Ochoco National Forest, Paulina Ranger District; Oregon; Wolf Creek Vegetation and Fuels Management Project EIS, 20613-20614 [2013-07938]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 66 / Friday, April 5, 2013 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection:
Comment Request: Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Education and Administrative
Reporting System (EARS)
Food and Nutrition Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and
other public agencies to comment on a
proposed information collection. The
proposed collection is an extension,
without change, of a currently approved
collection. The purpose of the
Education and Administrative Reporting
System (EARS) form is to collect
uniform and standard information on
nutrition education activities (SNAP-Ed)
funded by SNAP. The data collected
will inform management decisions,
support policy initiatives and provide
documentation for legislative, budget
and other requests that support
planning within the agency.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted on or before June 4, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on:
(a) 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; (b) the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions that
were used; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments may be sent to Jane
Duffield, Chief, State Administration
Branch, Program Accountability and
Administration Division, Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Food and
Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center
Drive, Room 818, Alexandria, VA
22302. Comments may also be
submitted via fax to the attention of Jane
Duffield at 703–605–0795, Room 824, or
via email to SNAP-Ed@fns.usda.gov.
Comments will also be accepted through
the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to
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SUMMARY:
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17:14 Apr 04, 2013
Jkt 229001
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions for submitting
comments electronically.
All written comments will be open for
public inspection at the office of the
Food and Nutrition Service during
regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101
Park Center Drive, Room 824,
Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval. All comments
will also be a matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the proposed information
collection form and instructions should
be directed to Usha Kalro at 703–305–
2397.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Education and Administrative
Reporting System.
OMB Number: 0584–0542.
Form Number: FNS–759.
Expiration Date: 08/31/2013.
Type of Request: Extension, without
change, of a currently approved
collection.
Abstract: The Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS) developed the Education
and Administrative Reporting System
(EARS) for the nutrition education
(SNAP-Ed) component of the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP), which is provided for
in Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition
Act 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020 (f)(3)(B)(ii)). In
2003, the Agency convened a
workgroup of diverse stakeholders to
assist with this task, including people
from the State, local and federal levels,
as well as academia.
The EARS form was approved by
OMB in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007. The first
phase of EARS implementation,
launched in FY 2008, required SNAP
State agencies to report on financial
questions #9 and #10 on the EARS form.
Full implementation of all applicable
EARS questions was required of SNAP
State agencies by FY 2010. All State
agencies fully complied with this
requirement. EARS provides uniform
data and information about the nutrition
education activities of all participating
States across the country. Data collected
on the EARS form includes
demographic characteristics of
participants receiving nutrition
education benefits, information about
education topics and strategies and use
of resources. The EARS form is designed
as an annual report that SNAP State
agencies submit using FNS web-based
Food Program Reporting System (FPRS).
FPRS is available to SNAP State
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
20613
agencies between October 15 and
December 30 of each year for the
submission of EARS data for the prior
FY’s nutrition education activities.
There are no changes in hourly
burden since the last submission. FNS
estimates that 52 State agencies will
respond once a year for a total 52 annual
responses. It will take approximately 54
burden hours for each State agency to
respond for a total of 2,808 annual
burden hours. There are no
recordkeeping requirements imposed by
this information collection.
Affected Public: Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
State Agencies and implementing
partners such as extension universities,
non-profit organizations and local
program operators.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
52.
Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
52.
Hours per Response: 54.
Total Annual Burden Hours
(Reporting Only): 2,808.
Dated: March 21, 2013.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–07958 Filed 4–4–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Ochoco National Forest, Paulina
Ranger District; Oregon; Wolf Creek
Vegetation and Fuels Management
Project EIS
Forest Service.
Notice of Intent to Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Ochoco National Forest is
preparing an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to analyze the effects of
managing vegetation and fuels within
the 24,506 acre Wolf project area, which
is approximately 50 miles east of
Prineville, Oregon. The project area
includes National Forest system lands
within the Lower Beavercreek
watershed. The alternatives that will be
analyzed include the proposed action,
no action, and additional alternatives
that will respond to issues generated
through the scoping process. The
Ochoco National Forest will give notice
of the full environmental analysis and
decision making process so interested
and affected people may participate and
contribute to the final decision.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\05APN1.SGM
05APN1
20614
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 66 / Friday, April 5, 2013 / Notices
Scoping comments must be
received by May 20, 2013. The draft
environmental impact statement is
expected to be completed and available
for public comment in October, 2013.
The final environmental impact
statement is expected to be completed
in March, 2014.
