Sequoia National Forest; California; Piute Mountains Travel Management Plan, 9537-9540 [2011-3698]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 34 / Friday, February 18, 2011 / Notices
to be reliable and consistent with
national inventory efforts;
4.4 A quantification where possible
of uncertainties in estimation at the
entity scale; and
4.5 A user-friendly tool that
integrates multiple sources of entityscale data to facilitate farm-, ranch-, and
forest-scale quantification of greenhouse
gas emissions and sequestration in a
manner consistent with the methods
and technical guidelines.
Timeline. The project is planned for
completion over the next three years.
Implementation of the project will
include development of the draft
guidelines and methods, technical and
peer review, development of estimation
and reporting tools and associated
documentation, beta testing, solicitation
of public comment, and publication of
the final guidelines document as well as
the estimation and reporting tools.
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should contact the USDA’s Target
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TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
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Joseph Glauber,
Chief Economist.
[FR Doc. 2011–3731 Filed 2–17–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–38–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2010–0125]
Secretary’s Advisory Committee on
Animal Health; Meetings
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
AGENCY:
This is a notice to inform the
public of three upcoming meetings of
the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on
Animal Health. The meetings are being
organized by the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service to discuss
matters of animal health, including the
pending proposed rule implementing
USDA’s traceability framework and
establishing an aquaculture
subcommittee.
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SUMMARY:
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The meetings will be held March
4, 2011, May 13, 2011, and July 15, 2011
from noon to 5 p.m. (eastern time) each
day.
ADDRESSES: Each meeting will be
conducted as a teleconference.
Opportunities for public participation
are described in the Supplementary
Information section of this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Michael R. Doerrer, Chief Operating
Officer, Veterinary Services, APHIS,
USDA, 4700 River Road, Unit 37,
Riverdale, MD 20737; e-mail:
SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Secretary’s Advisory Committee on
Animal Health (the Committee) advises
the Secretary of Agriculture on means to
prevent, conduct surveillance on,
monitor, control, or eradicate animal
diseases of national importance. In
doing so, the Committee will consider
public health, conservation of natural
resources, and the stability of livestock
economies. Among the key animal
health issues the Committee will help
the Secretary evaluate will be animal
disease traceability.
Animal disease traceability will be the
primary discussion topic at the meeting
on March 4, 2011. APHIS has spent
much of the past year developing a
framework for animal disease
traceability in the United States.
Through the framework, APHIS will
implement a flexible yet coordinated
approach to animal disease traceability
that embraces the strengths and
expertise of States, Tribes, and
producers and empowers them to find
and use the traceability approaches that
work best for them.
APHIS has conducted extensive
outreach on the traceability framework
and continues to seek input by using the
Committee. We are developing the
proposed rule and the traceability
performance standards collaboratively
and transparently. This helps us ensure
that practical animal disease traceability
options evolve.
Additional details regarding each
meeting, including the preliminary and
final agendas, will be posted on the
Committee’s Web site at https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/
acah/ in advance of each meeting.
Copies of agendas may also be obtained
from the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at the
beginning of this notice.
DATES:
Public Participation
All meetings will be open to the
public, although public participants will
be joined to the call in ‘‘observation’’ or
‘‘listen only’’ mode. Members of the
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9537
public who wish to participate in a
teleconference must notify the
Committee by sending an e-mail
through an access portal on the
Committee’s Web site or by e-mailing
the Committee directly at
SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov.
In your e-mail, please provide your
name and organizational affiliation (if
any) and identify the meeting(s) you
wish to join. The Committee will reply
with a telephone number and
participant pass code that will allow
you to join the meeting.
Questions and written statements for
the first meeting on March 4, 2011, may
be submitted by or before March 1,
2011, for the Committee’s consideration.
For the meetings to be held in May and
July, questions and written statements
may be submitted up to 5 days before
those meetings. Questions and written
statements may be sent via e-mail to
SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov or
mailed to the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at the
beginning of this notice. Statements may
also be filed with the Committee after
the meeting by sending them to
SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov.
This notice of meeting is given
pursuant to section 10 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.
2).
Done in Washington, DC this 15th day of
February 2011.
