Northern Research Station, Timber & Watershed Laboratory, RWU NRS-01, West Virginia, Fernow Experimental Forest 2016 to 2020, 73880-73881 [2014-29162]
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73880
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 239 / Friday, December 12, 2014 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection: Good Neighbor
Agreement With State Cooperators
Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; correction.
Dated: December 10, 2014.
Brian Ferebee,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2014–29263 Filed 12–10–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
AGENCY:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Forest Service is
correcting a notice that appeared in the
Federal Register on December 9, 2014,
(79 FR 73026). This correction replaces
the link listed for the Good Neighbor
Agreement instruments and associated
administrative forms for this new
information collection request. It does
not change the date comments must be
received by.
Forest Service
Comments must be received in
writing on or before February 9, 2015 to
be assured of consideration. Comments
received after that date will be
considered to the extent practicable.
SUMMARY:
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Comments concerning this
notice should be addressed to Jake
Donnay, Legislative Affairs, USDA
Forest Service, 1400 Independence Ave.
SW., Mailstop 1130, Washington, DC
20250–1130. Comments also may be
submitted via facsimile to 202–205–
1225 or by email to: jacobsdonnay@
fs.fed.us.
All comments, including names and
addresses when provided, will be
placed in the record and available for
public viewing and copying. The public
may inspect comments received at U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, 201 14th Street SW., 4th floor,
4CE, Washington, DC, during normal
business hours. Visitors are encouraged
to call ahead to 202–205–1637 to
facilitate entry. The public may request
an electronic copy of the draft
supporting statement and/or any
comments received be sent via return
email. Requests should be emailed to
jacobsdonnay@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jake
Donnay, Legislative Affairs at USDA
Forest Service, 202–205–1617.
Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 twenty-four
hours a day, every day of the year,
including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the
Federal Register of December 9, 2014,
in FR Doc. 2014–28746, on page 73026,
in column 3, the paragraph before the
heading ‘‘Estimate of Annual Burden’’
replace www.fs.fed.us.gov/farmbill/
gna.shtml with the following https://
www.fs.fed.us/farmbill/gna.shtml.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:57 Dec 11, 2014
Jkt 235001
Northern Research Station, Timber &
Watershed Laboratory, RWU NRS–01,
West Virginia, Fernow Experimental
Forest 2016 to 2020
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The USDA Forest Service will
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS9) to document the
analysis and disclose environmental
impacts of proposed actions needed to
continue long-term research on the
Fernow Experimental Forest. To
continue long-term research on the
Fernow Experimental Forest, the USDA
Forest Service proposes to harvest
timber, use prescribed fire, and apply
fertilizer to specific areas of the
experimental forest. Also, to maintain
the integrity of the experimental forest
for long-term research we will continue
the following management activities:
Applying gravel to road surfaces as
needed; replacing culverts on skid roads
and haul roads as needed; maintaining
water bars on skid roads; maintaining
ditches and culverts; seeding decks and
landings; using herbicides to control the
spread of Japanese stiltgrass and other
invasive species such as tree-of-heaven
as needed; removing hazard trees from
along the roads; and maintaining
openings used for weather stations. The
purpose of the research is to evaluate
the effectiveness of silvicultural tools on
central Appalachian forests, to better
understand ecological dynamics within
these forest ecosystems, and to develop
management tools, practices, and
guidelines for central Appalachian
forests.
The 4,700-acre Fernow Experimental
Forest is situated with the boundary of
eth Monongahela National Forest in
Tucker County, West Virginia and is
managed by the Northern Research
Station of eth USDA Forest Service.
These proposed research activities are
in compliance with the 2006 revised in
2011 Monongahela National Forest Plan,
which provides overall guidance for
management of the area, including
direction for management of the Fernow
Experimental Forest.
