: July 29, 2008.
J. Sharon Heywood,
Forest Supervisor, Shasta-Trinity National
Forest.
[FR Doc. E8–17994 Filed 8–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Shasta-Trinity National Forest,
California; Shasta-Trinity National
Forest Motorized Travel Management
EIS
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Shasta-Trinity National
Forest (Forest) will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement to
disclose the impacts associated with the
following proposed actions:
1. Prohibition of cross-country
motorized vehicle travel (with the
exception of snowmobiles) off
designated National Forest System
(NFS) roads, NFS trails and areas by the
public except as allowed by permit or
other authorization (Travel Management
Rule, 36 CFR Part 212, Subpart B).
2. Amend the Forest Land and
Resource Management Plan (Plan) to
conform with the Travel Management
Rule, Subpart B, by removing reference
to OHV cross-country travel in the
Forest Plan and include as a forest-wide
standard ‘‘Prohibit wheeled vehicle
travel off designated roads and trails
except for administrative use or uses
under permitted activities or within
designated areas.’’
3. Add approximately 32 miles of
existing unauthorized routes to the
National Forest Transportation System
(NFTS) as roads open to the public for
wheeled motorized vehicle use by
vehicle class and season of use.
4. Add approximately 11 miles of
existing unauthorized routes to the
NFTS as motorized trails open to the
public for wheeled motorized vehicle
use by vehicle class and season of use.
5. Restrict use below the high-water
mark at Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake,
(within the Shasta-Trinity National
Recreation Area) to only highway legal
vehicles and provide a maximum speed
limit of 15 miles per hour (mph).
DATES: The comment period on the
proposed action will extend 30 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 January 2009 and the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:25 Aug 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) is expected in July 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to:
Travel Management Team, ShastaTrinity National Forest, 3644 Avtech
Parkway, Redding, CA 96002. Electronic
comments may be submitted to
comments-pacificsouthwest-shastatrinity@fs.fed.us with Subject:
Motorized Travel.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Remillard, Shasta-Trinity
National Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway,
Redding, CA 96002, Phone: (530) 226–
2421, Fax: (530) 226–2470, e-mail:
rremillard@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.
The ten states with the largest
population also have the most OHV
users. California has 4.35 million OHV
users accounting for almost 11% of the
U.S. total (Off-Highway Vehicle
Recreation in the United States, Regions
and States: A National Report from the
National Survey on Recreation and the
Environment (NSRE) Cordell, Betz,
Green and Owens June 2005). There
were 786,914 ATVs and OHV
motorcycles registered in 2004, up
330% since 1980. Annual sales of 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, is 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
(MOT) 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
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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 68264–6829 1). Subpart B of
the final Travel Management Rule
requires designation of those roads,
trails, and areas that are open to motor
vehicle use on National Forests. Route
designations will be made by class of
vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of
year. The final rule allows for motor
vehicle use only on designated system
routes and in designated areas.
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 were
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 wellsited, 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. For an unauthorized route
to be designated, it must first be added
to the national forest transportation
system (NFTS).
In accordance with the Memorandum
of Intent, the Forest recently completed
an inventory of unauthorized routes on
NFS lands and identified approximately
5,085 unauthorized routes totaling 1,198
miles. The Forest then used an
interdisciplinary process to conduct
travel analysis to determine whether
any of the unauthorized routes should
be proposed for addition to the NFTS in
this proposed action. A number of
routes were identified which could be
considered in this or future decisions on
the NFTS as a part of travel management
on the Forest. The Responsible Official
has made decisions on what, if any,
changes to the existing NFTS would be
a part of this proposed action.
Roads, trails and areas that are
currently part of the Forest
transportation system and are open to
wheeled motorized vehicle travel will
remain designated for such unless
changed by this proposal. This proposal
focuses only on the prohibition of
wheeled motorized vehicle travel off
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 154 / Friday, August 8, 2008 / Notices
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
designated routes and needed changes
to the Forest transportation system,
including the addition of some
unauthorized routes to the Forest
transportation system and minor
changes to existing motor vehicle
restrictions. The proposed action is
being carried forward in accordance
with the Travel Management Rule (36
CFR Part 212, Subpart B).
In accordance with the Travel
Management Rule, following a decision
on this proposal, the Forest will publish
a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVTJM)
identifying all Forest 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. Unauthorized routes
not included in this proposal are not
precluded from future consideration for
addition to the NFTS and inclusion in
a MVUM. Future decisions associated
with changes to the MVIJM may trigger
the need for documentation in an
environmental analysis.
