Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon; Motorized Vehicle Use on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest; Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) To Augment, Clarify, Analyze and Disclose the Potential Environmental Effects of Establishing and Designating a System of Roads, Trails and Areas for Wheeled Motorized Vehicles, 45089-45090 [2010-18707]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 147 / Monday, August 2, 2010 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest,
Oregon; Motorized Vehicle Use on the
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest;
Intent to Prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement
(SEIS) To Augment, Clarify, Analyze
and Disclose the Potential
Environmental Effects of Establishing
and Designating a System of Roads,
Trails and Areas for Wheeled
Motorized Vehicles
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Proposed Action would
designate the location, type of vehicle
and season of use for motorized vehicles
across the entire Forest in order to meet
the intent of the Travel Management;
Designated Routes and Areas for Motor
Vehicle Use, Final Rule that was
published on November 9, 2005 (70 FR
216). Over-the-snow vehicles are
excluded from this Proposed Action. A
Forest Plan Amendment would be
required to achieve the purpose and
need, and implement the Proposed
Action.
DATES: Under 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4), there
is no formal scoping period for this
action. The Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
is expected in October 2010 and the
Final Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement is expected in March
2011.
ADDRESSES: Send electronic comments
to: comments-pacificnorthwestrogueriver-siskiyou@fs.fed.us. Send
written comments to: Pam Olson, Rogue
River-Siskiyou National Forest, 3040
Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam
Olson, Rogue River-Siskiyou National
Forest, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford,
Oregon 97504, Telephone (541) 618–
2126; FAX (541) 618–2149.
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
Background
On November 9, 2005, the Forest
Service published final travel
management regulations in the Federal
Register (FR Vol. 70, No. 216—Nov. 9,
2005, pp 68264–68291). This final
Travel Management Rule requires
designation of those roads, trails, and
areas that are open to motor vehicle use
by the public on National Forests.
Designations will be made by class of
vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of
year. The final rule prohibits the use of
motor vehicles by the public off the
designated system as well as use of
motor vehicles on routes and in areas
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:04 Jul 30, 2010
Jkt 220001
that are not designated. Persons exempt
from the final rule prohibitions would
be those with a permit specifically
authorizing access. Examples include
access to private property, a mining
claim or a communication site.
In June 2007, the Forest hosted a
series of four open houses in southwest
Oregon to provide people an
opportunity to learn more about the
Travel Analysis process, and, in
addition, Forest representatives met
with a number of individuals, groups
and neighboring land management
agencies to gather information for the
project.
The Forest completed an inventory of
existing open roads and trails.
Currently, there are approximately 4,620
road miles and approximately 1,155
trail miles. Motorized trails account for
approximately 15% (170 miles) of the
total trail miles.
Under the Proposed Action, roads,
trails and areas that are currently part of
the Forest transportation system and are
open to wheeled motorized vehicle
travel would remain designated for such
use except as described below. The
Proposed Action is being carried
forward in accordance with the Travel
Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212).
The Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for Motorized Vehicle
Use on the Rogue River-Siskiyou
National Forest was released in March
2009, with the comment period ending
May 11, 2009. In December 2009, the
Final Environmental Impact Statement
was released, and the Record of
Decision was signed on December 3,
2009. Appeals were received, and there
were issues that were determined to
require clarification and
supplementation of the previous
analysis. The Record of Decision was
withdrawn in April 2010 so that those
issues could be addressed within a
supplemental document.
Following a decision on the FSEIS,
the Forest will publish a Motor Vehicle
Use Map (MVUM) identifying all Forest
roads, trails and areas that are
designated open for motor vehicle use
by the public. The MVUM shall specify
the classes of vehicles and, if
appropriate, the times of year for which
use is authorized. It will be updated and
published annually (or more frequently
if needed) when changes to the Forest’s
transportation system are made. Future
decisions associated with changes to the
MVUM may trigger the need for
documentation of additional
environmental analysis.
Purpose and Need
The purpose for action is to enact the
Travel Management Rule, which will
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Fmt 4703
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45089
designate roads for motorized use.
Increased demand for motorized use,
lack of designated areas/routes, and the
inconsistent direction contained in the
Forest Plans have led to the need to
reduce resource damage and social
impacts, user conflicts, and address
safety concerns.
