Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project, 8036-8037 [2010-3327]

Download as PDF 8036 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2010 / Notices Jane Duffield, Chief, State Administration Branch, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 818, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of Ms. Duffield at 703–605–0795 or via e-mail to PADMAILBOX@fns.usda.gov. Comments will also be accepted through the federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All written comments will be open for public inspection at the office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 818, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. All comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Jane Duffield at (703) 605–4385. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Operating Guidelines, Forms and Waivers. OMB Number: 0584–0083. Expiration Date: October 31, 2010. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Abstract: In accordance with section 11(d) of the Food & Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act), 7 U.S.C. 2020(B), State agencies are required to submit a Plan of Operation specifying the manner in which SNAP will be conducted. The State Plan of Operations, in accordance with current rules at 7 CFR 272.2, consists of a Federal/State Agreement, annual budget and activity statements, and specific attachments relating to the State Plan of Operation. State Plans of Operation are a one-time effort with updates that are provided as necessary. Under section 16 of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 2025, the Secretary is authorized to pay each State agency an amount equal to 50 percent of all administrative costs involved in each State agency’s operation of the SNAP. Under corresponding SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 272.2, the State agencies must submit annually to FNS for approval, a Budget Projection Statement (Form FNS–366A), which projects the total costs for major areas of SNAP operations, and a Program Activity Statement (Form FNS–366B), which provides a summary of SNAP operations during the preceding fiscal year. The reports are required to substantiate the costs the State agency expects to incur during the next fiscal year. Form FNS– 366A is submitted annually by August 15, for the upcoming fiscal year and Form FNS–366B must be submitted no later than 45 days after the end of each State agency’s fiscal year. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, 91 percent of State agencies submitted the FNS–366A electronically and 9 percent submitted a paper report. For FY 2009, a total of 82 percent of State agencies submitted the FNS–366B electronically with the remaining 18 percent submitting paper reports. Finally, State agencies are required to submit certain other documents to FNS for review relating to certain specific activities that the State agency may choose to do. These other submissions include but are not limited to Advance Planning Documents (APD) if the State agency wishes to acquire proposed automated data processing (ADP) services, systems or equipment; Number of respondents Frequency of response outreach plans if the State elects to do program information activities; and updates related to options exercised under the Act, as amended. Respondents: State agencies that administer SNAP. Number of Respondents: 53. Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: Plan of Operation Updates: 53 State agencies once a year. Form FNS–366A: 53 State agencies once a year. Form FNS–366B: 53 State agencies once a year. Other APD, Plan, or Update Submissions: Up to 53 State agencies may submit one or more APD, plan or update submission averaging 4.75 submissions per respondent per year or 252 total responses. Estimate of Burden: Plan of Operation Updates: The State agencies submit Plan updates at an estimate of 10 hours per respondent, or 530 total hours. Form FNS–366A: The State agencies submit Form FNS–366A at an estimate of 13 hours per respondent, or 689 total hours. Form FNS–366B: The total burden for the collection of information for Form FNS–366B is 18 hours per respondent, or 954 hours. Other APD, Plan, or Update Submissions: We estimate that up to 53 States may submit one or more APD, plan, or update for a total of 251.75 annual responses at an average estimate of 2.681 hours per respondent, or 675.5 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for OMB No. 0584–0083 is estimated to be 2,848.5 hours, which is the same as the currently approved burden. Total annual responses Time per response (hrs) Annual burden hours Forms State Agencies ................ FNS–366A ...................... FNS–366B ...................... Plan of Operation ........... Other APD Plan or Update. 53 53 53 53 1 1 1 4.75 53 53 53 251.75 13 18 10 2.681 689 954 530 675.5 Total Burden Estimates. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Affected public ......................................... 53 .......................... .......................... .......................... 2848.5 Dated: February 4, 2010. Julia Paradis, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE [FR Doc. 2010–3448 Filed 2–22–10; 8:45 am] Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project Forest Service BILLING CODE 3410–30–P AGENCY: VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:25 Feb 22, 2010 Jkt 220001 ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. PO 00000 Forest Service, USDA. Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to authorize continued livestock grazing E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2010 / Notices within the Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area. The analysis will determine if a change in management direction for livestock grazing is needed to move existing resource conditions within the MonitorHot Creek Rangeland Project area towards desired conditions. The project area comprises approximately 952,234 acres and is located on the Monitor and Hot Creek Mountain Ranges in Eureka, Nye and Lander Counties, Nevada. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by March 25, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected November, 2010 and the final environnental impact statement is expected April, 2011. Send written comments to District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to comments-intermtn-humboldttoiyabe-austin-tonopah@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (775) 964–1451. 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. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, mail correspondence to or contact Vernon Keller, Project Coordinator, at 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. The telephone number is 775–355– 5356. E-mail address is vkeller@fs.fed.us. 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. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for the proposed Federal action is to provide livestock grazing opportunities to perinittees in a way that sustains the health of the land and protects essential ecosystem functions and values. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:25 Feb 22, 2010 Jkt 220001 Proposed Action The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts propose to authorize continued domestic livestock grazing on approximately 816,433 acres within the Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area under a specific management regimen designed to sustain and improve the overall ecological condition of the project area. Under this proposal, we would incorporate updated direction in new grazing permits and allotment management plans to guide grazing management within the project area during the coming decade, or until amendments are warranted, based on changed condition or monitoring. The Kelly Creek/North Monitor, White Rock, South Monitor, Table Mountain and Monitor Valley East allotments are currently vacant. Livestock grazing would be authorized in these allotments and they would be used to reduce conflicts on allotments that are currently grazed or as forage reserve allotments. These allotments comprise approximately 259,232 acres. Monitor Winter, Horse Heaven, North Monitor Winter, Hicks Station, Wagon Johnnie, Little Fish Lake, Monitor Complex, Saulsbury and Stone Cabin allotments have active term grazing permits and would continue to have authorized grazing. These allotments comprise approximately 557,201 acres. Morey, Hot Creek and McKinney allotments are currently vacant and would be closed. These allotments comprise approximately 135,801 acres. Possible Alternatives In addition to the proposed action, we have tentatively identified two additional alternatives that will be analyzed in the EIS. (1) Current Management Alternative: This alternative would be a continuation of the current grazing management. (2) No Livestock Grazing (No Action) Alternative: This alternative would eliminate grazing on all allotments in the project area. All livestock would be removed from the project area and existing permits would be cancelled. Responsible Official Steven Williams, District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310. Nature of Decision to be Made Based on the environmental analysis on the EIS, the Austin/Tonopah District Ranger will decide whether or not to authorize grazing on the allotments within the Monitor-Hot Creek Project area in accordance with the standards in PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 8037 the proposed action or as modified by additional mitigation measures and monitoring requirements. Preliminary Issues The following are some potential issues identified through internal Forest Service scoping based on our experience with similar projects. The list is not considered all inclusive, but should be viewed as a starting point. We are asking you to help us further refine the issues and identify other issues or concerns relevant to the proposed project. • Continued livestock grazing has to potential to affect soil quality within the project area. • Continued livestock grazing has the potential to adversely affect water quality within the project area. • Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect fisheries habitat within the project area. • Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect vegetation, which may result in a decline in the long-term productivity of the land base. • Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect wildlife habitat, particularly for elk and sage grouse, within the project area. • Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect heritage resources within the project area. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guide the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest Service will use a mailing of information to interested parties. Public involvement will be ongoing throughout the analysis process and at certain times public input will be specifically requested. There are currently no scoping meetings planned. 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. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21. Dated: February 5, 2010. Steven Williams, District Ranger. [FR Doc. 2010–3327 Filed 2–22–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8036-8037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3327]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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

