Lakeview-Reeder Fuels Reduction, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Idaho, Bonner County, 22361-22362 [2011-9655]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2011 / Notices
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
ACTION:
The Superior National Forest
will prepare an environmental impact
statement for the Boundary Waters
Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) Nonnative Invasive Plant (NNIP)
Management Project. In order to
maintain and improve aquatic and
terrestrial wildlife habitat, to maintain
healthy, resilient native plant
communities, and to maintain the
character and ecological integrity of the
BWCAW, the Superior National Forest
proposes to use an integrated pest
management approach to treat NNIP,
beginning with treatments on a total of
approximately 13 acres of invasive
plants at sites scattered across the
wilderness and possibly expanding up
to 20 acres over the next 10 years. The
proposed activities would eradicate or
control existing NNIP populations and
respond rapidly to new infestations in
order to prevent the further spread of
NNIP.
SUMMARY:
Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by May
23, 2011. The draft environmental
impact statement is expected September
2011 and the final environmental
impact statement is expected January
2012.
DATES:
Send written comments to
Jim Sanders, Forest Supervisor, Attn:
BWCAW NNIP Management Project,
318 Forestry Rd., Aurora, MN 55705.
Comments may also be sent via e-mail
to comments-eastern-superiorlaurentian@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to
(218) –229–8821.
ADDRESSES:
Jack
Greenlee, Project Leader, at (218) 229–
8817, or jackgreenlee@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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this project is to
maintain and improve aquatic and
terrestrial wildlife habitat, to maintain
healthy, resilient native plant
communities, and to maintain the
character and ecological integrity of the
BWCAW. To accomplish these
objectives, there is a need to implement
an integrated pest management
approach that eradicates or controls
existing NNIP infestations and provides
for a rapid response to new infestations.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:37 Apr 20, 2011
Jkt 223001
Proposed Action
The proposed action would
implement NNIP management activities,
including manual and herbicide control
methods, over a ten-year period in the
BWCAW. A total of approximately 13
acres of NNIP infestations at
approximately 1,000 known sites
scattered across the BWCAW would be
controlled or eradicated using either
manual methods or herbicides. To allow
for a rapid response to new infestations,
up to 7 additional acres could be
treated. To protect water resources,
visitor safety, and the environment, spot
application methods using low use-rate,
low toxicity, short persistence
herbicides would be employed. Most
NNIP infestations occur on campsites,
portages or trails, along shorelines, at
old resort/cabin sites, or in burned
areas. Manual treatments would be
accomplished by pulling, digging, or
cutting the plants. Treatments would
generally occur during the growing
season, from late May to mid-October.
Responsible Official
Superior National Forest Supervisor.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decision to be made is whether or
not to implement an integrated pest
management strategy to control nonnative invasive plants in the BWCAW.
The decision will include:
• What actions will be approved to
address the purpose and need.
• Where will those actions take place.
• Are any mitigation measures
needed to further limit effects of
approved actions.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. Written comments
will be solicited through a notice that
will be sent to interested individuals
and organizations. Further details about
the project, including maps and
appendices, are available on the
Superior National Forest Web site. Visit
the Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
superior and see ‘‘Projects’’ under ‘‘Land
and Resources Management’’. Look for
‘‘BWCAW Non-native Invasive Plant
Management Project’’.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the
environmental impact statement.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
22361
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
respondent with standing to participate
in subsequent administrative review or
judicial review.
Dated: April 15, 2011.
James W. Sanders,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011–9675 Filed 4–20–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lakeview-Reeder Fuels Reduction,
Idaho Panhandle National Forests,
Idaho, Bonner County
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare a
supplemental environmental impact
statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Priest Lake Ranger
District of the Idaho Panhandle National
Forests will prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Lakeview-Reeder Fuel Reduction
Project. The Notice of Availability of the
draft EIS for the Lakeview-Reeder Fuels
Reduction Project was published in the
Federal Register (74 FR 5652) on
January 30, 2009 and the notice of the
final EIS (74 FR 28045) was published
on June 12, 2009. Following the release
of the final EIS, two pre-decisional
objections were lodged against the
project under 36 CFR part 218. Under
administrative review, the project was
found to be in compliance with existing
laws, regulations and policy. Two
separate records of decision were
issued. The Roads Record of Decision
(ROD) was signed on December 3, 2009.
This authorized selected roadwork
activities analyzed in Alternative 2 that
needed to be accomplished before fuels
reduction activities could be
implemented. The Hazardous Fuels
Reduction ROD was signed on May 10,
2010 and authorized the activities
analyzed in Alternative 2 that were
deferred in the Roads ROD. A complaint
for injunctive and declaratory relief
against the Fuels Reduction ROD was
filed in the United States District Court
for the District of Idaho on October 6,
2010. On December 3, 2010, the Fuels
Reduction ROD was withdrawn to
address issues raised by the decision in
Native Ecosystems Council v. Tidwell,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM
21APN1
22362
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2011 / Notices
599 F.3d 926 (9th Cir. 2010). A
supplemental EIS will be prepared to
address management indicator species,
recently designated critical habitat for
bull trout, and newly designated
Sensitive species. Treatment acres,
harvest prescriptions and mitigation for
grizzly bears are slightly changed from
that presented in the proposed action of
the final EIS due to ongoing
collaborative efforts.