Purpose and Need for Action
The following needs have been
identified for this proposal:
1. There is a need for regulation of
unmanaged 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. The Travel Management
Rule, 36 CFR Part 212, Subpart B,
provides policy for ending this trend of
unauthorized route proliferation
through designation of motorized NFS
roads, trails and areas, and the
prohibition of cross-country travel.
2. There is a need for the Forest Plan
to conform to the new Travel
Management Rule, CFR Part 212,
Subpart B. A review of the Forest Plan
has found that it is not fully consistent
with the new Travel Management Rule.
Motorized vehicle travel by the public is
authorized off designated routes in some
areas of the Forest. For example, the
Record of Decision (page 7), for the
Forest Plan permits Off-HighwayVehicle (OHV) use as follows: 586,609
acres closed; 1,259,688 acres restricted;
and 275,250 acres open to OHV use. In
addition the Forest Plan states on page
3–16 ‘‘The Forest’s OHV Plan designates
239,175 acres to cross-county travel.’’
This direction is in conflict with the
Travel Management Rule at 36 CFR
212.50(a) (Motor vehicle use off
designated roads and trails and outside
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:25 Aug 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
designated areas is prohibited by 36
CFR 261.13).
3. There is a need for changes and
additions to the NFTS system to:
3.1. Provide wheeled motorized
access to dispersed recreation
opportunities (camping, hunting,
fishing, hiking, horseback riding, etc.)
There is a need to maintain motor
vehicle access to dispersed recreation
activities that historically have been
accessed by motor vehicles. A portion of
known dispersed recreation activities
are not located directly adjacent to an
existing NFTS road or NFTS motorized
trail. Some dispersed recreation
activities depend on foot or horseback
access, and some depend on motor
vehicle access. Those activities accessed
by motor vehicles consist of short spurs
that have been created and maintained
primarily by the passage of motorized
vehicles. Many such ‘‘user-created’’
routes are not currently part of the
NFTS. Without adding them to the
NFTS, the regulatory changes noted
above would make continued use of
such routes illegal through the
prohibition of cross country travel and
would preclude access to many
dispersed recreation activities.
3.2. Provide a diversity of wheeled
motorized recreation opportunities (4 x
4 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 consistent with the
National Forest recreation role and land
capability (FSM 23 53.03(2)).
Implementation of Subpart B of the
Travel Management Rule will severely
reduce motorized recreation
opportunities relative to current levels.
As a result, there is a need to consider
limited changes and additions to the
type of use permitted on existing NFTS
roads as well as potential additions to
the NFTS.
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. Currently the Forest
has a maintenance backlog for roads of
approximately $137,000,000. Future
road and trail budgets are expected to
decrease from current levels.
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46239
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
classes 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, emissions, etc.
K. Have valid existing rights of use
and access (rights-of-way).
L. Constrain the proposal to that
which is within the capability of the
Forest to analyze given: The ShastaTrinity National Forest MVUM
publication deadline is December 2009,
available funding (road and trail
management budgets), and available
resources (resource data and staff time).
Proposed Action
1. Prohibit cross-country motorized
vehicle travel (with the exception of
snowmobiles) off the designated NFTS
roads, NFTS trails and areas by the
public except as allowed by permit or
other authorization.
2. Amend the Forest Plan to be
consistent with the Travel Management
Rule (36 CFR Part 212, Subpart B)
prohibiting cross-county motorized
vehicle travel off designated NFS roads
and NFTS trails outside of designated
areas by removing reference to OHV
cross country travel in the Forest Plan
and including as a forest-wide standard
‘‘Prohibit wheeled vehicle travel off
designated roads and trails except for
administrative use or uses under
permitted activities or within
designated areas.’’
3. Add approximately 32 miles of
existing unauthorized routes as National
Forest Transportation System (NFTS)
roads classified as open to all vehicle
classes, both highway legal and nonhighway legal, as shown in Table 1.
With these additions, roads open to all
vehicle classes will be approximately
3,818 miles. Forest roads maintained for
low clearance passenger cars are subject
to State traffic laws (36 CFR 212.5(a)(1)).
As a result, such roads are open to
highway legal vehicles only. These
additions would bring the total of all
NFTS roads to approximately 5,177
miles. The NFTS road additions are
listed below along with the permitted
vehicle class and, if applicable, season
of use.
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
46240
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 154 / Friday, August 8, 2008 / Notices
TABLE 1—PROPOSED NFS MOTORIZED ROAD ADDITIONS
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Permitted
vehicle
class
Miles
(length)
Route ID
JG3O .......................................................................
JG31 .......................................................................
JM244 .....................................................................
JM25 .......................................................................
JM72 .......................................................................
NRA1 ......................................................................
