Bridger-Teton National Forest; Big Piney Ranger District; Wyoming; Environmental Impact Statement for the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment Grazing Authorization and Management Project, 67130-67132 [2011-28056]

Download as PDF 67130 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 210 / Monday, October 31, 2011 / Notices Comments that we receive on this notice will be accepted until close of business December 30, 2011. ADDRESSES: FCIC prefers that comments be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. You may submit comments, identified by Docket ID No. FCIC–11–0010, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64133–6205. All comments received, including those received by mail, will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, and can be accessed by the public. All comments must include the agency name and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this rule. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information, see https://www.regulations.gov. If you are submitting comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal and want to attach a document, we ask that it be in a text-based format. If you want to attach a document that is a scanned Adobe PDF file, it must be scanned as text and not as an image, thus allowing FCIC to search and copy certain portions of your submissions. For questions regarding attaching a document that is a scanned Adobe PDF file, please contact the RMA Web Content Team at (816) 823–4694 or by e-mail at rmaweb.content@rma.usda.gov. Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received for any dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the complete User Notice and Privacy Notice for Regulations.gov at https:// www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, Beacon Facility, Stop 0812, Room 421, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64141–6205, telephone (816) 926–7730. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Multiple Peril Crop Insurance. OMB Number: 0563–0053. Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2012. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Oct 28, 2011 Jkt 226001 Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The information collection requirements for this renewal package are necessary for administering the crop insurance program. Producers are required to report specific data when they apply for crop insurance and report acreage, yields, and notices of loss. Insurance companies accept applications; issue policies; establish and provide insurance coverage; compute liability, premium, subsidies, and losses; indemnify producers; and report specific data to FCIC as required in Appendix III/M13 Handbook. Commodities for which Federal crop insurance is available are included in this information collection package. This submission’s per-response time was re-evaluated by data element and line item to show a truer, more accurate account of the time spent to collect the data FCIC requires. FCIC is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the approval of this information collection for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public concerning this information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses). Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information are estimated to average 0.76 of an hour per response. Respondents/Affected Entities: Producers and insurance companies reinsured by FCIC. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 556,408. Estimated Annual Number of Responses Per Respondent: 18.8. Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 10,470,186. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,960,519. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Signed in Washington, DC, on October 25, 2011. William J. Murphy, Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. [FR Doc. 2011–28068 Filed 10–28–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest; Big Piney Ranger District; Wyoming; Environmental Impact Statement for the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment Grazing Authorization and Management Project Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact statement to analyze the effects of domestic livestock grazing in the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment. This action was originally listed as a proposal (to be analyzed under an environmental assessment) on the Bridger-Teton National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions on January 1, 2010. However, during development of the environmental assessment, it was determined that analysis and disclosure under an environmental impact statement would be more appropriate. The analysis contained in the environmental impact statement will be used by the Responsible Official to decide whether livestock grazing can be authorized within the allotment, and if so, under what conditions. The Sherman Cattle and Horse Allotment is located in western Wyoming, about 35 miles northwest of Big Piney, Wyoming, and is situated on the east side of the northern end of the Wyoming Range. The entire 17,370 acre allotment lies within Sublette County and within the boundaries of the Big Piney Ranger District. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by November 30, 2011. All comments that were received during the previous analysis period will be considered in the current analysis. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in April of 2012 and the final environmental impact statement is expected in August of 2012. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 210 / Monday, October 31, 2011 / Notices District, P.O. Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to mailroom_r4_bridger_teton@fs.fed.us (on the subject line put ‘‘Sherman Grazing Allotment’’), or via facsimile to (307) 276–5203. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chad Hayward, Big Piney Ranger District, (307) 276–5817, chayward@fs.fed.us, or Anita DeLong, Big Piney Ranger District, (307) 413– 9650, akdelong@fs.fed.us, and see ADDRESSES above. 