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by
January 26, 2015. The draft
environmental impact statement is
expected September 2015 and the final
environmental impact statement is
expected November 2015.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
USDA Forest Service, Northern
Research Station, Timber & Watershed
Laboratory, Attn: Fernow EIS, P.O. Box
404, Parsons, WV 26287. Comments
may also be sent via email to mailto:fsfernow@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to
304–478–8692.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Schuler, Northern Research Station,
Timber & Watershed Laboratory, P.O.
Box 404, Parsons, WV 26287, 304–478–
2000, tschuler@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 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of the proposed actions
is to continue ongoing research studies
on the FEF and to maintain the integrity
of the FEF for long-term research. The
need for these specific proposed actions
is found in the various study plans that
set up the harvest methods and timing
for harvests. Some studies include
experiments that were designed to last
80 years or more. These data represent
some of the most complete, continuous
long-term records on ecosystem
processes in the world. We want to
continue these experiments as designed,
and continue to gather information
about the effects of various silvicultural
practices on forest ecosystems in the
central Appalachians. We will use these
data to provide information on basic
ecosystem processes in unmanaged and
managed forests, on species diversity of
plants and animals, and on other
ecological parameters. Research results
from the FEF are used to guide
management on private and public
lands in the central Appalachian region.
The FEF has many partners and
collaborators who rely on the existing
studies as a framework for basic
research, and for innovative studies.
Therefore, it is important that we
manage the FEF to ensure availability
for collaborative research, and to ensure
safety for all visitors to the FEF.
Management activities include:
Applying gravel to road surfaces as
needed; replacing culverts on skid roads
and haul roads as needed; maintaining
water bars on skid roads; maintaining
E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM
12DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 239 / Friday, December 12, 2014 / Notices
ditches and culverts; seeding decks and
landings; using herbicides to control the
spread of Japanese stiltgrass and other
invasive species such as tree-of-heaven
as needed; removing hazard trees from
along the roads; and maintaining
openings used for weather stations.
Proposed Action
The proposed activities planned for
2015 through 2020 include the
following silvicultural treatments in
existing research studies: Diameter-limit
harvest on 173 acres; single-tree
selection on 150 acres; 24 acres of patch
clearcuts (each patch is 0.4 acre) within
169 acres; and prescribed fire treatment
on 391 acres. Other treatments include
annual fertilization of 89 acres with
ammonium sulfate fertilizer (and
additions of dolomitic lime to 2 of those
acres), treatments of invasive non-native
plants, and maintenance of roads, decks,
and other infrastructure.
of Proposed Actions at https://www.fs.
fed.us/nepa/project_content.php
?project=45791.
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.
Dated: December 8, 2014.
Thomas M. Schuler,
Project Leader, NRS–01.
[FR Doc. 2014–29162 Filed 12–11–14; 8:45 am]
Responsible Official
The responsible official for the
decision will be the Project Leader or
Acting Project Leader for RWU NRS–01,
‘‘Ecological and Economic
Sustainability of the Appalachian Forest
in an Era of Globalization’’.
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The responsible official will decide if
the proposed action will be implmented
as described, as modified by an
alternative, or not at all. If the proposed
actiion is implemented, what mitigation
measures and monitoring requirements
will the Forest Service implement.
DATE AND TIME:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Preliminary Issues
Preliminary issues to address in the
EIS include:
• Adverse effects of logging and
prescribed fire to habitat and
individuals listed as federally
endangered or threatened
• a decrease in soil productivity from
erosion following timber harvests and
prescribed fires
• increased sediment input to streams
from timber harvests and prescribed
fires
• increases in stream acidity and
adverse effects to trout populations
from the addition of ammonium
sulfate fertilizer to a watershed
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. Letters describing the
proposed action were sent to interested
people and agencies on December 5,
2014. The project is listed on the
Monongahela National Forest Schedule
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:57 Dec 11, 2014
Jkt 235001
BROADCASTING BOARD OF
GOVERNORS
Sunshine Act Meeting
Thursday, December 18,
2014, 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. EST.