NRA2 ......................................................................
NRA3 ......................................................................
PM2004 ...................................................................
PM304 .....................................................................
SE194 .....................................................................
SE314 .....................................................................
SE416 .....................................................................
SE476 .....................................................................
SE477 .....................................................................
SE508 .....................................................................
SFMU12 ..................................................................
SFMU13 ..................................................................
SFMU17 ..................................................................
SFMU18 ..................................................................
SFMU4 ....................................................................
SFMU5 ....................................................................
SFMU6 ....................................................................
SFMU7 ....................................................................
SW234 ....................................................................
TC1004 ...................................................................
TC1238 ...................................................................
TC349 .....................................................................
1C828 .....................................................................
TC838 .....................................................................
TC899 .....................................................................
TRMU2 ....................................................................
TRMU3 ....................................................................
TRMU5 ....................................................................
TRMU6 ....................................................................
U1B005A .................................................................
UIS39B ....................................................................
U27N02G ................................................................
U30N27S ................................................................
U30N29E ................................................................
U34N26DA ..............................................................
U34N26DAA ...........................................................
U35N05A ................................................................
U35N85A ................................................................
U36N35AA ..............................................................
U36N35AB ..............................................................
U4ON13D ...............................................................
U40N35A ................................................................
U4ON84AA .............................................................
U4ON88XCB ...........................................................
U4ON88XE .............................................................
U4ON91YA .............................................................
U414A .....................................................................
U414C .....................................................................
U414CA ..................................................................
U414D .....................................................................
U414F .....................................................................
U414FA ...................................................................
U41N18A ................................................................
U41N18AA ..............................................................
U41N18AAD ...........................................................
U41N55D ................................................................
U41N55E ................................................................
U42N18A ................................................................
U42N18AA ..............................................................
U4N12L ...................................................................
U4N12LA ................................................................
0.18
0.21
0.96
0.19
0.06
0.60
0.30
0.22
0.32
0.03
0.04
0.07
2.04
0.16
0.15
0.12
0.10
0.26
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.06
0.02
0.01
0.14
0.12
0.04
0.12
0.08
0.14
0.06
0.54
0.15
0.22
0.05
0.09
0.23
0.09
0.05
0.74
0.26
0.09
1.74
0.19
0.71
0.10
0.71
0.65
1.59
0.49
0.25
0.63
0.59
0.19
0.12
0.15
0.18
0.04
2.52
2.08
0.82
1.21
1.60
3.89
2.43
0.06
0.06
Total miles .......................................................
32.42
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:25 Aug 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
PO 00000
Frm 00006
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
Season of use
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................................................
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
August 2 to December 31.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
August 16 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to January 31.
July 10 to January 31.
46241
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 154 / Friday, August 8, 2008 / Notices
4. Add approximately 11 miles of
existing unauthorized routes as NFTS
motorized trails, as shown in Table 2.
This would bring the total NFTS
motorized trails to 163 miles.
Approximately 2 miles of motorized
trails would be classified as open for
‘‘All Trail Class Vehicles’’. The
remaining 9 miles of motorized trails
would be classified as open for
‘‘Motorcycle only’’ or ‘‘Vehicles 50
inches or less in width’’. The additional
NFTS motorized trails are listed below
along with the permitted vehicle class
and, if applicable, season of use.
TABLE 2—PROPOSED NFS MOTORIZED TRAIL ADDITIONS
Permitted
vehicle
class
Miles
(length)
Route ID
PM702 ...................................
RM026 ...................................
RMO9O ..................................
RM1036 .................................
RM1226 .................................
RM706 ...................................
TC1098 ..................................
TC1249 ..................................
TC1829 ..................................
TC319 ....................................
U29N28C ...............................
U31NO2Q ..............................
U4N12D .................................
UOHVO1X .............................
UOHVO2J ..............................
UOHV18 ................................
UOHV5OA .............................
UOHV5OC .............................
UT29N3OHA ..........................
UT29N3OHAB .......................
0.04
1.55
0.07
2.16
0.10
0.07
0.05
0.04
0.14
0.12
0.51
0.28
3.38
0.36
0.53
0.15
0.43
0.14
0.80
0.25
Total miles .............................
Season of use
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
All Trail Class Vehicles ...............................................................................
Motorcycle only ...........................................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
Motorcycle only ...........................................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
Motorcycle only ...........................................................................................
Motorcycle only ...........................................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
Vehicles 50″ or less in width ......................................................................
11.16
5. Restrict use below the high-water
mark at Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake,
(within the Shasta-Trinity National
Recreation Area) to only highway legal
July 10 to
July 10 to
July 10 to
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to
July 10 to
Yearlong.