Proposed Action
Based on the stated purpose and need
for action and as a result of the recent
Travel Analysis process, the Forest
proposes to:
• Prohibit motorized public access on
approximately 60–65 miles of roads
currently open in order to minimize or
reduce resource damage;
• Formally designate approximately
3,390 miles of road where mixed use
would be allowed. Mixed use is defined
as designation of a National Forest
System (NFS) road for use by both
highway-legal and non-highway-legal
motor vehicles;
• Construct two motorized trails to
provide loop route opportunities
(approximately 2 miles);
• Convert approximately 20–25 miles
of NFS roads to motorized trails;
• Designate two areas where off-road
motorized use is allowed. This includes
continued use of the Woodruff area near
Prospect and the development of an
additional area near Willow Lake. Both
areas are located on the High Cascades
Ranger District; and
• Enact Forest Plan amendments to
make both plans consistent with the
Travel Management Rule. The Rogue
River-Siskiyou National Forest is guided
by two separate Forest Plans.
Maps illustrating the Proposed Action
can found at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/
rogue-siskiyou/projects/travel/.
In addition, maps will be available for
viewing at:
Forest Supervisor’s Office, 3040 Biddle
Road, Medford, OR 97504.
Gold Beach Ranger District, 29279
Ellensburg Ave. Gold Beach, OR
97444 or 539 Chetco Ave, Brookings,
OR 97415.
High Cascades Ranger District, 47201
Highway 62, Prospect, OR 97536 or
730 Laurel St., Butte Falls, OR 97522.
Powers Ranger District, 42861 Highway
242, Powers, OR 97466.
Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District,
6941 Upper Applegate Road,
Jacksonville, OR 97530 or 645
Washington Street, Ashland, Oregon
97520.
Wild Rivers Ranger District, 2164 N.E.
Spalding Avenue, Grants Pass, OR
97526 or 26568 Redwood Hwy., Cave
Junction, OR 97523.
E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM
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45090
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 147 / Monday, August 2, 2010 / Notices
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor, Scott D.
Conroy, is the Responsible Official for
making the decision and providing
direction for the analysis under the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA).
Decision Framework
The Forest Service will use the results
of supplemental analysis to determine if
the analysis is sufficient to answer and
clarify the issues raised during appeal.
Early Notice of Importance of Public
Participation in Environmental Review
A Draft SEIS will be prepared for
comment. Comments received on the
Draft SEIS will be considered in the
preparation of the Final SEIS. The Draft
SEIS is now expected to be filed with
the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and to be available for public
review in October 2010. The comment
period on the Draft SEIS will be 45-days
from the date EPA publishes the Notice
of Availability in the Federal Register.
At the end of the comment period on
the Draft SEIS, comments will be
analyzed and considered by the Forest
Service in preparing the Final SEIS. The
Final SEIS is scheduled to be completed
by March 2011.
Dated: July 21, 2010.
Scott D. Conroy,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010–18707 Filed 7–30–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lawrence County Resource Advisory
Committee
The Lawrence County
Recource Advisory will meet in
Spearfish, South Dakota. The committee
is meeting as authorized under the
Secure Rural Schools and Community
Self-Determination Act (Pub. L 110–343)
and in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The
committee has received three formal
project proposals. The purpose of the
meeting is to solicit additional
information from project proponents
and vote on project proposals.
DATES: The meeting will be held August
16, 2010 at 5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Northern Hills Ranger District Office
at 2014 N. Main. Written comments
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VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:04 Jul 30, 2010
Jkt 220001
Dated: July 27, 2010.
Craig Bobzien,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010–18859 Filed 7–30–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
should be sent to Rhonda O’Byrne, 2014
N. Main, Spearfish, SD 57783.
Comments may also be sent via e-mail
to rlobyrne@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to
605–642–4156.
All comments, including names and
addresses when provided, are placed in
the record and are available for public
inspection and copying. The public may
inspect comments received at the
Northern Hills Ranger District office.
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead at
605–642–4622 to facilitate entry into the
building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rhonda O’Byrne, District Ranger,
Northern Hills Ranger District, 605–
642–4622.
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
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
meeting is open to the public. The
following business will be conducted:
gather additional information from
project proponents to gain a complete
understanding of proposed projects.
