Fremont Winema National Forests; Oregon; Proposed Forest Plan Amendments for the Ruby Pipeline L.L.C. Project, 11709-11710 [E9-5989]
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11709
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 74, No. 52
Thursday, March 19, 2009
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Fremont Winema National Forests;
Oregon; Proposed Forest Plan
Amendments for the Ruby Pipeline
L.L.C. Project
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement (FERC
Ruby Pipeline Project) and request for
comments on the proposed forest plan
amendments for the Fremont Land and
Resource Management Plan to be
included in the Ruby Project.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The USDA Forest Service
(Forest Service), Fremont Winema
National Forests, is proposing to prepare
an amendment to the Fremont National
Forest Land and Resource Management
Plan (Forest Plan) for the proposed Ruby
Pipeline Project (Project). The Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
is the lead agency for this proposed
natural gas pipeline (Docket No. CP09–
54–000). The staff of FERC is preparing
an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) that will discuss the
environmental impacts that could result
from the construction and operation of
a new underground natural gas pipeline
proposed by Ruby Pipeline, LLC (Ruby).
The Project’s proposed facilities consist
of 675.2 miles of 42-inch-diameter
natural gas pipeline, four new
compressor stations, and related
facilities. The USDA Forest Service,
Fremont Winema National Forests is
participating as a cooperating agency
because the Project traverses the
Fremont Winema National Forests in
Oregon. As a cooperating agency, the
U.S. Forest Service, Fremont Winema
National Forests intends to adopt the
FERC EIS per Title 40 CFR 1506.3, to
meet its National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) responsibilities.
FERC, as lead federal agency in the
preparation of the EIS, is preparing the
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SUMMARY:
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17:17 Mar 18, 2009
Jkt 217001
EIS to satisfy the requirements of NEPA.
NEPA requires FERC to take into
account the environmental impacts that
could result from an action when it
considers whether or not an interstate
natural gas pipeline should be issued a
Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity for construction of the
pipeline. FERC will use the EIS to
consider the environmental impacts that
could result if it issues project
authorizations. FERC will use the EIS in
its decision-making processes to
determine whether or not to authorize
the Project. FERC initiated its pre-filing
process on January 31, 2008 and issued
a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an
EIS for this Project on September 26,
2008.
The USDA Forest Service will use the
EIS to evaluate the proposed
amendments to the Fremont Forest Plan
and for any forest plan amendment
decisions made subsequently should
FERC authorize this Project. The Forest
Service has determined that an
amendment to the Fremont Forest Plan
would be needed because the Project
would not meet the plan Standards and
Guidelines for soil disturbance, visual
quality, mechanical disturbance in
seeps and springs, and old growth
management. Analysis of the effects of
the amendment will be included in the
FERC EIS. This notice announces the
intention to prepare an amendment to
the Fremont Forest Plan.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by
April 20, 2009. The draft environmental
impact statement is expected in June,
2009 and the final environmental
impact statement is expected in October
2009.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Glen Westlund, Forest Environmental
Coordinator, 2819 Dahlia Street,
Klamath Falls, OR 97601. Comments
may also be sent via e-mail to
comments-pacificnorthwest-fremontwinema@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to
541–883–6709.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such a way that they are useful to the
Agency’s preparation of the EIS.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions. The submission of timely
and specific comments can affect a
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Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
reviewer’s ability to participate in
subsequent administrative review or
judicial review.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record for this
proposed action. Comments submitted
anonymously will be accepted and
considered; however, anonymous
comments will not provide the
respondent with standing to participate
in subsequent administrative review or
judicial review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen
Westlund; Phone 541–883–6743; e-mail
at gwestlund@fs.fed.us; or by mail at the
above address.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
If the Ruby Pipeline is approved and
constructed there will be a need to
exempt the construction activity from
several standards and guidelines found
in the Fremont National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan (Forest
Plan) or to relocate a management area.
The route of the pipeline crosses eastwest through the forest and could not
avoid passing through portions of
Management Areas: 6—Scenic; 14—Old
Growth; and 15—Fish and Wildlife
Habitat and Water Quality as well as
portions of soil capability areas 1, 2, 3
and scabland portions of capability area
13 covered by general forest standards
and guidelines. Resource protection was
considered in the route location and the
current route reflects resource concerns
like avoiding special interest areas in
MA 7 or inventoried roadless areas. The
general forest standard and guideline for
detrimental soil conditions would not
be met because equipment activity
would be confined to the clearing limits,
causing more than 20 percent of soil in
the activity area to be detrimentally
impacted. For the construction to occur,
the Forest Plan will need amending.