July 10 to
July 10 to
July 10 to
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
Yearlong.
July 10 to
Yearlong.
January 31.
January 31.
January 31.
January 31.
January 31.
January 31.
January 31.
January 31.
January 31.
vehicles and provide a maximum speed
limit of 15 mph (refer to Table 3).
TABLE 3—VEHICLE CLASS ADDITIONS/PROHIBITIONS
Acreage
Current
permitted
vehicle
class
Proposed
permitted
vehicle
class
Below the high-water mark at Shasta Lake and Trinity
Lake (within the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation
Area).
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Area
Varies based on water level
All ................................
Highway legal vehicles.
Speed limit not to exceed
15 mph.
Maps and tables describing in detail
both the Forest transportation system
and the proposed action can be found at
https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/
news/ohv/index.shtml.
In addition, maps will be available for
viewing at: Supervisor’s Office ShastaTrinity National Forest, 3644 Avtech
Parkway, Redding, CA, Shasta Lake
Ranger Station, 14225 Holiday Road,
Redding, CA 96003, Weaverville Ranger
Station, P.O. Box 1190, 360 Main Street,
Weaverville, CA 96093, Hayfork Ranger
Station, P.O. Box 159, (111 Trinity
Street), Hayfork, CA 96041, Mount
Shasta Ranger Station, 204 West Alma,
Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
Responsible Official
J. Sharon Heywood, Forest
Supervisor, Shasta-Trinity National
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:25 Aug 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding,
CA 96002.
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 existing prohibitions
and allowances for public wheeled
motorized vehicle travel within the
existing NFTS and prohibit cross
country wheeled motorized vehicle
travel by the public off the designated
system. Once the decision is made, the
Forest will publish a 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. Future
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
decisions associated with changes to the
MVUM may trigger the need for
documentation of environmental
analysis.
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
August 7, 2008.
The comment period on the proposed
action will extend 30 days from the date
the Notice of Intent is published in the
Federal Register.
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
46242
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 154 / Friday, August 8, 2008 / Notices
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
The draft EIS is expected to be filed
with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and to be available for
public review by January 2009. 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
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
participate at that time.
The final EIS is scheduled to be
completed in July 2009. In the final EIS,
the Forest Service will respond to
comments received during the comment
period that are: within the scope of the
proposed action; specific to the
proposed action; have a direct
relationship to the proposed action; and
include supporting reasons for the
responsible official to consider.
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 EIS.
Early Notice of Importance of Public
Participation in Subsequent
Environmental Review: A draft EIS will
be prepared for comment. The comment
period on the draft environmental
impact statement will be 45-days from
the date the EPA publishes the notice of
availability in the Federal Register.
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:25 Aug 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
participate by the close of the 45-day
comment period so that 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 EIS.
To assist the Forest Service in
identifying and considering issues and
concerns on the proposed action,
comments on the draft EIS should be as
specific as possible. It is also helpful if
comments refer to specific pages or
chapters of the draft EIS. Comments
may also address the adequacy of the
draft EIS 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: July 28, 2008.
J. Sharon Heywood,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E8–17995 Filed 8–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
RIN 0596–AC54
Sensitive Species and Endangered
Species Act Section 7 Consultation
Policy for National Forest System Land
Management Planning Under the 2008
Planning Rule
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of issuance of interim
directive; request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Forest Service has issued
an interim directive (ID) 2670–2008–1 to
the Forest Service Manual 2670,
sections 45 and 46, to clarify sensitive
species and Endangered Species Act
policy responsibilities of Forest
Supervisors and District Rangers when
developing, amending, or revising Land
Management Plans (LMPs) under the
2008 Planning Rule, or carrying out
projects and activities consistent with
those LMPs (36 CFR part 219).
DATES: This Interim Directive is
effective August 8, 2008. Comments
must be received in writing by
September 8, 2008.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Send written comments to:
Forest Service, USDA, Attn: Director
Wildlife, Fish, Watershed, Air and Rare
Plants, Mail Stop 1121, Washington, DC
20250–1125. Comments may also be
e-mailed to: 2670_comments@fs.fed.us.
