Colville National Forest, LeClerc Creek Cattle Grazing Allotment, 21892-21893 [2014-08850]
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21892
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 75 / Friday, April 18, 2014 / Notices
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 5,254.20 hours.
0581–0124: 7 CFR Part 54 Meats,
Prepared Meats, and Meat Products
(Grading, Certification, and Standards)
and 7 CFR Part 62 Quality Systems
Verification Program (QSVP)
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average .22 hours per
response.
Respondents: Livestock and meat
industry or other for-profit businesses.
State or local governments, businesses
or other for profits, and small businesses
or organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 83
respondents.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
5,998 responses.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 72.3 responses.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 1,330 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments will
become a matter of public record.
Dated: April 15, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–08924 Filed 4–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Forest Service
Colville National Forest, LeClerc Creek
Cattle Grazing Allotment
Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
AGENCY:
The Colville National Forest
is proposing to reauthorize livestock
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:54 Apr 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
grazing in the LeClerc Creek Cattle and
Horse Grazing Allotment (hereafter
referred to as the allotment). The
allotment contains land identified as
suitable for domestic livestock grazing
in the Colville National Forest Land and
Resource Management Plan (Forest
Plan). The focus of this project is to
analyze management of the existing
allotment. This analysis complies with
Section 504 of the 1995 Rescissions Bill
(Pub. L. 104–19). The Act requires new
permits be issued unless there are
significant environmental concerns.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by May
19, 2014. The draft environmental
impact statement is expected June 2014
and the final environmental impact
statement is expected January 2015.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Newport/Sullivan Ranger District, 315
N. Warren Ave. Newport, WA 99156.
Comments may also be sent via email to
comments-pacificnorthwest-newport@
fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 509–447–
7301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Paduani at 509–447–7361 or
michellelpaduani@fs.fed.us. Electronic
comments must be part of an email
message or as an attachment in MS
Word format (.doc or .docx), Rich Text
Format (.rtf), Plain Text (.txt), or
Portable Document Format (.pdf).
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:
Project Location
The analysis area encompasses 23,413
acres of land within the LeClerc Creek
sub watershed. Primary access is via
Fourth of July (FR 1932), East Branch
LeClerc (FR 1934), Middle Branch
LeC!erc (FR 1935), and West Branch
LeC!erc (FR 1933) roads.
Purpose and Need for Action
The focus of this project is to analyze
management of the existing grazing
allotment permit. Analysis included as
part of this environmental impact
statement would:
• Comply with Section 504 of the
1995 Rescissions Bill (Pub. L. 104–19);
• Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of
1960; Forest and Rangeland Renewable
Resources Planning Act of 1974; Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of
1976; and the National Forest
Management Act of 1976.
• It is Forest Service policy to make
forage available to qualified livestock
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
operators from lands suitable for grazing
consistent with land management plans
(CFR 222.2(c); and Forest Service
Manual [FSM] 2203.1).
• The need for the proposed action is
that a qualified applicant would like to
continue livestock grazing on this
allotment. Management proposals
would move the existing condition
toward compliance with the Riparian
Management Objectives prescribed in
the Inland Native Fish Strategy (USDA,
1995), which would also indirectly lead
to moving the state listed stream reach
toward State Water Quality standards
for temperature. There is also a need to
determine what improvements are
needed within the allotment, where
they are needed, and how to implement
the proposals. This includes improving
allotment management conditions (e.g.,
improvement of riparian conditions in
some areas, review of allotment
boundaries, and improve forage quality
and quantity).
The current condition will be
evaluated against Forest Plan
management objectives and desired
future conditions as described by the
Forest Plan, Regional Forester’s Forest
Plan Amendment #2, the Inland Native
Fish Strategy Environmental
Assessment (INFISH EA) (June 1995).