Gregory Parham,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–3728 Filed 2–17–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Sequoia National Forest; California;
Piute Mountains Travel Management
Plan
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Sequoia National Forest
proposes to develop a travel
management plan for the Piute
Mountains, located in northeast Kern
County, California. The Piute
Mountains, with a mixed conifer and
pine forest, are included in the eastside
Sierra Nevada ecosystem. The project
area for this analysis includes 77,679
acres of National Forest System land in
the Piute Mountains part of the Sequoia
National Forest. There are an additional
7,170 acres of private land within the
Piute Mountains. The Piute fire burned
SUMMARY:
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approximately 37,000 acres within the
Piute Mountains in 2008.
The Sequoia National Forest intends
to prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to evaluate the possible
effects associated with the proposed
action which will add approximately
125 miles of existing roads and trails to
the National Forest Transportation
System (NFTS), and close
approximately 5 miles of NFTS roads
and trails, 4.5 miles of which are
currently open only to motorcycle, and
close 0.5 mile of roads open to all
vehicles (Table 1). The proposed action
includes an amendment to the Sequoia
National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan that would change
approximately 7,175 acres of semiprimitive non-motorized (SPNM)
recreation land to semi-primitive
motorized.
DATES: Comments concerning the
proposed action must be received by
March 21, 2011. The Forest Service
expects to release the draft
environmental impact statement in mid
October 2011, and the final
environmental impact statement by the
end of December 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to:
Warren Niemi, Environmental
Coordinator, Sequoia National Forest,
1839 South Newcomb Street,
Porterville, California 93257. Mr.
Niemi’s phone number is 559–784–
1500, extension 1137. Comments may
also be sent via e-mail to commentspacificsouthwest-sequoia@fs.fed.us or
via facsimile to (559) 781–4744.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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:
Background
As a result of the Piute fire, the Piute
Mountains were removed from the
travel management analysis included in
the Sequoia National Forest Motorized
Travel Management Environmental
Impact Statement released in October
2009. The Piute fire burned part of the
project area being evaluated in the
environmental impact statement
between June 28 and July 25, 2008.
Approximately 37,000 acres were
burned. A majority of the non-system
trails not included in the NFTS, within
the fire burn area were proposed for
addition to the NFTS as part of the
Sequoia National Forest Motorized
Travel Management EIS. A series of
heavy rain events occurred in the area
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following the Piute Fire, causing
excessive runoff and flash flooding.
Early evaluations indicated that erosion
was intense in much of the burned area.
After review and consultation with the
travel management interdisciplinary
team, the Forest Supervisor decided to
remove the Piute Mountains area from
the Motorized Travel Management
Proposed Action and other alternatives
being evaluated. Only the prohibition of
cross-country travel was considered in
the Piute Mountains by the Motorized
Travel Management EIS.
The use of motor vehicles in the Kern
River Ranger District of the Sequoia
National Forest has increased in recent
years. Increased recreational vehicle use
has led to the development of nonsystem off highway vehicle (OHV) trails,
and has increased the potential for
disagreements arising between
motorized and non-motorized users of
the Sequoia National Forest, in addition
to complaints from private and Tribal
property owners regarding trespassing,
noise, stock, and fences. OHV use can
also result in areas of degraded soil,
water, and vegetation.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose behind the Piute
Mountains travel management project is
to evaluate motor vehicle recreation
opportunities in the Piute Mountains,
while maintaining the natural and
cultural resources present in those parts
of the Piute Mountains managed by the
Forest Service. The following needs for
the Piute Mountains travel management
plan have been identified by the
project’s interdisciplinary team:
1. The Sequoia National Forest has a
need to provide greater diversity of
motorized recreational opportunity for a
variety of vehicles used by forest
visitors. There is a need to provide
motor vehicle access to dispersed
recreation sites used for camping,
hunting, sightseeing, horseback riding,
hiking, rock climbing, rock hounding,
and vegetation and firewood collecting.
Forest Service policy calls for providing
forest users with diverse road and trail
opportunities for experiencing a variety
of environments and modes of travel
consistent with the national forest
recreation role and land capability as
stated in Forest Service Manual
2353.03(2).
2. Provide diverse opportunities for
vehicles capable of off highway travel.
3. Evaluate the Piute Fire burn area
regarding roads and trails, and natural
and cultural resources.
4. Evaluate the forest transportation
system needs of forest users, private and
Tribal property owners, and special use
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permit holders within the Piute
Mountains.
