Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, 4088 [2011-1333]

Agencies

• Agricultural Research Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 15 (Monday, January 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 4088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1333]


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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 15 / Monday, January 24, 2011 / 
Notices

[[Page 4088]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Sheep Experiment 
Station (USSES), Dubois, Idaho is proposing sheep grazing and 
associated activities to achieve its research goals and objectives (to 
develop integrated methods for increasing production efficiency of 
sheep and to simultaneously improve the sustainability of rangeland 
ecosystems).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 10, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
June 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
March 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Dr. Andrew C. Hammond, 
Director, USDA, ARS, Pacific West Area, ATTN: USSES Grazing Project 
2010 Scoping. E-mail comments to: USSES@fs.fed.us (preferred). Written 
comments may be sent to: 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Wingate at USSES@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 of the proposed action is to achieve the research goals 
and objectives (to develop integrated methods for increasing production 
efficiency of sheep and simultaneously to improve the sustainability of 
rangeland ecosystems) of the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Sheep 
Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho.

Proposed Action/No New Action Alternative

    To achieve those goals and objectives, the Sheep Station is 
proposing to continue historic (approximately 92 years) sheep grazing 
and associated activities currently occurring on Agricultural Research 
Service lands, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management 
allotments, and a Department of Energy feed lot. The proposed action 
would maintain the status quo and would be considered a ``no new 
federal action'' alternative.
    In addition to grazing sheep on an annual rotation across 
Agricultural Research Service lands at the U.S. Sheep Experiment 
Station in Dubois, Idaho and nearby Forest Service and Bureau of Land 
Management allotments, the following activities would occur:
     Sheep trail and driveway use and maintenance.
     Maintenance and continuation of stock water operations.
     Camp tending--use of sheep herder camps and summer range 
camps.
     Maintenance and repair of existing permanent fence.
     Maintenance and repair of existing roads and fire breaks.
     Range improvement--prescribed burning and seeding.
     Cattle and horse grazing.
     Predator avoidance and abatement.
     Integrated pest management for noxious weeds.

Detailed information can be found in the Scoping Information document 
posted on the ARS Web site at: https://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=53-64-00-00 under ``News and Events''.

Possible Alternatives

    Four alternatives to the proposed action may be considered:
     No grazing. Under this alternative no grazing would occur; 
any sheep kept by the Station would be permanently housed at the 
Department of Energy feed lot.
     No grazing would occur on the East Summer, West Summer, 
and Humphrey Pastures as well as on the following Forest Service 
allotments: East Beaver and Meyers Creek.
     No grazing would occur on the East Summer Range as well as 
on the Forest Service Meyers Creek allotment.
     No grazing would occur on the Forest Service Snakey and 
Kelly allotments and the Bureau of Land Management Bernice allotment.

Responsible Official

    Andrew C. Hammond, Agricultural Research Service Pacific West Area 
Director.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    With respect to the operations at the Agricultural Research Service 
U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, Idaho, the responsible official 
will determine:
     Which actions, if any, will be approved, and
     What additional mitigation measures and monitoring 
requirements may be needed to protect resources.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement.
    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. The submission of timely and specific 
comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent 
judicial review.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public 
record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered. However, anonymous comments will not provide 
the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent 
administrative review or judicial review.

    Dated: November 22, 2010.
Edward B. Knipling,
Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 2011-1333 Filed 1-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P