Fremont-Winema National Forests, Chemult and Silver Lake Ranger Districts; Oregon; Antelope Grazing Allotments AMP Analysis, 65923-65924 [2014-26394]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65923-65924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26394]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Fremont-Winema National Forests, Chemult and Silver Lake Ranger 
Districts; Oregon; Antelope Grazing Allotments AMP Analysis

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Fremont-Winema National Forest is preparing an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis of 
grazing management within all or portions of three allotments on the 
Fremont-Winema National Forests. This project, initially documented 
with an environmental assessment, has had one scoping period (11/2010) 
and two comment periods (11/2012 and 04/2014). The allotments are the 
Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotment on the Chemult Ranger District (RD), 
the Antelope Grazing Allotment on the Silver Lake RD, and a portion of 
the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat Allotment also on the Chemult RD. The 
proposed action would reauthorize term grazing permit and a term 
private land permit to graze cattle for an appropriate season of use 
(May 15-September 30) within the approximately 169,599 acre project 
area using an adaptive management strategy, modification of allotment 
boundaries, and a change in the number of total allotments and 
pastures. Associated activities would include fence construction, 
reconstruction, and removal; and spring protection/development and 
water infrastructure improvements.

DATES: The draft environmental impact statement is expected November 
2014 and the final environmental impact statement is expected February 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Documents related to this project can be viewed at the 
Fremont-Winema National Forests Supervisor Office, 1301 South G Street, 
Lakeview, Oregon 97640.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucas Phillips, Forest Range Program 
Lead, at 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, Oregon 97630; or phone at 541-
947-6251.
    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 Analysis Background

    The Antelope Grazing Allotment Project was first presented to the 
public in 2010. Analysis of the project area began that year and an 
environmental assessment was released in 2012. A decision notice, 
signed February 11, 2013, was withdrawn for administrative reasons. 
Another environmental assessment was completed and publicized December 
21, 2013. After review of comments and objections received, the Forest 
Supervisor decided the analysis would be better documented in an 
environmental impact statement than using an environmental assessment.

Purpose and Need for Action

    This project is being analyzed to determine whether or not the 
Forest Service should reauthorize livestock grazing, and if so, the 
appropriate level to reauthorize within the Antelope Grazing Allotments 
project area. There are needs to update Allotment Management Plans to 
incorporate best available science that applies to the landscape within 
these allotments; refine allotment management strategies, systems, and 
boundaries to better distribute livestock and forage utilization across 
the allotment, consistent with Forest Plan standards; ensure compliance 
with the Rescission Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-19, Section 504) that 
requires the Forest Service to establish and adhere to a schedule for 
completion of NEPA analyses and decisions on all grazing allotments; 
meet Congressional intent to allow grazing on suitable lands as 
identified in the Forest Plans and where consistent with other multiple 
use goals and objectives; and, contribute to the economic and social 
well-being of the area by providing opportunities for economic 
diversity and promoting

[[Page 65924]]

stability for communities dependent on range resources.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action was developed to provide grazing opportunities 
that meet multiple use objectives while reducing the impacts to 
important botanical and wildlife resource. One herd, a total of 494 
cow/calf pairs per month, which includes the 75 cow/calf pair being 
grazed on private lands, would be authorized to graze from May 20 to 
October 15. Grazing would be allowed in some fenced riparian areas, 
additional acreage identified in the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat 
Allotment, and grazing of the private parcels along Jack Creek known as 
Upper Jamison, and Lower Jamison under a term private land grazing 
permit. This would facilitate coordinated management of Oregon spotted 
frog habitat across ownerships. The North Sheep Pasture would be added 
to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The grazing system in the Chemult 
pasture would be a deferred rotation system made possible by allowing 
use of additional acreage in some of the existing fenced riparian areas 
and the North Sheep Pasture.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, the project interdisciplinary 
team will analyze the effects of:
    No Action Alternative (Alternative 1): No livestock grazing would 
be authorized within the existing Allotments nor would coordinated 
management of grazing on private lands within the Antelope Allotments 
occur. Continuance or establishment of grazing on all private lands 
within the Antelope Allotments, including lands within Oregon spotted 
frog habitat, would be at stockings, rate, timings, and utilizations of 
the private landowners' choosing. Cattle would be removed from all 
allotments within two years.
    Current Management Alternative (Alternative 2): Permits would be 
reauthorized as have been over the last three to five years; two herds 
at 419 cow/calf pair per month with permitted grazing from May 15 to 
September 30. The Antelope and Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotments would 
remain two separate administrative allotments and retain their existing 
boundaries. Approximately 3.6 miles of fence would be constructed to 
reinforce the Chemult Pasture boundary at the northeast corner.
    Alternative 4: This alternative was developed to provide grazing 
opportunities while addressing concerns relating to the protection of 
important botanical and wildlife resources in the Chemult RD. The 
Chemult portion of the allotments would be administratively closed to 
grazing, grazing would not expand into the North Sheep Pasture, and 
fencing would be constructed along active allotment boundaries. New 
exclosure/protection fences would be constructed around sensitive 
springs and fens on the Silver Lake side of the allotments. Grazing 
would be permitted for one herd at 419 cow/calf pair per month from May 
20 to July 30 without using the Chemult RD portion of the allotments.
    Alternative 5: This incorporates concepts that may result in better 
success in allotment management and livestock needs. A two herd grazing 
system on the Chemult District would be used with a deferred rotation 
pattern involving three of the pastures. Two of these pastures would 
have a one-year rest during the three-year cycle. The North Sheep 
Pasture would be added to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The two-herd 
system would incorporate the 75 cow/calf pair currently grazed on the 
private lands withing Jack Creek as part of a term/private permit. 
Private inholdings along Jack Creek would be brought under allotment 
management throught a term private permit to enable coordinated 
management of Oregon spotted frog habitat across ownerships. New 
exclosure/protection fences would be constructed around sensitive 
springs and fens. The Rock Springs area would not be included in the 
Tobin Cabin Allotment. The season of use in the Antelope 3 and 4 
holding pastures would be extended to October 15 to facilitate movement 
of livestock off the Allotments at the end of the grazing season.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official will be Forest Supervisor, Fremont-Winema 
National Forests, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose of and need for the proposal, the deciding 
official will review the proposed action, the other alternatives, and 
the environmental consequences to make the following decisions:
     Whether or not to authorize livestock grazing on the 
identified allotments and if so, the appropriate level and grazing 
system to use.
     If an action alternative is selected, that it is 
consistent with the Fremont and Winema Land and Resource Management 
Plans, as amended.

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues identified include:
     Grazing within meadows and riparian areas, including fens
     Grazing within occupied and potential habitat for Oregon 
spotted frog
     Proposed grazing strategies including animal unit months, 
rotations, and number of herds
     Overutilization, underutilization, and uneven distribution 
of utilization of forage that may be addressed by inclusion of acquired 
lands, fenced meadows, and adjacent unused grazing lands as part of the 
grazing strategy
     Proposed fencing strategies including construction, 
reconstruction, and fences to maintain or remove
     Expansion of the allotment boundaries, specifically at 
Cannon Well and the addition of the North Sheep Pasture.

    Dated: October 28, 2014.
Constance Cummins,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-26394 Filed 11-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P