All comments, including names and
addresses when provided, are placed in
the record and are available for public
inspection and copying. Persons
wishing to inspect the comments are
encouraged to call ahead, contacting
Wayne Owen, 202–205–1262.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marc Bosch, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed,
Air and Rare Plants Staff, (202) 205–
1220. The ID 2670–2008–01 is available
electronically from the Forest Service
via the World Wide Web/Internet at
https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives and
in this notice. Single paper copies of the
amendment are also available by
contacting Marc Bosch, Threatened,
Endangered, and Sensitive Species
National Program Leader, Wildlife, Fish,
Watershed, Air and Rare Plants Staff,
(Mail Stop 1121), Forest Service, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–1121.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
interim directive (ID) clarifies the
responsibilities of Forest Supervisors
when developing, amending, or revising
Land Management Plans (LMPs) under
the 2008 Planning Rule. This ID also
clarifies responsibilities of Forest
Supervisors and District Rangers when
approving projects and activities
consistent with those (36 CFR part 219).
The intended effect of issuing this
interim directive is to provide guidance
to those Forest Service line officers and
other agency employees who are
developing and revising LMP’s under
the 2008 Planning Rule regarding
sensitive species and Endangered
Species Act policy responsibilities.
Because of pending LMP revisions, and
to align agency policy with statutory
and regulatory responsibilities, there is
an immediate need to supersede the
existing Forest Service Manual
regarding policies that apply to such
revisions. Public comments on this
interim direction will be considered in
the development of final direction. A
comprehensive review of the entire FMS
2670 chapter is being done, and further
changes may result from that separate
effort.
The ID clarifies proper consideration
of Forest Service manual direction for
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 154 (Friday, August 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46238-46242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17995]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California; Shasta-Trinity
National Forest Motorized Travel Management EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Shasta-Trinity National Forest (Forest) will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement to disclose the impacts associated with
the following proposed actions:
1. Prohibition of cross-country motorized vehicle travel (with the
exception of snowmobiles) off designated National Forest System (NFS)
roads, NFS trails and areas by the public except as allowed by permit
or other authorization (Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR Part 212,
Subpart B).
2. Amend the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan) to
conform with the Travel Management Rule, Subpart B, by removing
reference to OHV cross-country travel in the Forest Plan and include as
a forest-wide standard ``Prohibit wheeled vehicle travel off designated
roads and trails except for administrative use or uses under permitted
activities or within designated areas.''
3. Add approximately 32 miles of existing unauthorized routes to
the National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) as roads open to the
public for wheeled motorized vehicle use by vehicle class and season of
use.
4. Add approximately 11 miles of existing unauthorized routes to
the NFTS as motorized trails open to the public for wheeled motorized
vehicle use by vehicle class and season of use.
5. Restrict use below the high-water mark at Shasta Lake and
Trinity Lake, (within the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area) to
only highway legal vehicles and provide a maximum speed limit of 15
miles per hour (mph).
DATES: The comment period on the proposed action will extend 30 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 January 2009 and the Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) is expected in July 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Travel Management Team, Shasta-
Trinity National Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA 96002.
Electronic comments may be submitted to comments-pacificsouthwest-
shasta-trinity@fs.fed.us with Subject: Motorized Travel.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Remillard, Shasta-Trinity
National Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA 96002, Phone: (530)
226-2421, Fax: (530) 226-2470, e-mail: rremillard@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. The ten states
with the largest population also have the most OHV users. California
has 4.35 million OHV users accounting for almost 11% of the U.S. total
(Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in the United States, Regions and
States: A National Report from the National Survey on Recreation and
the Environment (NSRE) Cordell, Betz, Green and Owens June 2005). There
were 786,914 ATVs and OHV motorcycles registered in 2004, up 330% since
1980. Annual sales of 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, is 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 (MOT) 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 68264-6829 1). Subpart B of the final Travel
Management Rule requires designation of those roads, trails, and areas
that are open to motor vehicle use on National Forests. Route
designations will be made by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by
time of year. The final rule allows for motor vehicle use only on
designated system routes and in designated areas.
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 were 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. For an unauthorized route to be designated, it must first be added
to the national forest transportation system (NFTS).
In accordance with the Memorandum of Intent, the Forest recently
completed an inventory of unauthorized routes on NFS lands and
identified approximately 5,085 unauthorized routes totaling 1,198
miles. The Forest then used an interdisciplinary process to conduct
travel analysis to determine whether any of the unauthorized routes
should be proposed for addition to the NFTS in this proposed action. A
number of routes were identified which could be considered in this or
future decisions on the NFTS as a part of travel management on the
Forest. The Responsible Official has made decisions on what, if any,
changes to the existing NFTS would be a part of this proposed action.
Roads, trails and areas that are currently part of the Forest
transportation system and are open to wheeled motorized vehicle travel
will remain designated for such unless changed by this proposal. This
proposal focuses only on the prohibition of wheeled motorized vehicle
travel off
[[Page 46239]]
designated routes and needed changes to the Forest transportation
system, including the addition of some unauthorized routes to the
Forest transportation system and minor changes to existing motor
vehicle restrictions. The proposed action is being carried forward in
accordance with the Travel Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212, Subpart
B).
