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]
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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
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Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
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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
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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
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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
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]]>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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