DATES: Scoping is not required for
supplements to environmental impact
statements (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)). There
was extensive public involvement in the
development of the proposed action, the
2009 draft EIS, and the 2010 final EIS.
The Forest Service is not inviting
comments at this time. The draft
supplemental EIS is expected to be
available in July 2011 and the final
supplemental EIS is expected
September 2011. The comment period
for the draft SEIS will be 45 days from
the date the EPA publishes the notice of
availability in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Priest Lake Ranger District,
32203 Hwy 57, Priest Lake, Idaho
83856.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Albert Helgenberg, IDT Leader, USDA
Forest Service, Sandpoint Ranger
District, 208–263–5111. 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.
The Forest
Supervisor selected Alternative 2 with
modifications as documented in the
May 2010 Lakeview-Reeder Fuels
Reduction Project Record of Decision
(ROD). The ROD authorized
approximately 3,559 acres of vegetation
treatment. To improve access to fuel
reduction treatment areas, the ROD
authorized approximately 1.9 miles of
road reconstruction, 19.5 miles of road
maintenance, 2.4 miles of system road
construction and 0.7 miles of temporary
road construction. The supplemental
EIS will contain additional information
about management indicator species,
recently designated critical habitat for
bull trout, and newly designated
Sensitive species. Any modifications
that come out of the ongoing
collaborative effort will also be
incorporated into the supplemental EIS.
The mailing list for this project will
include those individuals, agencies and
organizations on the mailing list for the
2009 Draft EIS. The comment period for
the draft SEIS will be 45 days from the
date the EPA publishes the notice of
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:37 Apr 20, 2011
Jkt 223001
availability in the Federal Register. The
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Supervisor will make a decision on this
project after considering comments,
environmental consequences, and
applicable laws, regulations, and
policies.
Purpose and Need for Action
The project is needed to reduce
hazardous forest fuels to decrease the
risk of a wildfire negatively impacting
the communities in the project area,
public and firefighter safety, public
infrastructure, private and National
Forest System lands and resource
values, and to restore, enhance and
protect forest ecosystem components to
improve forest health, increase
biological diversity and to reduce
threats from stand replacing wildfires
and insect and disease infestations.
Proposed Action
The proposed action as described in
the FEIS includes approximately 2,319
acres of fuel reduction treatment that
involve commercial timber harvest and
approximately 1,179 acres of ecosystem
burn prescriptions that do not involve
harvest. Road work includes
approximately 19.5 miles of road
maintenance, 1.9 miles of road
reconstruction, 2.4 miles of new road
construction, and 0.7 miles of temporary
road construction.
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor of the Idaho
Panhandle National Forests is the
Responsible Official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decison for the Lakeview-Reeder
Fuels Reduction Project will identify the
land management activities to be
implemented in the project area
including acres, types, and locations of
vegetative treatments including timber
harvest and fuel treatments, as well as
miles and locations of road
maintenance, construction,
reconstruction and storage activities.
The supplemental EIS is intended to
provide additional evaluation of
management indicator species, recently
designated critical habitat for bull trout,
and newly designated Sensitive species
and provide that information to the
public.
Scoping Process
Scoping is not required for
supplements to environmental impact
statements (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)). There
was extensive public involvement in the
development of the proposed action, the
2009 Draft EIS, and the 2010 Final EIS.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
The Forest Service is not inviting
comments at this time.
Comment Requested
The comment period on the draft
environmental impact statement will be
45 days from the date the
Environmental Protection Agency
publishes the notice of availability in
the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this
early state, it is important to give
reviewers notice of several court rulings
related to public participation in the
environmental review process. First,
reviewers of draft environmental impact
statements must structure their
participation in the environmental
review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the
reviewer’s positions and contentions.
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v.
NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also,
environmental objections that could be
raised at the draft environmental impact
statement stage but that are not raised
until after completion the final
environmental impact statement may be
waived or dismissed by the courts. City
of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016,
1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp.
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of
these court rulings, it is very important
that those interested in this proposed
action participate by the close of the 45day comment period so that substantive
comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time
when it can meaningfully consider them
and respond to them in the final
environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in
identifying and considering issues and
concerns on the proposed action,
comments on the draft environmental
impact statement should be as specific
as possible. It is also helpful if
comments refer to specific pages or
chapters of the draft statement.
Comments may also address the
adequacy of the draft environmental
impact statement or the merits of the
alternatives formulated and discussed in
the statement. Reviewers may wish to
refer to the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act at
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these
points.
Dated: April 15, 2011.