PLACE: Cohen Building, Room 3321, 330
Independence Ave. SW, Washington,
DC 20237.
SUBJECT: Notice of Meeting of the
Broadcasting Board of Governors.
SUMMARY: The Broadcasting Board of
Governors (Board) will be meeting at the
time and location listed above. The
Board will vote on a consent agenda
consisting of the minutes of its October
30, 2014 meeting, a resolution honoring
the 65th anniversary of Voice of
America’s Ukrainian Service, and a
resolution honoring the fifth
anniversary of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty’s Radio Mashaal. The Board will
receive a presentation providing an
overview of the International
Broadcasting Bureau.
This meeting will also be available for
public observation via streamed
Webcast, both live and on-demand, on
the agency’s public Web site at
www.bbg.gov. Information regarding this
meeting, including any updates or
adjustments to its starting time, can also
be found on the agency’s public Web
site.
The public may also attend this
meeting in person at the address listed
above as seating capacity permits.
Members of the public seeking to attend
the meeting in person must register at
https://bbgboardmeetingdecember2014.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
73881
eventbrite.com by 12:00 p.m. (EST) on
December 17. For more information,
please contact BBG Public Affairs at
(202) 203–4400 or by email at pubaff@
bbg.gov.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Persons interested in obtaining more
information should contact Oanh Tran
at (202) 203–4545.
Oanh Tran,
Director of Board Operations.
[FR Doc. 2014–29290 Filed 12–10–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 8610–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Alaska American Fisheries Act
Reports.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0401.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular (revision
and extension of a currently approved
information collection).
Number of Respondents: 8.
Average Hours per Response: Chinook
Salmon Incentive Plan Agreement (IPA),
40 hours; Non-Chinook Salmon Intercooperative Agreement (ICA) revisions,
1 hour; Chinook Salmon IPA Annual
Report, Non-Chinook ICA Annual
Report, American Fisheries Act (AFA)
Annual Cooperative Report, AFA
Annual Cooperative Catch Report and
AFA Cooperative Contract, 8 hours
each; AFA Catcher Vessel
Intercooperative Agreement and AFA
Catcher Vessel Intercooperative
Agreement Annual Report, 40 hours
each.
Burden Hours: 345.
Needs and Uses: This request is for
revision and extension of a currently
approved information collection. Two
new voluntary reports have been added,
and one report removed.
On October 21, 1998, the President
signed into law The American Fisheries
Act, 16 U.S.C. 1851 (AFA). The AFA
established a limited access program for
the inshore sector of the BSAI pollock
fishery that is based on the formation of
fishery cooperatives around each
inshore pollock processor. NMFS issues
a single pollock allocation to each
cooperative and the cooperative may
E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM
12DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 239 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73880-73881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29162]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Northern Research Station, Timber & Watershed Laboratory, RWU
NRS-01, West Virginia, Fernow Experimental Forest 2016 to 2020
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS9) to document the analysis and disclose environmental
impacts of proposed actions needed to continue long-term research on
the Fernow Experimental Forest. To continue long-term research on the
Fernow Experimental Forest, the USDA Forest Service proposes to harvest
timber, use prescribed fire, and apply fertilizer to specific areas of
the experimental forest. Also, to maintain the integrity of the
experimental forest for long-term research we will continue the
following management activities: Applying gravel to road surfaces as
needed; replacing culverts on skid roads and haul roads as needed;
maintaining water bars on skid roads; maintaining ditches and culverts;
seeding decks and landings; using herbicides to control the spread of
Japanese stiltgrass and other invasive species such as tree-of-heaven
as needed; removing hazard trees from along the roads; and maintaining
openings used for weather stations. The purpose of the research is to
evaluate the effectiveness of silvicultural tools on central
Appalachian forests, to better understand ecological dynamics within
these forest ecosystems, and to develop management tools, practices,
and guidelines for central Appalachian forests.
