Sucker Creek Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project (Phase II), Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Josephine County, OR, 5279-5281 [2010-1952]
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Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 75, No. 21
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Sucker Creek Channel and Floodplain
Restoration Project (Phase II), Rogue
River—Siskiyou National Forest,
Josephine County, OR
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Forest Service will
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), to examine impacts
connected with restoration of
approximately a 0.5 mile section of
Sucker Creek. The purpose for preparing
this EIS is to analyze and disclose
environmental consequences associated
with a Proposed Action that includes a
variety of restoration activities. Sitespecific actions being proposed are
designed to increase the quantity and
improve the quality of fish habitat,
reduce stream temperature, and reduce
excessive fine sediment inputs from the
project reach.
The activities are proposed within a
portion of the Sucker Creek watershed,
located on private lands and lands
administered by the Rogue River—
Siskiyou National Forest, Wild Rivers
Ranger District, Josephine County,
Oregon.
This proposal will tier to and be
designed under the Final Environmental
Impact Statement for the Siskiyou
National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan (LRMP, 1989), as
amended by the Northwest Forest Plan
(NWFP) (USDA Forest Service and USDI
Bureau of Land Management 1994),
which provides guidance for land
management activities.
Although this is an action having
‘‘effects primarily of local concern (40
CFR 1506.6(3)),’’ the Forest Service is
nonetheless publishing this notice in
the Federal Register to make diligent
effort at involving the public, agencies,
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:52 Feb 01, 2010
Jkt 220001
organizations, Native American tribes
and other interested parties in
preparation of this EIS.
The Wild Rivers Ranger District
invites written comments concerning
the scope of the analysis in addition to
those comments that will be solicited as
a result of local public participation
activities. The Forest Service will also
give notice of the full environmental
analysis and decision making process so
that interested and affected people are
made aware as to how they may
participate and contribute to the final
decision.
DATES: Issues and comments concerning
the scope and analysis of this proposal
must be received within 30 days
following publication of this notice in
the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
regarding this proposal to Liz Berger,
Interdisciplinary Team Leader, care of
USDA Forest Service, Medford
Interagency Office, 3040 Biddle Road,
Medford, Oregon 97504; FAX (541) 618–
2149 or electronically to
eaberger@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
technical information or questions about
this proposal, contact Liz Berger,
Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Rogue
River—Siskiyou National Forest, phone:
(541) 618–2051, FAX: (541) 618–2149,
or e-mail: eaberger@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The legal
description of the area being considered
is T. 39 S., R. 6 W, in section 31 and
T. 39 S., R. 7 W., in section 36; W.M.,
Josephine County, Oregon.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of the Sucker Creek
Channel and Floodplain Restoration—
Phase II project is to improve fish
habitat and water quality in the upper
Sucker Creek Watershed. The specific
restoration goals associated with the
Purpose and Need for this project are to:
• Increase habitat quantity and
improve habitat quality for coho salmon
(listed as a threatened species under the
Endangered Species Act), Chinook
salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey,
• Reduce stream temperature, and
• Reduce excessive fine sediment
inputs from the project reach.
Restoration actions are needed to
address impacts to fish habitat and
water quality associated with past land
management activities. The Sucker
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Creek project reach (Sucker Creek) has
changed over time due to the effects of
hydraulic and placer mining activities,
timber harvest, and roads. Sucker Creek
has been straightened and realigned.
Existing stream morphology
measurements show the channel is a
Rosgen F channel type which is
characteristic of an entrenched and
incised system. Historic aerial photos
and topographic surveys examining past
channel geometry show that the stream
channel was more sinuous and
contained a larger floodplain,
characteristic of a Rosgen C channel
type. Mine tailing piles confine the
channel and channel instability has
caused excessive erosion and steep
cutbanks. Additional disturbance
responses are present, including
increased channel width and lack of
channel depth, loss of pool habitat, loss
of side channel habitat, increased
channel migration, and loss of channel
structure and habitat. There is a lack of
large wood and the quantity is well
below benchmark levels of 80 pieces per
mile.