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-pacificnorthwestochoco@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 at 3160
NE Third Street, Prineville, Oregon
97754, or at (541) 416–6500, or by email
at jmarszal@fs.fed.us
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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DATES:
Purpose and Need for Action
The existing condition of the Wolf
planning area was evaluated in 2012
and documented in the Wolf Creek
Watershed Analysis. The watershed
analysis determined that conditions in
the planning area have departed from
the historic conditions in several ways.
• Tree species compositions are
outside the historic range of variability.
• A reduction in Late and Old
Structured forest (LOS); especially
single-strata LOS.
• A reduction in open-canopy stands
accompanied by an increase in stand
densities and multi-storied stands.
• An increased risk of large-scale loss
of forest to wildfire.
• An increased risk of insect
infestation and/or disease that can
impact forested stands.
• A decline in riparian/aquatic
conditions and hardwood communities.
Based upon direction from the
Ochoco Forest Plan and
recommendations identified in the Wolf
Creek WA, the Paulina Ranger District
has determined that within the Wolf
project area:
1. There is a need to manage
vegetation towards to the historic range
of variability to provide a range of forest
conditions and habitats that would
support historic disturbance processes,
native wildlife, and plant species.
2. There is a need to reduce forest
vegetation density and fuel loadings to
reduce the risk that disturbance events
such as insect, disease and wildfire will
lead to a loss of desired forest
conditions.
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17:14 Apr 04, 2013
Jkt 229001
3. There is a need to increase or
maintain large tree structure; especially
single-strata LOS and maintain and
increase the abundance of early-seral
and fire tolerant species.
4. There is a need to improve riparian
conditions and associated upland
vegetation within Riparian Habitat
Conservation Area (RHCAs) and
maintain and enhance hardwood
communities.
5. There is a need to contribute to the
local and regional economies by
providing timber and other wood fiber
products now and in the future.
Proposed Action
The proposed action includes a
variety of management strategies and
activities, including commercial
thinning with follow-up noncommercial
thinning and/or slashes treatment (4,927
acres), noncommercial treatment with
slash treatment (907 acres), juniper
cutting with slash treatment (481 acres),
underburning (4,910 acres) and
hardwood enhancement (78 acres).
Implementation of the proposed action
would require some connected actions;
these include use of temporary roads on
existing disturbance (18 miles), use of
new temporary roads (2 miles), stream
restoration (1 location), material source
expansion (1 location, 3 acres), and
headcut repair (3 locations).
Implementation of the proposed action
would require the following mitigation
to reduce or eliminate unwanted effects;
these include road closure (2 miles) and
road decommission (2.7 miles).
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 determine whether and under
what circumstances vegetation and fuels
management will be implemented in the
Wolf Creek project area.
Preliminary Issues
The project’s interdisciplinary team
has developed a list of preliminary
issues that will be used during the
analysis of effects. Other issues may
arise as a result of public comment and
further analysis. Preliminary issues
include:
• Invasive Plant Species (Noxious
Weeds). Several populations of noxious
weeds are known to exist within the
project area. There is a risk that
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
management activities may exacerbate
the weed situation by spreading existing
populations or introducing new ones.
• Peck’s Mariposa Lily. Management
activities can improve habitat for this
sensitive species, but there is also risk
of impacting individual plants and/or
habitat where it occurs in the project
area.
• Soil Productivity. Maintenance of
soil productivity is an important
objective for management of National
Forest Lands. When mechanized
equipment is used in the Forest, soil can
become displaced and compacted,
which can impact productivity.
• Water Quality. The main streams in
the project area, Wolf, North Wolf and
East Wolf Creeks, are listed on Oregon
DEQ’s 303(d) list due to high summer
temperatures. Management activities
can result in reduced shade on streams,
as well as contribute sediment into the
streams, which impacts water quality
and decreases habitat quality for fish
and other riparian fauna.
• Wildlife Habitat. Activities
intended to improve forest health and
resiliency may reduce habitat
effectiveness for some wildlife species,
including forest raptors and big game.
Scoping Process
The 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 a 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
comments 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.
Dated: April 1, 2013.
Sandra Henning,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2013–07938 Filed 4–4–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of
Scientific Instruments
Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Materials Importation Act of 1966 (Pub.
