Motorized Travel Management Plan, Tonto National Forest; Gila, Maricopa, Pinal, and Counties, AZ, 7391-7393 [2013-02199]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2013 / Notices
Signed on January 23, 2013.
Juan M. Garica,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency, and
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit
Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2013–02358 Filed 1–31–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Motorized Travel Management Plan,
Tonto National Forest; Gila, Maricopa,
Pinal, and Counties, AZ
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Tonto National Forest
will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of
designating a system of roads, trails, and
areas for motorized vehicle use, thereby
developing a motorized travel
management plan. Such a plan is
needed to meet National travel
management regulations and to improve
the management and enforcement of
motor vehicle use on National Forest
Service lands. This notice describes the
components to be included in the
motorized travel plan, proposed forest
plan amendment, decisions to be made,
estimated dates pertaining to the
project, information concerning public
participation, and the responsible
agency official. The project area is
defined by the boundaries of the Tonto
National Forest, and includes the Cave
Creek, Globe, Mesa, Payson, Pleasant
Valley, and Tonto Basin ranger districts.
DATES: Written comments to be
considered in the preparation of the
draft environmental impact statement
(DEIS) should be submitted on or before
March 4, 2013. The DEIS is expected to
be published in June 2013. The final
environmental impact statement (FEIS)
and record of decision (ROD) is
expected to be available by November
2013.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Neil Bosworth, Forest Supervisor,
ATTN: Travel Management, 2324 E.
McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006.
Comments may also be sent via email to
comments-southwesternTMRTonto@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile
(602) 225–5295.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anne Thomas, Tonto National Forest
NEPA Coordinator, 2324 E. McDowell
Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006, (602) 225–
5213.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:26 Jan 31, 2013
Jkt 229001
(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: On
November 9, 2005, the Forest Service
published final travel management
regulations governing off-highway
vehicles (OHV) and other motor
vehicles on national forests and
grasslands. The regulations amended
part 212, subpart B of part 251, subpart
A of part 261, and removed part 295 of
title 36 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR). These three
regulations are referred to together as
the Travel Management Rule. This rule
was developed in response to the
substantial increase in use of OHVs on
National Forest System lands and
related damage to forest resources
caused by unmanaged OHV use over the
past 30 years. The regulations
implement Executive Orders (EO) 11644
and EO 11989 regarding off-road use of
motor vehicles on Federal lands.
The regulations provide ‘‘for a system
of National Forest System (NFS) roads,
NFS trails, and areas of NFS lands that
are designated for motor vehicle use.
Motor vehicle use off designated roads
and trails and outside of designated
areas is prohibited’’ (36 CFR 212.50).
Designated routes and areas shall be
identified on a motor vehicle use map
(MVUM) and made available to the
public. Currently, motor vehicles may
drive on any open road on the Tonto
National Forest. The Tonto National
Forest does not currently manage trails
for motorized use. In the 1985 Tonto
National Forest Plan, approximately
700,004 acres were identified as open to
cross-country travel in the Payson and
Pleasant Valley ranger districts. In
addition, the 1985 Tonto National
Forest Plan identified over 2,170,000
acres closed to cross-country OHV travel
in the Cave Creek, Mesa, Globe, and
Tonto Basin ranger districts.
In order to comply with the travel
management regulations, the Tonto
National Forest participated in a
forestwide travel analysis process
beginning in 2007 that was facilitated by
a contractor. The intent of this process
was to help the forest determine the
minimum transportation system
necessary to provide safe and efficient
travel and for administration,
utilization, and protection of NFS lands
(36 CFR 212.5(b)). Based on internal
scoping, the Forest Supervisor
determined that the Tonto National
Forest would prepare an Environmental
Assessment (EA) to complete the
analysis required to comply with the
Travel Management Rule. In October
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7391
2009, the forest released a proposed
action. Seven public meetings were held
throughout the communities within and
proximate in November and December
2009 to gather public comments about
the proposed action, including roads
and trails proposed for motorized use.
