Rio Grande National Forest, Divide Ranger District; Mineral County, CO; Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange, 21855-21856 [2011-9425]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 19, 2011 / Notices
requirements listed in § 319.56–3 that
are applicable to the importation of all
fruits and vegetables. Further, for fruits
and vegetables requiring treatment as a
condition of entry, the phytosanitary
treatments regulations in 7 CFR part 305
contain administrative and procedural
requirements that must be observed in
connection with the application and
certification of specific treatments.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, and
7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR
2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of
April 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–9465 Filed 4–18–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest, Divide
Ranger District; Mineral County, CO;
Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Rio Grande National
Forest is preparing an Environmental
Impact Statement to analyze the
environmental effects of the proposed
Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange.
This project includes the conveyance of
approximately 177 acres of a nonFederal land parcel owned by the
Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture (LMJV)
to the United States in exchange for
National Forest System lands totaling
approximately 204 acres. The nonFederal parcel is located in T37N., R2E.,
NMPM, Mineral County, CO, Sections 4,
5, 8 and 9, a portion of Tract 37. The
Federal parcel is located in T37N., R2E.,
NMPM, Mineral County, CO, Sections 3,
4, 5, and 9.
DATES: Formal scoping on this project
begins on April 20, 2011. Public open
houses will be held 4:30–7 p.m. on
April 25, in Creede, CO at the Creede
Community Center; April 26 in Pagosa
Springs at the Aragon Recreation Center,
CO and April 27 in Del Norte at the Rio
Grande County Annex Building, CO.
Comments concerning the scope of the
analysis should be received by June 4,
2011. The draft environmental impact
statement is expected in December,
2011 and the final environmental
impact statement is expected in March,
2012.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
the Rio Grande National Forest, Divide
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SUMMARY:
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16:19 Apr 18, 2011
Jkt 223001
Ranger District, 13308 West Highway
160, Del Norte, CO 81132. Comments
may also be sent via e-mail to:
comments-rocky-mountain-riogrande@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to
1–719–657–6035.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Additional information related to the
proposed project can be obtained from
the Forest webpage at: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande. For further
information, contact Tom Malecek at
(719) 657–3321.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: In 1986, a Decision
Notice for the Environmental
Assessment of the Proposed Wolf Creek
Land Exchange allowed the conveyance
of 300 acres of National Forest System
(NFS) land on the Divide Range District
adjacent to the Wolf Creek Ski Area
(WCSA) in exchange for non-Federal
lands located within the Saguache
Ranger District on the Rio Grande
National Forest. In 2004, the Forest
Service initiated an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) in response to a
request for legal access to the property,
under the Alaska National Interests
Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), in
order to allow the private landowners
the ability to begin development of the
Village at Wolf Creek. In March 2006, a
Record of Decision (ROD) was signed,
approving transportation and utility
corridors across NFS lands. In February
2008, as part of a Settlement Agreement,
the ROD was withdrawn. In September
2008, the Forest Service initiated a new
EIS after receiving a new application for
permanent road access from the
proponent. Early in the project analysis,
the project was placed on indefinite
hold pending new information and
potentially a new application.
LMJV has submitted this current land
exchange proposal as an alternative to
an ANILCA enabled easement under the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act (FLPMA), as the Federal parcel
abuts US Highway 160.
Purpose and Need for Action: The
non-Federal party, LMJV, holds title to
land within the boundaries of the NFS,
and as such ‘‘* * * the Secretary shall
provide such access to non-federally
owned land within the boundaries of
the National Forest System as the
Secreatry deems adequate to secure to
the owner the reasonable use and
enjoyment thereof * * *’’
Therefore, the Rio Grande NF’s
Purpose and Need for Action is to allow
the non-Federal party to access its
property as legally entitled, while
minimizing environmental effects to
natural resources within the project
area. Any method of accommodating
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
21855
access to private land in the project area
needs to be cognizant of and sensitive
to the operations and recreational
experiences at Wolf Creek Ski Area,
which is adjacent to the non-Federal
parcel and operates under a Special Use
Permit from the Rio Grande NF.
