Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, Oregon; Lower Imnaha Rangeland Analysis, 73186-73187 [2013-29075]

Download as PDF 73186 Notices Federal Register Vol. 78, No. 234 Thursday, December 5, 2013 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, Oregon; Lower Imnaha Rangeland Analysis Forest Service, USDA Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: Authority: 36 CFR 220.5(b). The USDA, Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement to authorize the approval of grazing livestock within the lower Imnaha area, including allotments within the Lightning Creek, Tulley Creek, Cow Creek, and a portion of the Snake River watersheds of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The Lower Imnaha Rangeland Analysis (LIRA) has previously been initiated through a scoping letter for environmental analysis for livestock grazing. The scoping letter was sent on August 26, 2011 to 159 individuals, organizations, and agencies which included tribal representatives, grazing permittees, state and federal resource management agencies, special interest organizations, and interested publics. As a result of scoping, a concern was brought forward regarding impacts to Silene spaldingii or Spalding’s catchfly, a threatened species, which indicated the need for the LIRA to be analyzed in an environmental impact statement (EIS) instead of the environmental assessment (EA) that was indicated in the scoping letter. Since the proposed action has not changed since the scoping letter was released, a new scoping period will not be initiated. All scoping comments received during the 2011 30-day scoping period will be considered in the EIS. DATES: The draft environmental impact statement is expected June 2014 and the ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:57 Dec 04, 2013 Jkt 232001 final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision are expected September 2014. ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions to Area Ranger Kris Stein, Hells Canyon National Recreation, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, PO Box 905, Joseph, OR 97846. Comments may also be sent via email to commentspacificnorthwest-wallowa-whitmanhellscanyonnra@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie McCormack, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Wallowa Mountains Office, PO Box 905, Joseph, OR 97846, Phone: (541) 263–1645. 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 The purpose of this project is to implement the direction of the Wallowa-Whitman Forest Plan,1 HCNRA CMP (Comprehensive Management Plan) FEIS,2 and the Acts of Congress to provide grazing on National Forest System lands. This analysis is being prepared to determine if the Forest Service should continue to authorize livestock grazing in the four allotments identified of this project. The needs associated with this project are (1) to comply with with the Rescission Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–19, Section 504), (2) to be consistent with other multiple use goals and objectives provided by Congress, (3) to continue contributing to the economic and social well-being of communities that depend on range resources for their livelihood by providing opportunities for economic diversity and promoting stability (FSM 2202.14). Proposed Action The LIRA area is located approximately 35 miles northeast of the town of Enterprise, Oregon, and 1 USDA Forest Service. (1990). Land and Resources Management Plan for the WallowaWhitman National Forest. Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Baker City, Oregon. 2 USDA Forest Service. (2003). Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Comprehensive Management Plan FEIS. Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Baker City, Oregon. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 primarily includes the Imnaha River watershed and associated watersheds downstream of the Imnaha River Bridge ‘‘Cow Creek Bridge’’, and watersheds from Deep Creek to the mouth of the Imnaha River. The decision area will encompass 45,625 acres, including four allotments: Cow Creek, Lone Pine, Rhodes Creek, and Toomey, all of which are in Wallowa County, Oregon. This EIS will analyze and authorize the continued use of this area for cattle grazing through Allotment Management Plans. Responsible Official The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Ranger, Kris Stein will be the responsible official for making the decision and providing direction for the analysis. Nature of Decision To Be Made The responsible official will decide whether or not to authorize continued grazing in the LIRA project area. The responsible official will also decide whether or not to select the proposed action as stated or modified, or to select an alternative to it, any mitigation measures needed, and any monitoring that may be required. Preliminary Issues The interdisciplinary team has conducted field surveys and data research to identify preliminary issues of concern with this proposal. There is one primary concern: The concern is with Spalding’s catchfly, in regard to potential direct and indirect effects to the plant by livestock grazing. Through surveys conducted within the project area, this species has been found in several isolated patches, all of which are in fescue (Festuca)—type vegetation habitat on relatively steep north facing slopes. The direct effect would be livestock consuming the plant. However, livestock are grazing these areas when the species is dormant, and grazing of the plant is not a concern. The indirect effect to Spalding’s catchfly is of more concern, and would require more detailed analysis because these plants are primarily growing in north facing areas, the soils tend to be deeper, and with grazing in wet conditions, there is a higher likelihood of hoof-shear causing damage to the crown of the Spalding’s catchfly. The second indirect effect of concern is soil sloughing and E:\FR\FM\05DEN1.SGM 05DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 234 / Thursday, December 5, 2013 / Notices hoof sheer on steeper slopes, and primarily in north-facing areas as the sloughing and hoof shear which could be contributing to a slow-moving erosion process in which soil is slowly being displaced and moving down the hillsides. There are no preliminary concerns for the listed fish species and designated critical habitat of listed fish species within or adjacent to this allotment. Based on these two preliminary issues and their potential for significant impacts, an EIS fits the scope of this analysis rather than an EA. New 218 Objection Period The new regulations, found at 36 CFR 218, provide an opportunity for individuals, organizations and tribal entities to file an objection to a project before the final decision is signed (36 CFR 218.5). This allows interested individuals, organizations and tribal entities to advise the responsible official about concerns regarding the final decision before the decision is made. When the final EIS and draft Record of Decision are released for public review, the public will have 45 days in which to review the documents and, if desired, file an objection to the Record of Decision. Dated: November 26, 2013. Thomas Montoya, Deputy Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2013–29075 Filed 12–4–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board) will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. App. II), the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et.seq.), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. sec. 1612), and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 108–447). The purpose of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments and forest health, including fire and mountain pine beetle epidemics, travel management, forest monitoring and ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:57 Dec 04, 2013 Jkt 232001 evaluation, recreation fees, and sitespecific projects having forest-wide implications. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) Conduct Annual Ethics Training for all members of the Advisory Board; (2) provide orientation to Board Members on Basic Laws governing the Forest Service work; (3) update and discussion with working group on Motorized Travel on trails in the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota; and (4) update and report on Mountain Pine Beetle Working Group actions. DATES: The meeting will be held December 18, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Mystic Ranger District, 8221 South Highway 16, Rapid City, South Dakota. Written comments may be submitted as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All comments, including names and addresses, when provided, are placed in the record and available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at the Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Please call ahead to facilitate entry into the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Jacobson, Committee Coordinator, by phone at 605–673–9216, or by email at sjjacobson@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The agenda will include time for people to make oral statements of three minutes or less. Individuals wishing to make an oral statement should submit a request in writing by December 6, 2013 to be scheduled on the agenda. Anyone who would like to bring related matters to the attention of the committee may file written statements with the committee staff before or after the meeting. Written comments and time requests for oral comments must be sent to Scott Jacobson, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1019 North Fifth Street, Custer, South Dakota 57730; by email to sjjacobson@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 605–673–9208. Within 45 days of the meeting, a summary of the meeting will be posted at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/blackhills/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees. Meeting Accommodations: If you are a person requiring reasonable accommodation, please make requests in advance for sign language PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73187 interpreting, assistive listening devices or other reasonable accommodation for access to the facility or proceedings by contacting the person listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case by case basis. Dated: November 25, 2013. Craig Bobzien, Forest Supervisor/DFO. [FR Doc. 2013–29074 Filed 12–4–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2013 PLACE: CFTC Headquarters Conference Center, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st St. NW., Washington, DC STATUS: Open. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Commission has scheduled this meeting to consider various rulemaking matters, including the approval of final rules and the issuance of a proposed rule. The agenda for this meeting is available to the public and posted on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.cftc.gov. In the event that the time, date, or place of the meeting changes, an announcement of the change, along with the new time, date, or place of the meeting, will be posted on the Commission’s Web site. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Melissa D. Jurgens, Secretary of the Commission, 202–418–5516. TIME AND DATE: Melissa D. Jurgens, Secretary of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2013–29180 Filed 12–3–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6351–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: Docket Numbers: ER13–415–001. Applicants: Anahau Energy, LLC. Description: Notice of Change in Status of Anahau Energy, LLC. Filed Date: 11/25/13. Accession Number: 20131125–5247. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/16/13. Docket Numbers: ER13–2333–000. E:\FR\FM\05DEN1.SGM 05DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 234 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73186-73187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29075]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 234 / Thursday, December 5, 2013 / 
Notices