Comments to the proposed action were
accepted through December 4, 2009. A
draft version of the EA was released for
public comment on January 6, 2012, for
a 30-day comment period. Due to the
length and complexity of the
Environmental Assessment and requests
from the public, an additional 30-day
comment period began on February 5,
2012. Approximately 300 letters were
received during these two comment
periods.
After initiating compliance with the
Travel Management Rule under an EA,
the Tonto National Forest determined
that the level of significance reached a
point that environmental analysis for
travel management under an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
would be more appropriate. All
comments provided throughout the
process thus far, including those to the
2009 proposed action, the 2012
Environmental Assessment, and public
meetings, will continue to be considered
and may be incorporated into either the
proposed action for the EIS or
alternatives to that proposed action.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this project is to
comply with the Travel Management
Rule by providing a system of roads,
trails, and areas designated for motor
vehicle use by class of vehicle and time
of year on the Tonto National Forest.
There is a need to determine which, if
any, authorized National Forest System
(NFS) roads currently open should be
closed to motorized travel. In addition,
there is a need to determine which, if
any, authorized roads currently closed
should be open to motorized travel.
There is also a need identify any
restrictions on allowed uses, classes of
vehicles, and/or seasons of use for
specific routes. There is also a need to
determine which, if any, unauthorized
routes should be added to NFS as trails
and roads open for motorized access. In
addition, there is a need to determine if,
when, where, and how far motor
vehicles may be driven off designated
roads for the sole purpose of motorized
dispersed camping or big game retrieval.
And finally, there is a need to amend
1985 Tonto National Forest Plan to
prohibit motor vehicle use off
designated NFS roads, trails, and areas
on two ranger districts (Payson and
Pleasant Valley) except as shown on the
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and to
E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM
01FEN1
7392
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2013 / Notices
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
revise wording for consistency regarding
definition to comply with Travel
Management Rule, 36 CFR 261.13.
Proposed Action
For the purposes of this project and
notice, the term ‘‘road’’ or ‘‘trail’’ is
defined as a National Forest System
(NFS) road or trail that is designated for
motor vehicle use pursuant to 36 CFR
212.51. An ‘‘unauthorized road or trail’’
is not a forest road or trail or a
temporary road or trail and that is not
included in a forest transportation atlas.
Unauthorized routes have generally
developed without agency
authorization, environmental analysis,
or public involvement and do not have
the same status as NFS roads or trails
included in the forest transportation
system. To meet the purpose and need
of the project, the actions listed below
are proposed. The proposed action has
been modified based on comments
received from the 2009 scoping period
through the 2012 Environmental
Assessment comment period.
Roads proposed open to motor
vehicles: Approximately 2,567 miles of
roads would be open to high clearance
vehicles and approximately 967 miles
would be open to passenger vehicles.
Approximately 1,187 miles of roads
would be designated for Administrative
Use, restricting use to federal employees
and permitted uses. Approximately 842
miles of existing roads would be closed.
In this case, close means it would be
closed to public travel. Some of these
roads would be retained for periodic
administrative use only (maintenance
Level 1) and others will be
decommissioned (removed from the
forest inventory). The most relevant
aspect of this action is closing the road
to public travel. Decisions to obliterate
decommissioned roads are outside the
scope of this project, because they
require further site-specific
environmental analysis before being
undertaken. Approximately 280 miles of
user-created routes would be added to
the forest transportation system. These
routes would be managed as roads and
will be open to public travel.
Trails proposed open to motor
vehicles: Approximately 251 miles
would be open to off-highway vehicle
(OHV) travel only.
Areas proposed open for crosscountry motorized travel: Four areas
within the Tonto National Forest would
be designated permitting cross-country
motorized travel: Golf Course OHV Area
within the Globe Ranger District
(approximately 17 acres); Sycamore
OHV Area within the Mesa Ranger
District (approximately 1,391 acres);
Sycamore Tot Lot OHV Area, intended
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:26 Jan 31, 2013
Jkt 229001
for youth users, within the Mesa Ranger
District (approximately 3 acres); and
The Rolls Tot Lot, also intended for
youth users, within the Mesa Ranger
District (approximately 6 acres).