Proposed Action: Given the nonFederal party’s legal right to access its
property and the United States legal
obligation to provide access to the
inholding, the Rio Grande NF believes
that a land exchange may be in the
public interest and thus merits
additional evaluation. Potential public
benefits include:
• Development of private lands
further away from Wolf Creek Ski Area,
reducing impacts to skiers and ski area
operations.
• Locating residential development
and associated infrastructure in an area
that is more suitable due to topography,
natural resources, and proximity to US
Highway 160.
• A net gain of wetlands and
perennial streams in public ownership.
• A lower density development.
• The land exchange would obviate
the need for ANILCA access.
The Proposed Action involves the
conveyance of approximately 178 acres
of non-Federal lands to the United
States in exchange for NFS lands
totaling approximately 204 acres. Upon
conveyance of the non-Federal parcel to
the United States, the newly acquired
NFS lands would be managed by the Rio
Grande NF per its 1996 Land and
Resource Management Plan, as
amended. The lands proposed for
inclusion in the land exchange are
summarized below.
Non-Federal Lands Proposed To Be
Conveyed to the United States
• Township 37 North, Range 2 East,
N.M.P.M., Mineral County, Colorado
• Sections 4, 5, 8, and 9: A portion of
Tract 37
• Total Area: Approximately 178
acres
In total, the non-Federal parcel is
approximately 300 acres in size, of
which approximately 178 acres are
proposed to be conveyed to the United
States. The non-Federal parcel is located
approximately 20 miles southwest of
South Fork and 25 miles northeast of
Pagosa Springs in Mineral County,
Colorado.
The non-Federal parcel is located just
east of Wolf Creek Pass at approximately
10,300 feet in elevation and is
comprised of spruce-fir forest, open
meadows and wetlands. The nonFederal parcel adjoins NFS lands on all
sides and is located within the Wolf
Creek Ski Area permit boundary.
E:\FR\FM\19APN1.SGM
19APN1
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
21856
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 19, 2011 / Notices
Federal Lands Proposed to be
Conveyed by the United States to the
Non-Federal Party:
• Township 37 North, Range 2 East,
N.M.P.M., Mineral County, Colorado
• Sections 3, 4, 5, and 9: A portion
thereof
• Total Area: Approximately 204
acres
The 204-acre Federal parcel is just
north and east of the non-Federal parcel,
with the remaining portion of the nonFederal party’s land separating the two.
The Federal parcel is immediately
contiguous to US Highway 160 and has
similar habitat types as the non-Federal
parcel.
Alternative to the Proposed Action—
Permanent Easement to the Non-Federal
Parcel (ANILCA Alternative): As an
alternative to a land exchange, the Rio
Grande NF will analyze a potential
ANILCA enabled easement under
FLPMA across NFS lands to provide
access to, and allow development of, the
non-Federal parcel.
Common To Both Alternatives:
Common to the proposed action and
ANILCA access alternative:
1. LMJV’s conceptual plans for the
Village at Wolf Creek indicate that full
buildout would include a four-season
resort with a variety of hotels, homes
and condominiums; approximately
200,000 square feet of commercial
space; and ancillary infrastructure such
as roads, water treatment and storage,
wastewater treatment and disposal, and
power distribution.
2. A grade separated interchange off
Highway 160 capable of handling fullbuildout traffic estimates would be
required to be built at the initial stage
of development.
Responsible Official: The responsible
official is Dan Dallas, Rio Grande
National Forest Supervisor, San Luis
Valley Public Lands Center, 1803 West
Highway 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144.