Proposed Action
Approximately 14 miles of right-ofway (ROW) will be located on the
Fremont National Forest disturbing
about 328 acres, including temporary
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
11710
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 52 / Thursday, March 19, 2009 / Notices
storage and staging areas. Ruby is
proposing to use a 115 foot wide
construction right-of-way with a 50 foot
wide permanent ROW over the top of
the pipeline. All work sites would be
restored. The following Forest Plan
amendments are proposed:
1. General Forest Plan Standard and
Guideline for Soils Management, Forest
Plan pages 80 to 81. Add item (5) under
the Operational Considerations for
Surface Soil Condition which says:
During and immediately after
construction of the Ruby Pipeline the
soil conditions within the activity area
(construction right-of-way) will be
permitted to exceed the 20 percent
standard and guideline for detrimental
soil condition. The implementation of
Ruby’s Upland Erosion, Revegetation
and Mitigation Plan would reduce
erosion impacts and minimize impacts
to soil productivity.
2. General Forest Standard and
Guideline for Soils Management, Forest
Plan pages 83 and 84. Add a statement
under item 4, operational considerations
‘‘During installation of the Ruby
pipeline exposed mineral soil standards
displayed in Table 21 will be exceeded;
however with the extra mitigation
proposed in Ruby’s Upland Erosion,
Revegetation and Mitigation Plan, these
standards would be achieved.’’
3. Management Area 6—Scenic
Viewsheds: The pipeline crosses
through a portion of Management Area
6 when it crosses FR 3915; the area has
a VQO of foreground retention and
middleground partial retention. Item B
will be added to Land Uses on Forest
Plan page 154: B. The cleared corridor
needed to install the Ruby pipeline will
not immediately meet VQO objectives of
retention and partial retention.
Mitigation measures, including
vegetation management and restoration
actions, will occur to move the
construction corridor toward current
visual quality objectives over an
extended timeframe.
4. Management Area 14—Old Growth
habitat: The pipeline crosses through a
stand of dedicated old growth. The best
stands either meeting or soon to meet
old growth standards will be designated
as replacement.
5. Management Area 15—Fish and
Wildlife Habitat and Water Quality: The
crossing of seeps and springs is
expected to be uncommon. The pipeline
is known to cross one seasonal seep.
The following statement will be added
under Seeps and Springs, management
treatments on Forest plan page 204. (d)
Construction equipment necessary to
install the Ruby pipeline will be
permitted in the area of seeps and
springs. Implementation of Ruby’s
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:17 Mar 18, 2009
Jkt 217001
Upland Erosion, Revegetation and
Mitigation Plan and special construction
measures would minimize impacts.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Responsible Official
Notice of Central Idaho Resource
Advisory Committee Meeting
The responsible official of the Forest
Plan amendments will be the Forest
Supervisor of the Frement Winema
National Forests.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Determine what forest plan standards
and guideline would need to be
amended to allow the construction of
the Ruby pipeline if FERC approves the
project. These amendments would
apply only to Ruby pipeline and are
expected to be limited in scope.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process for the forest plan
amendment. The decision will be tiered
to the analysis contained in the FERC
EIS for the Ruby Pipeline Project. FERC
has already performed the scoping
process for the EIS. This NOI is to
inform about the Fremont Winema
National Forest’s need to amend the
Fremont Forest Plan, which did not get
included in the original FERC NOI
scoping period for the Ruby Project. A
scoping letter will be mailed to those
currently on the Forests’ mailing list. No
other methods of scoping will be used.
The Fremont Forest Plan can be found
on the Forests’ Web page at https://
www.fs.fed.us/r6/frewin/projects/
forestplan/index.shtml. Comments
should be focused on the forest plan
amendments and not about the decision
whether to construct the pipeline or not.
There will be another opportunity to
comment on the construction aspect
when the DEIS is available in June 2008.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the
environmental impact statement.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions. The submission of timely
and specific comments can affect a
reviewer’s ability to participate in
subsequent administrative appeal or
judicial review.
March 11, 2009.