5. Establish consistency with the
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS)
semi-primitive non-motorized setting
located within the Piute Mountains as
established in the Sequoia National
Forest Land and Resource Management
Plan (LRMP) and its amendments. There
are currently five NFTS motorcycle
trails, totaling approximately13 miles,
located within the project area semiprimitive non-motorized area. The
Sequoia National Forest LRMP states
that no OHV roads and trails will be
designated within established semiprimitive non-motorized areas.
6. Determine if the Long Canyon/Dry
Meadows Trail No. 34E31 should
continue to be managed for motor
vehicle use. Trail No. 34E31 provides a
north south trail in the northern Piute
Mountains as obligated by the July 1990
Mediated Settlement Agreement to the
Sequoia National Forest LRMP (pages
99–101). Trail No. 34E31 extends
northward from Dry Meadows to the
Forest boundary. Motorized use on Trail
No. 34E31 was allowed to continue
until a determination is made regarding
its future. Trail No. 34E31 is currently
located within a semi-primitive nonmotorized area. The Mediated
Settlement Agreement states that if a
trail can accommodate OHV use, the
boundary of the semi-primitive nonmotorized area shall be adjusted (page
100). The Mediated Settlement
Agreement also states that an
environmental analysis shall be
completed to evaluate forest resources,
with emphasis on soils, wildlife and the
Long Canyon Research Natural Area
(page 100).
7. There is a need to evaluate the
compatibility of motor vehicle use on
the Bright Star Trail No. 34E34 with
existing conditions, including trespass
and sound, in the vicinity of the Liebel
property.
The Sequoia National Forest will
consider the following criteria presented
in Subpart B of the Forest Service Travel
Management Rule of 2005 during the
environmental analysis regarding
proposed changes to the forest
transportation system. These
considerations include:
• Possible impacts to natural and
cultural resources;
• Public safety;
• Access to public and private lands;
• Availability of resources to
maintain and administer roads, trails
and use areas if actions proposed are
undertaken;
• Minimizing damage to soil,
watersheds, vegetation and other forest
resources;
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• Minimize disturbance of wildlife
and disruption of wildlife habitat;
• Minimize the potential for
disagreement between the various users
of forest lands;
• Recognize the possible
consequences of conflicting forest uses;
and
• Compatibility of motorized and
non-motorized uses of forest lands.
The Sequoia National Forest will also
consider the speed, volume,
composition and distribution of forest
road traffic, the compatibility of vehicle
class and forest road design features,
and the maintenance of existing rightsof-way, during the environmental
analysis.
Proposed Action
The Sequoia National Forest proposes
the following changes to the current
forest transportation system. The
proposed action is based upon the
purpose and need for the project, and
the results of an evaluation of motor
vehicle use within the Piute Mountains.
Public input gathered in a series of five
meetings held in Kernville was used to
develop the proposed action which
would:
1. Add approximately 121 miles of
existing non-system routes to the
National Forest Transportation System
(NFTS) as trails open to motorcycles
only;
2. Add approximately 3 miles of
existing non-system routes to the NFTS
as trails open to all public vehicles;
3. Add approximately 0.1 miles of
existing non-system route to the NFTS
as road open to all public vehicles.
4. Change the status of approximately
3 miles of closed NFTS road to NFTS
trail open to all public vehicles.
5. Change the status of approximately
1 mile of closed NFTS road to NFTS
trail open to motorcycles only.
6. Change approximately 10 miles
NFTS roads closed to public vehicles to
NFTS roads open to all public vehicles.
7. Change approximately 0.5 miles
NFTS road open to all to NFTS road
closed to all public vehicles.
8. Change approximately 0.7 miles
NFTS road open to all to NFTS road
open to highway legal vehicles only.
9. Change approximately 0.4 miles of
NFTS road open to highway legal
vehicles only to NFTS road open to all
public vehicles.
10. Change approximately 2.1 miles of
NFTS trail open to motorcycles only to
NFTS trail open to all public vehicles.
11. Change approximately 4.5 miles
NFTS trail open to motorcycles only to
NFTS trail closed to all public vehicles.
12. Add non-system route U00125,
approximately 0.5 miles in length, and
located in the Greenhorn Mountains, as
a NFTS road.
13. Establish consistency with ROS
settings and between the use of the Long
Canyon/Dry Meadow Trail 34E31 and
the 1990 Mediated Settlement
Agreement by changing the ROS
classification on 7,175 acres of semiprimitive non-motorized land west of
trail No. 34E31 to semi-primitive
motorized. This would allow the
continued motor vehicle use of NFTS
trails 34E31, 34E41, and 34E52, and
non-system trail U0013. This proposed
action would require an amendment to
the Sequoia National Forest Land and
Resource Management Plan.
TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF MILEAGE IN CURRENT INVENTORY AND THE PROPOSED ACTION
Proposed action current
inventory
Existing Non-System
Route ........................
Closed Road ................
Road Open to All .........
Road Open to Highway
Legal Vehicles Only
Trail Open to Motorcycles Only ...............
Road open to
all
Road open to
highway legal
vehicles only
Trail open to
all
Trail open to
motorcycles
only
Closed trail
........................
7.9
0.5
0.1
10.0
48.8
........................
........................
0.7
3.4
2.8
........................
121.4
1.0
........................
........................
........................
........................
124.9
21.7
50.0
........................
0.4
4.5
........................
........................
........................
4.9
........................
........................
........................
2.1
66.7
4.5
73.3
8.4
59.8
5.2
8.3
189.1
4.5
275.3
Closed road
Total Miles ............
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Maps showing the existing and
proposed forest transportation system in
the Piute Mountains can be found at the
Piute Mountains Travel Management
Plan Web site https://fs.fed.us/r5/
sequoia/projects/piutes-tm/.
The project maps are also available for
viewing at: Forest Supervisor’s Office,
1839 South Newcomb, Porterville,
California, and Kern River Ranger
District, 105 Whitney Road, Kernville,
California.
Possible Alternatives
Other alternatives will be developed
based on significant issues identified
during the scoping process for the
environmental impact statement.
Alternatives evaluated will need to
respond to the specific condition of
providing benefits equal to or better
than the current condition. Alternatives
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being considered at this time include:
(1) No Action, and (2) the Proposed
Action.
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor of the Sequoia
National Forest, 1839 South Newcomb
Street, Porterville, CA 93257, is the
responsible official. A Record of
Decision will be prepared by the
responsible official documenting the
decision and reasons for the decision.
That decision will be subject to Forest
Service appeal regulations (36 CFR part
215).
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official will decide
whether to adopt and implement the
proposed action, an alternative to the
proposed action, or take no action
regarding the existing Piute Mountains
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Total miles
forest transportation system. The
Responsible Official will also decide
whether to amend the Sequoia National
Forest LRMP. The Sequoia National
Forest will publish a Motor Vehicle Use
Map identifying the roads, trails and
areas that are designated for motor
vehicle use. The Motor Vehicle Use Map
will identify the classes of vehicles and,
if appropriate, the times of year for
which use is designated.
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 manner that they are useful to the
U.S. Forest Service in preparation of the
environmental impact statement.
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Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s issues 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 also be accepted and
considered.
Dated: February 11, 2011.
Tina J. Terrell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011–3698 Filed 2–17–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel Resource Advisory
Committee
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BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
The Pike & San Isabel
Resource Advisory Committee will meet
in Pueblo, Colorado. The committee is
meeting as authorized under the Secure
Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 110–343)
and in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
of the meeting is to vote on and
recommend projects for funding.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
March 15, 2011, and will begin at 9 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The conference call will be
held at the Supervisor’s Office of the
Pike & San Isabel National Forests,
Cimarron and Comanche National
Grasslands (PSICC) at 2840 Kachina Dr.,
Pueblo, Colorado. Written comments
should be sent to Barbara Timock,
PSICC, 2840 Kachina Dr., Pueblo, CO
81008. Comments may also be sent via
e-mail to btimock@fs.fed.us, or via
facsimile to (719) 553–1416.
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 PSICC,
2840 Kachina Dr., Pueblo, CO 81008.
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to
(719) 553–1415 to facilitate entry into
the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Timock, RAC coordinator,
USDA, Pike & San Isabel National
Forests, 2840 Kachina Dr., Pueblo, CO
81008; (719) 553–1415; E-mail
btimock@fs.fed.us.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
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Dated: February 11, 2011.
John F. Peterson,
Designated Federal Official.
[FR Doc. 2011–3659 Filed 2–17–11; 8:45 am]
Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
(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
March 15 meeting is open to the public.
The following business will be
conducted: (1) Finalize project approval
process, (2) Review, discuss and vote on
proposed projects, (3) Recommend
projects to the Designated Federal
Official, (4) Receive public comment.
