Ochoco National Forest, Paulina Ranger District; Oregon; Fox Canyon Cluster Allotment Management Plan Project EIS, 3879-3882 [2013-00890]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3879-3882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00890]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Ochoco National Forest, Paulina Ranger District; Oregon; Fox 
Canyon Cluster Allotment Management Plan Project EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Ochoco National Forest is preparing an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) to analyze the effects of changing grazing 
management in four allotments on the Paulina Ranger District. The Fox 
Canyon Cluster project area is located approximately 35 miles east of 
Prineville, south of Big Summit Prairie. The four allotments are 
Antler, Brush Creek, Fox Canyon, and Gray Prairie. The Proposed Action 
would reauthorize term grazing permits, construct rangeland 
improvements, manage livestock use and distribution, and conduct 
riparian restoration activities to facilitate the improvement of 
riparian conditions for streambank stability, riparian vegetation, and 
water temperature. These actions are needed to achieve and maintain 
consistency with the Ochoco National Forest Land and Resource Plan, as 
amended.

DATES: Scoping comments must be received by February 18, 2013. The 
draft environmental impact statement is expected to be completed and 
available for public comment in May, 2013. The final environmental 
impact statement is expected to be completed in September, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Sandra Henning, District Ranger, 
Paulina Ranger District, Ochoco National Forest, 3160 NE Third Street, 
Prineville, Oregon 97754. Alternately, electronic comments may be sent 
to comments-pacificnorthwest-ochoco@fs.fed.us. Electronic comments must 
be submitted as part of the actual email message, or as an attachment 
in plain text (.txt), Microsoft Word (.doc), rich text format (.rtf), 
or portable document format (.pdf).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Marszal, Project Leader, or 
Jacob Young, Range Specialist, at 3160 NE Third Street, Prineville, 
Oregon 97754, or at (541) 416-6500, or by email at jmarszal@fs.fed.us 
and jcyoung@fs.fed.us

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of this proposal is to reauthorize livestock grazing 
consistent with the Ochoco National Forest Land and Resource Management 
Plan (Forest Plan), as amended, and other applicable legal requirements 
within the project area. Paulina Ranger District data indicates that 
throughout the project area, stream shade and bank stability do not 
meet Forest Plan standards. In addition, several streams in the project 
area are listed on Oregon DEQ's 303(d) list for water quality limited 
streams, due to high summer water temperatures. Livestock grazing is 
one of multiple factors that can contribute to low levels of shade, 
high summer water temperatures, and unstable stream banks. In these 
four grazing allotments, there is a need to facilitate the achievement 
of the following standards: forage utilization, stream shade, bank 
stability, and width-to-depth ratio.

Proposed Action

    The proposed actions vary by allotment, and are specific to the 
resource situations within each allotment. The Proposed Action for all 
allotments includes reauthorizing grazing and reauthorizing existing 
rangeland improvements. The actual season for livestock use may be less 
than permitted in order to meet Forest Plan goals and objectives/
desired conditions. The number of days livestock spend on each 
allotment may be adjusted annually based on variations in weather and 
range readiness or unpredictable events such as wildfire and drought. 
The actual season of use may also be adjusted annually based on 
variations in weather and range readiness. The dates listed in each 
allotment description are target dates for grazing. The season of use 
may occur sooner or later than indicated based on annual conditions. 
The length of grazing also depends on meeting utilization standards or 
thresholds (triggers) for pasture moves.
    Allotment-specific proposals are as follows:

Antler Allotment

    This allotment would continue to consist of 843 acres divided into 
eight pastures: One (172 ac.), Two A (61 ac.), Two B (74 ac.), Three 
(173 ac.), Four (52 ac.), Five (60 ac.), Six (82 ac.), and Seven (168 
ac).The current permitted