In accordance with the Travel Management Rule, following a decision
on this proposal, the Forest will publish a Motor Vehicle Use Map
(MVTJM) identifying all Forest 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. Unauthorized routes not included in this proposal are not
precluded from future consideration for addition to the NFTS and
inclusion in a MVUM. Future decisions associated with changes to the
MVIJM may trigger the need for documentation in an environmental
analysis.
Purpose and Need for Action
The following needs have been identified for this proposal:
1. There is a need for regulation of unmanaged 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. The Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR Part 212, Subpart B,
provides policy for ending this trend of unauthorized route
proliferation through designation of motorized NFS roads, trails and
areas, and the prohibition of cross-country travel.
2. There is a need for the Forest Plan to conform to the new Travel
Management Rule, CFR Part 212, Subpart B. A review of the Forest Plan
has found that it is not fully consistent with the new Travel
Management Rule. Motorized vehicle travel by the public is authorized
off designated routes in some areas of the Forest. For example, the
Record of Decision (page 7), for the Forest Plan permits Off-Highway-
Vehicle (OHV) use as follows: 586,609 acres closed; 1,259,688 acres
restricted; and 275,250 acres open to OHV use. In addition the Forest
Plan states on page 3-16 ``The Forest's OHV Plan designates 239,175
acres to cross-county travel.'' This direction is in conflict with the
Travel Management Rule at 36 CFR 212.50(a) (Motor vehicle use off
designated roads and trails and outside designated areas is prohibited
by 36 CFR 261.13).
3. There is a need for changes and additions to the NFTS system to:
3.1. Provide wheeled motorized access to dispersed recreation
opportunities (camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding,
etc.) There is a need to maintain motor vehicle access to dispersed
recreation activities that historically have been accessed by motor
vehicles. A portion of known dispersed recreation activities are not
located directly adjacent to an existing NFTS road or NFTS motorized
trail. Some dispersed recreation activities depend on foot or horseback
access, and some depend on motor vehicle access. Those activities
accessed by motor vehicles consist of short spurs that have been
created and maintained primarily by the passage of motorized vehicles.
Many such ``user-created'' routes are not currently part of the NFTS.
Without adding them to the NFTS, the regulatory changes noted above
would make continued use of such routes illegal through the prohibition
of cross country travel and would preclude access to many dispersed
recreation activities.
3.2. Provide a diversity of wheeled motorized recreation
opportunities (4 x 4 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 consistent with the National Forest recreation role and
land capability (FSM 23 53.03(2)). Implementation of Subpart B of the
Travel Management Rule will severely reduce motorized recreation
opportunities relative to current levels. As a result, there is a need
to consider limited changes and additions to the type of use permitted
on existing NFTS roads as well as potential additions to the NFTS.
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.
Currently the Forest has a maintenance backlog for roads of
approximately $137,000,000. Future road and trail budgets are expected
to decrease from current levels.
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 classes 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, emissions,
etc.
K. Have valid existing rights of use and access (rights-of-way).
L. Constrain the proposal to that which is within the capability of
the Forest to analyze given: The Shasta-Trinity National Forest MVUM
publication deadline is December 2009, available funding (road and
trail management budgets), and available resources (resource data and
staff time).
Proposed Action
1. Prohibit cross-country motorized vehicle travel (with the
exception of snowmobiles) off the designated NFTS roads, NFTS trails
and areas by the public except as allowed by permit or other
authorization.
2. Amend the Forest Plan to be consistent with the Travel
Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212, Subpart B) prohibiting cross-county
motorized vehicle travel off designated NFS roads and NFTS trails
outside of designated areas by removing reference to OHV cross country
travel in the Forest Plan and including as a forest-wide standard
``Prohibit wheeled vehicle travel off designated roads and trails
except for administrative use or uses under permitted activities or
within designated areas.''
3. Add approximately 32 miles of existing unauthorized routes as
National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) roads classified as open
to all vehicle classes, both highway legal and non-highway legal, as
shown in Table 1. With these additions, roads open to all vehicle
classes will be approximately 3,818 miles. Forest roads maintained for
low clearance passenger cars are subject to State traffic laws (36 CFR
212.5(a)(1)). As a result, such roads are open to highway legal
vehicles only. These additions would bring the total of all NFTS roads
to approximately 5,177 miles. The NFTS road additions are listed below
along with the permitted vehicle class and, if applicable, season of
use.
[[Page 46240]]
Table 1--Proposed NFS Motorized Road Additions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miles Permitted vehicle
Route ID (length) class Season of use
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JG3O................................ 0.18 All................... July 10 to January 31.