Karen Shimamoto,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9–5989 Filed 3–18–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
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Forest Service
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of Meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in
the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure
Rural Schools and Community Self
Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106–
393), the Salmon-Challis National
Forest’s Central Idaho Resource
Advisory Committee will conduct a
business meeting which is open to the
public.
DATES: Friday, March 20, 2009,
beginning at 10 a.m.
ADDRESSES: Salmon-Challis N.F. South
Zone Office, Highway 93, Challis, Idaho.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda
topics will include review and approval
of project proposals, and is an open
public forum.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William A. Wood, Forest Supervisor
and Designated Federal Officer, at 208–
756–5111.
Dated: March 11, 2009.
Larry Svalberg,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Salmon-Challis
National Forest.
[FR Doc. E9–5813 Filed 3–18–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–01–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Hood/Willamette Resource Advisory
Committee (RAC)
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Hood/Willamette
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
will meet on Friday, April 24, 2009. The
meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30
a.m. and will conclude at approximately
12 p.m. The meeting will be held at
Salem Office of the Bureau of Land
Management Office; 1717 Fabry Road
SE; Salem, Oregon; (503) 375–5646. The
tentative agenda includes: (1)
Orientation; (2) Election of chairperson;
(3) Decision on overhead rate for 2009
and 2010 projects; (4) Presentation of
2009 and 2010 Projects; and (5) Public
Forum.
The Public Forum is tentatively
scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Time
allotted for individual presentations
will be limited to 4–5 minutes. Written
E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 52 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11709-11710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5989]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 52 / Thursday, March 19, 2009 /
Notices
[[Page 11709]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Fremont Winema National Forests; Oregon; Proposed Forest Plan
Amendments for the Ruby Pipeline L.L.C. Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement
(FERC Ruby Pipeline Project) and request for comments on the proposed
forest plan amendments for the Fremont Land and Resource Management
Plan to be included in the Ruby Project.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service (Forest Service), Fremont Winema
National Forests, is proposing to prepare an amendment to the Fremont
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the
proposed Ruby Pipeline Project (Project). The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) is the lead agency for this proposed natural gas
pipeline (Docket No. CP09-54-000). The staff of FERC is preparing an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will discuss the
environmental impacts that could result from the construction and
operation of a new underground natural gas pipeline proposed by Ruby
Pipeline, LLC (Ruby). The Project's proposed facilities consist of
675.2 miles of 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, four new
compressor stations, and related facilities. The USDA Forest Service,
Fremont Winema National Forests is participating as a cooperating
agency because the Project traverses the Fremont Winema National
Forests in Oregon. As a cooperating agency, the U.S. Forest Service,
Fremont Winema National Forests intends to adopt the FERC EIS per Title
40 CFR 1506.3, to meet its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
responsibilities.
FERC, as lead federal agency in the preparation of the EIS, is
preparing the EIS to satisfy the requirements of NEPA. NEPA requires
FERC to take into account the environmental impacts that could result
from an action when it considers whether or not an interstate natural
gas pipeline should be issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity for construction of the pipeline. FERC will use the EIS to
consider the environmental impacts that could result if it issues
project authorizations. FERC will use the EIS in its decision-making
processes to determine whether or not to authorize the Project. FERC
initiated its pre-filing process on January 31, 2008 and issued a
Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for this Project on September
26, 2008.
The USDA Forest Service will use the EIS to evaluate the proposed
amendments to the Fremont Forest Plan and for any forest plan amendment
decisions made subsequently should FERC authorize this Project. The
Forest Service has determined that an amendment to the Fremont Forest
Plan would be needed because the Project would not meet the plan
Standards and Guidelines for soil disturbance, visual quality,
mechanical disturbance in seeps and springs, and old growth management.
Analysis of the effects of the amendment will be included in the FERC
EIS. This notice announces the intention to prepare an amendment to the
Fremont Forest Plan.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by April 20, 2009. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
in June, 2009 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
in October 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Glen Westlund, Forest Environmental
Coordinator, 2819 Dahlia Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. Comments may
also be sent via e-mail to comments-pacificnorthwest-fremont-
winema@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 541-883-6709.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of
the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's
concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific
comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent
administrative review or judicial review.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide
the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent
administrative review or judicial review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen Westlund; Phone 541-883-6743; e-
mail at gwestlund@fs.fed.us; or by mail at the above address.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
If the Ruby Pipeline is approved and constructed there will be a
need to exempt the construction activity from several standards and
guidelines found in the Fremont National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan (Forest Plan) or to relocate a management area. The
route of the pipeline crosses east-west through the forest and could
not avoid passing through portions of Management Areas: 6--Scenic; 14--
Old Growth; and 15--Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Water Quality as well
as portions of soil capability areas 1, 2, 3 and scabland portions of
capability area 13 covered by general forest standards and guidelines.