This proposed action would result in
approximately 3,812 miles of designated
NFS roads and trails and 1,417 acres of
designated areas open to motor vehicles
on the Tonto National Forest.
Motorized big game retrieval:
Motorized retrieval of big game, elk and
bear only, would be limited to one mile
off either side of NFS roads to retrieve
a downed elk or bear by an individual
who has legally taken the animal. This
would occur on all open roads in
Arizona Game Management Units 21,
22, 23, 24A, and 24B, but would not
extend into wilderness areas or
inventoried roadless areas. Unit 22
includes approximately 920 acres of the
Coconino National Forest. The decision
for motorized big game retrieval for
these 920 acres of Unit 22 will be under
the authority of the Tonto National
Forest decision maker.
Dispersed camping: Motorized travel
for the purpose of dispersed camping
would not be allowed off designated
roads and trails. Vehicles would be
allowed to park one vehicle length, or
up to 30 feet, from the edge of the
designated road or trail.
OHV permit zones: Four permit zones
would be designated within the forest:
Bulldog Canyon Permit Zone within the
Mesa Ranger District; St. Claire Permit
Zone within the Cave Creek Ranger
District; Sycamore Permit Zone within
the Mesa Ranger District, and The Rolls
Permit Zone within the Mesa Ranger
District. Within a permit zone, vehicles
would be required to stay on designated
roads and trails. Motorized users would
be required to obtain a permit and a gate
combination code from the designated
Tonto National Forest office before
accessing these zones.
The proposed action would amend
the Forest Plan to prohibit motor vehicle
use off designated NFS roads, trails, and
areas on two ranger districts (Payson
and Pleasant Valley), except as shown
on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM)
and to revise wording in order to be
consistent with the language and intent
in 36 CFR 212.
Possible Alternatives
In addition to the Proposed Action,
the No Action alternative will be
analyzed. The Forest Service is required
to analyze the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative
under the provisions of NEPA (40 CFR
1502.14). Since the original scoping for
this project in 2009, several concerns
and issues were raised concerning travel
management on the Tonto National
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Forest. These included the need to
increase motorized travel opportunities
on designated roads, trails and areas,
provided greater protection for natural
resources by decreasing the amount of
roads, trails, and areas, and provide
greater motorized access to dispersed
camping sites and retrieval of big game.
These issues, along with issues raised
during the scoping period for the EIS,
will be used to develop alternatives to
the proposed action.
Responsible Official
The responsible official for this
project is the Tonto National Forest
Supervisor.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Elements in this decision include:
Changes to the existing road system;
changes to existing motorized trails and
areas open to cross-country motorized
travel; the distance motor vehicles may
travel off specific designated routes for
the purpose of dispersed camping and
big game retrieval; and language and
content changes to the Tonto Forest
Plan via a forest plan amendment. The
decision will be based on a
consideration of the environmental
effects of implementing the proposed
action or alternatives developed in
response to significant issues. The
Forest Supervisor may select the
proposed action, an alternative analyzed
in detail, or a modified proposed action
or alternative within the project’s range
of alternatives.
Scoping Process
Scoping is an ongoing procedure used
to identify important issues and
determine the extent of analysis
necessary for an informed decision on a
proposed action. This Notice of Intent
serves as formal initiation of the scoping
process. The Forest Service is seeking
comments from individuals,
organizations, and local, state, and
Federal agencies that may be interested
in or affected by the proposed action.
Comments may pertain to the nature
and scope of the environmental, social,
and economic issues, and possible
alternatives related to the development
of the motorized travel plan and EIS.
When submitting comments, please
keep them specific to this proposal only.
Comments which are not specific to the
project and project area will be deemed
outside the scope of the analysis and
will not be considered. If you provide
recommendations for changes to routes
or areas, please include route numbers
or location descriptions, as well as the
reasons for your recommendations. If
you are including references, citations,
or additional information to be
E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM
01FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2013 / Notices
considered for this project, please
specify exactly how the material relates
to the project. Also indicate exactly
what part of the material you would like
us to consider (such as page or figure
number).
