Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Chugach National Forest, Alaska, 79303-79305 [2015-32043]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 244 / Monday, December 21, 2015 / Notices
The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda will include time for people
to make oral statements of three minutes
or less. Individuals wishing to make an
oral statement should request in writing
by January 7, 2016 to be scheduled on
the agenda. Anyone who would like to
bring related matters to the attention of
the committee may file written
statements with the committee staff
before or after the meeting. Written
comments and requests for time to make
oral comments must be sent to Lynn
Wright, RAC Coordinator, Six Rivers NF
Office, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA.
95501; by email to hwright02@fs.fed.us,
or via facsimile to 707–445–8677.
Meeting Accommodations: If you are
a person requiring reasonable
accommodation, please make requests
in advance for sign language
interpreting, assistive listening devices
or other reasonable accommodation for
access to the facility or proceedings by
contacting the person listed in the
section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. All reasonable
accommodation requests are managed
on a case by case basis.
Dated: December 14, 2015.
Merv George Jr.,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015–32041 Filed 12–18–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Revision of the Land Management Plan
for the Chugach National Forest,
Alaska
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
As directed by the National
Forest Management Act (NFMA), the
USDA Forest Service is preparing the
Chugach National Forest’s revised land
management plan (forest plan), which
requires preparation of an
environmental impact statement (EIS).
Publication of this notice marks the
initiation of the public scoping period
for the proposed action. This notice
briefly describes the nature of the
decision to be made, the proposed
action, and information concerning
public participation. It also provides
estimated dates for filing the EIS, the
name and address of the responsible
agency official, and the individuals who
can provide additional information. The
revised forest plan will supersede the
existing forest plan that was approved
by the Regional Forester in 2002. The
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SUMMARY:
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17:38 Dec 18, 2015
Jkt 238001
existing forest plan will remain in effect
until the revised forest plan takes effect.
DATES: Comments concerning the
proposed action provided in this notice
will be most useful in the development
of the proposed revised forest plan and
draft EIS if received by February 17,
2016. The agency expects to release the
proposed revised forest plan and draft
EIS for formal comment by summer
2016 and a final EIS and draft record of
decision by April 2017.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent in
one of the following ways: (1) Via the
Forest Plan Revision Web page at https://
go.usa.gov/cBWvQ or (2) send or deliver
written comments to the Chugach
National Forest’s Supervisor’s Office,
Attn: Forest Plan Revision, 161 East 1st
Street, Door 8, Anchorage, AK 99501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary C. Rasmussen, Forest Plan
Revision Team Leader, at
mcrasmussen@fs.fed.us or (907) 743–
9500. 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
Several areas where changes are
needed in the Chugach Forest Plan
surfaced from the requirements of the
2012 Planning Rule for the National
Forest System, findings from the
development of the Assessment of the
Chugach National Forest (a precursor
document in the planning process that
identified and evaluated the existing
condition across the forest landscape),
changes in conditions and demands
since the 2002 forest plan, and public
concerns to date.
The 2012 Planning Rule, which
became effective May 9, 2012, requires
inclusion of plan components that
address social and economic
sustainability, ecosystem services, and
multiple uses integrated with the plan
components for ecological sustainability
and species diversity. Social and
economic management direction is
needed to provide people and
communities with a range of social and
economic benefits for present and future
generations. To meet the Planning
Rule’s requirement to provide for
ecological sustainability, management
direction is needed that addresses
ecosystem diversity (including key
ecosystem characteristics and their
integrity), in light of changes in climate,
federal subsistence regulations, land
ownership and recreational use
patterns, and threats to ecosystem
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79303
integrity from invasive species and
pollution sources (e.g. the Exxon Valdez
oil spill). Revised plan components are
needed that focus on maintaining or
restoring aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems to provide for species
diversity including threatened and
endangered species, species of
conservation concern, and species of
public interest. Additionally, updates
and modifications to management
direction are needed to address
suitability of certain areas for particular
uses, address access and sustainable
recreation, provide for the management
of existing and anticipated uses, as well
as protect resources. During the plan
revision process, the 2012 Planning
Rule requires the Forest Service to
undertake processes to identify and
evaluate existing and new designated
areas including lands that may be
suitable for inclusion in the National
Wilderness Preservation System and
eligible rivers for inclusion in the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is preparing the
Chugach National Forest revised land
management plan. The detailed
proposed action is available on the
Forest’s Web site at: https://go.usa.gov/
cBWvQ. The proposed action describes
the strategic intent of managing the
Forest for the next 10 to 15 years and
provides management direction in the
form of goals, desired conditions,
objectives, standards, and guidelines. It
identifies management areas and
geographic areas across the Forest and
estimates the timber sale program
quantity. The proposed action describes
the plan area’s distinctive roles and
contributions within the broader
landscape, identifies watersheds that are
a priority for maintenance or
restoration, and identifies the suitability
of national forest lands to support a
variety of proposed and possible actions
that may occur on the plan area over the
life of the plan. The proposed action
also identifies a monitoring program.