Resource protection was considered in the route location and the
current route reflects resource concerns like avoiding special interest
areas in MA 7 or inventoried roadless areas. The general forest
standard and guideline for detrimental soil conditions would not be met
because equipment activity would be confined to the clearing limits,
causing more than 20 percent of soil in the activity area to be
detrimentally impacted. For the construction to occur, the Forest Plan
will need amending.
Proposed Action
Approximately 14 miles of right-of-way (ROW) will be located on the
Fremont National Forest disturbing about 328 acres, including temporary
[[Page 11710]]
storage and staging areas. Ruby is proposing to use a 115 foot wide
construction right-of-way with a 50 foot wide permanent ROW over the
top of the pipeline. All work sites would be restored. The following
Forest Plan amendments are proposed:
1. General Forest Plan Standard and Guideline for Soils Management,
Forest Plan pages 80 to 81. Add item (5) under the Operational
Considerations for Surface Soil Condition which says: During and
immediately after construction of the Ruby Pipeline the soil conditions
within the activity area (construction right-of-way) will be permitted
to exceed the 20 percent standard and guideline for detrimental soil
condition. The implementation of Ruby's Upland Erosion, Revegetation
and Mitigation Plan would reduce erosion impacts and minimize impacts
to soil productivity.
2. General Forest Standard and Guideline for Soils Management,
Forest Plan pages 83 and 84. Add a statement under item 4, operational
considerations ``During installation of the Ruby pipeline exposed
mineral soil standards displayed in Table 21 will be exceeded; however
with the extra mitigation proposed in Ruby's Upland Erosion,
Revegetation and Mitigation Plan, these standards would be achieved.''
3. Management Area 6--Scenic Viewsheds: The pipeline crosses
through a portion of Management Area 6 when it crosses FR 3915; the
area has a VQO of foreground retention and middleground partial
retention. Item B will be added to Land Uses on Forest Plan page 154:
B. The cleared corridor needed to install the Ruby pipeline will not
immediately meet VQO objectives of retention and partial retention.
Mitigation measures, including vegetation management and restoration
actions, will occur to move the construction corridor toward current
visual quality objectives over an extended timeframe.
4. Management Area 14--Old Growth habitat: The pipeline crosses
through a stand of dedicated old growth. The best stands either meeting
or soon to meet old growth standards will be designated as replacement.
5. Management Area 15--Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Water Quality:
The crossing of seeps and springs is expected to be uncommon. The
pipeline is known to cross one seasonal seep. The following statement
will be added under Seeps and Springs, management treatments on Forest
plan page 204. (d) Construction equipment necessary to install the Ruby
pipeline will be permitted in the area of seeps and springs.
Implementation of Ruby's Upland Erosion, Revegetation and Mitigation
Plan and special construction measures would minimize impacts.
Responsible Official
The responsible official of the Forest Plan amendments will be the
Forest Supervisor of the Frement Winema National Forests.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Determine what forest plan standards and guideline would need to be
amended to allow the construction of the Ruby pipeline if FERC approves
the project. These amendments would apply only to Ruby pipeline and are
expected to be limited in scope.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process for the forest
plan amendment. The decision will be tiered to the analysis contained
in the FERC EIS for the Ruby Pipeline Project. FERC has already
performed the scoping process for the EIS. This NOI is to inform about
the Fremont Winema National Forest's need to amend the Fremont Forest
Plan, which did not get included in the original FERC NOI scoping
period for the Ruby Project. A scoping letter will be mailed to those
currently on the Forests' mailing list. No other methods of scoping
will be used. The Fremont Forest Plan can be found on the Forests' Web
page at https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/frewin/projects/forestplan/index.shtml.
Comments should be focused on the forest plan amendments and not about
the decision whether to construct the pipeline or not. There will be
another opportunity to comment on the construction aspect when the DEIS
is available in June 2008.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The submission of
timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to
participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review.
March 11, 2009.
Karen Shimamoto,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-5989 Filed 3-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P