A copy of the proposed action has
been made available electronically on
the Tonto National Forest’s Web site.
For those wishing to receive a copy of
the proposed action or would like to
have their names added to the project
mailing list, please submitted a request
to: Anne Thomas, Tonto National Forest
NEPA Coordinator, 2324 E. McDowell
Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85006, (602) 225–
5213, comments-southwesternTMRTonto@fs.fed.us
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement.
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, anonymous
comments will not provide the Agency
with the ability to provide the
respondent with subsequent
environmental documents.
West Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL
32301. The purpose of the meeting is for
the Committee to receive ethics training
and orientation and plan future
activities.
Members of the public are entitled to
submit written comments; the
comments must be received in the
regional office by March 21, 2013.
Written comments may be mailed to the
Southern Regional Office, U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights, 61 Forsyth
St. SW., Suite 16T126, Atlanta, GA
30303. They may also be faxed to the
Commission at (404) 562–7005, or
emailed to the Commission at
erodriguez@usccr.gov. Persons who
desire additional information may
contact the Southern Regional Office at
(404) 562–7000.
Hearing-impaired persons who will
attend the meeting and require the
services of a sign language interpreter
should contact the Southern Regional
Office at least ten (10) working days
before the scheduled date of the
meeting.
Records generated from this meeting
may be inspected and reproduced at the
Southern Regional Office, as they
become available, both before and after
the meeting. Persons interested in the
work of this Committee are directed to
the Commission’s Web site, https://
www.usccr.gov, or may contact the
Southern Regional Office at the above
email or street address.
The meeting will be conducted
pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the Commission and FACA.
Dated in Washington, DC, January 28,
2013.
David Mussatt,
Acting Chief, Regional Programs
Coordination Unit.
[FR Doc. 2013–02119 Filed 1–31–13; 8:45 am]
Dated: January 24, 2013.
Neil J. Bosworth,
Forest Supervisor.
BILLING CODE 6335–01–P
[FR Doc. 2013–02199 Filed 1–31–13; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
Census Bureau
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting
of the Florida Advisory Committee
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to
the provisions of the rules and
regulations of the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights (Commission) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act that a
meeting of the Florida Advisory
Committee (Committee) will convene on
Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 10:30
a.m. and adjourn at approximately 11:30
a.m. The meeting will be held at the
Leon County Main Public Library, 200
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:26 Jan 31, 2013
Jkt 229001
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request; 2014 New York City
Housing and Vacancy Survey
U.S. Census Bureau,
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of
Commerce, as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information
collections, as required by the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7393
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: To ensure consideration, written
comments must be submitted on or
before April 2, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
Internet at jjessup@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument(s) and instructions should
be directed to Alan Friedman, US
Census Bureau, Room 7H590H,
Washington, DC 20233–8500; phone:
(301) 763–5664; or
alan.friedman@census.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau plans to conduct
the 2014 New York City Housing and
Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS) under
contract for the City of New York. The
primary purpose of the survey is to
measure the rental vacancy rate, which
is the primary factor in determining the
continuation of rent control regulations.
Other survey information is used by city
and state agencies for planning purposes
and by the private sector for business
decisions. New York is required by city
law to have such a survey conducted
every three years.
Information to be collected includes:
age, gender, race, Hispanic origin, and
relationship of all household members;
employment status, education level, and
income for persons aged 15 and above.
Owner/renter status (tenure) is asked for
all occupied units. Utility costs,
monthly rent, availability of kitchen and
bathroom facilities, maintenance
deficiencies, neighborhood suitability,
and other specific questions about each
unit such as number of rooms and
bedrooms are also asked. The survey
also poses a number of questions
relating to handicapped accessibility.
For vacant units, a shorter series of
similar questions is asked. Finally, all
vacant units and approximately five
percent of occupied units will be
reinterviewed for quality assurance
purposes.