The proposed action includes plan
components to maintain or restore
ecological conditions that contribute to
maintaining viable populations of dusky
Canada goose (Branta canadensis
occidentalis), a species of conservation
concern identified for the Chugach
National Forest by the Regional
Forester.
Nature and Scope of Decision To Be
Made
As the forest plan is revised, the
responsible official will use the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
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79304
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 244 / Monday, December 21, 2015 / Notices
process to develop alternatives to the
proposed action and decide which
alternative best promotes the ecological
integrity and sustainability of the
Chugach National Forest’s ecosystems,
watersheds, and diverse plant and
animal communities. In addition, the
responsible official will decide if the
plan provides sufficient management
guidance to contribute to social and
economic sustainability, and to provide
people and communities with
ecosystem services and multiple uses
including a range of social, economic,
and ecological benefits for the present
and into the future.
The responsible official will also
determine whether to make new
recommendations for Wilderness and
other designated areas.
The revised forest plan will provide
strategic direction and a framework for
decision making during the life of the
plan, but it will not make site-specific
project decisions and will not dictate
day-to-day administrative activities
needed to carry on the Forest Service’s
internal operations. The authorization of
project-level activities will be based on
the direction contained in the revised
forest plan, but will occur through
subsequent project specific decision
making, including NEPA analysis.
The revised forest plan will provide
broad, strategic guidance designed to
supplement, not replace, overarching
laws and regulations. Though strategic
guidance will be provided, no decisions
will be made regarding the management
of individual roads or trails, such as
those that might be associated with a
travel management plan under 36 CFR
part 212. Some issues, although
important, are beyond the authority or
control of a forest plan and will not be
addressed during this revision process.
For example, the revision process
cannot be used to modify inventoried
roadless area boundaries established by
the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Responsible Official
The responsible official who will
approve the Record of Decision is Terri
Marceron, Forest Supervisor for the
Chugach National Forest, 161 East 1st
Avenue, Door 8, Anchorage, AK 99501.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Applicable Planning Rule
Preparation of the revised forest plan
for the Chugach National Forest began
with the publication of a Notice of
Initiation in the Federal Register on July
9, 2014 [79 FR 38852] and was initiated
under the planning procedures
contained in the 2012 Forest Service
planning rule (36 CFR 219 (2012)).
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17:38 Dec 18, 2015
Jkt 238001
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the EIS. Written
comments received in response to this
notice will be analyzed to further
develop the proposed revised forest
plan and identify potential significant
issues. Significant issues will, in turn,
form the basis for developing
alternatives to the proposed action.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments such that they are
useful to the agency’s preparation of the
EIS. Comments on the proposed action
will be most valuable if received within
60 days of the publication of this notice
and should clearly articulate the
reviewer’s opinions and concerns.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
become part of the public record.
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. See the
section below concerning the objection
process and the requirements for filing
an objection.
While we are interested in all
comments related to the proposed
action, the Forest Service is particularly
interested in receiving comments about
which if any areas of the Chugach
National Forest should be included in
the analysis of wilderness character.
The areas analyzed will form the basis
for recommendations for future
Wilderness designation.
Public Participation in the Planning
Process
Beginning in March 2012, the Forest
Service began to lay the foundation to
engage the public about the forest plan
revision process. The public and
stakeholders were informed through
press releases, letters and Web-based
information, and the Forest Service
partnered with the University of Alaska
Anchorage (UAA) to hold 10
community workshops in the spring of
2012. Additionally, an online
participatory mapping interface (Talking
Points) was available for the public to
use from April to November 2012.
On January 31, 2013, the Forest
Service issued a news release
announcing the beginning of the first
phase of the planning process. On
February 7, 2013, a legal notice was
published in the Anchorage Daily News
announcing the beginning of the
assessment phase of the plan revision
and upcoming opportunities for public
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Sfmt 4703
engagement. Eighteen additional public
meetings and workshops were held in
local communities in 2013. In addition
to these efforts, the Forest Service also
conducted a series of targeted outreach
efforts to federally recognized Alaska
Native Tribes and Corporations, youth,
new audiences, permittees, and
neighboring landowners, including the
State of Alaska, to capture stakeholder
input for the assessment.