JG31................................ 0.21 All................... July 10 to January 31.
JM244............................... 0.96 All................... July 10 to January 31.
JM25................................ 0.19 All................... Yearlong.
JM72................................ 0.06 All................... August 2 to December 31.
NRA1................................ 0.60 All................... July 10 to January 31.
NRA2................................ 0.30 All................... Yearlong.
NRA3................................ 0.22 All................... Yearlong.
PM2004.............................. 0.32 All................... July 10 to January 31.
PM304............................... 0.03 All................... July 10 to January 31.
SE194............................... 0.04 All................... Yearlong.
SE314............................... 0.07 All................... Yearlong.
SE416............................... 2.04 All................... Yearlong.
SE476............................... 0.16 All................... Yearlong.
SE477............................... 0.15 All................... Yearlong.
SE508............................... 0.12 All................... Yearlong.
SFMU12.............................. 0.10 All................... Yearlong.
SFMU13.............................. 0.26 All................... Yearlong.
SFMU17.............................. 0.04 All................... Yearlong.
SFMU18.............................. 0.03 All................... August 16 to January 31.
SFMU4............................... 0.02 All................... July 10 to January 31.
SFMU5............................... 0.06 All................... Yearlong.
SFMU6............................... 0.02 All................... July 10 to January 31.
SFMU7............................... 0.01 All................... Yearlong.
SW234............................... 0.14 All................... July 10 to January 31.
TC1004.............................. 0.12 All................... July 10 to January 31.
TC1238.............................. 0.04 All................... July 10 to January 31.
TC349............................... 0.12 All................... Yearlong.
1C828............................... 0.08 All................... July 10 to January 31.
TC838............................... 0.14 All................... July 10 to January 31.
TC899............................... 0.06 All................... July 10 to January 31.
TRMU2............................... 0.54 All................... Yearlong.
TRMU3............................... 0.15 All................... Yearlong.
TRMU5............................... 0.22 All................... Yearlong.
TRMU6............................... 0.05 All................... Yearlong.
U1B005A............................. 0.09 All................... Yearlong.
UIS39B.............................. 0.23 All................... July 10 to January 31.
U27N02G............................. 0.09 All................... Yearlong.
U30N27S............................. 0.05 All................... Yearlong.
U30N29E............................. 0.74 All................... July 10 to January 31.
U34N26DA............................ 0.26 All................... Yearlong.
U34N26DAA........................... 0.09 All................... Yearlong.
U35N05A............................. 1.74 All................... July 10 to January 31.
U35N85A............................. 0.19 All................... July 10 to January 31.
U36N35AA............................ 0.71 All................... Yearlong.
U36N35AB............................ 0.10 All................... Yearlong.
U4ON13D............................. 0.71 All................... July 10 to January 31.
U40N35A............................. 0.65 All................... Yearlong.
U4ON84AA............................ 1.59 All................... Yearlong.
U4ON88XCB........................... 0.49 All................... Yearlong.
U4ON88XE............................ 0.25 All................... Yearlong.
U4ON91YA............................ 0.63 All................... Yearlong.
U414A............................... 0.59 All................... Yearlong.
U414C............................... 0.19 All................... Yearlong.
U414CA.............................. 0.12 All................... Yearlong.
U414D............................... 0.15 All................... Yearlong.
U414F............................... 0.18 All................... Yearlong.
U414FA.............................. 0.04 All................... Yearlong.
U41N18A............................. 2.52 All................... Yearlong.
U41N18AA............................ 2.08 All................... Yearlong.
U41N18AAD........................... 0.82 All................... Yearlong.
U41N55D............................. 1.21 All................... Yearlong.
U41N55E............................. 1.60 All................... Yearlong.
U42N18A............................. 3.89 All................... Yearlong.
U42N18AA............................ 2.43 All................... Yearlong.
U4N12L.............................. 0.06 All................... July 10 to January 31.
U4N12LA............................. 0.06 All................... July 10 to January 31.
-----------
Total miles..................... 32.42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 46241]]
4. Add approximately 11 miles of existing unauthorized routes as
NFTS motorized trails, as shown in Table 2. This would bring the total
NFTS motorized trails to 163 miles. Approximately 2 miles of motorized
trails would be classified as open for ``All Trail Class Vehicles''.
The remaining 9 miles of motorized trails would be classified as open
for ``Motorcycle only'' or ``Vehicles 50 inches or less in width''. The
additional NFTS motorized trails are listed below along with the
permitted vehicle class and, if applicable, season of use.