The Census Bureau compiles the data
in tabular format based on specifications
of the survey sponsor, as well as nonidentifiable microdata. Both types of
data are also made available to the
general public through the Census
Internet site. Note, however, that the
sponsor, like the general public, does
E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM
01FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7391-7393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02199]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Motorized Travel Management Plan, Tonto National Forest; Gila,
Maricopa, Pinal, and Counties, AZ
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Tonto National Forest will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of designating a system of
roads, trails, and areas for motorized vehicle use, thereby developing
a motorized travel management plan. Such a plan is needed to meet
National travel management regulations and to improve the management
and enforcement of motor vehicle use on National Forest Service lands.
This notice describes the components to be included in the motorized
travel plan, proposed forest plan amendment, decisions to be made,
estimated dates pertaining to the project, information concerning
public participation, and the responsible agency official. The project
area is defined by the boundaries of the Tonto National Forest, and
includes the Cave Creek, Globe, Mesa, Payson, Pleasant Valley, and
Tonto Basin ranger districts.
DATES: Written comments to be considered in the preparation of the
draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) should be submitted on or
before March 4, 2013. The DEIS is expected to be published in June
2013. The final environmental impact statement (FEIS) and record of
decision (ROD) is expected to be available by November 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Neil Bosworth, Forest Supervisor,
ATTN: Travel Management, 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006.
Comments may also be sent via email to comments-southwestern-TMRTonto@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile (602) 225-5295.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Thomas, Tonto National Forest
NEPA Coordinator, 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006, (602) 225-
5213.
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: On November 9, 2005, the Forest Service
published final travel management regulations governing off-highway
vehicles (OHV) and other motor vehicles on national forests and
grasslands. The regulations amended part 212, subpart B of part 251,
subpart A of part 261, and removed part 295 of title 36 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR). These three regulations are referred to
together as the Travel Management Rule. This rule was developed in
response to the substantial increase in use of OHVs on National Forest
System lands and related damage to forest resources caused by unmanaged
OHV use over the past 30 years. The regulations implement Executive
Orders (EO) 11644 and EO 11989 regarding off-road use of motor vehicles
on Federal lands.
The regulations provide ``for a system of National Forest System
(NFS) roads, NFS trails, and areas of NFS lands that are designated for
motor vehicle use. Motor vehicle use off designated roads and trails
and outside of designated areas is prohibited'' (36 CFR 212.50).
Designated routes and areas shall be identified on a motor vehicle use
map (MVUM) and made available to the public. Currently, motor vehicles
may drive on any open road on the Tonto National Forest. The Tonto
National Forest does not currently manage trails for motorized use. In
the 1985 Tonto National Forest Plan, approximately 700,004 acres were
identified as open to cross-country travel in the Payson and Pleasant
Valley ranger districts. In addition, the 1985 Tonto National Forest
Plan identified over 2,170,000 acres closed to cross-country OHV travel
in the Cave Creek, Mesa, Globe, and Tonto Basin ranger districts.
In order to comply with the travel management regulations, the
Tonto National Forest participated in a forestwide travel analysis
process beginning in 2007 that was facilitated by a contractor. The
intent of this process was to help the forest determine the minimum
transportation system necessary to provide safe and efficient travel
and for administration, utilization, and protection of NFS lands (36
CFR 212.5(b)). Based on internal scoping, the Forest Supervisor
determined that the Tonto National Forest would prepare an
Environmental Assessment (EA) to complete the analysis required to
comply with the Travel Management Rule. In October 2009, the forest
released a proposed action. Seven public meetings were held throughout
the communities within and proximate in November and December 2009 to
gather public comments about the proposed action, including roads and
trails proposed for motorized use. Comments to the proposed action were
accepted through December 4, 2009. A draft version of the EA was
released for public comment on January 6, 2012, for a 30-day comment
period. Due to the length and complexity of the Environmental
Assessment and requests from the public, an additional 30-day comment
period began on February 5, 2012. Approximately 300 letters were
received during these two comment periods.