The 4,700-acre Fernow Experimental Forest is situated with the
boundary of eth Monongahela National Forest in Tucker County, West
Virginia and is managed by the Northern Research Station of eth USDA
Forest Service. These proposed research activities are in compliance
with the 2006 revised in 2011 Monongahela National Forest Plan, which
provides overall guidance for management of the area, including
direction for management of the Fernow Experimental Forest.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by January 26, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is
expected September 2015 and the final environmental impact statement is
expected November 2015.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to USDA Forest Service, Northern
Research Station, Timber & Watershed Laboratory, Attn: Fernow EIS, P.O.
Box 404, Parsons, WV 26287. Comments may also be sent via email to
mailto:fs-fernow@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 304-478-8692.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Schuler, Northern Research
Station, Timber & Watershed Laboratory, P.O. Box 404, Parsons, WV
26287, 304-478-2000, tschuler@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 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of the proposed actions is to continue ongoing research
studies on the FEF and to maintain the integrity of the FEF for long-
term research. The need for these specific proposed actions is found in
the various study plans that set up the harvest methods and timing for
harvests. Some studies include experiments that were designed to last
80 years or more. These data represent some of the most complete,
continuous long-term records on ecosystem processes in the world. We
want to continue these experiments as designed, and continue to gather
information about the effects of various silvicultural practices on
forest ecosystems in the central Appalachians. We will use these data
to provide information on basic ecosystem processes in unmanaged and
managed forests, on species diversity of plants and animals, and on
other ecological parameters. Research results from the FEF are used to
guide management on private and public lands in the central Appalachian
region.
The FEF has many partners and collaborators who rely on the
existing studies as a framework for basic research, and for innovative
studies. Therefore, it is important that we manage the FEF to ensure
availability for collaborative research, and to ensure safety for all
visitors to the FEF. Management activities include: Applying gravel to
road surfaces as needed; replacing culverts on skid roads and haul
roads as needed; maintaining water bars on skid roads; maintaining
[[Page 73881]]
ditches and culverts; seeding decks and landings; using herbicides to
control the spread of Japanese stiltgrass and other invasive species
such as tree-of-heaven as needed; removing hazard trees from along the
roads; and maintaining openings used for weather stations.
Proposed Action
The proposed activities planned for 2015 through 2020 include the
following silvicultural treatments in existing research studies:
Diameter-limit harvest on 173 acres; single-tree selection on 150
acres; 24 acres of patch clearcuts (each patch is 0.4 acre) within 169
acres; and prescribed fire treatment on 391 acres. Other treatments
include annual fertilization of 89 acres with ammonium sulfate
fertilizer (and additions of dolomitic lime to 2 of those acres),
treatments of invasive non-native plants, and maintenance of roads,
decks, and other infrastructure.
Responsible Official
The responsible official for the decision will be the Project
Leader or Acting Project Leader for RWU NRS-01, ``Ecological and
Economic Sustainability of the Appalachian Forest in an Era of
Globalization''.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The responsible official will decide if the proposed action will be
implmented as described, as modified by an alternative, or not at all.
If the proposed actiion is implemented, what mitigation measures and
monitoring requirements will the Forest Service implement.
Preliminary Issues
Preliminary issues to address in the EIS include:
Adverse effects of logging and prescribed fire to habitat and
individuals listed as federally endangered or threatened
a decrease in soil productivity from erosion following timber
harvests and prescribed fires
increased sediment input to streams from timber harvests and
prescribed fires
increases in stream acidity and adverse effects to trout
populations from the addition of ammonium sulfate fertilizer to a
watershed
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. Letters
describing the proposed action were sent to interested people and
agencies on December 5, 2014. The project is listed on the Monongahela
National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions at https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=45791.
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.
Dated: December 8, 2014.
Thomas M. Schuler,
Project Leader, NRS-01.
[FR Doc. 2014-29162 Filed 12-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P