Stream temperatures are high and
exceed Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality (ODEQ)
standards. Sucker Creek was listed for
stream temperature (1994/1996 303(d)
list) by ODEQ, the Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) was adopted, and
the Water Quality Management Plan
(WQMP) is being implemented. High
stream temperatures are from multiple
sources, including loss of stream
shading and a widened channel that
lacks depth.
There is a need to improve fish
habitat and water quality in Sucker
Creek by reconstructing portions of the
channel, placing large wood structures
in the stream channel and floodplain,
and riparian planting.
Proposed Action
The proposed action for this project
will implement restoration activities in
a 0.5 mile section of Sucker Creek,
including reconstruction of portions of
the stream channel, placement of large
wood structures in the stream channel
and floodplain, and establishment of a
riparian gallery forest. Further detail on
the proposed restoration actions is as
follows:
• Reconstruct portions of the
mainstem channel—Portions of the
mainstem channel will be reconstructed
to create the pattern, dimension, and
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02FEN1
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5280
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2010 / Notices
profile appropriate for this stream type
and valley type. This includes building
bankfull benches or structures designed
to restore floodplain connectivity and
constructing new sections of stream
channel. Stream meanders will be
constructed, including pools, riffles,
runs, and glides appropriate for this
system. Banks will be stabilized, as
needed. In addition, off-channel habitat
features, such as alcoves, will be
constructed. The existing channel will
be plugged at reconstructed channel
connection points using a combination
of large wood, sediment comprised of
fines, gravels, and cobbles, and slash
material. The channel would be
constructed using an excavator(s) and
dozer.
• Placement of large wood
structures—Structures will be used to:
Reduce accelerated streambank erosion;
provide grade control; enhance fish
habitat (holding and rearing cover,
spawning habitat, increase spatial
habitat diversity); reintroduce and
stabilize large wood for fisheries and
stream channel stability; transport
sediment; and provide energy
dissipation. Approximately 160 large
wood pieces will be placed using
ground-based placement methods with
excavators and other heavy equipment.
Approximately 15 structures will be
constructed on the mainstem portion of
Sucker Creek. For these structures, key
pieces will be buried into the banks and
existing near-bank large riparian trees
will used to buttress the instream wood
and create stability. Depending on site
conditions, boulders may also be used
to anchor the logs in place and tree tips
may be buried from 4 to 6′. Each tree
will be approximately 50′ in length with
an approximate DBH ranging from 16 to
36″. About 50% or more of the trees
used will have intact rootwads. All key
wood pieces will be Port-Orford-cedar,
incense cedar, or Douglas-fir. Large
wood structures will be placed with an
excavator.
• Establishment of a riparian gallery
forest—Approximately four acres along
the mainstem channel riparian area and
floodplain will be planted with a
mixture of native conifer, hardwood,
and shrub species. Disease-resistant
Port-Orford-cedar will be included in
the mix of native conifers planted.
Raw materials for the project, such as
large wood, boulders, and gravels, will
be obtained from Forest Servicemanaged land within or near the project
area or from commercial sources. Trees
are expected to come from Forest
Service-managed lands within the
Sucker Creek Watershed or from
commercial sources. A team comprised
of a forester, Port-Orford-cedar program
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:52 Feb 01, 2010
Jkt 220001
manager, and a hydrologist and/or
fisheries biologist will identify trees for
the project. Depending on tree heights,
one tree may produce up to two large
wood pieces for the project. Identified
trees and locations will be reviewed and
analyzed by the interdisciplinary team
to determine acceptable trees and sites
for project materials.
The project proposes to significantly
increase coho salmon spawning and
rearing habitat by restoring a selfmaintaining stable meander pattern,
creating pools, riffles, and glides,
constructing large wood complexes,
reconnecting floodplains, and planting a
riparian gallery forest. The project will
increase stream length and spawning
and summer and winter rearing habitats.
In addition, the project also proposes to
decrease stream temperature by
reducing stream width, increasing
stream depth, and increasing stream
shade through planting of conifers,
hardwoods, and shrubs. These
restoration activities will also contribute
to reducing excessive fine sediment
inputs. Project work will follow Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife
instream work guidelines.
Alternatives
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
will include No-Action as required by
NEPA. Additional alternatives may also
be considered.
