Helena National Forest, Montana, Stonewall Vegetation Project, 1748 [2010-452]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 1748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-452]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2010 / 
Notices

[[Page 1748]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Helena National Forest, Montana, Stonewall Vegetation Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Helena National Forest is going to prepare an 
environmental impact statement for vegetation management actions north 
and west of the community of Lincoln, MT. Fire suppression and moist 
growing conditions through much of this century resulted in a loss of 
open forest conditions and seral species (aspen, ponderosa pine and 
western larch). This has created a more uniform landscape comprised of 
dense forests susceptible to insect and wildfire mortality (Douglas-fir 
and lodgepole pine). In addition, a large-scale mountain pine beetle 
epidemic has killed most of the mature lodgepole pine and ponderosa 
pine. These conditions are elevating fuel levels which pose a wildfire 
threat to nearby homes and communities in the wildland urban interface 
(WUI).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by February 12, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected August 2010 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected January 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Amber Kamps, Helena National 
Forest, 1569 Hwy. 200, Lincoln, MT 59639. Comments may also be sent via 
e-mail to comments-northern-Helena@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 406-
449-5436.
    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.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amber Kamps at 406-362-7000.
    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

    The landscape in this project area has become a more uniform dense 
forest susceptible to insect and wildfire mortality. The mountain pine 
beetle has caused widespread tree mortality. These conditions have 
elevated the fuel levels, which in turn pose a threat to nearby homes 
and communities in the wildland urban interface. The purpose and need 
for this project includes: improving the mix of vegetation and 
structure across the landscape so that it is diverse, resilient, and 
sustainable to wildfire and insects; modifying fire behavior to enhance 
community protection while creating conditions that allow the 
reestablishment of fire as a natural process on the landscape; 
enhancing and restoring aspen, western larch and ponderosa pine species 
and habitats; utilizing the economic value of trees through removal; 
and integrating restoration with socioeconomic considerations.

Proposed Action

    Approximately 8,600 acres are proposed for treatment. The proposed 
action includes using both commercial and noncommercial treatments to 
achieve the desired condition. These actions would include: 
Regeneration harvests, intermediate harvests, precommercial thinnings, 
and prescribed burning. Implementing the proposed action could include 
the use of chainsaws, feller bunchers, and cable logging equipment.
    The proposed action also includes using prescribed fire and tree 
slashing in two roadless areas (Bear Marshall Scapegoat Swan and 
Lincoln Gulch).
    Approximately five miles of road would be built then obliterated 
immediately following timber removal. Commercial harvest and road 
construction would not occur in the two roadless areas.
    Post treatment activities would include underburning, site 
preparation burning, jackpot burning, hand piling/burning, tree 
planting, and monitoring of natural regeneration.
    In all the areas proposed, the opening size may exceed 40 acres due 
to the amount of mortality created by the bark beetles and the 
resulting need for regeneration.

Responsible Official

    Helena National Forest Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decisions to be made include: Whether to implement the proposed 
action or an alternative to the proposed action, what monitoring 
requirements would be appropriate to evaluate the implementation of 
this project, and whether a forest plan amendment would be necessary as 
a result of the decision for this project.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. In January 2010, 
a scoping package will be mailed, an open house will be scheduled, and 
Web site information will be posted.
    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.

    Dated: January 6, 2010.
Kevin T. Riordan,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-452 Filed 1-12-10; 8:45 am]
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