Glade Rangeland Management Analysis; San Juan National Forest; Colorado, 31886 [2015-13628]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 31886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13628]


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 31886]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Glade Rangeland Management Analysis; San Juan National Forest; 
Colorado

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service intends to prepare an environmental impact 
statement to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of 
livestock grazing on eight allotments within the Glade Landscape 
analysis area. The project would continue domestic livestock grazing on 
all or portions of the Glade Landscape in a way that moves resource 
conditions toward desired on-the-ground conditions and is consistent 
with Forest Plan standards and guidelines.

DATES: While public participation in this analysis is welcome at any 
time, comments received by July 6, 2015, will be especially useful in 
the preparation of the draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Scoping comments may be submitted in writing to Derek 
Padilla, District Ranger, Dolores Ranger District, 29211 Highway 184, 
Dolores, CO 81323; comments may also be emailed to hjmusclow@fs.fed.us 
or sent by facsimile to 970-882-6841. All comments, including names and 
addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for 
public inspection and copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Musclow, Rangeland Management 
Specialist, telephone 970-882-7296. 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 this action is to continue domestic livestock 
grazing of the Glade Landscape in a manner that moves resource 
conditions toward desired on-the-ground conditions and is consistent 
with Forest Plan standards and guidelines.

Proposed Action

    The Glade Landscape consists of 165,000 acres in Townships 37-42 
North, Ranges 15-18 West, in the northwest portion of the Dolores 
Ranger District, San Juan National Forest. It occupies parts of Dolores 
and Montezuma counties and contains eight livestock grazing allotments. 
If the District Ranger approves livestock grazing, the preferred NEPA 
alternative will guide the development of an Allotment Management Plan 
for that allotment. The Allotment Management Plans will become part of 
the corresponding term grazing permits.
    The Proposed Action would continue livestock grazing on 7 
allotments (Brumley, Mair, Salter, Glade, Long Park, Lone Mesa, and 
Calf). In addition, portions of the Sagehen Allotment is proposed for 
closure while other portions would continue to allow trailing and 
occasional livestock grazing. Adjustments to livestock numbers and/or 
management specific to each allotment are proposed to move each 
allotment towards desired conditions. Additional management actions are 
included for implementation should current proposed actions not achieve 
desired results.
    Additional information about the proposed action can be obtained 
online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=43416.

Decision To Be Made

    The decision to be made is whether or not to allow livestock 
grazing on each allotment (the No Grazing Alternative) and if so, to 
implement the proposed action as described above (the Proposed 
Alternative) to meet the purpose and need through some combination of 
activities, or to take no action at this time (the No Action 
Alternative).

Scoping Process

    Comments from the public and other agencies will be used in 
preparation of the draft EIS. The scoping process will be used to 
identify questions and issues regarding the proposed action. An issue 
is defined as a point of dispute, debate, or disagreement related to a 
specific proposed action based on its anticipated effects. Significant 
issues brought to our attention are used during an environmental 
analysis to develop alternatives to the proposed action.

Estimated Future Dates

    The draft EIS is expected to be filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency and available for public review in September of 2015. 
The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date the 
Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability of 
the draft EIS in the Federal Register.

Administrative Review Processes

    For project-level decisions about livestock grazing and management, 
the Forest Service will apply its pre-decisional administrative review 
process described in 36 CFR part 218, subparts A and B. Preliminary 
decisions about livestock management will be described in a draft 
Record of Decision.

Responsible Official and Lead Agency

    The USDA Forest Service is the lead agency for this proposal. 
District Ranger Derek Padilla is the responsible official.

    Dated: May 4, 2015.
Derek Padilla,
Dolores District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2015-13628 Filed 6-3-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-11-P