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process under NEPA, which
will guide the development of the draft
EIS. The draft EIS is expected to be filed
with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and to be available for
public comment by May 2010. The
comment period for the draft EIS will be
45 days from the date EPA publishes the
Notice of Availability in the Federal
Register.
At the end of this period, comments
submitted to the Forest Service,
including names and addresses of those
who responded, will be considered part
of the public record for this proposal,
and as such will be available for public
review. Comments submitted
anonymously will be accepted and
considered; however, those who submit
anonymous comments will not have
standing to the Objection Process the
under 36 CFR Part 218.
Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR
1.27(d), any person may request the
agency to withhold a submission from
the public record by showing how the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
permits such confidentiality. Persons
requesting such confidentiality should
be aware that, under the FOIA,
confidentiality may be granted in only
very limited circumstances, such as to
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
protect trade secrets. The Forest Service
will inform the requester of the agency’s
decision regarding the request for
confidentiality, and where the request is
denied, the agency will return the
submission and notify the requester that
the comments may be resubmitted with
or without name and address within a
specified number of days.
The Forest Service believes, at this
early stage, it is important to give
reviewers notice of several court rulings
related to public participation in the
environmental review process. First,
reviewers of draft EISs 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, 533 (1978). Also,
environmental objections that could be
raised at the draft EIS stage, but that are
not raised until completion of the final
EIS, may be waived or dismissed by the
courts. City 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
important that those interested in this
proposed action participate by the close
of the comment period so substantive
comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time
when it can meaningfully consider them
and respond to them in the final
environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in
identifying and considering issues and
concerns on the proposed action,
comments on the draft 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 on the draft EIS will be
analyzed, considered, and responded to
by the Forest Service in preparing the
final EIS. The final EIS is scheduled to
be completed in summer of 2010.
The Forest Service Responsible
Official is Joel King, District Ranger of
the Wild Rivers Ranger District, Rogue
River—Siskiyou National Forest. The
Responsible Official will consider the
Final EIS, applicable laws, regulations,
policies, and analysis files in making a
decision. The Responsible Official will
document the decision and rationale in
the Record of Decision.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2010 / Notices
January 21, 2010.
Joel King,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2010–1952 Filed 2–1–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Resource Advisory
Committee Meeting
AGENCY: Modoc County Resource
Advisory Committee, Alturas, California
96101, USDA Forest Service.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in
the Federal Advisory Committees Act
(Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure
Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 110–
343) the Modoc National Forest’s Modoc
County Resource Advisory Committee
will meet Monday, February 22, 2010
and March 8, 2010 in Alturas, California
96101, for a business meeting. The
meetings are open to the public.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
business meeting on February 22, and
March 8, 2010 will begin at 4 p.m., at
the Modoc National Forest Office,
Conference Room, 800 West 12th St.,
Alturas, California 96101. Agenda topics
will include reviewing project proposals
and to conduct business that meet the
intent of Public Law 110–343. Time will
also be set aside for public comments at
the beginning of the meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Hudson, Forest Supervisor and
Designated Federal Officer, at (530)
233–8700; or Resource Advisory
Committee Coordinator, Stephen Riley
at (530) 233–8771.
Tom Hudson,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010–2191 Filed 2–1–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Intent To Hold Public Forums
To Solicit Feedback From the Public
Regarding the Section 523 Mutual SelfHelp Housing Program
Rural Housing Service, USDA.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Responding to President
Obama’s initiative for an open,
transparent government, the Rural
Housing Service, hereinafter referred to
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:52 Feb 01, 2010
Jkt 220001
as the Agency, intends to hold public
forums to solicit feedback from the
public on whether the current method
of delivering the self-help program is
the most efficient and cost effective in
terms of cost and program delivery.
Transparency encourages
accountability by delivering information
to the public about what the
Government is doing. Participation
provides the public with opportunities
to contribute ideas and expertise to the
Government which will enable them to
make sound policy decisions that
represent a wider group of diverse
individuals throughout society.
Collaboration improves effectiveness of
the Government by encouraging
partnerships and cooperation within the
Federal Government, across levels of
government, and between the
Government and private institutions.