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: jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Purpose and Need for Action The need for this analysis is to determine if continued authorization of livestock grazing on the Sherman C&H Allotment at current levels is appropriate, and to determine if current livestock management practices are sufficient for achieving and maintaining compliance with the 1990 Bridger-Teton Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) direction and Forest Service grazing management policies, and other applicable laws and regulations. The purpose of the proposal is to manage livestock grazing in a manner that allows the health of the land to be sustained and that meets the goals and objectives of the Forest Plan. National Forest System lands provide an important source of livestock forage during portions of the year. Forest Plans provide for allocation of livestock grazing to meet Forest Plan objectives. Reauthorization is needed on these allotments because: • Where consistent with other multiple use goals and objectives there is Congressional intent to allow grazing on suitable lands (Multiple UseSustained Yield Act of 1960, Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resource Planning Act of 1974, Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, National Forest Management Act of 1976). • The Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment lies within the Management Area 24—Horse Creek—on the BridgerTeton National Forest. The following Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) describe the land management direction intended to accomplish goals and objectives. Approximately eighty-six percent of the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment is located within an area designated by the Forest Plan as having a DFC of 1B (Substantial Commodity VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Oct 28, 2011 Jkt 226001 Resource Development with Moderate Accommodation of Other Resources). Management emphasis includes livestock production. Approximately nine percent of the project area is within the DFC 10 (Simultaneous Development of Resources, Opportunities for Human Experiences and Support for Big-game and a Wide Variety of Wildlife Species. Approximately five percent of the project area is within the DFC 12 (Backcountry Big-game Hunting, Dispersed Recreation, and Wildlife Security Areas). • Federal regulation (36 CFR 222.2(c)) states that National Forest System lands would be allocated for livestock grazing and allotment management plans would be prepared consistent with forest plans. Continued domestic livestock grazing must be consistent with the goals, objectives and guidelines of the Forest Plan. The allotment management plan needs to be revised to update and/or refine desired rangeland conditions and develop management strategies to meet them. This analysis complies with the schedule specified by the Rescission Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–19) to complete NEPA analyses on allotments where such analysis is needed to authorize permitted livestock grazing activity. Proposed Action The Proposed Action is to authorize continued livestock grazing on the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment consistent with goals, objectives, standards and guidelines, management prescriptions, and monitoring requirements specified in the Forest Plan, and in compliance with the Rescission Act of 1995. The Proposed Action is designed to (1) contribute towards Forest Plan objective 1.1(h) which states ‘‘provide forage for about 260,000 AUMs of livestock grazing annually’’, and (2) achieve Goal 4.7 which states ‘‘[g]razing use of the National Forest sustains or improves overall range, soils, water, wildlife, and recreation values or experiences.’’ Project-specific allowable-use standards would be implemented and include more stringent forage utilization standards than outlined in the Forest Plan. The Proposed Action also includes a streambank alteration standard consistent with the Forest Plan. In addition, grizzly bear conservation measures would be implemented to (1) minimize grizzly bear/livestock conflicts and associated management actions, and (2) minimize food and other types of habituation and bear/ human conflicts. Updated direction would be incorporated into the allotment management plan to guide livestock grazing management within PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67131 the allotment. Livestock grazing management strategies in the Proposed Action were developed in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 36 CFR 222.1(b)(2), which describes allotment management planning provisions. Under the Proposed Action, a maximum livestock forage allocation of 2,332 AUM, or equivalent livestock numbers and season of use, would be permitted. Current permitted numbers are 858 cow/calf pairs with a season of use from July 6th to September 20th. These would be maintained under the Proposed Action. The allotment contains two pastures. Under the Proposed Action, the allotment would be grazed by livestock under a Deferred Rotation Grazing System. This rotation was required by the 1990 Allotment Management Plan and would continue to be implemented under the Proposed Action. Responsible Official District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger District, P.O. Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113. Nature of Decision To Be Made The District Ranger will (1) decide whether to authorize continued livestock grazing on the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment, and (2) decide, if livestock grazing is authorized, under what management strategies livestock grazing will be implemented. Preliminary Issues The following preliminary issues were identified by the public and the Forest Service in the previous environmental analysis process. Issue 1—Effects of livestock grazing on riparian and aquatic function. Issue 2—Effects of livestock grazing on Threatened, Endangered, Experimental, and Candidate Species, Forest Service Sensitive Species, Forest Plan Management Indicator Species and migratory birds. Issue 3—Effects of livestock grazing on vegetation composition and ground cover. Issue 4—Effects of livestock grazing on soil quality. Scoping Process This notice of intent continues the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. A scoping letter was mailed to those listed on the Big Piney Ranger District general mailing list. The mailing list included private landowners, term grazing permit holders, special interest groups, interested members of the public, and E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1 67132 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 210 / Monday, October 31, 2011 / Notices local, State, and Federal agencies. The letter described the purpose and need for action and the proposed action. Additionally, the letter solicited public participation in the process, specifically the submission of comments, concerns, and recommendations regarding management of the allotment. Term grazing permit holders, or their representatives, were contacted shortly after the project was initiated to solicit their input concerning management of the allotment. All submitted comments, including those previously submitted, will be used to prepare the new draft environmental impact statement. News releases will be prepared to give the public general notice concerning the progress of this project analysis. 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. 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. Dated: October 25, 2011. Eric J. Winthers, Acting District Ranger. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee (LTFAC) Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. The Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on November 18, 2011 at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. This Committee, established by the Secretary of Agriculture on December 15, 1998 (64 FR 2876), is chartered to provide advice to the Secretary on implementing the terms of the Federal Interagency Partnership on the Lake Tahoe Region and other matters raised by the Secretary. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: 17:21 Oct 28, 2011 BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zone 177—Evansville, IN; Application for Manufacturing Authority; Hoosier Stamping & Mfg. Corp. (Wheel Assemblies and Accessories), Chandler, IN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE VerDate Mar<15>2010 [FR Doc. 2011–28055 Filed 10–28–11; 8:45 am] [Docket 68–2011] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P ACTION: Dated: October 25, 2011. Jeff Marsolais, Deputy Forest Supervisor. Foreign-Trade Zones Board [FR Doc. 2011–28056 Filed 10–28–11; 8:45 am] AGENCY: The meeting will be held November 18, 2011, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. ADDRESSES: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. For Further Information or To Request an Accommodation (One Week Prior to Meeting Date) Contact: Arla Hains, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Forest Service, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, (530) 543–2773. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Items to be covered on the agenda: (1) Facilitated workshop to discuss a strategic workplan for Fiscal Year 2012, and (2) public comment. All Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend at the above address. Issues may be brought to the attention of the Committee during the open public comment period at the meeting or by filing written statements with the secretary for the Committee before or after the meeting. Please refer any written comments to the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit at the contact address stated above. DATES: Jkt 226001 An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) by the Ports of Indiana, grantee of FTZ 177, requesting manufacturing authority on behalf of Hoosier Stamping & Mfg. Corp. d/b/a Hoosier Wheel (Hoosier Stamping), located in Chandler, Indiana. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on October 25, 2011. The Hoosier Stamping facility (25 employees, 9.44 acres, 9,500,000 unit capacity) is located within Site 8 of FTZ 177. The facility is used for the manufacturing, testing, warehousing, packaging, processing, inspecting, repairing and distributing of wheel PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 assemblies and accessories. Components and materials sourced from abroad (representing up to 60% of the value of the finished product) include: pneumatic tires, tubes, rolled rim rings, semi-pneumatic tires, herring-bone tires, welding wires and bolts (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 3.7%). The application also requests authority to include a broad range of inputs and finished wheel assemblies that Hoosier Stamping may produce under FTZ procedures in the future. New major activity involving these inputs/products would require review by the FTZ Board. FTZ procedures could exempt Hoosier Stamping from customs duty payments on the foreign components used in export production. The company anticipates that approximately one percent of the plant’s shipments will be exported. On its domestic sales, Hoosier Stamping would be able to choose the duty rates during customs entry procedures that apply to finished wheel assemblies (duty-free) for the foreign inputs noted above. FTZ designation would further allow Hoosier Stamping to realize logistical benefits through the use of weekly customs entry procedures. Customs duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign status production equipment. The request indicates that the savings from FTZ procedures would help improve the plant’s international competitiveness. In accordance with the Board’s regulations, Elizabeth Whiteman of the FTZ Staff is designated examiner to evaluate and analyze the facts and information presented in the application and case record and to report findings and recommendations to the Board. Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions (original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the Board’s Executive Secretary at the address below. The closing period for their receipt is December 30, 2011. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to January 17, 2012. A copy of the application will be available for public inspection at the Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room 2111, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230–0002, and in the ‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s Web site, which is accessible via https:// www.trade.gov/ftz. For further information, contact Elizabeth Whiteman at Elizabeth.Whiteman@trade.gov or (202) 482–0473. E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 210 (Monday, October 31, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67130-67132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28056]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Bridger-Teton National Forest; Big Piney Ranger District; 
Wyoming; Environmental Impact Statement for the Sherman Cattle & Horse 
Allotment Grazing Authorization and Management Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an 
environmental impact statement to analyze the effects of domestic 
livestock grazing in the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment. This action 
was originally listed as a proposal (to be analyzed under an 
environmental assessment) on the Bridger-Teton National Forest Schedule 
of Proposed Actions on January 1, 2010. However, during development of 
the environmental assessment, it was determined that analysis and 
disclosure under an environmental impact statement would be more 
appropriate. The analysis contained in the environmental impact 
statement will be used by the Responsible Official to decide whether 
livestock grazing can be authorized within the allotment, and if so, 
under what conditions. The Sherman Cattle and Horse Allotment is 
located in western Wyoming, about 35 miles northwest of Big Piney, 
Wyoming, and is situated on the east side of the northern end of the 
Wyoming Range. The entire 17,370 acre allotment lies within Sublette 
County and within the boundaries of the Big Piney Ranger District.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by November 30, 2011. All comments that were received during the 
previous analysis period will be considered in the current analysis. 
The draft environmental impact statement is expected in April of 2012 
and the final environmental impact statement is expected in August of 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger

