Sequoia National Forest, California; Tobias Forest Ecosystem Restoration Project, 47082-47083 [2014-19005]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47082-47083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19005]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Sequoia National Forest, California; Tobias Forest Ecosystem 
Restoration Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service proposes ecological restoration in the 
Tobias Forest Ecosystem Restoration Project (Tobias Project) by 
encouraging a healthy and diverse forest ecosystem that is resilient to 
the effects of wildfire, drought, disease, and other disturbances. The 
Tobias Project is located in the Greenhorn Mountains on the Western 
Divide Ranger District, between Alta Sierra and Johnsondale in Tulare 
County, California. This project includes commercially thinning stands 
of mature trees (smaller than 30 inches diameter at breast height) to 
increase heterogeneity and resilience on 960 acres. An additional 3,300 
acres are proposed for hand thinning of immature trees. To restore the 
historic species composition, areas selected for thinning would favor 
Jeffrey and sugar pines, oak, and other shade intolerant species.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by September 11, 2014. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected November 2014 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected June 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Rick Stevens, District Ranger, 
Western Divide Ranger District, 32588 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265. 
Comments may also be sent via email to comments-

[[Page 47083]]

pacificsouthwest-sequoia@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (559) 539-2067.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: O'Dell Tucker, Planner, Western Divide 
Ranger District, 32588 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Rely Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    A scoping letter was sent on May 8, 2013 for the proposed Tobias 
Forest Ecosystem Restoration Project. The Forest Service after 
reviewing public comments, interdisciplinary input on the proposed 
action, and further field surveys for soils, permanent streams, and 
meadows, decided to issue a Notice of Intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The decision to prepare an EIS 
addresses the comments received during the initial scoping period, as 
well as the additional resource needs and concerns discovered while 
conducting field surveys.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the project is to restore and maintain the forests 
throughout the project area to promote a healthy, diverse forest 
ecosystem that is resilient to the effects of wildfire, drought, 
disease, and other disturbances. There is a need to increase diversity 
in age, density, and stand structure; modify tree species composition 
to favor oaks and pines (Jeffrey and sugar) over incense-cedar and 
white fir; modify fuel conditions to reduce the risk of 
uncharacteristically large, stand-replacing fires; improve wildlife 
habitat structure for resting, roosting, denning, and nesting purposes 
for forest-dependent wildlife species; support local economies with 
sustainable and cost-effective use of any byproducts of project 
implementation; improve watershed conditions by decommissioning some 
roads when the project concludes, in addition to routine maintenance of 
existing roads.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action includes commercial (ground skidding and 
skyline yarding) thinning stands of mature trees smaller than 30 inches 
diameter at breast height (dbh) to increase heterogeneity and 
resilience on 960 acres. An additional 3,300 acres are proposed for 
hand thinning of immature trees less than 10 inches dbh. Approximately 
10 percent of the hand-thinned acreage (~350 acres) would be 
masticated. Areas selected for thinning and mastication would favor 
Jeffrey and sugar pines, oak, and other shade intolerant species, to 
restore the historic species composition. Prescibed fire would be 
introduced on the landscape after thinning and mastication are 
completed to reduce surface fuels and promote natural regeneration of 
species indigenous to the project area. Large snags and large woody 
debris would be protected. Riparian areas and meadows would be 
protected and improved. Approximately eight (8) miles of road 
decommissioning is proposed to improve the watershed condition, stream 
habitat, and water quality. The proposal also includes 450 acres of 
fuelbreak treatment along ridgelines.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, the EIS will evaluate the 
required No Action Alternative and an alternative that uses non-
commercial treatments on the same acres as the proposed action. Other 
alternatives may be identified through the interdisciplinary process 
and public participation.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official is Kevin B. Elliott, Forest Supervisor, 
Sequoia National Forest, 1839 South Newcomb Street, Porterville, CA 
93257.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The responsible official will decide whether to adopt and implement 
the proposed action, an alternative to the proposed action, or take no 
action with respect to the Tobias Forest Ecosystem Restoration project.

Scoping Process

    This Notice of Intent intiates the scoping process which guides the 
development of the EIS. 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 enviornmental 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.
    Specific written comments are defined as comments ``. . . within 
the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the 
proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the 
responsible official to consider.'' (36 CFR 218.2). Submission of 
timely, specific written comments is a prerequisite for eligibility to 
file an objection under the 36 CFR part 218 regulations.

Comment Requested

    This project will follow the new objection procedures as directed 
by 36 CFR 218. The objection process provides an opportunity for 
members of the public who have participated in opportunities for public 
participation provided throughout the planning process to have any 
unresolved concerns receive an independent review by the Forest Service 
prior to a final decision being made by the responsible official. Only 
those who provided specific written comments during opportunities for 
public comment are eligible to file an objection.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including the 
names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public 
record on 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.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21.

    Dated: August 6, 2014.
Kevin B. Elliott,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-19005 Filed 8-11-14; 8:45 am]
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