Proposed Action
The proposed action would include:
• Maintain the current authorization
of 535 Animal Unit Months (AUM);
• Change the turn-on date for the
allotment from June 1 to June 15. The
end of the normal use period would be
extended from October 1 to October 15;
• Allotment boundary adjustment;
• Removal of the Fourth of July
pasture and associated improvements
from the allotment;
• Installation of new fence and
improvement of existing fence;
• Installation and maintenance of
cattle guards;
• Installation of upland water
developments, or other water systems;
• Establish a riparian exclosure;
• Reroute public access to the holding
pen at Hanlon Meadow;
• Improve and develop hardened
cattle crossings to reduce damage;
• Establish a deferred rotation grazing
strategy; and
• Establish designated riparian
monitoring areas.
Possible Alternatives
In addition to the Proposed Action
and any alternative that is developed
following the scoping effort, the project
interdisciplinary team will analyze the
effects of:
E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM
18APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 75 / Friday, April 18, 2014 / Notices
Alternative A—No Change
This alternative would authorize
grazing under the existing management
plan. There would be no change to
existing allotment or pasture
boundaries, season of use, and
permitted number of cow/calf pairs
(101). No new improvements would be
installed, with the exception of a
riparian exclosure on the lower Middle
Branch LeClerc Creek that was planned
and approved prior to this project. Other
planned management activities would
continue. The relocation of the 1935–
117 road would still be relocated via the
1935–116 road.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Alternative B—No Action
Alternative B is the ‘‘No Grazing’’
alternative. The Council for
Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations for implementing the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) require that a ‘‘no action’’
alternative be developed as a benchmark
from which the agency can evaluate the
proposed action. No action in grazing
management planning is synonymous
with ‘‘no grazing’’ and means that
livestock grazing would not be
authorized within the project area.
(USDA–PS 2005a).
Under this alternative, livestock
grazing would be discontinued on the
LeClerc Creek Allotment and the
allotment would be closed. The existing
Term Grazing Permit would be
cancelled pursuant to Forest Service
Handbook (FSH) 2209.13 part 16.24
which references Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) chapter 36, part
222.4(a)(l). 36 CFR 222.4(a)(l) and states
‘‘except in an emergency, no permit
shall be cancelled without 2 years’ prior
notification.’’ The requirement is 2
calendar years (January 1-December 31)
notification. The authority to cancel the
current Term Grazing Permit lies with
the Regional Forester and is delegated to
the Forest Supervisor as described in
Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2204.2
and 2204.3.
Additionally, no range improvements
or resource protection projects would be
implemented. Current Forest-wide
programs such as noxious weed
management and road maintenance
would continue. Range improvements
including fences, water systems, and
corrals would remain on the allotment
but would no longer be the
responsibility of the permittee to
maintain. Existing range improvements
would be removed as needed pending
available funding and project
requirements. It is the desire of the
Forest Service to have all range
improvements removed within a 10-year
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:54 Apr 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
time frame but this is subject to change.
The Forest Service would attempt to
maintain homestead meadows within
the project area. The 1935–117 road
would be obliterated and
decommissioned.
Responsible Official
The responsible official will be the
District Ranger, Gayne Sears,
Newport/Sullivan Lake Ranger District,
Colville National Forest, 315 N Warren
Ave., Newport, WA 99156.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
An environmental analysis will
evaluate site-specific issues, consider
management alternatives and analyze
the potential effects of the proposed
action and alternatives. An
environmental impact statement will
provide the Responsible Official with
the information needed to decide
whether to adopt and implement the
proposed action, or an alternative to the
proposed action, or take no action to
reauthorize livestock grazing in the
LeClerc Creek Cattle and Horse Grazing
Allotment. This EIS will tier to the
Colville National Forest Land and
Resource Management Plan and its
subsequent amendments, which provide
overall guidance for land management
activities Colville National Forest.
• Water quality and stream health
compliance with INFISH habitat
guidelines, Washington Department of
Ecology water quality standards, and the
Clean Water Act;
• Management of riparian conditions
to provide for the continued
sustainability of aquatic species;
• Protect soil resources -reduce or
minimize compaction, sedimentation,
displacement and erosion;
• Ability of the permittee to manage
pastures that are physically separated;
• Maintenance of extensive fencing
within the allotment;
• Protection of Cultural Resources;
and
• Protection of Endangered Species
and their habitat.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent continues the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. Public comments
about this proposal are requested in
order to assist in identifying issues, and
determining how to best manage the
resources, and focus the analysis.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
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
commenter with subsequent
environmental documents.