Once committee members have enough
information, they will vote on project
proposals submitted to the committee
for Title II. Persons who wish to bring
related matters to the attention of the
committee may file written statements
with the committee staff before or after
the meeting. Public input sessions will
be provided and individuals who made
written requests by Friday, August 13,
2010, will have the opportunity to
address the committee at those sessions.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
El Dorado County Resource Advisory
Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The El Dorado County
Resource Advisory Committee will meet
in Placerville, California. The committee
is meeting as authorized under the
Secure Rural Schools and Community
Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110–
343) and in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The agenda
for the meeting includes: Discussions
and possible decisions on an El Dorado
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
County RAC mission statement; possible
criteria for project proposals (leveraging
funds, monetary limit and NEPA
completion, etc.); project solicitation
and review timelines; information to
include in the media release; continuing
education about the Secure Rural
Schools and Community Self
Determination Act; and how public
comment will be incorporated into the
meetings. The Forest Service will
discuss future opportunities for
education about the national forest
including field trips.
The meeting will be held on
August 16, 2010 at 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
DATES:
The meeting will be held at
the El Dorado Center of Folsom Lake
College, Community Room, 6699
Campus Drive, Placerville, CA 95667 .
Written comments should be sent to
Frank Mosbacher; Forest Supervisor’s
Office; 100 Forni Road; Placerville, CA
95667. Comments may also be sent via
e-mail to fmosbacher@fs.fed.us, or via
facsimile to 530–621–5297.
All comments, including names and
addresses when provided, are placed in
the record and are available for public
inspection and copying. The public may
inspect comments received at 100 Forni
Road; Placerville, CA 95667. Visitors are
encouraged to call ahead to 530–622–
5061 to facilitate entry into the building.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frank Mosbacher, Public Affairs Officer,
Eldorado National Forest Supervisors
Office, (530) 621–5268.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern Standard Time, Monday
through Friday.
The
meeting is open to the public. The
following business will be conducted:
Elect a chair and vice chair, discuss
RAC norms and operating guidelines,
learn about successful RACs, discuss
criteria for project proposals and
establish methods for soliciting
proposals. More information will be
posted on the Eldorado National Forest
Web site
https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado. A
public comment opportunity will be
made available following the business
activity. Future meetings will have a
formal public imput period for those
following the yet to be developed public
input process.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 147 (Monday, August 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45089-45090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18707]
[[Page 45089]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon; Motorized Vehicle
Use on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest; Intent to Prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) To Augment, Clarify,
Analyze and Disclose the Potential Environmental Effects of
Establishing and Designating a System of Roads, Trails and Areas for
Wheeled Motorized Vehicles
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Proposed Action would designate the location, type of
vehicle and season of use for motorized vehicles across the entire
Forest in order to meet the intent of the Travel Management; Designated
Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use, Final Rule that was published
on November 9, 2005 (70 FR 216). Over-the-snow vehicles are excluded
from this Proposed Action. A Forest Plan Amendment would be required to
achieve the purpose and need, and implement the Proposed Action.
DATES: Under 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4), there is no formal scoping period for
this action. The Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
(SEIS) is expected in October 2010 and the Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement is expected in March 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send electronic comments to: comments-pacificnorthwest-rogueriver-siskiyou@fs.fed.us. Send written comments to: Pam Olson,
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR
97504.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Olson, Rogue River-Siskiyou
National Forest, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, Oregon 97504, Telephone
(541) 618-2126; FAX (541) 618-2149.
Background
On November 9, 2005, the Forest Service published final travel
management regulations in the Federal Register (FR Vol. 70, No. 216--
Nov. 9, 2005, pp 68264-68291). This final Travel Management Rule
requires designation of those roads, trails, and areas that are open to
motor vehicle use by the public on National Forests. Designations will
be made by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The
final rule prohibits the use of motor vehicles by the public off the
designated system as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in
areas that are not designated. Persons exempt from the final rule
prohibitions would be those with a permit specifically authorizing
access. Examples include access to private property, a mining claim or
a communication site.
In June 2007, the Forest hosted a series of four open houses in
southwest Oregon to provide people an opportunity to learn more about
the Travel Analysis process, and, in addition, Forest representatives
met with a number of individuals, groups and neighboring land
management agencies to gather information for the project.