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 March 10, 2011 will
have the opportunity to address the
Committee at those sessions.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ahead to 208–737–3200 to facilitate
entry into the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie
Thomas, Designated Federal Official,
Sawtooth National Forest, 208–737–
3200.
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:
This Resource Advisory Committee
meeting will specifically deal with
project purview and funding of projects.
The agenda for the meeting can be
found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
sawtooth. 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 February 24, 2011
will have the opportunity to address the
Committee at those sessions.
Forest Service
South Central Idaho Resource
Advisory Committee; Meeting
Dated: February 14, 2011.
Julie A. Thomas,
Federal Designated Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011–3697 Filed 2–17–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
The South Central Idaho
Resource Advisory Committee will meet
in Jerome, Idaho. The committee is
meeting as authorized under the Secure
Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 110–343)
and in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
of the meeting is to preview projects and
award funding for project completion.
DATES: The meeting will be held March
2, 2011, 9 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Idaho Department of Fish and Game,
319 S 417 E, Jerome, Idaho 83338.
Written comments should be sent to the
Sawtooth National Forest, Attn: Julie
Thomas, 2647 Kimberly Road East,
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. Comments
may also be sent via e-mail to
jathomas@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to
208–737–3236.
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
Sawtooth National Forest, 2647
Kimberly Road East, Twin Falls, Idaho
83301. Visitors are encouraged to call
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SUMMARY:
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Forest Service
Humboldt County Resource Advisory
Committee (RAC)
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Humboldt County
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
will meet in Eureka, California. The
committee meeting is authorized under
the Secure Rural Schools and
Community Self-Determination Act
(Pub. L. 110–343) and in compliance
with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act.
SUMMARY:
The meeting will be held March
8, 2011, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Six Rivers National Forest Office,
1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adam Dellinger, Committee
Coordinator, at (707) 441–3569; e-mail
adellinger@fs.fed.us.
DATES:
The
meeting is open to the public. The
agenda includes a public comment
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9537-9540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3698]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Sequoia National Forest; California; Piute Mountains Travel
Management Plan
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Sequoia National Forest proposes to develop a travel
management plan for the Piute Mountains, located in northeast Kern
County, California. The Piute Mountains, with a mixed conifer and pine
forest, are included in the eastside Sierra Nevada ecosystem. The
project area for this analysis includes 77,679 acres of National Forest
System land in the Piute Mountains part of the Sequoia National Forest.
There are an additional 7,170 acres of private land within the Piute
Mountains. The Piute fire burned
[[Page 9538]]
approximately 37,000 acres within the Piute Mountains in 2008.
The Sequoia National Forest intends to prepare an environmental
impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the possible effects associated with
the proposed action which will add approximately 125 miles of existing
roads and trails to the National Forest Transportation System (NFTS),
and close approximately 5 miles of NFTS roads and trails, 4.5 miles of
which are currently open only to motorcycle, and close 0.5 mile of
roads open to all vehicles (Table 1). The proposed action includes an
amendment to the Sequoia National Forest Land and Resource Management
Plan that would change approximately 7,175 acres of semi-primitive non-
motorized (SPNM) recreation land to semi-primitive motorized.
DATES: Comments concerning the proposed action must be received by
March 21, 2011. The Forest Service expects to release the draft
environmental impact statement in mid October 2011, and the final
environmental impact statement by the end of December 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Warren Niemi, Environmental
Coordinator, Sequoia National Forest, 1839 South Newcomb Street,
Porterville, California 93257. Mr. Niemi's phone number is 559-784-
1500, extension 1137. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to comments-pacificsouthwest-sequoia@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to (559) 781-4744.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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:
Background
As a result of the Piute fire, the Piute Mountains were removed
from the travel management analysis included in the Sequoia National
Forest Motorized Travel Management Environmental Impact Statement
released in October 2009. The Piute fire burned part of the project
area being evaluated in the environmental impact statement between June
28 and July 25, 2008. Approximately 37,000 acres were burned. A
majority of the non-system trails not included in the NFTS, within the
fire burn area were proposed for addition to the NFTS as part of the
Sequoia National Forest Motorized Travel Management EIS. A series of
heavy rain events occurred in the area following the Piute Fire,
causing excessive runoff and flash flooding. Early evaluations
indicated that erosion was intense in much of the burned area. After
review and consultation with the travel management interdisciplinary
team, the Forest Supervisor decided to remove the Piute Mountains area
from the Motorized Travel Management Proposed Action and other
alternatives being evaluated. Only the prohibition of cross-country
travel was considered in the Piute Mountains by the Motorized Travel
Management EIS.