Dated: April 11, 2014.
Gayne Sears,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2014–08850 Filed 4–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Eastern Idaho Resource Advisory
Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Eastern Idaho Resource
Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in
Idaho Falls, ID. The committee is
authorized under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 110–343)
(the Act) and operates in compliance
with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act. The purpose of the committee is to
improve collaborative relationships and
to provide advice and recommendations
to the Forest Service concerning projects
and funding consistent with the title II
of the Act. The meeting is open to the
public. The purpose of the meeting is to
recommned projects for approval by the
Designated Federal Official.
DATES: The meeting will be held May 5,
2014 at 9 a.m.
All RAC meetings are subject to
cancellation. For status of meeting prior
to attendance, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
SUMMARY:
Preliminary Issues
PO 00000
21893
Sfmt 4703
The meeting will be held at
the office of the Caribou-Targhee
National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive,
Idaho Falls, ID 83401. If there ae
question please call the RAC
Coordinator, Lynn Ballard at 208–557–
5765.
Written comments may be submitted
as described under Supplementary
Information. All comments, including
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM
18APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21892-21893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08850]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Colville National Forest, LeClerc Creek Cattle Grazing Allotment
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Colville National Forest is proposing to reauthorize
livestock grazing in the LeClerc Creek Cattle and Horse Grazing
Allotment (hereafter referred to as the allotment). The allotment
contains land identified as suitable for domestic livestock grazing in
the Colville National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest
Plan). The focus of this project is to analyze management of the
existing allotment. This analysis complies with Section 504 of the 1995
Rescissions Bill (Pub. L. 104-19). The Act requires new permits be
issued unless there are significant environmental concerns.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by May 19, 2014. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
June 2014 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
January 2015.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Newport/Sullivan Ranger District,
315 N. Warren Ave. Newport, WA 99156. Comments may also be sent via
email to comments-pacificnorthwest-newport@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile
to 509-447-7301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Paduani at 509-447-7361 or
michellelpaduani@fs.fed.us. Electronic comments must be part of an
email message or as an attachment in MS Word format (.doc or .docx),
Rich Text Format (.rtf), Plain Text (.txt), or Portable Document Format
(.pdf).
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:
Project Location
The analysis area encompasses 23,413 acres of land within the
LeClerc Creek sub watershed. Primary access is via Fourth of July (FR
1932), East Branch LeClerc (FR 1934), Middle Branch LeC!erc (FR 1935),
and West Branch LeC!erc (FR 1933) roads.
Purpose and Need for Action
The focus of this project is to analyze management of the existing
grazing allotment permit. Analysis included as part of this
environmental impact statement would:
Comply with Section 504 of the 1995 Rescissions Bill (Pub.
L. 104-19);
Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960; Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974; Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976; and the National Forest Management Act of
1976.
It is Forest Service policy to make forage available to
qualified livestock operators from lands suitable for grazing
consistent with land management plans (CFR 222.2(c); and Forest Service
Manual [FSM] 2203.1).
The need for the proposed action is that a qualified
applicant would like to continue livestock grazing on this allotment.
Management proposals would move the existing condition toward
compliance with the Riparian Management Objectives prescribed in the
Inland Native Fish Strategy (USDA, 1995), which would also indirectly
lead to moving the state listed stream reach toward State Water Quality
standards for temperature. There is also a need to determine what
improvements are needed within the allotment, where they are needed,
and how to implement the proposals. This includes improving allotment
management conditions (e.g., improvement of riparian conditions in some
areas, review of allotment boundaries, and improve forage quality and
quantity).
The current condition will be evaluated against Forest Plan
management objectives and desired future conditions as described by the
Forest Plan, Regional Forester's Forest Plan Amendment 2, the
Inland Native Fish Strategy Environmental Assessment (INFISH EA) (June
1995).