[[Page 3880]]

amount of 433 AUMs (Animal Unit Month) with 92 cow/calf pair from June 
16 to September 30 would be reauthorized. Existing structural 
improvements would be reauthorized, including approximately 11 miles of 
fence. The grazing system would be an eight pasture deferred rotation 
with partial rest of pastures on a seasonal basis. Active management of 
livestock would be recommended, but due to the frequent rotation 
through the eight essentially riparian pastures the checking may not be 
as regular.
One Pasture
     Riparian restoration activities would take place on .5 
miles of Jungle Creek; activities would include in-stream placement of 
wood and/or rock structures, planting hardwoods, and creating physical 
barriers (such as wood, rock or fences) to protect hardwoods and 
improve bank stability. Wood and physical barrier material may come 
from on-site
     Aspen stands would be enhanced and protected through 
conifer thinning and utilization of thinned materials, prescribed fire, 
and mechanical treatment in an approximately 1-acre stand. Exclosure 
may be used when thinning and placement of thinned materials to protect 
aspens stand is not found to provide adequate protection.
Seven Pasture
     Planting hardwoods, and creating physical barriers (such 
as wood, rock, or fences) to protect hardwoods and improve bank 
stability would take place on .75 miles of North Fork Crooked River.
Two A Pasture
     Planting hardwoods, and creating physical barriers (such 
as wood, rock, or fences) to protect hardwoods and improve bank 
stability would take place on .25 miles of North Fork Crooked River.

Brush Creek Allotment

    This allotment would continue to consist of 4,378 acres divided 
into two pastures: Lower Pasture (3,513 ac.) and Middle Pasture (865 
ac.). The current permitted amount of 455 AUMs would be reauthorized 
but the amount of head would be changed to 375 cow/calf pairs from May 
1 to September 30. The total number of days of permitted use in this 
allotment is 27 days to equal the authorized AUMs. The ``turn on'' date 
may be adjusted annually based on range readiness indicators. The 
grazing system would be a modified nine pasture rest rotation; four 
pastures in Fox Canyon allotment, three pastures in Gray Prairie 
allotment, and two pastures in Brush Creek allotment. The modified nine 
pasture rest rotation would include yearly adaptations in duration and 
timing of grazing use in some pastures. This would include partial rest 
of one or more pastures a year and/or may include full rest of a 
pasture based on resource management objectives. Active management of 
livestock would be required.
    The following actions were proposed, analyzed and authorized within 
the Big Summit Cluster Allotment Management Plans Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (Record of Decision, September 18, 2009), and would be 
carried forward in this Decision.
     Existing structural improvements would be reauthorized, 
including 3 water developments and approximately 10 miles of fence. One 
new water development is proposed.
     Modify existing pasture layout to create a riparian 
pasture on Jungle Creek (Jungle Creek Riparian Pasture).
    [cir] Pasture would be about 449 acres and would require 
approximately 1.5 miles of new fence.
    [cir] Rest for a minimum of 4 years and until upward trend is 
identified.
    [cir] Riparian restoration on 1 mile of Jungle Creek would include 
in-stream placement of wood and/or rock structures, thinning small-
diameter conifers in alder and willow stands, protecting hardwoods, and 
headcut repair.
     When grazing is reinitiated within the riparian pasture, 
the pasture would be grazed every other year, for a maximum of two 
weeks.
     Fix fence in lower Jungle Creek; protect aspen stand.
Lower Pasture
     Rebuild fence at upper part of pasture (west edge).
Middle Pasture
     Modify Lost Spring Reservoir: Repair/reconstruct exclosure 
fence and bury pipe to trough.