The use of motor vehicles in the Kern River Ranger District of the
Sequoia National Forest has increased in recent years. Increased
recreational vehicle use has led to the development of non-system off
highway vehicle (OHV) trails, and has increased the potential for
disagreements arising between motorized and non-motorized users of the
Sequoia National Forest, in addition to complaints from private and
Tribal property owners regarding trespassing, noise, stock, and fences.
OHV use can also result in areas of degraded soil, water, and
vegetation.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose behind the Piute Mountains travel management project is
to evaluate motor vehicle recreation opportunities in the Piute
Mountains, while maintaining the natural and cultural resources present
in those parts of the Piute Mountains managed by the Forest Service.
The following needs for the Piute Mountains travel management plan have
been identified by the project's interdisciplinary team:
1. The Sequoia National Forest has a need to provide greater
diversity of motorized recreational opportunity for a variety of
vehicles used by forest visitors. There is a need to provide motor
vehicle access to dispersed recreation sites used for camping, hunting,
sightseeing, horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, rock hounding,
and vegetation and firewood collecting. Forest Service policy calls for
providing forest users with diverse road and trail opportunities for
experiencing a variety of environments and modes of travel consistent
with the national forest recreation role and land capability as stated
in Forest Service Manual 2353.03(2).
2. Provide diverse opportunities for vehicles capable of off
highway travel.
3. Evaluate the Piute Fire burn area regarding roads and trails,
and natural and cultural resources.
4. Evaluate the forest transportation system needs of forest users,
private and Tribal property owners, and special use permit holders
within the Piute Mountains.
5. Establish consistency with the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum
(ROS) semi-primitive non-motorized setting located within the Piute
Mountains as established in the Sequoia National Forest Land and
Resource Management Plan (LRMP) and its amendments. There are currently
five NFTS motorcycle trails, totaling approximately13 miles, located
within the project area semi-primitive non-motorized area. The Sequoia
National Forest LRMP states that no OHV roads and trails will be
designated within established semi-primitive non-motorized areas.
6. Determine if the Long Canyon/Dry Meadows Trail No. 34E31 should
continue to be managed for motor vehicle use. Trail No. 34E31 provides
a north south trail in the northern Piute Mountains as obligated by the
July 1990 Mediated Settlement Agreement to the Sequoia National Forest
LRMP (pages 99-101). Trail No. 34E31 extends northward from Dry Meadows
to the Forest boundary. Motorized use on Trail No. 34E31 was allowed to
continue until a determination is made regarding its future. Trail No.
34E31 is currently located within a semi-primitive non-motorized area.
The Mediated Settlement Agreement states that if a trail can
accommodate OHV use, the boundary of the semi-primitive non-motorized
area shall be adjusted (page 100). The Mediated Settlement Agreement
also states that an environmental analysis shall be completed to
evaluate forest resources, with emphasis on soils, wildlife and the
Long Canyon Research Natural Area (page 100).
7. There is a need to evaluate the compatibility of motor vehicle
use on the Bright Star Trail No. 34E34 with existing conditions,
including trespass and sound, in the vicinity of the Liebel property.
The Sequoia National Forest will consider the following criteria
presented in Subpart B of the Forest Service Travel Management Rule of
2005 during the environmental analysis regarding proposed changes to
the forest transportation system. These considerations include:
Possible impacts to natural and cultural resources;
Public safety;
Access to public and private lands;
Availability of resources to maintain and administer
roads, trails and use areas if actions proposed are undertaken;
Minimizing damage to soil, watersheds, vegetation and
other forest resources;
[[Page 9539]]
Minimize disturbance of wildlife and disruption of
wildlife habitat;
Minimize the potential for disagreement between the
various users of forest lands;
Recognize the possible consequences of conflicting forest
uses; and
Compatibility of motorized and non-motorized uses of
forest lands.
The Sequoia National Forest will also consider the speed, volume,
composition and distribution of forest road traffic, the compatibility
of vehicle class and forest road design features, and the maintenance
of existing rights-of-way, during the environmental analysis.