A public comment period with nine
accompanying ‘‘open house’’ meetings
was held in spring 2015 following
publication of the following documents:
Preliminary Need to Change Report;
Draft Wilderness Inventory and
Evaluation Report; Wild, Scenic and
Recreational Rivers Evaluation Report;
and a spring 2015 Plan Revision
newsletter.
The public engagement strategy for
early 2016 will focus on issue
identification and alternative
development. Engagement tools include:
Keeping the Plan Revision Web page
updated; notifying mailing list
subscribers and interested parties when
information is available; and soliciting
invitations to stakeholder meetings to
present additional forest plan revision
information. Additional comment
periods and public meetings will be
scheduled to coincide with the
availability of the revised forest plan
and draft environmental impact
statement expected in July 2016.
Decision Will Be Subject to Objection
The decision to approve the revised
forest plan for the Chugach National
Forest will be subject to the objection
process identified in 36 CFR 219
Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According
to 36 CFR 219.53(a), those who may file
an objection are individuals and entities
who have submitted substantive formal
comments related to plan revision
during the opportunities provided for
public comment during the planning
process.
Documents Available for Review
The detailed proposed action text
describing preliminary desired
conditions, objectives, standards,
guidelines, and other plan content; the
2015 Need for Change; the 2014
Assessment; other documents that
support the proposed action; and
information from previous public
meetings are posted on the Chugach
National Forest’s Web site at: https://
go.usa.gov/cBWvQ. The material
available on this site may be revised or
updated at any time as part of the
planning process.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1600–1614; 36 CFR
part 219 [77 FR 21162–21276].
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 244 / Monday, December 21, 2015 / Notices
Dated: December 14, 2015.
Alicia King,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015–32043 Filed 12–18–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–570–962, C–570–963]
Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts
From the People’s Republic of China:
Continuation of Antidumping Duty
Order and Countervailing Duty Order
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: As a result of the
determinations by the Department of
Commerce (‘‘Department’’) and the
International Trade Commission (‘‘ITC’’)
that revocation of the antidumping duty
(‘‘AD’’) order on certain potassium
phosphate salts (‘‘salts’’) from the
People’s Republic of China (‘‘PRC’’)
would likely lead to a continuation or
recurrence of dumping and material
injury to an industry in the United
States, the Department is publishing a
notice of continuation of the
antidumping duty order. As a result of
the determinations by the Department
and the ITC that revocation of the
countervailing duty (‘‘CVD’’) order on
salts from the PRC would likely lead to
a continuation or recurrence of a
countervailable subsidy and material
injury to an industry in the United
States, the Department is publishing a
notice of continuation of the CVD order.
DATES: Effective Date: December 21,
2015.
AGENCY:
Ryan Mullen,
AD/CVD Operations, Office V (AD
Order), or Jacky Arrowsmith, AD/CVD
Operations, Office VII (CVD Order),
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202)
482–5260 or (202) 482–5255,
respectively.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Background
On June 1, 2010, the Department
published its Final AD Determination
and Final CVD Determination on salts
from the PRC.1 On July 22, 2010, the
1 See Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts From the
People’s Republic of China: Final Determination of
Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Termination of
Critical Circumstances Inquiry, 75 FR 30377 (June
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17:38 Dec 18, 2015
Jkt 238001
Department published the Amended
Final AD Order on salts from the PRC.2
On June 1, 2015, the Department
published the notice of initiation of the
first five-year (‘‘sunset’’) review of the
AD order and CVD order on salts from
the PRC pursuant to section 751(c) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
‘‘Act’’).3 As a result of its reviews, the
Department determined that revocation
of the AD order on salts from the PRC
would likely lead to a continuation or
recurrence of dumping and that
revocation of the CVD order on salts
from the PRC would likely lead to a
continuation or recurrence of a
countervailable subsidy. Therefore, the
Department notified the ITC of the
magnitude of the margins likely to
prevail should the AD order be
revoked 4 and the net countervailable
subsidy rates likely to prevail should
the CVD order be revoked.5 On
December 10, 2015, the ITC published
its determination, pursuant to section
751(c) of the Act, that revocation of the
AD order and the CVD order on salts
from the PRC would likely lead to a
continuation or recurrence of material
injury to an industry in the United
States within a reasonably foreseeable
time.6
Scope of the Order
The phosphate salts covered by the
scope of the order include anhydrous
Dipotassium Phosphate (DKP) and
Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP),
whether anhydrous or in solution
(collectively ‘‘phosphate salts’’).