[[Page 67131]]

District, P.O. Box 218, Big Piney, Wyoming 83113. Comments may also be 
sent via e-mail to mailroom_r4_bridger_teton@fs.fed.us (on the 
subject line put ``Sherman Grazing Allotment''), or via facsimile to 
(307) 276-5203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chad Hayward, Big Piney Ranger 
District, (307) 276-5817, chayward@fs.fed.us, or Anita DeLong, Big 
Piney Ranger District, (307) 413-9650, akdelong@fs.fed.us, and see 
ADDRESSES above. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The need for this analysis is to determine if continued 
authorization of livestock grazing on the Sherman C&H Allotment at 
current levels is appropriate, and to determine if current livestock 
management practices are sufficient for achieving and maintaining 
compliance with the 1990 Bridger-Teton Land and Resource Management 
Plan (Forest Plan) direction and Forest Service grazing management 
policies, and other applicable laws and regulations. The purpose of the 
proposal is to manage livestock grazing in a manner that allows the 
health of the land to be sustained and that meets the goals and 
objectives of the Forest Plan.
    National Forest System lands provide an important source of 
livestock forage during portions of the year. Forest Plans provide for 
allocation of livestock grazing to meet Forest Plan objectives. 
Reauthorization is needed on these allotments because:
     Where consistent with other multiple use goals and 
objectives there is Congressional intent to allow grazing on suitable 
lands (Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act of 1960, Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resource Planning Act of 1974, Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976, National Forest Management Act of 1976).
     The Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment lies within the 
Management Area 24--Horse Creek--on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. 
The following Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) describe the land 
management direction intended to accomplish goals and objectives. 
Approximately eighty-six percent of the Sherman Cattle & Horse 
Allotment is located within an area designated by the Forest Plan as 
having a DFC of 1B (Substantial Commodity Resource Development with 
Moderate Accommodation of Other Resources). Management emphasis 
includes livestock production. Approximately nine percent of the 
project area is within the DFC 10 (Simultaneous Development of 
Resources, Opportunities for Human Experiences and Support for Big-game 
and a Wide Variety of Wildlife Species. Approximately five percent of 
the project area is within the DFC 12 (Backcountry Big-game Hunting, 
Dispersed Recreation, and Wildlife Security Areas).
     Federal regulation (36 CFR 222.2(c)) states that National 
Forest System lands would be allocated for livestock grazing and 
allotment management plans would be prepared consistent with forest 
plans.
    Continued domestic livestock grazing must be consistent with the 
goals, objectives and guidelines of the Forest Plan. The allotment 
management plan needs to be revised to update and/or refine desired 
rangeland conditions and develop management strategies to meet them. 
This analysis complies with the schedule specified by the Rescission 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-19) to complete NEPA analyses on allotments 
where such analysis is needed to authorize permitted livestock grazing 
activity.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action is to authorize continued livestock grazing on 
the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment consistent with goals, objectives, 
standards and guidelines, management prescriptions, and monitoring 
requirements specified in the Forest Plan, and in compliance with the 
Rescission Act of 1995. The Proposed Action is designed to (1) 
contribute towards Forest Plan objective 1.1(h) which states ``provide 
forage for about 260,000 AUMs of livestock grazing annually'', and (2) 
achieve Goal 4.7 which states ``[g]razing use of the National Forest 
sustains or improves overall range, soils, water, wildlife, and 
recreation values or experiences.'' Project-specific allowable-use 
standards would be implemented and include more stringent forage 
utilization standards than outlined in the Forest Plan. The Proposed 
Action also includes a streambank alteration standard consistent with 
the Forest Plan. In addition, grizzly bear conservation measures would 
be implemented to (1) minimize grizzly bear/livestock conflicts and 
associated management actions, and (2) minimize food and other types of 
habituation and bear/human conflicts. Updated direction would be 
incorporated into the allotment management plan to guide livestock 
grazing management within the allotment. Livestock grazing management 
strategies in the Proposed Action were developed in accordance with the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 36 CFR 222.1(b)(2), which describes 
allotment management planning provisions.
    Under the Proposed Action, a maximum livestock forage allocation of 
2,332 AUM, or equivalent livestock numbers and season of use, would be 
permitted. Current permitted numbers are 858 cow/calf pairs with a 
season of use from July 6th to September 20th. These would be 
maintained under the Proposed Action. The allotment contains two 
pastures. Under the Proposed Action, the allotment would be grazed by 
livestock under a Deferred Rotation Grazing System. This rotation was 
required by the 1990 Allotment Management Plan and would continue to be 
implemented under the Proposed Action.