E:\FR\FM\05APN1.SGM
05APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20613-20614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07938]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Ochoco National Forest, Paulina Ranger District; Oregon; Wolf
Creek Vegetation and Fuels Management Project EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Ochoco National Forest is preparing an environmental
impact statement (EIS) to analyze the effects of managing vegetation
and fuels within the 24,506 acre Wolf project area, which is
approximately 50 miles east of Prineville, Oregon. The project area
includes National Forest system lands within the Lower Beavercreek
watershed. The alternatives that will be analyzed include the proposed
action, no action, and additional alternatives that will respond to
issues generated through the scoping process. The Ochoco National
Forest will give notice of the full environmental analysis and decision
making process so interested and affected people may participate and
contribute to the final decision.
[[Page 20614]]
DATES: Scoping comments must be received by May 20, 2013. The draft
environmental impact statement is expected to be completed and
available for public comment in October, 2013. The final environmental
impact statement is expected to be completed in March, 2014.
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 at
3160 NE Third Street, Prineville, Oregon 97754, or at (541) 416-6500,
or by email at jmarszal@fs.fed.us
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The existing condition of the Wolf planning area was evaluated in
2012 and documented in the Wolf Creek Watershed Analysis. The watershed
analysis determined that conditions in the planning area have departed
from the historic conditions in several ways.
Tree species compositions are outside the historic range
of variability.
A reduction in Late and Old Structured forest (LOS);
especially single-strata LOS.
A reduction in open-canopy stands accompanied by an
increase in stand densities and multi-storied stands.
An increased risk of large-scale loss of forest to
wildfire.
An increased risk of insect infestation and/or disease
that can impact forested stands.
A decline in riparian/aquatic conditions and hardwood
communities.
Based upon direction from the Ochoco Forest Plan and
recommendations identified in the Wolf Creek WA, the Paulina Ranger
District has determined that within the Wolf project area:
1. There is a need to manage vegetation towards to the historic
range of variability to provide a range of forest conditions and
habitats that would support historic disturbance processes, native
wildlife, and plant species.
2. There is a need to reduce forest vegetation density and fuel
loadings to reduce the risk that disturbance events such as insect,
disease and wildfire will lead to a loss of desired forest conditions.
3. There is a need to increase or maintain large tree structure;
especially single-strata LOS and maintain and increase the abundance of
early-seral and fire tolerant species.
4. There is a need to improve riparian conditions and associated
upland vegetation within Riparian Habitat Conservation Area (RHCAs) and
maintain and enhance hardwood communities.
5. There is a need to contribute to the local and regional
economies by providing timber and other wood fiber products now and in
the future.
Proposed Action
The proposed action includes a variety of management strategies and
activities, including commercial thinning with follow-up noncommercial
thinning and/or slashes treatment (4,927 acres), noncommercial
treatment with slash treatment (907 acres), juniper cutting with slash
treatment (481 acres), underburning (4,910 acres) and hardwood
enhancement (78 acres). Implementation of the proposed action would
require some connected actions; these include use of temporary roads on
existing disturbance (18 miles), use of new temporary roads (2 miles),
stream restoration (1 location), material source expansion (1 location,
3 acres), and headcut repair (3 locations). Implementation of the
proposed action would require the following mitigation to reduce or
eliminate unwanted effects; these include road closure (2 miles) and
road decommission (2.7 miles).
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 determine whether and under what circumstances
vegetation and fuels management will be implemented in the Wolf Creek
project area.
Preliminary Issues
The project's interdisciplinary team has developed a list of
preliminary issues that will be used during the analysis of effects.
Other issues may arise as a result of public comment and further
analysis. Preliminary issues include:
Invasive Plant Species (Noxious Weeds). Several
populations of noxious weeds are known to exist within the project
area. There is a risk that management activities may exacerbate the
weed situation by spreading existing populations or introducing new
ones.
Peck's Mariposa Lily. Management activities can improve
habitat for this sensitive species, but there is also risk of impacting
individual plants and/or habitat where it occurs in the project area.
Soil Productivity. Maintenance of soil productivity is an
important objective for management of National Forest Lands. When
mechanized equipment is used in the Forest, soil can become displaced
and compacted, which can impact productivity.
Water Quality. The main streams in the project area, Wolf,
North Wolf and East Wolf Creeks, are listed on Oregon DEQ's 303(d) list
due to high summer temperatures. Management activities can result in
reduced shade on streams, as well as contribute sediment into the
streams, which impacts water quality and decreases habitat quality for
fish and other riparian fauna.
Wildlife Habitat. Activities intended to improve forest
health and resiliency may reduce habitat effectiveness for some
wildlife species, including forest raptors and big game.
Scoping Process
The 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 a
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 comments 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.
Dated: April 1, 2013.
Sandra Henning,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2013-07938 Filed 4-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P