Proposed Action
The Sequoia National Forest proposes the following changes to the
current forest transportation system. The proposed action is based upon
the purpose and need for the project, and the results of an evaluation
of motor vehicle use within the Piute Mountains. Public input gathered
in a series of five meetings held in Kernville was used to develop the
proposed action which would:
1. Add approximately 121 miles of existing non-system routes to the
National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) as trails open to
motorcycles only;
2. Add approximately 3 miles of existing non-system routes to the
NFTS as trails open to all public vehicles;
3. Add approximately 0.1 miles of existing non-system route to the
NFTS as road open to all public vehicles.
4. Change the status of approximately 3 miles of closed NFTS road
to NFTS trail open to all public vehicles.
5. Change the status of approximately 1 mile of closed NFTS road to
NFTS trail open to motorcycles only.
6. Change approximately 10 miles NFTS roads closed to public
vehicles to NFTS roads open to all public vehicles.
7. Change approximately 0.5 miles NFTS road open to all to NFTS
road closed to all public vehicles.
8. Change approximately 0.7 miles NFTS road open to all to NFTS
road open to highway legal vehicles only.
9. Change approximately 0.4 miles of NFTS road open to highway
legal vehicles only to NFTS road open to all public vehicles.
10. Change approximately 2.1 miles of NFTS trail open to
motorcycles only to NFTS trail open to all public vehicles.
11. Change approximately 4.5 miles NFTS trail open to motorcycles
only to NFTS trail closed to all public vehicles.
12. Add non-system route U00125, approximately 0.5 miles in length,
and located in the Greenhorn Mountains, as a NFTS road.
13. Establish consistency with ROS settings and between the use of
the Long Canyon/Dry Meadow Trail 34E31 and the 1990 Mediated Settlement
Agreement by changing the ROS classification on 7,175 acres of semi-
primitive non-motorized land west of trail No. 34E31 to semi-primitive
motorized. This would allow the continued motor vehicle use of NFTS
trails 34E31, 34E41, and 34E52, and non-system trail U0013. This
proposed action would require an amendment to the Sequoia National
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Table 1--Summary of Mileage in Current Inventory and the Proposed Action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Road open to Trail open to
Proposed action current inventory Closed road Road open to highway legal Trail open to motorcycles Closed trail Total miles
all vehicles only all only
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Non-System Route............... .............. 0.1 .............. 3.4 121.4 .............. 124.9
Closed Road............................. 7.9 10.0 .............. 2.8 1.0 .............. 21.7
Road Open to All........................ 0.5 48.8 0.7 .............. .............. .............. 50.0
Road Open to Highway Legal Vehicles Only .............. 0.4 4.5 .............. .............. .............. 4.9
Trail Open to Motorcycles Only.......... .............. .............. .............. 2.1 66.7 4.5 73.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Miles......................... 8.4 59.8 5.2 8.3 189.1 4.5 275.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maps showing the existing and proposed forest transportation system
in the Piute Mountains can be found at the Piute Mountains Travel
Management Plan Web site https://fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/projects/piutes-tm/. The project maps are also available for viewing at:
Forest Supervisor's Office, 1839 South Newcomb, Porterville,
California, and Kern River Ranger District, 105 Whitney Road,
Kernville, California.
Possible Alternatives
Other alternatives will be developed based on significant issues
identified during the scoping process for the environmental impact
statement. Alternatives evaluated will need to respond to the specific
condition of providing benefits equal to or better than the current
condition. Alternatives being considered at this time include: (1) No
Action, and (2) the Proposed Action.
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor of the Sequoia National Forest, 1839 South
Newcomb Street, Porterville, CA 93257, is the responsible official. A
Record of Decision will be prepared by the responsible official
documenting the decision and reasons for the decision. That decision
will be subject to Forest Service appeal regulations (36 CFR part 215).
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official will decide whether to adopt and implement
the proposed action, an alternative to the proposed action, or take no
action regarding the existing Piute Mountains forest transportation
system. The Responsible Official will also decide whether to amend the
Sequoia National Forest LRMP. The Sequoia National Forest will publish
a Motor Vehicle Use Map identifying the roads, trails and areas that
are designated for motor vehicle use. The Motor Vehicle Use Map will
identify the classes of vehicles and, if appropriate, the times of year
for which use is designated.
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 manner that they are useful to the U.S. Forest Service in
preparation of the environmental impact statement.
[[Page 9540]]
Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's issues 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 also be
accepted and considered.
Dated: February 11, 2011.
Tina J. Terrell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-3698 Filed 2-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