The Forest completed an inventory of existing open roads and
trails. Currently, there are approximately 4,620 road miles and
approximately 1,155 trail miles. Motorized trails account for
approximately 15% (170 miles) of the total trail miles.
Under the Proposed Action, roads, trails and areas that are
currently part of the Forest transportation system and are open to
wheeled motorized vehicle travel would remain designated for such use
except as described below. The Proposed Action is being carried forward
in accordance with the Travel Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212). The
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Motorized Vehicle Use
on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest was released in March 2009,
with the comment period ending May 11, 2009. In December 2009, the
Final Environmental Impact Statement was released, and the Record of
Decision was signed on December 3, 2009. Appeals were received, and
there were issues that were determined to require clarification and
supplementation of the previous analysis. The Record of Decision was
withdrawn in April 2010 so that those issues could be addressed within
a supplemental document.
Following a decision on the FSEIS, the Forest will publish a Motor
Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) identifying all Forest roads, trails and areas
that are designated open for motor vehicle use by the public. The MVUM
shall specify the classes of vehicles and, if appropriate, the times of
year for which use is authorized. It will be updated and published
annually (or more frequently if needed) when changes to the Forest's
transportation system are made. Future decisions associated with
changes to the MVUM may trigger the need for documentation of
additional environmental analysis.
Purpose and Need
The purpose for action is to enact the Travel Management Rule,
which will designate roads for motorized use. Increased demand for
motorized use, lack of designated areas/routes, and the inconsistent
direction contained in the Forest Plans have led to the need to reduce
resource damage and social impacts, user conflicts, and address safety
concerns.
Proposed Action
Based on the stated purpose and need for action and as a result of
the recent Travel Analysis process, the Forest proposes to:
Prohibit motorized public access on approximately 60-65
miles of roads currently open in order to minimize or reduce resource
damage;
Formally designate approximately 3,390 miles of road where
mixed use would be allowed. Mixed use is defined as designation of a
National Forest System (NFS) road for use by both highway-legal and
non-highway-legal motor vehicles;
Construct two motorized trails to provide loop route
opportunities (approximately 2 miles);
Convert approximately 20-25 miles of NFS roads to
motorized trails;
Designate two areas where off-road motorized use is
allowed. This includes continued use of the Woodruff area near Prospect
and the development of an additional area near Willow Lake. Both areas
are located on the High Cascades Ranger District; and
Enact Forest Plan amendments to make both plans consistent
with the Travel Management Rule. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National
Forest is guided by two separate Forest Plans.
Maps illustrating the Proposed Action can found at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou/projects/travel/.
In addition, maps will be available for viewing at:
Forest Supervisor's Office, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504.
Gold Beach Ranger District, 29279 Ellensburg Ave. Gold Beach, OR 97444
or 539 Chetco Ave, Brookings, OR 97415.
High Cascades Ranger District, 47201 Highway 62, Prospect, OR 97536 or
730 Laurel St., Butte Falls, OR 97522.
Powers Ranger District, 42861 Highway 242, Powers, OR 97466.
Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, 6941 Upper Applegate Road,
Jacksonville, OR 97530 or 645 Washington Street, Ashland, Oregon 97520.
Wild Rivers Ranger District, 2164 N.E. Spalding Avenue, Grants Pass, OR
97526 or 26568 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523.
[[Page 45090]]
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor, Scott D. Conroy, is the Responsible Official
for making the decision and providing direction for the analysis under
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Decision Framework
The Forest Service will use the results of supplemental analysis to
determine if the analysis is sufficient to answer and clarify the
issues raised during appeal.
Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Environmental
Review
A Draft SEIS will be prepared for comment. Comments received on the
Draft SEIS will be considered in the preparation of the Final SEIS. The
Draft SEIS is now expected to be filed with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public review in
October 2010. The comment period on the Draft SEIS will be 45-days from
the date EPA publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal
Register. At the end of the comment period on the Draft SEIS, comments
will be analyzed and considered by the Forest Service in preparing the
Final SEIS. The Final SEIS is scheduled to be completed by March 2011.
Dated: July 21, 2010.
Scott D. Conroy,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-18707 Filed 7-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