Nature of Decision To Be Made:
Although the Rio Grande NF received a
proposal for the land exchange from a
private entity, this is now a Forest
Service Proposed Action, which will be
analyzed in detail in an EIS. The EIS
will analyze potential impacts to the
physical, human and biological
environment that may result from
implementation of the Proposed Action.
Issues raised during this public scoping
period may generate additional
alternatives to be considered along with
the proposed action.
A Record of Decision (ROD) will be
issued following completion of the
analysis in the EIS. Based on the
analysis in the EIS, the Responsible
Official will decide whether to
authorize the Proposed Action, the No
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16:19 Apr 18, 2011
Jkt 223001
Action Alternative (required for
inclusion in an EIS) or any action
alternative(s) given detailed analysis in
the document.
Scoping Process: This notice of intent
initiates the scoping process, which
guides the development of the EIS. The
Forest Service is soliciting comments
from Federal, State and local agencies
and other individuals or organizations
that may be interested in or affected by
implementation of the proposed project.
Public questions and comments
regarding this proposal are an integral
part of this environmental analysis
process. Input provided by interested
and/or affected individuals,
organizations and governmental
agencies will be used to identify
resource issues that will be analyzed in
the EIS. The Forest Service will identify
significant issues raised during the
scoping process, and use them to
formulate potential additional
alternatives, prescribe mitigation
measures and project design features, or
analyze environmental effects.
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 EIS.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
Please note the following public open
houses during this scoping period:
4:30–7:00 p.m. on April 25, in Creede,
CO at the Creede Community Center;
April 26 in Pagosa Springs, CO at the
Aragon Recreation Center; and April 27
in Del Norte, CO at the Rio Grande
County Annex Building.
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, anonymous
comments will not provide the Agency
with the ability to provide the
respondent with subsequent
environmental documents.
Dated: April 13, 2011.
Kathy M. Kurtz,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011–9425 Filed 4–18–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
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Sfmt 4703
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Reporting Requirements for the
Ocean Salmon Fishery Off the Coasts of
Washington, Oregon, and California.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0433.
Form Number(s): NA.
Type of Request: Regular submission
(renewal of a current information
collection).
Number of Respondents: 40.
Average Hours per Response: 15
minutes.
Burden Hours: 10.
Needs and Uses: Based on the
management regime specified each year
by the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), with authority codified
in 50 CFR 660.408, designated
regulatory areas in the commercial
ocean salmon fishery off the coasts of
Washington, Oregon, and California
may be managed by numerical quotas.
To accurately assess catches relative to
quota attainment during the fishing
season, catch data by regulatory area
must be collected in a timely manner.
Requirements to land salmon within
specific time frames and in specific
areas may be implemented in the
preseason regulations to aid in timely
and accurate catch accounting for a
regulatory area. State landing systems
normally gather the data at the time of
landing. If unsafe weather conditions or
mechanical problems prevent
compliance with landing requirements,
fishermen need an alternative to allow
for a safe response. Fishermen would be
exempt from landing requirements if the
appropriate notifications are made to
provide the name of the vessel, the port
where delivery will be made, the
approximate amount of salmon (by
species) on board, and the estimated
time of arrival.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
Frequency: On occasion.
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
OMB Desk Officer:
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.
Copies of the above information
collection proposal can be obtained by
calling or writing Diana Hynek,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of
Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20230 (or via the Internet at
dHynek@doc.gov).
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
E:\FR\FM\19APN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21855-21856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9425]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest, Divide Ranger District; Mineral
County, CO; Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rio Grande National Forest is preparing an Environmental
Impact Statement to analyze the environmental effects of the proposed
Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange. This project includes the
conveyance of approximately 177 acres of a non-Federal land parcel
owned by the Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture (LMJV) to the United States
in exchange for National Forest System lands totaling approximately 204
acres. The non-Federal parcel is located in T37N., R2E., NMPM, Mineral
County, CO, Sections 4, 5, 8 and 9, a portion of Tract 37. The Federal
parcel is located in T37N., R2E., NMPM, Mineral County, CO, Sections 3,
4, 5, and 9.