After initiating compliance with the Travel Management Rule under
an EA, the Tonto National Forest determined that the level of
significance reached a point that environmental analysis for travel
management under an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be more
appropriate. All comments provided throughout the process thus far,
including those to the 2009 proposed action, the 2012 Environmental
Assessment, and public meetings, will continue to be considered and may
be incorporated into either the proposed action for the EIS or
alternatives to that proposed action.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this project is to comply with the Travel Management
Rule by providing a system of roads, trails, and areas designated for
motor vehicle use by class of vehicle and time of year on the Tonto
National Forest. There is a need to determine which, if any, authorized
National Forest System (NFS) roads currently open should be closed to
motorized travel. In addition, there is a need to determine which, if
any, authorized roads currently closed should be open to motorized
travel. There is also a need identify any restrictions on allowed uses,
classes of vehicles, and/or seasons of use for specific routes. There
is also a need to determine which, if any, unauthorized routes should
be added to NFS as trails and roads open for motorized access. In
addition, there is a need to determine if, when, where, and how far
motor vehicles may be driven off designated roads for the sole purpose
of motorized dispersed camping or big game retrieval. And finally,
there is a need to amend 1985 Tonto National Forest Plan to prohibit
motor vehicle use off designated NFS roads, trails, and areas on two
ranger districts (Payson and Pleasant Valley) except as shown on the
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and to
[[Page 7392]]
revise wording for consistency regarding definition to comply with
Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR 261.13.
Proposed Action
For the purposes of this project and notice, the term ``road'' or
``trail'' is defined as a National Forest System (NFS) road or trail
that is designated for motor vehicle use pursuant to 36 CFR 212.51. An
``unauthorized road or trail'' is not a forest road or trail or a
temporary road or trail and that is not included in a forest
transportation atlas. Unauthorized routes have generally developed
without agency authorization, environmental analysis, or public
involvement and do not have the same status as NFS roads or trails
included in the forest transportation system. To meet the purpose and
need of the project, the actions listed below are proposed. The
proposed action has been modified based on comments received from the
2009 scoping period through the 2012 Environmental Assessment comment
period.
Roads proposed open to motor vehicles: Approximately 2,567 miles of
roads would be open to high clearance vehicles and approximately 967
miles would be open to passenger vehicles. Approximately 1,187 miles of
roads would be designated for Administrative Use, restricting use to
federal employees and permitted uses. Approximately 842 miles of
existing roads would be closed. In this case, close means it would be
closed to public travel. Some of these roads would be retained for
periodic administrative use only (maintenance Level 1) and others will
be decommissioned (removed from the forest inventory). The most
relevant aspect of this action is closing the road to public travel.
Decisions to obliterate decommissioned roads are outside the scope of
this project, because they require further site-specific environmental
analysis before being undertaken. Approximately 280 miles of user-
created routes would be added to the forest transportation system.
These routes would be managed as roads and will be open to public
travel.
Trails proposed open to motor vehicles: Approximately 251 miles
would be open to off-highway vehicle (OHV) travel only.
Areas proposed open for cross-country motorized travel: Four areas
within the Tonto National Forest would be designated permitting cross-
country motorized travel: Golf Course OHV Area within the Globe Ranger
District (approximately 17 acres); Sycamore OHV Area within the Mesa
Ranger District (approximately 1,391 acres); Sycamore Tot Lot OHV Area,
intended for youth users, within the Mesa Ranger District
(approximately 3 acres); and The Rolls Tot Lot, also intended for youth
users, within the Mesa Ranger District (approximately 6 acres).
This proposed action would result in approximately 3,812 miles of
designated NFS roads and trails and 1,417 acres of designated areas
open to motor vehicles on the Tonto National Forest.
