Shasta Lake Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity National Forest; California; Green-Horse Habitat Restoration and Maintenance Project, 30902-30903 [2011-13235]

Download as PDF 30902 Notices Federal Register Vol. 76, No. 103 Friday, May 27, 2011 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Shasta Lake Management Unit, ShastaTrinity National Forest; California; Green-Horse Habitat Restoration and Maintenance Project Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Shasta-Trinity National Forest proposes to reduce fuels on approximately 41,816 acres under the Green-Horse Habitat Restoration and Maintenance Project. Proposed treatments include mostly prescribed underburning, with some thinning, pruning, piling, and pile burning. The proposed action does not include any commercial timber harvest, new forest system or temporary road construction, or existing road reconstruction. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by June 30, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in January of 2012 and the final environmental impact statement is expected in August of 2012. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Betsy Hammet, 1602 Ontario Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to comments-pacificsouthwest-shastatrinity@fs.fed.us with ‘‘Green-Horse Habitat Restoration and Maintenance’’ in the subject line, or by facsimile to (530) 275–1512. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project leader Betsy Hammet, 1602 Ontario Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864. Phone: (208) 263–1059; e-mail address: ahammet@fs.fed.us. Comments may also be provided during normal business hours via telephone by calling project fuels specialist Ben Newburn at (530) 339–0024; e-mail address: bnewburn@fs.fed.us. Individuals who jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 May 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call (530) 242–5526. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The majority of the project area is located within the Shasta Lake Unit of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, in Shasta County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Redding, California. The project area encompasses approximately 46,336 acres. A detailed description of the proposed action and treatment map can be downloaded from the Forest Web site at https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/ nepa_projects?forest=110514. Purpose and Need for Action The project’s purpose and need arose from a comparison of the existing and desired conditions within the project area. Desired conditions have been identified in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (hereafter referred to as the ‘‘forest plan’’). The purpose of the project is as follows: • Reduce fuel accumulations in the project area and trend the area toward historic fire regime conditions. • Reduce the risks and consequences of public health and safety concerns related to poor air quality during wildfire events. • Protect, enhance or maintain wildlife habitat quality, in particular for threatened, endangered and Forest Service sensitive species (e.g., bald eagles). • Protect, enhance or maintain scenic values, campgrounds, trails and other recreational values. Proposed Action Approximately 41,637 acres are proposed for prescribed underburning. In addition, hand thinning and/or brush cutting, pruning, piling, and burning of hand piles and/or underburning would occur on approximately 92 acres 50 feet from private property boundaries and on approximately 83 acres within 300 feet surrounding bald eagle nest sites. Approximately 4.61 miles (about 4 acres) of dozer firelines would be improved or constructed. Dozer lines would be approximately 8 feet wide. Project design features are included in the proposal to ensure protection of a variety of forest resources. The proposed treatment methods and prescriptions would be accomplished using an adaptive management strategy to allow modification of treatments if necessary during implementation. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 A project-level forest plan amendment is also proposed. Currently, the forest plan requires an average of 20 tons per acre of downed wood for the limited roaded motorized forest plan management prescription. Management direction for the roaded recreation prescription is an average of 10 tons of unburned dead and down material per acre on slopes less than 40 percent and where feasible, the same amount on slopes over 40 percent. Those down fuel levels contradict current Forest Service Handbook soil standards, which recommend fuel levels of less than about 6 tons per acre overall to reduce the risk of adverse effects to soils from wildfires. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest proposes to amend the Forest Plan to require an average of 5 to 15 tons per acre for those two management prescriptions. This project-level amendment is proposed to enable the Forest Service to achieve the stated fuel reduction objectives while providing for wildlife habitat needs and protecting soil and soil productivity. The amendment would affect approximately 16,602 acres of areas with limited roaded motorized recreation management prescriptions and 9,662 acres of areas with roaded recreation management prescriptions. Responsible Official The responsible official for this proposal is J. Sharon Heywood, ShastaTrinity Forest Supervisor. Nature of Decision To Be Made The responsible official will decide whether to implement the proposed action, no action, or other alternatives considered under analysis. She will consider the comments, responses, disclosure of environmental consequences, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies in making the decision and stating the rationale in the Record of Decision. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. Public scoping will include notices in the newspaper of record, mailings of the scoping package to interested and affected parties and posting of the project on the ShastaTrinity National Forest project planning E:\FR\FM\27MYN1.SGM 27MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2011 / Notices webpage and notice in the Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions. Comment Requested 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. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer’s ability to participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review. 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 or judicial reviews. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21. Dated: May 23, 2011. J. Sharon Heywood, Forest Supervisor, Shasta-Trinity National Forest. [FR Doc. 2011–13235 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Pike & San Isabel Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: 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 conference call is for project coordination and understanding. DATES: The meeting will be held on June 9, 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, jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 May 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 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 (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: To understand project proposals and coordination efforts, the PSI–RAC will convene a conference call. No decisions will be made during this call and the RAC will report out at the next meeting. The June 9 conference call is open to the public. The following business will be conducted: (1) Review project implementation, (2) Discuss RAC member liaison efforts, (3) 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 June 6, 2011 will have the opportunity to address the Committee at those sessions. Dated: May 19, 2011. John F. Peterson, Designated Federal Official. [FR Doc. 2011–13202 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Pike & San Isabel Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 30903 Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the conference call is for project coordination and understanding. The meeting will be held on July 6, 2011, and will begin at 9 a.m. DATES: 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. ADDRESSES: 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 (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. To understand project proposals and coordination efforts, the PSI–RAC will convene a conference call. No decisions will be made during this call and the RAC will report out at the next meeting. The July 6 conference call is open to the public. The following business will be conducted: (1) Review project implementation (2) Discuss RAC member liaison efforts, (3) 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 July 5, 2011 will have the opportunity to address the Committee at those sessions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: May 19, 2011. John F. Peterson, Designated Federal Official. [FR Doc. 2011–13230 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P E:\FR\FM\27MYN1.SGM 27MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30902-30903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13235]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2011 / 
Notices