DATES: Formal scoping on this project begins on April 20, 2011. Public
open houses will be held 4:30-7 p.m. on April 25, in Creede, CO at the
Creede Community Center; April 26 in Pagosa Springs at the Aragon
Recreation Center, CO and April 27 in Del Norte at the Rio Grande
County Annex Building, CO. Comments concerning the scope of the
analysis should be received by June 4, 2011. The draft environmental
impact statement is expected in December, 2011 and the final
environmental impact statement is expected in March, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Rio Grande National Forest,
Divide Ranger District, 13308 West Highway 160, Del Norte, CO 81132.
Comments may also be sent via e-mail to: comments-rocky-mountain-rio-grande@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to 1-719-657-6035.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the
proposed project can be obtained from the Forest webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande. For further information, contact Tom Malecek
at (719) 657-3321.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: In 1986, a Decision Notice for the Environmental
Assessment of the Proposed Wolf Creek Land Exchange allowed the
conveyance of 300 acres of National Forest System (NFS) land on the
Divide Range District adjacent to the Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA) in
exchange for non-Federal lands located within the Saguache Ranger
District on the Rio Grande National Forest. In 2004, the Forest Service
initiated an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in response to a
request for legal access to the property, under the Alaska National
Interests Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), in order to allow the
private landowners the ability to begin development of the Village at
Wolf Creek. In March 2006, a Record of Decision (ROD) was signed,
approving transportation and utility corridors across NFS lands. In
February 2008, as part of a Settlement Agreement, the ROD was
withdrawn. In September 2008, the Forest Service initiated a new EIS
after receiving a new application for permanent road access from the
proponent. Early in the project analysis, the project was placed on
indefinite hold pending new information and potentially a new
application.
LMJV has submitted this current land exchange proposal as an
alternative to an ANILCA enabled easement under the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act (FLPMA), as the Federal parcel abuts US Highway 160.
Purpose and Need for Action: The non-Federal party, LMJV, holds
title to land within the boundaries of the NFS, and as such ``* * * the
Secretary shall provide such access to non-federally owned land within
the boundaries of the National Forest System as the Secreatry deems
adequate to secure to the owner the reasonable use and enjoyment
thereof * * *''
Therefore, the Rio Grande NF's Purpose and Need for Action is to
allow the non-Federal party to access its property as legally entitled,
while minimizing environmental effects to natural resources within the
project area. Any method of accommodating access to private land in the
project area needs to be cognizant of and sensitive to the operations
and recreational experiences at Wolf Creek Ski Area, which is adjacent
to the non-Federal parcel and operates under a Special Use Permit from
the Rio Grande NF.
Proposed Action: Given the non-Federal party's legal right to
access its property and the United States legal obligation to provide
access to the inholding, the Rio Grande NF believes that a land
exchange may be in the public interest and thus merits additional
evaluation. Potential public benefits include:
Development of private lands further away from Wolf Creek
Ski Area, reducing impacts to skiers and ski area operations.
Locating residential development and associated
infrastructure in an area that is more suitable due to topography,
natural resources, and proximity to US Highway 160.
A net gain of wetlands and perennial streams in public
ownership.
A lower density development.
The land exchange would obviate the need for ANILCA
access.
The Proposed Action involves the conveyance of approximately 178
acres of non-Federal lands to the United States in exchange for NFS
lands totaling approximately 204 acres. Upon conveyance of the non-
Federal parcel to the United States, the newly acquired NFS lands would
be managed by the Rio Grande NF per its 1996 Land and Resource
Management Plan, as amended. The lands proposed for inclusion in the
land exchange are summarized below.