The Agency will use information
obtained from public forums to evaluate
all aspects of the self-help program. As
the Agency moves forward, it will
continue to encourage and solicit
feedback, recommendations, and
comments from all sectors of the public.
All information relative to these forums
will be taped, transcribed, and posted to
the Agency Web site.
DATES: Public forums are scheduled for
February through June 2010. All written
questions and comments must be
received by the Agency prior to June 30,
2010. The public forums will be held in
selected states and the Washington, DC
area.
ADDRESSES: Send questions and
comments to: Debra S. Arnold, Program
Analyst, Program Support Staff, Rural
Housing Service, USDA at 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0761,
Washington, DC 20250–0761, telephone
(202) 720–1366, fax: (202) 690–4335,
e-mail debra.arnold@wdc.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Debra S. Arnold, Program Analyst,
Program Support Staff, Rural Housing
Service, USDA at 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Stop 0761, Washington,
DC 20250–0761, telephone (202) 720–
1366, fax: (202) 690–4335, e-mail
debra.arnold@wdc.usda.gov. For
participants who require a sign language
interpreter or other special
accommodations, please contact Debra
S. Arnold as directed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One of the
major areas within the Section 523
Mutual Self-Help Program that the
Agency will be focusing on is the
Technical and Management Assistance
(T&MA) contracts. The contracts task
regional non-profit organizations to
provide training and technical
assistance to recipients of the Section
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Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
523 grants. These recipients, referred to
as Section 523 grantees, provide
technical assistance to low and very
low-income families to build their
homes in rural areas. In addition to
assisting the Section 523 grantees, the
contractors are also required to market
the self-help program, monitor the
progress of active Section 523 grantees,
and provide training to both grantees
and families.
The location and time of the forums
will be determined at a later date and
announced locally. Registration
information and deadlines will be
provided, at that time. In addition, this
information will be posted to the
Agency Web site.
Date
February 18, 2010 .............
March 5, 2010 ...................
March 12, 2010 .................
March 26, 2010 .................
April 9, 2010 ......................
April 23, 2010 ....................
May 14, 2010 .....................
June 4, 2010 ......................
June 11, 2010 ....................
June 18, 2010 ....................
State
Arkansas.
Puerto Rico.
North Carolina.
Mississippi.
Arizona.
Ohio.
Washington.
Vermont.
Iowa.
Washington,
DC.
Dated: January 27, 2010.
˜
Tammye Trevino,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010–2067 Filed 2–1–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign–Trade Zones Board
Order No. 1648
Approval of Manufacturing Authority,
Foreign–Trade Zone 26, Kia Motors
Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (Motor
Vehicles), West Point, Georgia
Pursuant to its authority under the
Foreign–Trade Zones Act of June 18, 1934, as
amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u) (the Act), the
Foreign–Trade Zones Board (the Board)
adopts the following Order:
Whereas, Georgia Foreign–Trade
Zone, Inc., grantee of FTZ 26, has
requested manufacturing authority on
behalf of Kia Motors Manufacturing
Georgia, Inc., within FTZ 26 Site 11,
West Point, Georgia (FTZ Docket 72–
2008, filed 12–16–2008);
Whereas, notice inviting public
comment has been given in the Federal
Register (73 FR 79048, 12–24–2008) and
the application has been processed
pursuant to the FTZ Act and the Board’s
regulations; and,
Whereas, the Board adopts the
findings and recommendations of the
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5279-5281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1952]
========================================================================
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. 75, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2010 /
Notices
[[Page 5279]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Sucker Creek Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project (Phase
II), Rogue River--Siskiyou National Forest, Josephine County, OR
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), to examine impacts connected with restoration of
approximately a 0.5 mile section of Sucker Creek. The purpose for
preparing this EIS is to analyze and disclose environmental
consequences associated with a Proposed Action that includes a variety
of restoration activities. Site-specific actions being proposed are
designed to increase the quantity and improve the quality of fish
habitat, reduce stream temperature, and reduce excessive fine sediment
inputs from the project reach.
The activities are proposed within a portion of the Sucker Creek
watershed, located on private lands and lands administered by the Rogue
River--Siskiyou National Forest, Wild Rivers Ranger District, Josephine
County, Oregon.