Fox Canyon Allotment

    This allotment would continue to consist of 13,612 acres divided 
into four pastures: Fox Canyon (6,795 ac.), Long Prairie (2,844 ac.), 
Williams Prairie (3,281 ac.), and Williams Prairie Riparian Pasture 
(691 ac.).The current permitted amount of 1031 AUMs would be 
reauthorized but the amount of head would be changed to 375 cow/calf 
pairs from May 1 to September 30. The total number of days of permitted 
use in this allotment is 62 days to equal the authorized AUMs. The 
``turn on'' date may be adjusted annually based on range readiness 
indicators. The grazing system would be a modified nine pasture rest 
rotation; four pastures in Fox Canyon allotment, three pastures in Gray 
Prairie allotment, and two pastures in Brush Creek allotment. The 
modified nine pasture rest rotation would include yearly adaptations in 
duration and timing of grazing use in some pastures. This would include 
partial rest of one or more pastures a year and/or may include full 
rest of a pasture based to resource management objectives. Existing 
structural improvements would be reauthorized, including 12 water 
developments and approximately 20 miles of fence. Five new water 
developments are proposed. Active management of livestock would be 
required.
Fox Canyon Pasture
     Construct four and reconstruct two water developments to 
improve livestock distribution.
     Construct exclosure with water-gaps on 1.4 miles of North 
Fork Fox Canyon Creek. The exclosure would include gates to allow for 
periodic grazing for vegetation management. Riparian restoration 
activities would take place within the newly constructed exclosure; 
activities would include head-cut repair, in-stream placement of wood 
and/or rock structures, planting hardwoods, and creating physical 
barriers (such as wood, rock or fences) to protect hardwoods and 
improve bank stability. Wood and physical barrier material may come 
from on-site.
     Reconstruct existing riparian exclosure on .5 miles of 
South Fork Fox Canyon Creek.
     In-stream placement of wood and/or rock structures would 
take place on 1.5 miles of South Fork Fox Canyon Creek. Wood and 
physical barrier material may come from on-site.
     Aspen stands would be protected and enhanced through 
conifer thinning and utilization of thinned materials, prescribed fire, 
and mechanical treatment in 3 stands, totaling 3 acres of treatment. 
Exclosures may be used when thinning and placement of thinned materials 
to protect aspens stands is not found to provide adequate protection.
Long Prairie Pasture
     Riparian restoration activities would take place on .75 
miles of Long Prairie Creek; activities would include in-stream 
placement of wood and/or rock structures, planting hardwoods, and 
creating physical barriers (such as wood, rock or fences) to protect 
hardwoods and improve bank stability, conifer thinning to improve RHCA

[[Page 3881]]

(Riparian Habitat Conservation Area) stand conditions and utilization 
of thinned materials for in-stream placement and improved bank 
stability. Wood and physical barrier material may come from on-site.
     Aspen stands would be protected and enhanced through 
conifer thinning and utilization of thinned materials, prescribed fire, 
and mechanical treatment in 2 stands, totaling 2 acres of treatment. 
Exclosures may be used when thinning and placement of thinned materials 
to protect aspens stands is not found to provide adequate protection.
     Hand-place wood around 3 fens to reduce cattle/wildlife 
trailing.
Williams Prairie Pasture
     Construct one and reconstruct two water developments to 
improve livestock distribution.
     Reconstruct riparian exclosure.
     Riparian restoration activities would take place on .5 
miles of North Fork Crooked River up-stream of Sera Springs; activities 
would include in-stream placement of wood and/or rock structures, 
planting hardwoods, and creating physical barriers (such as wood, rock 
or fences) to protect hardwoods and improve bank stability. Wood and 
physical barrier material may come from on-site.
     Hand-place wood around two fens to reduce cattle/wildlife 
trailing.
     Prescribed burning would take place in Williams Prairie 
meadow with the objective of removing decadent vegetative material and 
stimulating growth.

