Bridger-Teton National Forest, Big Piney Ranger District, WY; Piney Creeks Vegetation Treatment, 5758-5759 [2010-2078]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES 5758 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2010 / Notices benefits. The berms also serve as seed banks for native vegetation, and the woody debris can be used on the restored site to disrupt overland flow. The berms screened for removal and use will be selected based on criteria that are currently being developed by NRCS. Berms which are growing species which are listed on the State of Alaska list of noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020) will be eliminated from consideration, and no berms will be removed from lands currently enrolled in the Cropland Reserve Program. The cost of this alternative is roughly estimated at $8 to $10 million dollars. Even with site restoration, some shortterm maintenance will be required if the recently restored site is damaged by flow events. While it will be relatively expensive to restore the project site, the re-planning team considered the expense justifiable in light of current conditions and public concerns. This justification is premised on the reduction of erosion from the existing project site by removing the training dikes and side inlets that concentrate inflow to the basin, as well as removing the artificially steep flow gradient into the existing basin. In addition, restoration efforts would involve removing the built-up 1408 Road. The road currently functions as a levee and concentrates flow from the infiltration basin to the Alaska Highway. Agency scoping letters for the proposed project were sent on July 10, 2009, with a scoping meeting and site visit conducted on August 5, 2009. The Draft Environmental Assessment was made available for public and agency review on September 17, 2009, with a public open house being held in Delta Junction on September 28, 2009. A follow-up meeting with agencies was held on September 29, 2009 also in Delta Junction. Details regarding the public and agency involvement are discussed in the Final Environmental Assessment. Based on the information in the Final Environmental Assessment the proposed action is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, and a Finding of No Significant Impact was issued on January 11, 2010. Signed in Palmer, Alaska, on January 11, 2010. Robert N. Jones, State Conservationist (Alaska). [FR Doc. 2010–2403 Filed 2–3–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–2D–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:31 Feb 03, 2010 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest, Big Piney Ranger District, WY; Piney Creeks Vegetation Treatment Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Big Piney Ranger District is proposing to implement vegetation management in the Piney Creek drainages throughout the next five– seven years. The need for vegetation management in this area has previously been identified and studied in the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan implemented in 1990, in public meetings held on the revision of the Forest Plan in 2008 and comprehensive evaluation reports for aspen, lodge pole pine, Douglas fir, spruce fir and white bark pine. The analysis area is approximately 20,000 acres within this watershed and includes the creeks of South, Middle and North on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The area also includes Middle and North Piney Lakes, Wyoming Peak the Middle Piney Summer homes, Sacajawea and Middle Piney Lake campgrounds. Management opportunities, practices, standards and guidelines, and mitigation have been developed to help achieve desired resource conditions. These are the basis for this proposal and for further site specific analysis of effects. It is approximately 25 miles west of Big Piney, Wyoming in the Green River drainage, on the east slope of the Wyoming range. All lands within the analysis area are National Forest System lands within Sublette County, Wyoming. The legal description includes portions of T28N through T31N and R112W through R114W. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by March 15, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in November 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is expected in April 2012. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger District, Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to mailroorn_r4_bridger_teton@fs.fed.us and on the subject line put only ‘‘Piney Creeks Vegetation Treatment’’, or via facsimile to 307–276–5250. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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: District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger District, Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113 or phone (307) 276–3710. 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 purpose of this proposal is to improve Forest resource conditions in the South, Middle and North Piney Creek drainages, bringing them closer to desired conditions. Desired conditions for each of the DFC’s would help restore healthy ecosystem functioning and support sustainable resource use. Proposed Action This proposal was developed in response to public issues from changes since the approval of the Forest Plan in 1990, Forest Plan Revision meetings, and recent resource issues. Treat up to 8,000 acres of aspen stands and the surrounding sagebrush with mechanical treatments and prescribed fire to regenerate healthy aspen and sagebrush and remove conifers. Harvest trees on approximately 4,000 acres using various cutting practices. This is to provide for regeneration of the declining lodge pole pine and mixed conifer forests and for age class diversity across the landscape. Possible Alternatives This alternative is required under NEPA regulations and also serves as a baseline of information for comparison of other alternatives. Though this alternative does not respond to the purpose and need for action, it does address some issues. Responsible Official District Forest Ranger, Big Piney Ranger District, P.O. Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113. Nature of Decision To Be Made This decision will be whether or not to implement specific vegetation E:\FR\FM\04FEN1.SGM 04FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2010 / Notices management projects as allowed in the Bridger-Teton National Forest Plan. The decision would include any mitigation measures needed in addition to those prescribed in the Forest Plan. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Preliminary Issues The Forest Service has identified the following potential issues. No determination has been made as to which issues will be examined in detail in the environmental analysis. Your input will help determine which of these issues merit detailed analysis and will also help identify additional issues related to the proposed action that may not be listed here. Issue 1—Amount and/or types of vegetation treatments in the proposed action and the effects on old growth and mature vegetation for lynx, security cover for elk and other habitat, as well as Colorado cutthroat trout habitat. Issue 2—Forest health, specifically the high proportion of older age class conifer stands and declining tree growth, dwarf mistletoe infection levels in lodge pole pine and high fuel loadings from dead and down material. Issue 3—Amount of aspen treatments. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest Service is seeking information, comments, and assistance from individuals, organizations, tribal governments, and federal, state, and local agencies interested in or affected by this project. Public participation will be solicited by notifying in person and/or by mail known interested and affected publics. News releases will be used to give the public general notice. Public participation activities would include requests for written comments. The first formal opportunity to comment is to respond to this notice of intent, which initiates the scoping process (40 CFR 1501.7). Scoping includes: (1) Identifying potential issues, (2) narrowing the potential issues and identifying significant issues of those that have been covered by prior environmental review, (3) exploring alternatives in addition to No Action, and (4) identifying potential environmental effects of the proposed action and alternatives. 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 VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:31 Feb 03, 2010 Jkt 220001 articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. Dated: December 31, 2009. Gregory Clark, District Forest Ranger. [FR Doc. 2010–2078 Filed 2–3–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Resource Advisory Committee Meeting AGENCY: Lassen Resource Advisory Committee, Susanville, California, 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 Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee will meet February 10, 2010 in Susanville, California for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The business meeting on February 10, 2010 will begin at 9 a.m., at the Lassen National Forest Headquarters Office, Caribou Conference Room, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130. This meeting will be dedicated to review the proposals for 2009 funding cycle, hear project presentations and vote on projects to recommend for funding. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Terri Frolli, Designated Federal Official, at (530) 257–4188; or Public Affairs Officer, Heidi Perry, at (530) 252–6604. Kathleen S. Morse, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2010–2079 Filed 2–3–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of New Recreation Fee Site; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108–447) AGENCY: Caribou-Targhee National Forest, USDA Forest Service. ACTION: Notice of New Recreation Fee Sites. SUMMARY: The Soda Springs Ranger District of the Caribou-Targhee National PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 5759 Forest is proposing to take reservations for group camping and group day use picnicking at the Trail Canyon Group Site on the Soda Springs Ranger District. They are proposing to charge a $40 fee per day for group camping and group day use picnicking (up to a maximum of 100 people). Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance, market assessment and public comment. The fee is proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. To date, an analysis of the facility shows that the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area. Use at other similar facilities on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest has shown that publics appreciate and enjoy the availability of developed recreation campground and picnicking facilities. This facility will remain free of charge during the winter season as a warming shelter. Funds from the use of these developed facilities will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Trail Canyon Group Site. DATES: Comments will be accepted through July 16, 2010. Trail Canyon Group Site will become available to the public for group camping and group day use picnicking from May 15 through October 31 each year. ADDRESSES: Forest Supervisor, CaribouTarghee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Dr., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maury Young, Recreation Technician, 208–847–0375. The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act (Title VII, Pub. L. 108–447) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to publish a six month advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new recreation fee areas are established. The Caribou-Targhee National Forest currently has over 40 other developed campgrounds. These campgrounds are well used and are very popular during the summer and fall seasons. A business analysis of this campground/picnic area has shown that people desire having this sort of developed recreation experience on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. A market analysis indicates that the $40 group fee (up to a maximum of 100 people) per night is both reasonable and acceptable for this type of recreation experience. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: January 25, 2010. Brent L. Larson, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2010–2080 Filed 2–3–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M E:\FR\FM\04FEN1.SGM 04FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5758-5759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2078]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Bridger-Teton National Forest, Big Piney Ranger District, WY; 
Piney Creeks Vegetation Treatment