This proposal will tier to and be designed under the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the Siskiyou National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan (LRMP, 1989), as amended by the Northwest
Forest Plan (NWFP) (USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land
Management 1994), which provides guidance for land management
activities.
Although this is an action having ``effects primarily of local
concern (40 CFR 1506.6(3)),'' the Forest Service is nonetheless
publishing this notice in the Federal Register to make diligent effort
at involving the public, agencies, organizations, Native American
tribes and other interested parties in preparation of this EIS.
The Wild Rivers Ranger District invites written comments concerning
the scope of the analysis in addition to those comments that will be
solicited as a result of local public participation activities. The
Forest Service will also give notice of the full environmental analysis
and decision making process so that interested and affected people are
made aware as to how they may participate and contribute to the final
decision.
DATES: Issues and comments concerning the scope and analysis of this
proposal must be received within 30 days following publication of this
notice in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments regarding this proposal to Liz
Berger, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, care of USDA Forest Service,
Medford Interagency Office, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, Oregon 97504;
FAX (541) 618-2149 or electronically to eaberger@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information or questions
about this proposal, contact Liz Berger, Interdisciplinary Team Leader,
Rogue River--Siskiyou National Forest, phone: (541) 618-2051, FAX:
(541) 618-2149, or e-mail: eaberger@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The legal description of the area being
considered is T. 39 S., R. 6 W, in section 31 and T. 39 S., R. 7 W., in
section 36; W.M., Josephine County, Oregon.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of the Sucker Creek Channel and Floodplain
Restoration--Phase II project is to improve fish habitat and water
quality in the upper Sucker Creek Watershed. The specific restoration
goals associated with the Purpose and Need for this project are to:
Increase habitat quantity and improve habitat quality for
coho salmon (listed as a threatened species under the Endangered
Species Act), Chinook salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey,
Reduce stream temperature, and
Reduce excessive fine sediment inputs from the project
reach.
Restoration actions are needed to address impacts to fish habitat
and water quality associated with past land management activities. The
Sucker Creek project reach (Sucker Creek) has changed over time due to
the effects of hydraulic and placer mining activities, timber harvest,
and roads. Sucker Creek has been straightened and realigned. Existing
stream morphology measurements show the channel is a Rosgen F channel
type which is characteristic of an entrenched and incised system.
Historic aerial photos and topographic surveys examining past channel
geometry show that the stream channel was more sinuous and contained a
larger floodplain, characteristic of a Rosgen C channel type. Mine
tailing piles confine the channel and channel instability has caused
excessive erosion and steep cutbanks. Additional disturbance responses
are present, including increased channel width and lack of channel
depth, loss of pool habitat, loss of side channel habitat, increased
channel migration, and loss of channel structure and habitat. There is
a lack of large wood and the quantity is well below benchmark levels of
80 pieces per mile.
Stream temperatures are high and exceed Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality (ODEQ) standards. Sucker Creek was listed for
stream temperature (1994/1996 303(d) list) by ODEQ, the Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) was adopted, and the Water Quality Management Plan
(WQMP) is being implemented. High stream temperatures are from multiple
sources, including loss of stream shading and a widened channel that
lacks depth.
There is a need to improve fish habitat and water quality in Sucker
Creek by reconstructing portions of the channel, placing large wood
structures in the stream channel and floodplain, and riparian planting.
Proposed Action
The proposed action for this project will implement restoration
activities in a 0.5 mile section of Sucker Creek, including
reconstruction of portions of the stream channel, placement of large
wood structures in the stream channel and floodplain, and establishment
of a riparian gallery forest. Further detail on the proposed
restoration actions is as follows:
Reconstruct portions of the mainstem channel--Portions of
the mainstem channel will be reconstructed to create the pattern,
dimension, and
[[Page 5280]]
profile appropriate for this stream type and valley type. This includes
building bankfull benches or structures designed to restore floodplain
connectivity and constructing new sections of stream channel. Stream
meanders will be constructed, including pools, riffles, runs, and
glides appropriate for this system. Banks will be stabilized, as
needed. In addition, off-channel habitat features, such as alcoves,
will be constructed. The existing channel will be plugged at
reconstructed channel connection points using a combination of large
wood, sediment comprised of fines, gravels, and cobbles, and slash
material. The channel would be constructed using an excavator(s) and
dozer.