Motorized big game retrieval: Motorized retrieval of big game, elk
and bear only, would be limited to one mile off either side of NFS
roads to retrieve a downed elk or bear by an individual who has legally
taken the animal. This would occur on all open roads in Arizona Game
Management Units 21, 22, 23, 24A, and 24B, but would not extend into
wilderness areas or inventoried roadless areas. Unit 22 includes
approximately 920 acres of the Coconino National Forest. The decision
for motorized big game retrieval for these 920 acres of Unit 22 will be
under the authority of the Tonto National Forest decision maker.
Dispersed camping: Motorized travel for the purpose of dispersed
camping would not be allowed off designated roads and trails. Vehicles
would be allowed to park one vehicle length, or up to 30 feet, from the
edge of the designated road or trail.
OHV permit zones: Four permit zones would be designated within the
forest: Bulldog Canyon Permit Zone within the Mesa Ranger District; St.
Claire Permit Zone within the Cave Creek Ranger District; Sycamore
Permit Zone within the Mesa Ranger District, and The Rolls Permit Zone
within the Mesa Ranger District. Within a permit zone, vehicles would
be required to stay on designated roads and trails. Motorized users
would be required to obtain a permit and a gate combination code from
the designated Tonto National Forest office before accessing these
zones.
The proposed action would amend the Forest Plan to prohibit motor
vehicle use off designated NFS roads, trails, and areas on two ranger
districts (Payson and Pleasant Valley), except as shown on the Motor
Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and to revise wording in order to be consistent
with the language and intent in 36 CFR 212.
Possible Alternatives
In addition to the Proposed Action, the No Action alternative will
be analyzed. The Forest Service is required to analyze the ``No
Action'' alternative under the provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1502.14).
Since the original scoping for this project in 2009, several concerns
and issues were raised concerning travel management on the Tonto
National Forest. These included the need to increase motorized travel
opportunities on designated roads, trails and areas, provided greater
protection for natural resources by decreasing the amount of roads,
trails, and areas, and provide greater motorized access to dispersed
camping sites and retrieval of big game. These issues, along with
issues raised during the scoping period for the EIS, will be used to
develop alternatives to the proposed action.
Responsible Official
The responsible official for this project is the Tonto National
Forest Supervisor.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Elements in this decision include: Changes to the existing road
system; changes to existing motorized trails and areas open to cross-
country motorized travel; the distance motor vehicles may travel off
specific designated routes for the purpose of dispersed camping and big
game retrieval; and language and content changes to the Tonto Forest
Plan via a forest plan amendment. The decision will be based on a
consideration of the environmental effects of implementing the proposed
action or alternatives developed in response to significant issues. The
Forest Supervisor may select the proposed action, an alternative
analyzed in detail, or a modified proposed action or alternative within
the project's range of alternatives.
Scoping Process
Scoping is an ongoing procedure used to identify important issues
and determine the extent of analysis necessary for an informed decision
on a proposed action. This Notice of Intent serves as formal initiation
of the scoping process. The Forest Service is seeking comments from
individuals, organizations, and local, state, and Federal agencies that
may be interested in or affected by the proposed action. Comments may
pertain to the nature and scope of the environmental, social, and
economic issues, and possible alternatives related to the development
of the motorized travel plan and EIS. When submitting comments, please
keep them specific to this proposal only. Comments which are not
specific to the project and project area will be deemed outside the
scope of the analysis and will not be considered. If you provide
recommendations for changes to routes or areas, please include route
numbers or location descriptions, as well as the reasons for your
recommendations. If you are including references, citations, or
additional information to be
[[Page 7393]]
considered for this project, please specify exactly how the material
relates to the project. Also indicate exactly what part of the material
you would like us to consider (such as page or figure number).
A copy of the proposed action has been made available
electronically on the Tonto National Forest's Web site. For those
wishing to receive a copy of the proposed action or would like to have
their names added to the project mailing list, please submitted a
request to: Anne Thomas, Tonto National Forest NEPA Coordinator, 2324
E. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85006, (602) 225-5213, comments-southwestern-TMRTonto@fs.fed.us
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement.
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, anonymous comments will not provide
the Agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent
environmental documents.
Dated: January 24, 2013.
Neil J. Bosworth,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2013-02199 Filed 1-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P