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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

SUMMARY: The Big Piney Ranger District is proposing to implement 
vegetation management in the Piney Creek drainages throughout the next 
five-seven years. The need for vegetation management in this area has 
previously been identified and studied in the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan 
implemented in 1990, in public meetings held on the revision of the 
Forest Plan in 2008 and comprehensive evaluation reports for aspen, 
lodge pole pine, Douglas fir, spruce fir and white bark pine. The 
analysis area is approximately 20,000 acres within this watershed and 
includes the creeks of South, Middle and North on the Big Piney Ranger 
District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The area also includes 
Middle and North Piney Lakes, Wyoming Peak the Middle Piney Summer 
homes, Sacajawea and Middle Piney Lake campgrounds. Management 
opportunities, practices, standards and guidelines, and mitigation have 
been developed to help achieve desired resource conditions. These are 
the basis for this proposal and for further site specific analysis of 
effects. It is approximately 25 miles west of Big Piney, Wyoming in the 
Green River drainage, on the east slope of the Wyoming range. All lands 
within the analysis area are National Forest System lands within 
Sublette County, Wyoming. The legal description includes portions of 
T28N through T31N and R112W through R114W.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 15, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
in November 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected in April 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger 
District, Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113. Comments may also be sent 
via e-mail to mailroorn_r4_bridger_teton@fs.fed.us and on the 
subject line put only ``Piney Creeks Vegetation Treatment'', or via 
facsimile to 307-276-5250.
    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: District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger 
District, Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113 or phone (307) 276-3710.
    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 purpose of this proposal is to improve Forest resource 
conditions in the South, Middle and North Piney Creek drainages, 
bringing them closer to desired conditions. Desired conditions for each 
of the DFC's would help restore healthy ecosystem functioning and 
support sustainable resource use.

Proposed Action

    This proposal was developed in response to public issues from 
changes since the approval of the Forest Plan in 1990, Forest Plan 
Revision meetings, and recent resource issues. Treat up to 8,000 acres 
of aspen stands and the surrounding sagebrush with mechanical 
treatments and prescribed fire to regenerate healthy aspen and 
sagebrush and remove conifers. Harvest trees on approximately 4,000 
acres using various cutting practices. This is to provide for 
regeneration of the declining lodge pole pine and mixed conifer forests 
and for age class diversity across the landscape.

Possible Alternatives

    This alternative is required under NEPA regulations and also serves 
as a baseline of information for comparison of other alternatives. 
Though this alternative does not respond to the purpose and need for 
action, it does address some issues.

Responsible Official

    District Forest Ranger, Big Piney Ranger District, P.O. Box 218, 
Big Piney, Wyoming 83113.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    This decision will be whether or not to implement specific 
vegetation

[[Page 5759]]

management projects as allowed in the Bridger-Teton National Forest 
Plan. The decision would include any mitigation measures needed in 
addition to those prescribed in the Forest Plan.

Preliminary Issues

    The Forest Service has identified the following potential issues. 
No determination has been made as to which issues will be examined in 
detail in the environmental analysis. Your input will help determine 
which of these issues merit detailed analysis and will also help 
identify additional issues related to the proposed action that may not 
be listed here.
    Issue 1--Amount and/or types of vegetation treatments in the 
proposed action and the effects on old growth and mature vegetation for 
lynx, security cover for elk and other habitat, as well as Colorado 
cutthroat trout habitat.
    Issue 2--Forest health, specifically the high proportion of older 
age class conifer stands and declining tree growth, dwarf mistletoe 
infection levels in lodge pole pine and high fuel loadings from dead 
and down material.
    Issue 3--Amount of aspen treatments.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest 
Service is seeking information, comments, and assistance from 
individuals, organizations, tribal governments, and federal, state, and 
local agencies interested in or affected by this project. Public 
participation will be solicited by notifying in person and/or by mail 
known interested and affected publics. News releases will be used to 
give the public general notice. Public participation activities would 
include requests for written comments. The first formal opportunity to 
comment is to respond to this notice of intent, which initiates the 
scoping process (40 CFR 1501.7). Scoping includes: (1) Identifying 
potential issues, (2) narrowing the potential issues and identifying 
significant issues of those that have been covered by prior 
environmental review, (3) exploring alternatives in addition to No 
Action, and (4) identifying potential environmental effects of the 
proposed action and alternatives.
    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.

    Dated: December 31, 2009.
Gregory Clark,
District Forest Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2010-2078 Filed 2-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M

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