Placement of large wood structures--Structures will be
used to: Reduce accelerated streambank erosion; provide grade control;
enhance fish habitat (holding and rearing cover, spawning habitat,
increase spatial habitat diversity); reintroduce and stabilize large
wood for fisheries and stream channel stability; transport sediment;
and provide energy dissipation. Approximately 160 large wood pieces
will be placed using ground-based placement methods with excavators and
other heavy equipment. Approximately 15 structures will be constructed
on the mainstem portion of Sucker Creek. For these structures, key
pieces will be buried into the banks and existing near-bank large
riparian trees will used to buttress the instream wood and create
stability. Depending on site conditions, boulders may also be used to
anchor the logs in place and tree tips may be buried from 4 to 6'. Each
tree will be approximately 50' in length with an approximate DBH
ranging from 16 to 36''. About 50% or more of the trees used will have
intact rootwads. All key wood pieces will be Port-Orford-cedar, incense
cedar, or Douglas-fir. Large wood structures will be placed with an
excavator.
Establishment of a riparian gallery forest--Approximately
four acres along the mainstem channel riparian area and floodplain will
be planted with a mixture of native conifer, hardwood, and shrub
species. Disease-resistant Port-Orford-cedar will be included in the
mix of native conifers planted.
Raw materials for the project, such as large wood, boulders, and
gravels, will be obtained from Forest Service-managed land within or
near the project area or from commercial sources. Trees are expected to
come from Forest Service-managed lands within the Sucker Creek
Watershed or from commercial sources. A team comprised of a forester,
Port-Orford-cedar program manager, and a hydrologist and/or fisheries
biologist will identify trees for the project. Depending on tree
heights, one tree may produce up to two large wood pieces for the
project. Identified trees and locations will be reviewed and analyzed
by the interdisciplinary team to determine acceptable trees and sites
for project materials.
The project proposes to significantly increase coho salmon spawning
and rearing habitat by restoring a self-maintaining stable meander
pattern, creating pools, riffles, and glides, constructing large wood
complexes, reconnecting floodplains, and planting a riparian gallery
forest. The project will increase stream length and spawning and summer
and winter rearing habitats. In addition, the project also proposes to
decrease stream temperature by reducing stream width, increasing stream
depth, and increasing stream shade through planting of conifers,
hardwoods, and shrubs. These restoration activities will also
contribute to reducing excessive fine sediment inputs. Project work
will follow Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife instream work
guidelines.
Alternatives
Alternatives to the Proposed Action will include No-Action as
required by NEPA. Additional alternatives may also be considered.
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process under NEPA,
which will guide the development of the draft EIS. The draft EIS is
expected to be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
to be available for public comment by May 2010. The comment period for
the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date EPA publishes the Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register.
At the end of this period, comments submitted to the Forest
Service, including names and addresses of those who responded, will be
considered part of the public record for this proposal, and as such
will be available for public review. Comments submitted anonymously
will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous
comments will not have standing to the Objection Process the under 36
CFR Part 218.
Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the
agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality.
Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under the
FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited
circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest Service
will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the
request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied, the
agency will return the submission and notify the requester that the
comments may be resubmitted with or without name and address within a
specified number of days.
The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of
draft EISs 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, 533 (1978). Also, environmental objections
that could be raised at the draft EIS stage, but that are not raised
until completion of the final EIS, may be waived or dismissed by the
courts. City 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 important that those
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the
comment period so substantive comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully
consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact
statement.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 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 on the draft EIS will be analyzed, considered, and
responded to by the Forest Service in preparing the final EIS. The
final EIS is scheduled to be completed in summer of 2010.
The Forest Service Responsible Official is Joel King, District
Ranger of the Wild Rivers Ranger District, Rogue River--Siskiyou
National Forest. The Responsible Official will consider the Final EIS,
applicable laws, regulations, policies, and analysis files in making a
decision. The Responsible Official will document the decision and
rationale in the Record of Decision.
[[Page 5281]]
January 21, 2010.
Joel King,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2010-1952 Filed 2-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M