TKPP, also known as normal
potassium pyrophosphate,
Diphosphoric acid or Tetrapotassium
salt, is a potassium salt with the formula
1, 2010) (‘‘Final AD Determination’’); see also
Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts From the
People’s Republic of China: Final Affirmative
Countervailing Duty Determination and
Termination of Critical Circumstances Inquiry, 75
FR 30375 (June 1, 2010) (‘‘Final CVD
Determination’’).
2 See Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts From the
People’s Republic of China: Amended Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Antidumping Duty Order, 75 FR 42683 (July 22,
2010) (‘‘Amended Final AD Order’’).
3 See Initiation of Five-Year (‘‘Sunset’’) Review, 80
FR 31012 (June 1, 2015).
4 See Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts from the
People’s Republic of China: Final Results of
Expedited First Sunset Review of the Antidumping
Duty Order, 80 FR 60122 (October 5, 2015) and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum.
5 See Potassium Phosphate Salts from the
People’s Republic of China: Final Results of
Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing
Duty Order, 80 FR 60121 (October 5, 2015) and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum.
6 See Potassium Phosphate Salts from China, 80
FR 76708 (December 10, 2015); Potassium
Phosphate Salts from China (Inv. Nos. 701–TA–473
and 731–TA–1173 (Review), USITC Publication
4584, December 2015).
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79305
K4P2O7. The CAS registry number for
TKPP is 7320–34–5. TKPP is typically
18.7% phosphorus and 47.3%
potassium. It is generally greater than or
equal to 43.0% P2O5 content. TKPP is
classified under heading 2835.39.1000,
HTSUS.
DKP, also known as Dipotassium salt,
Dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate
or Potassium phosphate, dibasic, has a
chemical formula of K2HPO4. The CAS
registry number for DKP is 7758–11–4.
DKP is typically 17.8% phosphorus,
44.8% potassium and 40% P2O5
content. DKP is classified under heading
2835.24.0000, HTSUS.
The products covered by this order
include the foregoing phosphate salts in
all grades, whether food grade or
technical grade. The products covered
by this order also include anhydrous
DKP without regard to the physical
form, whether crushed, granule, powder
or fines. Also covered are all forms of
TKPP, whether crushed, granule,
powder, fines or solution.
For purposes of the order, the
narrative description is dispositive, and
not the tariff heading, American
Chemical Society, CAS registry number
or CAS name, or the specific percentage
chemical composition identified above.
Continuation of the Order
As a result of the determinations by
the Department and the ITC that
revocation of the AD order would likely
lead to a continuation or recurrence of
dumping and that revocation of the CVD
order would likely lead to continuation
or recurrence of a countervailable
subsidy and material injury to an
industry in the United States, pursuant
to section 751(d)(2) of the Act, the
Department hereby orders the
continuation of the AD and CVD orders
on salts from the PRC. U.S. Customs and
Border Protection will continue to
collect AD and CVD cash deposits at the
rates in effect at the time of entry for all
imports of subject merchandise.
The effective date of the continuation
of the AD and CVD orders will be the
date of publication in the Federal
Register of this notice of continuation.
Pursuant to section 751(c)(2) of the Act,
the Department intends to initiate the
next sunset review of the AD order and
CVD order not later than 30 days prior
to the fifth anniversary of the effective
date of continuation. These sunset
reviews and this notice are in
accordance with section 751(c) of the
Act and published pursuant to section
777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.218(f)(4).
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79303-79305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32043]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Chugach National
Forest, Alaska
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: As directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the
USDA Forest Service is preparing the Chugach National Forest's revised
land management plan (forest plan), which requires preparation of an
environmental impact statement (EIS). Publication of this notice marks
the initiation of the public scoping period for the proposed action.
This notice briefly describes the nature of the decision to be made,
the proposed action, and information concerning public participation.
It also provides estimated dates for filing the EIS, the name and
address of the responsible agency official, and the individuals who can
provide additional information. The revised forest plan will supersede
the existing forest plan that was approved by the Regional Forester in
2002. The existing forest plan will remain in effect until the revised
forest plan takes effect.