Proposed Action
The proposed action would include:
Maintain the current authorization of 535 Animal Unit
Months (AUM);
Change the turn-on date for the allotment from June 1 to
June 15. The end of the normal use period would be extended from
October 1 to October 15;
Allotment boundary adjustment;
Removal of the Fourth of July pasture and associated
improvements from the allotment;
Installation of new fence and improvement of existing
fence;
Installation and maintenance of cattle guards;
Installation of upland water developments, or other water
systems;
Establish a riparian exclosure;
Reroute public access to the holding pen at Hanlon Meadow;
Improve and develop hardened cattle crossings to reduce
damage;
Establish a deferred rotation grazing strategy; and
Establish designated riparian monitoring areas.
Possible Alternatives
In addition to the Proposed Action and any alternative that is
developed following the scoping effort, the project interdisciplinary
team will analyze the effects of:
[[Page 21893]]
Alternative A--No Change
This alternative would authorize grazing under the existing
management plan. There would be no change to existing allotment or
pasture boundaries, season of use, and permitted number of cow/calf
pairs (101). No new improvements would be installed, with the exception
of a riparian exclosure on the lower Middle Branch LeClerc Creek that
was planned and approved prior to this project. Other planned
management activities would continue. The relocation of the 1935-117
road would still be relocated via the 1935-116 road.
Alternative B--No Action
Alternative B is the ``No Grazing'' alternative. The Council for
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) require that a ``no action''
alternative be developed as a benchmark from which the agency can
evaluate the proposed action. No action in grazing management planning
is synonymous with ``no grazing'' and means that livestock grazing
would not be authorized within the project area. (USDA-PS 2005a).
Under this alternative, livestock grazing would be discontinued on
the LeClerc Creek Allotment and the allotment would be closed. The
existing Term Grazing Permit would be cancelled pursuant to Forest
Service Handbook (FSH) 2209.13 part 16.24 which references Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) chapter 36, part 222.4(a)(l). 36 CFR
222.4(a)(l) and states ``except in an emergency, no permit shall be
cancelled without 2 years' prior notification.'' The requirement is 2
calendar years (January 1-December 31) notification. The authority to
cancel the current Term Grazing Permit lies with the Regional Forester
and is delegated to the Forest Supervisor as described in Forest
Service Manual (FSM) 2204.2 and 2204.3.
Additionally, no range improvements or resource protection projects
would be implemented. Current Forest-wide programs such as noxious weed
management and road maintenance would continue. Range improvements
including fences, water systems, and corrals would remain on the
allotment but would no longer be the responsibility of the permittee to
maintain. Existing range improvements would be removed as needed
pending available funding and project requirements. It is the desire of
the Forest Service to have all range improvements removed within a 10-
year time frame but this is subject to change. The Forest Service would
attempt to maintain homestead meadows within the project area. The
1935-117 road would be obliterated and decommissioned.
Responsible Official
The responsible official will be the District Ranger, Gayne Sears,
Newport/Sullivan Lake Ranger District, Colville National Forest, 315 N
Warren Ave., Newport, WA 99156.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
An environmental analysis will evaluate site-specific issues,
consider management alternatives and analyze the potential effects of
the proposed action and alternatives. An environmental impact statement
will provide the Responsible Official with the information needed to
decide whether to adopt and implement the proposed action, or an
alternative to the proposed action, or take no action to reauthorize
livestock grazing in the LeClerc Creek Cattle and Horse Grazing
Allotment. This EIS will tier to the Colville National Forest Land and
Resource Management Plan and its subsequent amendments, which provide
overall guidance for land management activities Colville National
Forest.
Preliminary Issues
Water quality and stream health compliance with INFISH
habitat guidelines, Washington Department of Ecology water quality
standards, and the Clean Water Act;
Management of riparian conditions to provide for the
continued sustainability of aquatic species;
Protect soil resources -reduce or minimize compaction,
sedimentation, displacement and erosion;
Ability of the permittee to manage pastures that are
physically separated;
Maintenance of extensive fencing within the allotment;
Protection of Cultural Resources; and
Protection of Endangered Species and their habitat.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent continues the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. Public comments
about this proposal are requested in order to assist in identifying
issues, and determining how to best manage the resources, and focus the
analysis.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide
the agency with the ability to provide the commenter with subsequent
environmental documents.
Dated: April 11, 2014.
Gayne Sears,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2014-08850 Filed 4-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