Ranotta K. McNair,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011–9655 Filed 4–20–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM
21APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22361-22362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9655]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lakeview-Reeder Fuels Reduction, Idaho Panhandle National
Forests, Idaho, Bonner County
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact
statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Priest Lake Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle
National Forests will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Lakeview-Reeder Fuel Reduction Project. The
Notice of Availability of the draft EIS for the Lakeview-Reeder Fuels
Reduction Project was published in the Federal Register (74 FR 5652) on
January 30, 2009 and the notice of the final EIS (74 FR 28045) was
published on June 12, 2009. Following the release of the final EIS, two
pre-decisional objections were lodged against the project under 36 CFR
part 218. Under administrative review, the project was found to be in
compliance with existing laws, regulations and policy. Two separate
records of decision were issued. The Roads Record of Decision (ROD) was
signed on December 3, 2009. This authorized selected roadwork
activities analyzed in Alternative 2 that needed to be accomplished
before fuels reduction activities could be implemented. The Hazardous
Fuels Reduction ROD was signed on May 10, 2010 and authorized the
activities analyzed in Alternative 2 that were deferred in the Roads
ROD. A complaint for injunctive and declaratory relief against the
Fuels Reduction ROD was filed in the United States District Court for
the District of Idaho on October 6, 2010. On December 3, 2010, the
Fuels Reduction ROD was withdrawn to address issues raised by the
decision in Native Ecosystems Council v. Tidwell,
[[Page 22362]]
599 F.3d 926 (9th Cir. 2010). A supplemental EIS will be prepared to
address management indicator species, recently designated critical
habitat for bull trout, and newly designated Sensitive species.
Treatment acres, harvest prescriptions and mitigation for grizzly bears
are slightly changed from that presented in the proposed action of the
final EIS due to ongoing collaborative efforts.
DATES: Scoping is not required for supplements to environmental impact
statements (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)). There was extensive public
involvement in the development of the proposed action, the 2009 draft
EIS, and the 2010 final EIS. The Forest Service is not inviting
comments at this time. The draft supplemental EIS is expected to be
available in July 2011 and the final supplemental EIS is expected
September 2011. The comment period for the draft SEIS will be 45 days
from the date the EPA publishes the notice of availability in the
Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Priest Lake Ranger District, 32203 Hwy 57, Priest Lake,
Idaho 83856.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Helgenberg, IDT Leader, USDA
Forest Service, Sandpoint Ranger District, 208-263-5111. 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: The Forest Supervisor selected Alternative 2
with modifications as documented in the May 2010 Lakeview-Reeder Fuels
Reduction Project Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD authorized
approximately 3,559 acres of vegetation treatment. To improve access to
fuel reduction treatment areas, the ROD authorized approximately 1.9
miles of road reconstruction, 19.5 miles of road maintenance, 2.4 miles
of system road construction and 0.7 miles of temporary road
construction. The supplemental EIS will contain additional information
about management indicator species, recently designated critical
habitat for bull trout, and newly designated Sensitive species. Any
modifications that come out of the ongoing collaborative effort will
also be incorporated into the supplemental EIS.
The mailing list for this project will include those individuals,
agencies and organizations on the mailing list for the 2009 Draft EIS.
The comment period for the draft SEIS will be 45 days from the date the
EPA publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register. The
Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor will make a decision on
this project after considering comments, environmental consequences,
and applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Purpose and Need for Action
The project is needed to reduce hazardous forest fuels to decrease
the risk of a wildfire negatively impacting the communities in the
project area, public and firefighter safety, public infrastructure,
private and National Forest System lands and resource values, and to
restore, enhance and protect forest ecosystem components to improve
forest health, increase biological diversity and to reduce threats from
stand replacing wildfires and insect and disease infestations.
Proposed Action
The proposed action as described in the FEIS includes approximately
2,319 acres of fuel reduction treatment that involve commercial timber
harvest and approximately 1,179 acres of ecosystem burn prescriptions
that do not involve harvest. Road work includes approximately 19.5
miles of road maintenance, 1.9 miles of road reconstruction, 2.4 miles
of new road construction, and 0.7 miles of temporary road construction.
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests is
the Responsible Official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decison for the Lakeview-Reeder Fuels Reduction Project will
identify the land management activities to be implemented in the
project area including acres, types, and locations of vegetative
treatments including timber harvest and fuel treatments, as well as
miles and locations of road maintenance, construction, reconstruction
and storage activities. The supplemental EIS is intended to provide
additional evaluation of management indicator species, recently
designated critical habitat for bull trout, and newly designated
Sensitive species and provide that information to the public.
Scoping Process
Scoping is not required for supplements to environmental impact
statements (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)). There was extensive public
involvement in the development of the proposed action, the 2009 Draft
EIS, and the 2010 Final EIS. The Forest Service is not inviting
comments at this time.
Comment Requested
The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes
the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this early state, it is important
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of
draft environmental impact statements must structure their
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's positions and
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519,
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised
until after completion the final environmental impact statement may be
waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d
1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings,
it is very important that those interested in this proposed action
participate by the close of the 45-day comment period so that
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest
Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to
them in the final environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
Dated: April 15, 2011.
Ranotta K. McNair,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-9655 Filed 4-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