[[Page 30902]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Shasta Lake Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity National Forest; 
California; Green-Horse Habitat Restoration and Maintenance Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Shasta-Trinity National Forest proposes to reduce fuels on 
approximately 41,816 acres under the Green-Horse Habitat Restoration 
and Maintenance Project. Proposed treatments include mostly prescribed 
underburning, with some thinning, pruning, piling, and pile burning. 
The proposed action does not include any commercial timber harvest, new 
forest system or temporary road construction, or existing road 
reconstruction.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by June 30, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
to be completed in January of 2012 and the final environmental impact 
statement is expected in August of 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Betsy Hammet, 1602 Ontario Street, 
Sandpoint, ID 83864. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to 
comments-pacificsouthwest-shasta-trinity@fs.fed.us with ``Green-Horse 
Habitat Restoration and Maintenance'' in the subject line, or by 
facsimile to (530) 275-1512.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project leader Betsy Hammet, 1602 
Ontario Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864. Phone: (208) 263-1059; e-mail 
address: ahammet@fs.fed.us. Comments may also be provided during normal 
business hours via telephone by calling project fuels specialist Ben 
Newburn at (530) 339-0024; e-mail address: bnewburn@fs.fed.us. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may 
call (530) 242-5526.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The majority of the project area is located within the Shasta Lake 
Unit of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, in Shasta County, 
approximately 20 miles northeast of Redding, California. The project 
area encompasses approximately 46,336 acres. A detailed description of 
the proposed action and treatment map can be downloaded from the Forest 
Web site at https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_projects?forest=110514.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The project's purpose and need arose from a comparison of the 
existing and desired conditions within the project area. Desired 
conditions have been identified in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest 
Land and Resource Management Plan (hereafter referred to as the 
``forest plan''). The purpose of the project is as follows:
     Reduce fuel accumulations in the project area and trend 
the area toward historic fire regime conditions.
     Reduce the risks and consequences of public health and 
safety concerns related to poor air quality during wildfire events.
     Protect, enhance or maintain wildlife habitat quality, in 
particular for threatened, endangered and Forest Service sensitive 
species (e.g., bald eagles).
     Protect, enhance or maintain scenic values, campgrounds, 
trails and other recreational values.

Proposed Action

    Approximately 41,637 acres are proposed for prescribed 
underburning. In addition, hand thinning and/or brush cutting, pruning, 
piling, and burning of hand piles and/or underburning would occur on 
approximately 92 acres 50 feet from private property boundaries and on 
approximately 83 acres within 300 feet surrounding bald eagle nest 
sites. Approximately 4.61 miles (about 4 acres) of dozer firelines 
would be improved or constructed. Dozer lines would be approximately 8 
feet wide. Project design features are included in the proposal to 
ensure protection of a variety of forest resources. The proposed 
treatment methods and prescriptions would be accomplished using an 
adaptive management strategy to allow modification of treatments if 
necessary during implementation.
    A project-level forest plan amendment is also proposed. Currently, 
the forest plan requires an average of 20 tons per acre of downed wood 
for the limited roaded motorized forest plan management prescription. 
Management direction for the roaded recreation prescription is an 
average of 10 tons of unburned dead and down material per acre on 
slopes less than 40 percent and where feasible, the same amount on 
slopes over 40 percent. Those down fuel levels contradict current 
Forest Service Handbook soil standards, which recommend fuel levels of 
less than about 6 tons per acre overall to reduce the risk of adverse 
effects to soils from wildfires.
    The Shasta-Trinity National Forest proposes to amend the Forest 
Plan to require an average of 5 to 15 tons per acre for those two 
management prescriptions. This project-level amendment is proposed to 
enable the Forest Service to achieve the stated fuel reduction 
objectives while providing for wildlife habitat needs and protecting 
soil and soil productivity. The amendment would affect approximately 
16,602 acres of areas with limited roaded motorized recreation 
management prescriptions and 9,662 acres of areas with roaded 
recreation management prescriptions.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for this proposal is J. Sharon Heywood, 
Shasta-Trinity Forest Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The responsible official will decide whether to implement the 
proposed action, no action, or other alternatives considered under 
analysis. She will consider the comments, responses, disclosure of 
environmental consequences, and applicable laws, regulations, and 
policies in making the decision and stating the rationale in the Record 
of Decision.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Public scoping 
will include notices in the newspaper of record, mailings of the 
scoping package to interested and affected parties and posting of the 
project on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest project planning

[[Page 30903]]

webpage and notice in the Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions.

Comment Requested

    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. The submission of 
timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to 
participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review.
    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 or judicial reviews.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21.

    Dated: May 23, 2011.
J. Sharon Heywood,
Forest Supervisor, Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2011-13235 Filed 5-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P

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