SUMMARY: The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, Humboldt-Toiyabe National 
Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a 
proposal to authorize continued livestock grazing

[[Page 8037]]

within the Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area. The analysis will 
determine if a change in management direction for livestock grazing is 
needed to move existing resource conditions within the Monitor-Hot 
Creek Rangeland Project area towards desired conditions. The project 
area comprises approximately 952,234 acres and is located on the 
Monitor and Hot Creek Mountain Ranges in Eureka, Nye and Lander 
Counties, Nevada.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 25, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
November, 2010 and the final environnental impact statement is expected 
April, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah 
Ranger Districts, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310. Comments may also be 
sent via e-mail to comments-intermtn-humboldt-toiyabe-austin-tonopah@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (775) 964-1451.
    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: For further information, mail 
correspondence to or contact Vernon Keller, Project Coordinator, at 
1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. The telephone number is 775-
355-5356. E-mail address is vkeller@fs.fed.us.
    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 and need for the proposed Federal action is to provide 
livestock grazing opportunities to perinittees in a way that sustains 
the health of the land and protects essential ecosystem functions and 
values.

Proposed Action

    The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts propose to authorize continued 
domestic livestock grazing on approximately 816,433 acres within the 
Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area under a specific management 
regimen designed to sustain and improve the overall ecological 
condition of the project area. Under this proposal, we would 
incorporate updated direction in new grazing permits and allotment 
management plans to guide grazing management within the project area 
during the coming decade, or until amendments are warranted, based on 
changed condition or monitoring.
    The Kelly Creek/North Monitor, White Rock, South Monitor, Table 
Mountain and Monitor Valley East allotments are currently vacant. 
Livestock grazing would be authorized in these allotments and they 
would be used to reduce conflicts on allotments that are currently 
grazed or as forage reserve allotments. These allotments comprise 
approximately 259,232 acres.
    Monitor Winter, Horse Heaven, North Monitor Winter, Hicks Station, 
Wagon Johnnie, Little Fish Lake, Monitor Complex, Saulsbury and Stone 
Cabin allotments have active term grazing permits and would continue to 
have authorized grazing. These allotments comprise approximately 
557,201 acres.
    Morey, Hot Creek and McKinney allotments are currently vacant and 
would be closed. These allotments comprise approximately 135,801 acres.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, we have tentatively identified 
two additional alternatives that will be analyzed in the EIS.
    (1) Current Management Alternative: This alternative would be a 
continuation of the current grazing management.
    (2) No Livestock Grazing (No Action) Alternative: This alternative 
would eliminate grazing on all allotments in the project area. All 
livestock would be removed from the project area and existing permits 
would be cancelled.

Responsible Official

    Steven Williams, District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, 
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310.

Nature of Decision to be Made

    Based on the environmental analysis on the EIS, the Austin/Tonopah 
District Ranger will decide whether or not to authorize grazing on the 
allotments within the Monitor-Hot Creek Project area in accordance with 
the standards in the proposed action or as modified by additional 
mitigation measures and monitoring requirements.

Preliminary Issues

    The following are some potential issues identified through internal 
Forest Service scoping based on our experience with similar projects. 
The list is not considered all inclusive, but should be viewed as a 
starting point. We are asking you to help us further refine the issues 
and identify other issues or concerns relevant to the proposed project.
     Continued livestock grazing has to potential to affect 
soil quality within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to adversely 
affect water quality within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
fisheries habitat within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
vegetation, which may result in a decline in the long-term productivity 
of the land base.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
wildlife habitat, particularly for elk and sage grouse, within the 
project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
heritage resources within the project area.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guide 
the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest 
Service will use a mailing of information to interested parties. Public 
involvement will be ongoing throughout the analysis process and at 
certain times public input will be specifically requested. There are 
currently no scoping meetings planned.
    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.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21.

    Dated: February 5, 2010.
Steven Williams,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2010-3327 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
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