Responsible Official

    District Ranger, Big Piney Ranger District, P.O. Box 218, Big 
Piney, Wyoming 83113.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The District Ranger will (1) decide whether to authorize continued 
livestock grazing on the Sherman Cattle & Horse Allotment, and (2) 
decide, if livestock grazing is authorized, under what management 
strategies livestock grazing will be implemented.

Preliminary Issues

    The following preliminary issues were identified by the public and 
the Forest Service in the previous environmental analysis process.
    Issue 1--Effects of livestock grazing on riparian and aquatic 
function.
    Issue 2--Effects of livestock grazing on Threatened, Endangered, 
Experimental, and Candidate Species, Forest Service Sensitive Species, 
Forest Plan Management Indicator Species and migratory birds.
    Issue 3--Effects of livestock grazing on vegetation composition and 
ground cover.
    Issue 4--Effects of livestock grazing on soil quality.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent continues the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. A scoping letter 
was mailed to those listed on the Big Piney Ranger District general 
mailing list. The mailing list included private landowners, term 
grazing permit holders, special interest groups, interested members of 
the public, and

[[Page 67132]]

local, State, and Federal agencies. The letter described the purpose 
and need for action and the proposed action. Additionally, the letter 
solicited public participation in the process, specifically the 
submission of comments, concerns, and recommendations regarding 
management of the allotment. Term grazing permit holders, or their 
representatives, were contacted shortly after the project was initiated 
to solicit their input concerning management of the allotment.
    All submitted comments, including those previously submitted, will 
be used to prepare the new draft environmental impact statement. News 
releases will be prepared to give the public general notice concerning 
the progress of this project analysis.
    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.
    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.

    Dated: October 25, 2011.
Eric J. Winthers,
Acting District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2011-28056 Filed 10-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
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