[[Page 73186]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, Oregon; Lower Imnaha Rangeland 
Analysis

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA

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

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

    Authority:  36 CFR 220.5(b).

SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement to authorize the approval of grazing livestock within the 
lower Imnaha area, including allotments within the Lightning Creek, 
Tulley Creek, Cow Creek, and a portion of the Snake River watersheds of 
the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area of the Wallowa-Whitman 
National Forest.
    The Lower Imnaha Rangeland Analysis (LIRA) has previously been 
initiated through a scoping letter for environmental analysis for 
livestock grazing. The scoping letter was sent on August 26, 2011 to 
159 individuals, organizations, and agencies which included tribal 
representatives, grazing permittees, state and federal resource 
management agencies, special interest organizations, and interested 
publics. As a result of scoping, a concern was brought forward 
regarding impacts to Silene spaldingii or Spalding's catchfly, a 
threatened species, which indicated the need for the LIRA to be 
analyzed in an environmental impact statement (EIS) instead of the 
environmental assessment (EA) that was indicated in the scoping letter. 
Since the proposed action has not changed since the scoping letter was 
released, a new scoping period will not be initiated. All scoping 
comments received during the 2011 30-day scoping period will be 
considered in the EIS.

DATES: The draft environmental impact statement is expected June 2014 
and the final environmental impact statement and draft record of 
decision are expected September 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions to Area Ranger Kris 
Stein, Hells Canyon National Recreation, Wallowa-Whitman National 
Forest, PO Box 905, Joseph, OR 97846. Comments may also be sent via 
email to comments-pacificnorthwest-wallowa-whitman-hellscanyonnra@fs.fed.us.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie McCormack, Interdisciplinary 
Team Leader, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Wallowa Mountains Office, 
PO Box 905, Joseph, OR 97846, Phone: (541) 263-1645.
    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

    The purpose of this project is to implement the direction of the 
Wallowa-Whitman Forest Plan,\1\ HCNRA CMP (Comprehensive Management 
Plan) FEIS,\2\ and the Acts of Congress to provide grazing on National 
Forest System lands. This analysis is being prepared to determine if 
the Forest Service should continue to authorize livestock grazing in 
the four allotments identified of this project.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ USDA Forest Service. (1990). Land and Resources Management 
Plan for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Wallowa-Whitman 
National Forest, Baker City, Oregon.
    \2\ USDA Forest Service. (2003). Hells Canyon National 
Recreation Area Comprehensive Management Plan FEIS. Wallowa-Whitman 
National Forest. Baker City, Oregon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The needs associated with this project are (1) to comply with with 
the Rescission Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-19, Section 504), (2) to be 
consistent with other multiple use goals and objectives provided by 
Congress, (3) to continue contributing to the economic and social well-
being of communities that depend on range resources for their 
livelihood by providing opportunities for economic diversity and 
promoting stability (FSM 2202.14).

Proposed Action

    The LIRA area is located approximately 35 miles northeast of the 
town of Enterprise, Oregon, and primarily includes the Imnaha River 
watershed and associated watersheds downstream of the Imnaha River 
Bridge ``Cow Creek Bridge'', and watersheds from Deep Creek to the 
mouth of the Imnaha River. The decision area will encompass 45,625 
acres, including four allotments: Cow Creek, Lone Pine, Rhodes Creek, 
and Toomey, all of which are in Wallowa County, Oregon. This EIS will 
analyze and authorize the continued use of this area for cattle grazing 
through Allotment Management Plans.

Responsible Official

    The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Ranger, Kris Stein will 
be the responsible official for making the decision and providing 
direction for the analysis.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The responsible official will decide whether or not to authorize 
continued grazing in the LIRA project area. The responsible official 
will also decide whether or not to select the proposed action as stated 
or modified, or to select an alternative to it, any mitigation measures 
needed, and any monitoring that may be required.

Preliminary Issues

    The interdisciplinary team has conducted field surveys and data 
research to identify preliminary issues of concern with this proposal. 
There is one primary concern:
    The concern is with Spalding's catchfly, in regard to potential 
direct and indirect effects to the plant by livestock grazing. Through 
surveys conducted within the project area, this species has been found 
in several isolated patches, all of which are in fescue (Festuca)--type 
vegetation habitat on relatively steep north facing slopes. The direct 
effect would be livestock consuming the plant. However, livestock are 
grazing these areas when the species is dormant, and grazing of the 
plant is not a concern. The indirect effect to Spalding's catchfly is 
of more concern, and would require more detailed analysis because these 
plants are primarily growing in north facing areas, the soils tend to 
be deeper, and with grazing in wet conditions, there is a higher 
likelihood of hoof-shear causing damage to the crown of the Spalding's 
catchfly. The second indirect effect of concern is soil sloughing and

[[Page 73187]]

hoof sheer on steeper slopes, and primarily in north-facing areas as 
the sloughing and hoof shear which could be contributing to a slow-
moving erosion process in which soil is slowly being displaced and 
moving down the hillsides.
    There are no preliminary concerns for the listed fish species and 
designated critical habitat of listed fish species within or adjacent 
to this allotment.
    Based on these two preliminary issues and their potential for 
significant impacts, an EIS fits the scope of this analysis rather than 
an EA.

New 218 Objection Period

    The new regulations, found at 36 CFR 218, provide an opportunity 
for individuals, organizations and tribal entities to file an objection 
to a project before the final decision is signed (36 CFR 218.5). This 
allows interested individuals, organizations and tribal entities to 
advise the responsible official about concerns regarding the final 
decision before the decision is made. When the final EIS and draft 
Record of Decision are released for public review, the public will have 
45 days in which to review the documents and, if desired, file an 
objection to the Record of Decision.

    Dated: November 26, 2013.
Thomas Montoya,
Deputy Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2013-29075 Filed 12-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
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