Non-Federal Lands Proposed To Be Conveyed to the United States
Township 37 North, Range 2 East, N.M.P.M., Mineral County,
Colorado
Sections 4, 5, 8, and 9: A portion of Tract 37
Total Area: Approximately 178 acres
In total, the non-Federal parcel is approximately 300 acres in
size, of which approximately 178 acres are proposed to be conveyed to
the United States. The non-Federal parcel is located approximately 20
miles southwest of South Fork and 25 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs
in Mineral County, Colorado.
The non-Federal parcel is located just east of Wolf Creek Pass at
approximately 10,300 feet in elevation and is comprised of spruce-fir
forest, open meadows and wetlands. The non-Federal parcel adjoins NFS
lands on all sides and is located within the Wolf Creek Ski Area permit
boundary.
[[Page 21856]]
Federal Lands Proposed to be Conveyed by the United States to the
Non-Federal Party:
Township 37 North, Range 2 East, N.M.P.M., Mineral County,
Colorado
Sections 3, 4, 5, and 9: A portion thereof
Total Area: Approximately 204 acres
The 204-acre Federal parcel is just north and east of the non-
Federal parcel, with the remaining portion of the non-Federal party's
land separating the two. The Federal parcel is immediately contiguous
to US Highway 160 and has similar habitat types as the non-Federal
parcel.
Alternative to the Proposed Action--Permanent Easement to the Non-
Federal Parcel (ANILCA Alternative): As an alternative to a land
exchange, the Rio Grande NF will analyze a potential ANILCA enabled
easement under FLPMA across NFS lands to provide access to, and allow
development of, the non-Federal parcel.
Common To Both Alternatives: Common to the proposed action and
ANILCA access alternative:
1. LMJV's conceptual plans for the Village at Wolf Creek indicate
that full buildout would include a four-season resort with a variety of
hotels, homes and condominiums; approximately 200,000 square feet of
commercial space; and ancillary infrastructure such as roads, water
treatment and storage, wastewater treatment and disposal, and power
distribution.
2. A grade separated interchange off Highway 160 capable of
handling full-buildout traffic estimates would be required to be built
at the initial stage of development.
Responsible Official: The responsible official is Dan Dallas, Rio
Grande National Forest Supervisor, San Luis Valley Public Lands Center,
1803 West Highway 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144.
Nature of Decision To Be Made: Although the Rio Grande NF received
a proposal for the land exchange from a private entity, this is now a
Forest Service Proposed Action, which will be analyzed in detail in an
EIS. The EIS will analyze potential impacts to the physical, human and
biological environment that may result from implementation of the
Proposed Action. Issues raised during this public scoping period may
generate additional alternatives to be considered along with the
proposed action.
A Record of Decision (ROD) will be issued following completion of
the analysis in the EIS. Based on the analysis in the EIS, the
Responsible Official will decide whether to authorize the Proposed
Action, the No Action Alternative (required for inclusion in an EIS) or
any action alternative(s) given detailed analysis in the document.
Scoping Process: This notice of intent initiates the scoping
process, which guides the development of the EIS. The Forest Service is
soliciting comments from Federal, State and local agencies and other
individuals or organizations that may be interested in or affected by
implementation of the proposed project. Public questions and comments
regarding this proposal are an integral part of this environmental
analysis process. Input provided by interested and/or affected
individuals, organizations and governmental agencies will be used to
identify resource issues that will be analyzed in the EIS. The Forest
Service will identify significant issues raised during the scoping
process, and use them to formulate potential additional alternatives,
prescribe mitigation measures and project design features, or analyze
environmental effects.
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 EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's
concerns and contentions.
Please note the following public open houses during this scoping
period: 4:30-7:00 p.m. on April 25, in Creede, CO at the Creede
Community Center; April 26 in Pagosa Springs, CO at the Aragon
Recreation Center; and April 27 in Del Norte, CO at the Rio Grande
County Annex Building.
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, anonymous comments will not provide
the Agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent
environmental documents.
Dated: April 13, 2011.
Kathy M. Kurtz,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-9425 Filed 4-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P