Table 2--Proposed NFS Motorized Trail Additions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miles
Route ID (length) Permitted vehicle class Season of use
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PM702.............................. 0.04 All Trail Class Vehicles.. July 10 to January 31.
RM026.............................. 1.55 Vehicles 50'' or less in July 10 to January 31.
width.
RMO9O.............................. 0.07 All Trail Class Vehicles.. July 10 to January 31.
RM1036............................. 2.16 All Trail Class Vehicles.. Yearlong.
RM1226............................. 0.10 All Trail Class Vehicles.. Yearlong.
RM706.............................. 0.07 All Trail Class Vehicles.. Yearlong.
TC1098............................. 0.05 Vehicles 50'' or less in Yearlong.
width.
TC1249............................. 0.04 All Trail Class Vehicles.. July 10 to January 31.
TC1829............................. 0.14 All Trail Class Vehicles.. July 10 to January 31.
TC319.............................. 0.12 All Trail Class Vehicles.. Yearlong.
U29N28C............................ 0.51 Motorcycle only........... July 10 to January 31.
U31NO2Q............................ 0.28 Vehicles 50'' or less in July 10 to January 31.
width.
U4N12D............................. 3.38 Vehicles 50'' or less in July 10 to January 31.
width.
UOHVO1X............................ 0.36 Motorcycle only........... Yearlong.
UOHVO2J............................ 0.53 Vehicles 50'' or less in Yearlong.
width.
UOHV18............................. 0.15 Vehicles 50'' or less in Yearlong.
width.
UOHV5OA............................ 0.43 Motorcycle only........... Yearlong.
UOHV5OC............................ 0.14 Motorcycle only........... Yearlong.
UT29N3OHA.......................... 0.80 Vehicles 50'' or less in July 10 to January 31.
width.
UT29N3OHAB......................... 0.25 Vehicles 50'' or less in Yearlong.
width.
-----------
Total miles........................ 11.16
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Restrict use below the high-water mark at Shasta Lake and
Trinity Lake, (within the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area) to
only highway legal vehicles and provide a maximum speed limit of 15 mph
(refer to Table 3).
Table 3--Vehicle Class Additions/Prohibitions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current permitted
Area Acreage vehicle class Proposed permitted vehicle class
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below the high-water mark at Varies based on All................ Highway legal vehicles. Speed limit
Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake water level. not to exceed 15 mph.
(within the Shasta-Trinity
National Recreation Area).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maps and tables describing in detail both the Forest transportation
system and the proposed action can be found at https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/
shastatrinity/news/ohv/index.shtml.
In addition, maps will be available for viewing at: Supervisor's
Office Shasta-Trinity National Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding,
CA, Shasta Lake Ranger Station, 14225 Holiday Road, Redding, CA 96003,
Weaverville Ranger Station, P.O. Box 1190, 360 Main Street,
Weaverville, CA 96093, Hayfork Ranger Station, P.O. Box 159, (111
Trinity Street), Hayfork, CA 96041, Mount Shasta Ranger Station, 204
West Alma, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
Responsible Official
J. Sharon Heywood, Forest Supervisor, Shasta-Trinity National
Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA 96002.
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 existing prohibitions and allowances for
public wheeled motorized vehicle travel within the existing NFTS and
prohibit cross country wheeled motorized vehicle travel by the public
off the designated system. Once the decision is made, the Forest will
publish a 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. Future decisions associated with changes to the MVUM may
trigger the need for documentation of environmental analysis.
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 August 7, 2008.
The comment period on the proposed action will extend 30 days from
the date the Notice of Intent is published in the Federal Register.
[[Page 46242]]
The draft EIS is expected to be filed with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public review by
January 2009. 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 Shasta-Trinity National Forest
participate at that time.
The final EIS is scheduled to be completed in July 2009. In the
final EIS, the Forest Service will respond to comments received during
the comment period that are: within the scope of the proposed action;
specific to the proposed action; have a direct relationship to the
proposed action; and include supporting reasons for the responsible
official to consider. 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 EIS.
Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent
Environmental Review: A draft EIS will be prepared for comment. The
comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 45-
days from the date the EPA publishes the notice of availability in the
Federal Register.
At this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of
several court rulings related to public participation in the
environmental review process.
First, reviewers of draft Environmental impact statements must
structure their participation in the environmental review of the
proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the
reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp.
v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that
could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but
that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental
impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of
Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980).
Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45-
day comment period so that comments 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 EIS.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft EIS should
be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to
specific pages or chapters of the draft EIS. Comments may also address
the adequacy of the draft EIS 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: July 28, 2008.
J. Sharon Heywood,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E8-17995 Filed 8-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M