Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District; Wyoming; North Savery Project, 75046-75048 [2015-30422]

Download as PDF 75046 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 230 / Tuesday, December 1, 2015 / Notices As such there is a need to evaluate and better understand the impacts of sheep grazing on recently designated RFSS. There is also a need to better understand the effects of domestic sheep grazing on the surrounding physical environment and the social environment. The overall purpose of this project is to evaluate the effects of domestic sheep grazing in these allotments and determine the impacts on the physical and social aspects of the project area. Proposed Action The Forest Service will evaluate the 10 sheep allotments on the UWC and Ashley NFs: Those allotments are Gilbert Peak, Hessie Lake-Henry’s Fork, Red Castle, East Fork Blacks Fork, and the Middle Fork Blacks Fork on the UWCNF, and Painter Basin, Tungsten, Oweep, Ottoson Basin, and Fall Creek on the Ashley NF. Based on current information both Forests are proposing to authorize grazing on five allotments on the UWCNF and five allotments on the Ashley NF. Livestock grazing would be authorized using Forest Plan direction to meet or move toward the desired conditions identified in the Forest Plans. The Forests are also proposing to continue to use the sheep driveway that allows for sheep that graze the listed allotments The project will evaluate multiple resources for impacts to include range, wilderness, recreation, hydrology, wildlife, fisheries and aquatic organisms, plants, soils, as well as potential impacts to economics and society. The project analysis area is located in Uinta County, Wyoming and Duchesne and Summit Counties, Utah on the Evanston-Mountain View and Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger Districts. The project area is located approximately 40 miles north-northwest of Duchesne, Utah, and about 40 miles southeast of Evanston, Wyoming. The project area encompasses about 160,000 acres and is located in the Uinta Mountains on both the north and south facing slopes of the central ridgeline. The Forest Service will begin the environmental analysis in 2015, and the project is anticipated to end in late 2017. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Possible Alternatives At this time, there are two alternatives that are being considered. The first is the proposed action described above. The second is the ‘‘No-Action’’ disallow impact, but the decision must not result in loss of species viability or create significant trends toward federal listing.)’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:35 Nov 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 alternative which would not authorize grazing on the allotments. During the course of the project analysis, it is possible additional alternatives will be analyzed that may result from public participation or from staff participation, or from both. Responsible Official There are two Responsible Officials for this project: The Uinta Wasatch Cache Forest Supervisor and the Ashley Forest Supervisor. Nature of Decision To Be Made The decision to be made includes whether or not sheep grazing will continue on these allotments, and whether or not a site specific Forest Plan amendment could be needed. Preliminary Issues Preliminary issues that have been identified include impacts to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, wilderness, socioeconomics, recreation, soils, hydrology, and vegetation. Additional issues may arise from the public during the comment process. Scoping Process Scoping for this project was initiated in May of 2014. At that time a scoping package was sent to interested parties, tribes, and organizations. The proposed action has not changed from that original scoping letter, with the exception that the Forests have decided to prepare an environmental impact statement instead of an environemental assessment. This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. Following this Notice of Intent, it is anticipated that a second scoping letter describing the nature of the project will be sent to interested parties and organziations in the fall of 2015. There will also be opportunities to comment when the draft EIS is released. Additionally, public meetings are being considered as well, and would occur after a scoping letter was sent out. The Forest Service is looking for comments identifing issues or concerns with regards to sheep grazing on these allotments. Comments that clearly and concisely articulate a percieved problem, and how to find a solution to that problem are most helpful. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. November 20, 2015. David C. Whittekiend, Forest Supervisor, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Dated: November 20, 2015. John R. Erickson, Forest Supervisor, Ashley National Forest. [FR Doc. 2015–30371 Filed 11–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District; Wyoming; North Savery Project Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: In the North Savery Project, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District proposes approximately 6,500 acres of salvage logging, precommercial thinning, and hazard tree clearing on National Forest System lands in the northwest Sierra Madre mountain range. The District also proposes changes to the road system in the project area, including decommissioning 26 miles of roads that are causing direct impacts to watershed resources. The Governor of Wyoming has identified the project area as a priority landscape for treatment under the 2014 Farm Bill and amended Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, which provide for expedited environmental analysis and treatments to address areas affected by insect and disease infestations. Accordingly, the environmental analysis associated with the North Savery Project will proceed according to Section 104 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and will be subject to subparts A and C of the U.S. Forest Service Project-Level Predecisional Administrative Review Process documented at 36 CFR 218. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by February 1, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in May 2016 and the final SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM 01DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 230 / Tuesday, December 1, 2015 / Notices environmental impact statement is expected in September 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Medicine Bow National Forest; Attn: Melanie Fullman; PO Box 249, Saratoga, WY 82331. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-rm-medicinebow-routt-brush-creek-hayden@ fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 307–326– 5250. Comments may be hand delivered during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to 2171 Highway 130, Saratoga WY 82331. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at 2171 Highway 130, Saratoga WY. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 307–326– 2500 to facilitate entry into the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monique Nelson, Medicine Bow National Forest; 2468 Jackson St, Laramie WY 82070; phone (307)745– 2310; or email: moniquelnelson@ fs.fed.us. A scoping document, including maps, is available online at https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_ project_exp.php?project=47913. 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: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the North Savery Analysis is to (1) promote forest regeneration in stands affected by mountain pine beetle; (2) treat overstocked timber stands to improve growth and vigor; (3) reduce the development of large continuous high hazard fuel conditions in high timber production areas; (4) remove hazard trees from high priority areas affecting public safety; (5) provide merchantable timber products for sale from designated timber units; and (6) relocate, reconstruct, or restore to natural conditions portions of the existing road system that are in need of maintenance or are detrimentally contributing to watershed health. Over the past decade, a mountain pine beetle epidemic has killed pine trees across thousands of acres of forest land in southern Wyoming. In lodgepole pine forests, approximately 70% of the trees greater than 6″ in diameter are dead or dying from mountain pine beetle infestation. Timber stands in the North Savery Project analysis area are among the most productive growing VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:35 Nov 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 sites on the Medicine Bow National Forest, and it is a priority to reforest and return these stands to timber production. There is a limited time in which to salvage these trees and recover a sawtimber product. The Governor of Wyoming has identified this project location as a priority area for treatment due to insect and disease infestation. Proposed Action Salvage Harvest The Forest Service has identified and will analyze approximately 7,700 acres for salvage harvest. Approximately 2,200 of the analyzed acres will not be harvested in order to conserve watershed heath and wildlife habitat. Acres to be set aside from treatment will be determined based on the analyzed effects to water yields in each watershed and the presence of wildlife and other resources of interest. Overstory Removal and Clearcut treatments would be used in lodgepole pine stands to salvage dead and dying trees; some live trees will also be harvested. Overstory removal treatments are used in areas that have a significant understory component. The intent is to harvest overstory trees while maintaining understory trees that are too small to be merchantable. Clearcut prescriptions are used in stands that have beetle mortality greater than 70%, are highly mistletoe infested, have low levels of existing regeneration, or where the remaining green trees would be at high risk of windthrow. Species present and the presence, distribution, and health of the understory will dictate what options are available for salvage treatments on a stand-by-stand basis. Generally, lodgepole pine trees over 7.0 inches in diameter would be designated for removal. Trees of all species less than 7.0 inches in diameter would generally remain on site. Areas within units that have large, contiguous components of Engelmann spruce may be retained for wildlife. Subalpine fir, when found as a minor component in lodgepole pine stands, would not be retained unless included as wildlife habitat. Precommercial Thinning Precommercial thinning is proposed on approximately 1,000 acres of densely regenerating lodgepole pine seedling/ sapling stands. Precommercial thinning would improve growth and vigor, reduce stress from overcrowding and competition, and provide for a future stand that is less susceptible to bark beetles. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 75047 Hazard Tree Clearing Some areas identified for salvage harvest include hazard trees along roads, trails, and administrative sites. Roads Proposals The Forest Service proposes to decommission (return to a natural state) approximately 26 miles of roads that are causing direct impacts to wetland and water resources, provide redundant access in areas of high road density, or are in greater sage-grouse core habitat. To ensure adequate access to the area, the Forest Service proposes to add approximately 6 miles of well-placed unauthorized routes to the National Forest road system, convert 1 mile of road to ORV trail, and build approximately 1 mile of ORV trail. Finally, the Forest Service proposes to construct 1 mile of road, reconstruct 2 miles of road, and reroute 1 mile of road. Approximately 20 miles of temporary roads may be needed to facilitate timber harvest. Responsible Official Melanie B. Fullman, District Ranger; Medicine Bow Routt-National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Responsible Official will decide whether to adopt and implement the proposed action, implement an alternative to or modification of the proposed action, or take no action with respect to the North Savery Project. Preliminary Issues The following issues were identified while scoping a larger ‘‘Savery’’ project in 2011. The Savery Project was scoped but was not analyzed or implemented. This North Savery Project is located with the former Savery Project analysis area but is smaller in extent and includes fewer proposals. Preliminary issues are: (1) effects of proposed timber salvage treatments on wildlife, wildlife habitat, and watershed funtion; (2) effects of road closures and road decommissioning on recreational access to the national forest. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. There will a public meeting held at the Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office located at 1300 North 3rd St., Rawlins WY 82301 on December 9, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A second public meeting will be held at the Platte Valley Community Center located at 210 W E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM 01DEN1 75048 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 230 / Tuesday, December 1, 2015 / Notices Elm Ave, Saratoga, WY 82331 on December 10, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 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. Melanie B. Fullman, District Ranger. [FR Doc. 2015–30422 Filed 11–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Cold Storage Survey. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, expected increases in response rates, and modes of data collection. The questionnaires have had some minor modifications to accommodate changes in the products stored by the industry, and to make the questionnaires easier to complete. The target population for cold storage operators (both mandatory and voluntary samples) will be contacted for this data on a monthly basis. Fruit storage operations are contacted on a monthly—seasonal basis. The capacity survey is conducted once every other year of all operations with refrigerated storage capacity. Most of these surveys are voluntary; the one exception is for operations that store certain manufactured dairy products that are required by Public Law 106–532 and 107–171 to respond. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:35 Nov 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 Comments on this notice must be received by February 1, 2016 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535–0001, by any of the following methods: • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number above in the subject line of the message. • E-fax: (855) 838–6382. • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– ROM submissions to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– 2024. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) 720–2707. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS—OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690–2388 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Cold Storage Survey. OMB Control Number: 0535–0001. Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2016. Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved information collection for a period of three years. Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to collect, prepare, and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition; as well as economic statistics, environmental statistics related to agriculture and also to conduct the Census of Agriculture. The monthly Cold Storage Survey provides information on national supplies of food commodities in refrigerated storage facilities. A biennial survey of refrigerated warehouse capacity is also conducted to provide a benchmark of the capacity available for refrigerated storage of the nation’s food supply. Information on stocks of food commodities that are in refrigerated facilitates have a major impact on the price, marketing, processing, and distribution of agricultural products. Authority: These data will be collected under authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to nonaggregated data provided by respondents. This notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104–13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, ‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362. Most of these surveys are voluntary; the one exception is for operations that store certain manufactured dairy products that are required by Public Law 106–532 and 107–171 to respond. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information collection is based on 3 individual surveys with expected responses of 10–30 minutes. The Refrigerated Capacity Survey is conducted once every 2 years, the other surveys are conducted monthly. Respondents: Refrigerated storage facilities. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,600. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: With an estimated response rate of approximately 85%, we estimate the burden to be 4,200 hours. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, at (202) 690– 2388. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, technological or other forms of information technology collection methods. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval. E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM 01DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 230 (Tuesday, December 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75046-75048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30422]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National 
Grassland, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District; Wyoming; North Savery 
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In the North Savery Project, the Medicine Bow-Routt National 
Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger 
District proposes approximately 6,500 acres of salvage logging, 
precommercial thinning, and hazard tree clearing on National Forest 
System lands in the northwest Sierra Madre mountain range. The District 
also proposes changes to the road system in the project area, including 
decommissioning 26 miles of roads that are causing direct impacts to 
watershed resources. The Governor of Wyoming has identified the project 
area as a priority landscape for treatment under the 2014 Farm Bill and 
amended Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, which provide for 
expedited environmental analysis and treatments to address areas 
affected by insect and disease infestations. Accordingly, the 
environmental analysis associated with the North Savery Project will 
proceed according to Section 104 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act 
and will be subject to subparts A and C of the U.S. Forest Service 
Project-Level Predecisional Administrative Review Process documented at 
36 CFR 218.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by February 1, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected in May 2016 and the final