Gray Prairie Allotment

    This allotment would continue to consist of 11,630 acres divided 
into five pastures: East B (2,692 ac.), Gray Prairie (3,672 ac.), 
Holding (552 ac.), North (4,631 ac.), and Spring Creek (82 ac). The 
current permitted amount of 1,544 AUMs would be reauthorized but the 
amount of head would be changed to 375 cow/calf pairs from May 1 to 
September 30. The total number of days of permitted use in this 
allotment is 93 days to equal the authorized AUMs. The grazing system 
would be a modified nine pasture rest rotation; four pastures in Fox 
Canyon allotment, three pastures in Gray Prairie allotment, and two 
pastures in Brush Creek allotment. The modified nine pasture rest 
rotation will include yearly adaptations in duration and timing of 
grazing use in some pastures. This will include partial rest of one or 
more pastures a year and/or may include full rest of a pasture based to 
resource management objectives. Existing structural improvements would 
be reauthorized, including 13 water developments and approximately 21.5 
miles of fence. Five new water developments are proposed. Two new 
cattle-guards would be installed between the North and Gray Prairie 
pastures. Active management of livestock would be required.
East B Pasture
     Reconstruct three water developments.
     Riparian restoration activities would take place on .75 
miles of Spring Creek; activities would include in-stream placement of 
wood and/or rock structures, planting hardwoods, and creating physical 
barriers (such as wood, rock or fences) to protect hardwoods and 
improve bank stability. Wood and physical barrier material may come 
from on-site.
     Aspen stands would be enhanced and protected through 
conifer thinning and utilization of thinned materials, prescribed 
burning, and mechanical treatment in 4 stands, totaling 4 acres of 
treatment. Exclosures may be used when thinning and placement of 
thinned materials to protect aspens stands is not found to provide 
adequate protection.
Gray Prairie Pasture
     Construct two and reconstruct five water developments to 
improve livestock distribution.
     Riparian restoration activities would take place on 1 mile 
of lower Gray Creek; activities would include in-stream placement of 
wood and/or rock structures, planting hardwoods, and creating physical 
barriers (such as wood, rock or fences) to protect hardwoods and 
improve bank stability, conifer thinning to improve RHCA stand 
conditions and utilization of thinned materials for in-stream placement 
and improved bank stability. Wood and physical barrier material may 
come from on-site.
     Aspen stands would be enhanced and protected through 
conifer thinning and utilization of thinned materials, prescribed fire, 
and mechanical treatment in 2 stands, totaling 2 acres of treatment. 
Exclosures may be used when thinning and placement of thinned materials 
to protect aspens stands is not found to provide adequate protection.
     Hand-place wood around 2 fens to reduce cattle/wildlife 
trailing.
     Prescribed burning would take place in Gray Prairie meadow 
with the objective of removing decadent vegetative material and 
invigorating growth.
North Pasture
     Construct three and reconstruct three water developments 
to improve the distribution of livestock.
     Riparian restoration activities would take place on .3 
miles of lower Lytle Creek and .5 miles of upper Lytle Creek; 
activities would include in-stream placement of wood and/or rock 
structures, planting hardwoods, and creating physical barriers (such as 
wood, rock or fences) to protect hardwoods and improve bank stability. 
Wood and physical barrier material may come from on-site.
     Aspen stands would be enhanced and protected through 
conifer thinning and utilization of thinned materials, prescribed fire, 
and mechanical treatment in 5 stands, totaling 5 acres of treatment. 
Exclosures may be used when thinning and placement of thinned materials 
to protect aspens stands is not found to provide adequate protection.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the Proposed Action and any alternative that is 
developed following this scoping effort, the project interdisciplinary 
team will analyze the effects of:
     No Action alternative: No grazing permits would be 
reauthorized; cattle would be removed from all allotments within two 
years.
     Current management alternative: Permits would be 
reauthorized at current levels; there would be no new water 
developments, no riparian restoration, and there would be no 
requirement for permittees to move livestock out of sensitive areas, 
except as required by current permits.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official will be Kate Klein, Forest Supervisor, 
Ochoco National Forest, 3160 NE Third Street, Prineville, Oregon 97754.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose and need, the deciding official will review the 
proposed action, the other alternatives, and the environmental 
consequences in order to make the following decisions:
     Whether and under what circumstances grazing will be 
reauthorized in the Fox Canyon Creek, Antler, Gray Prairie and Brush 
Creek Allotments.
     Whether and under what circumstances range improvements 
would be constructed.
     Whether and under what circumstances riparian restoration 
activities would be implemented.

[[Page 3882]]

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues identified include the potential effect to 
livestock grazing, heritage resources, fisheries, water quality, 
sensitive plants, the introduction and/or spread of invasive plants, 
and forage for big game species. In addition, the team will analyze the 
cumulative effects of this Proposed Action where it overlaps with the 
effects of other activities, including vegetation and fuels management.

Scoping Process

    Public comments about this proposal are requested in order to 
assist in identifying issues, determining how to best manage the 
resources, and focusing the analysis. Comments received to this notice, 
including names and addresses of those who comments will be part of the 
public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously 
will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not 
provide the Agency with the ability to afford the respondent with 
subsequent environmental documents.

    Dated: January 11, 2013.
Sandra Henning,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2013-00890 Filed 1-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P