[[Page 75047]]

environmental impact statement is expected in September 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Medicine Bow National Forest; Attn: 
Melanie Fullman; PO Box 249, Saratoga, WY 82331. Comments may also be 
sent via email to comments-rm-medicine-bow-routt-brush-creek-hayden@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 307-326-5250. Comments may be 
hand delivered during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 
p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to 2171 Highway 130, Saratoga WY 82331.
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received at 2171 Highway 130, 
Saratoga WY. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 307-326-2500 to 
facilitate entry into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monique Nelson, Medicine Bow National 
Forest; 2468 Jackson St, Laramie WY 82070; phone (307)745-2310; or 
email: moniquelnelson@fs.fed.us. A scoping document, including maps, is 
available online at https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47913.
    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 North Savery Analysis is to (1) promote forest 
regeneration in stands affected by mountain pine beetle; (2) treat 
overstocked timber stands to improve growth and vigor; (3) reduce the 
development of large continuous high hazard fuel conditions in high 
timber production areas; (4) remove hazard trees from high priority 
areas affecting public safety; (5) provide merchantable timber products 
for sale from designated timber units; and (6) relocate, reconstruct, 
or restore to natural conditions portions of the existing road system 
that are in need of maintenance or are detrimentally contributing to 
watershed health.
    Over the past decade, a mountain pine beetle epidemic has killed 
pine trees across thousands of acres of forest land in southern 
Wyoming. In lodgepole pine forests, approximately 70% of the trees 
greater than 6'' in diameter are dead or dying from mountain pine 
beetle infestation. Timber stands in the North Savery Project analysis 
area are among the most productive growing sites on the Medicine Bow 
National Forest, and it is a priority to reforest and return these 
stands to timber production. There is a limited time in which to 
salvage these trees and recover a sawtimber product. The Governor of 
Wyoming has identified this project location as a priority area for 
treatment due to insect and disease infestation.

Proposed Action

Salvage Harvest

    The Forest Service has identified and will analyze approximately 
7,700 acres for salvage harvest. Approximately 2,200 of the analyzed 
acres will not be harvested in order to conserve watershed heath and 
wildlife habitat. Acres to be set aside from treatment will be 
determined based on the analyzed effects to water yields in each 
watershed and the presence of wildlife and other resources of interest. 
Overstory Removal and Clearcut treatments would be used in lodgepole 
pine stands to salvage dead and dying trees; some live trees will also 
be harvested.
    Overstory removal treatments are used in areas that have a 
significant understory component. The intent is to harvest overstory 
trees while maintaining understory trees that are too small to be 
merchantable. Clearcut prescriptions are used in stands that have 
beetle mortality greater than 70%, are highly mistletoe infested, have 
low levels of existing regeneration, or where the remaining green trees 
would be at high risk of windthrow. Species present and the presence, 
distribution, and health of the understory will dictate what options 
are available for salvage treatments on a stand-by-stand basis. 
Generally, lodgepole pine trees over 7.0 inches in diameter would be 
designated for removal. Trees of all species less than 7.0 inches in 
diameter would generally remain on site. Areas within units that have 
large, contiguous components of Engelmann spruce may be retained for 
wildlife. Subalpine fir, when found as a minor component in lodgepole 
pine stands, would not be retained unless included as wildlife habitat.

Precommercial Thinning

    Precommercial thinning is proposed on approximately 1,000 acres of 
densely regenerating lodgepole pine seedling/sapling stands. 
Precommercial thinning would improve growth and vigor, reduce stress 
from overcrowding and competition, and provide for a future stand that 
is less susceptible to bark beetles.

Hazard Tree Clearing

    Some areas identified for salvage harvest include hazard trees 
along roads, trails, and administrative sites.

Roads Proposals

    The Forest Service proposes to decommission (return to a natural 
state) approximately 26 miles of roads that are causing direct impacts 
to wetland and water resources, provide redundant access in areas of 
high road density, or are in greater sage-grouse core habitat. To 
ensure adequate access to the area, the Forest Service proposes to add 
approximately 6 miles of well-placed unauthorized routes to the 
National Forest road system, convert 1 mile of road to ORV trail, and 
build approximately 1 mile of ORV trail. Finally, the Forest Service 
proposes to construct 1 mile of road, reconstruct 2 miles of road, and 
reroute 1 mile of road. Approximately 20 miles of temporary roads may 
be needed to facilitate timber harvest.

Responsible Official

    Melanie B. Fullman, District Ranger; Medicine Bow Routt-National 
Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger 
District.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will decide whether to adopt and implement 
the proposed action, implement an alternative to or modification of the 
proposed action, or take no action with respect to the North Savery 
Project.

Preliminary Issues

    The following issues were identified while scoping a larger 
``Savery'' project in 2011. The Savery Project was scoped but was not 
analyzed or implemented. This North Savery Project is located with the 
former Savery Project analysis area but is smaller in extent and 
includes fewer proposals. Preliminary issues are: (1) effects of 
proposed timber salvage treatments on wildlife, wildlife habitat, and 
watershed funtion; (2) effects of road closures and road 
decommissioning on recreational access to the national forest.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. There will a 
public meeting held at the Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field 
Office located at 1300 North 3rd St., Rawlins WY 82301 on December 9, 
2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A second public meeting will be held 
at the Platte Valley Community Center located at 210 W

[[Page 75048]]

Elm Ave, Saratoga, WY 82331 on December 10, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
    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.

Melanie B. Fullman,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2015-30422 Filed 11-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.