DATES: Comments concerning the proposed action provided in this notice
will be most useful in the development of the proposed revised forest
plan and draft EIS if received by February 17, 2016. The agency expects
to release the proposed revised forest plan and draft EIS for formal
comment by summer 2016 and a final EIS and draft record of decision by
April 2017.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent in one of the following ways: (1) Via
the Forest Plan Revision Web page at https://go.usa.gov/cBWvQ or (2)
send or deliver written comments to the Chugach National Forest's
Supervisor's Office, Attn: Forest Plan Revision, 161 East 1st Street,
Door 8, Anchorage, AK 99501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary C. Rasmussen, Forest Plan
Revision Team Leader, at mcrasmussen@fs.fed.us or (907) 743-9500.
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
Several areas where changes are needed in the Chugach Forest Plan
surfaced from the requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule for the
National Forest System, findings from the development of the Assessment
of the Chugach National Forest (a precursor document in the planning
process that identified and evaluated the existing condition across the
forest landscape), changes in conditions and demands since the 2002
forest plan, and public concerns to date.
The 2012 Planning Rule, which became effective May 9, 2012,
requires inclusion of plan components that address social and economic
sustainability, ecosystem services, and multiple uses integrated with
the plan components for ecological sustainability and species
diversity. Social and economic management direction is needed to
provide people and communities with a range of social and economic
benefits for present and future generations. To meet the Planning
Rule's requirement to provide for ecological sustainability, management
direction is needed that addresses ecosystem diversity (including key
ecosystem characteristics and their integrity), in light of changes in
climate, federal subsistence regulations, land ownership and
recreational use patterns, and threats to ecosystem integrity from
invasive species and pollution sources (e.g. the Exxon Valdez oil
spill). Revised plan components are needed that focus on maintaining or
restoring aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to provide for species
diversity including threatened and endangered species, species of
conservation concern, and species of public interest. Additionally,
updates and modifications to management direction are needed to address
suitability of certain areas for particular uses, address access and
sustainable recreation, provide for the management of existing and
anticipated uses, as well as protect resources. During the plan
revision process, the 2012 Planning Rule requires the Forest Service to
undertake processes to identify and evaluate existing and new
designated areas including lands that may be suitable for inclusion in
the National Wilderness Preservation System and eligible rivers for
inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is preparing the Chugach National Forest revised
land management plan. The detailed proposed action is available on the
Forest's Web site at: https://go.usa.gov/cBWvQ. The proposed action
describes the strategic intent of managing the Forest for the next 10
to 15 years and provides management direction in the form of goals,
desired conditions, objectives, standards, and guidelines. It
identifies management areas and geographic areas across the Forest and
estimates the timber sale program quantity. The proposed action
describes the plan area's distinctive roles and contributions within
the broader landscape, identifies watersheds that are a priority for
maintenance or restoration, and identifies the suitability of national
forest lands to support a variety of proposed and possible actions that
may occur on the plan area over the life of the plan. The proposed
action also identifies a monitoring program.
The proposed action includes plan components to maintain or restore
ecological conditions that contribute to maintaining viable populations
of dusky Canada goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis), a species of
conservation concern identified for the Chugach National Forest by the
Regional Forester.
Nature and Scope of Decision To Be Made
As the forest plan is revised, the responsible official will use
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
[[Page 79304]]
process to develop alternatives to the proposed action and decide which
alternative best promotes the ecological integrity and sustainability
of the Chugach National Forest's ecosystems, watersheds, and diverse
plant and animal communities. In addition, the responsible official
will decide if the plan provides sufficient management guidance to
contribute to social and economic sustainability, and to provide people
and communities with ecosystem services and multiple uses including a
range of social, economic, and ecological benefits for the present and
into the future.
The responsible official will also determine whether to make new
recommendations for Wilderness and other designated areas.
The revised forest plan will provide strategic direction and a
framework for decision making during the life of the plan, but it will
not make site-specific project decisions and will not dictate day-to-
day administrative activities needed to carry on the Forest Service's
internal operations. The authorization of project-level activities will
be based on the direction contained in the revised forest plan, but
will occur through subsequent project specific decision making,
including NEPA analysis.
The revised forest plan will provide broad, strategic guidance
designed to supplement, not replace, overarching laws and regulations.
Though strategic guidance will be provided, no decisions will be made
regarding the management of individual roads or trails, such as those
that might be associated with a travel management plan under 36 CFR
part 212. Some issues, although important, are beyond the authority or
control of a forest plan and will not be addressed during this revision
process. For example, the revision process cannot be used to modify
inventoried roadless area boundaries established by the Roadless Area
Conservation Rule.
Responsible Official
The responsible official who will approve the Record of Decision is
Terri Marceron, Forest Supervisor for the Chugach National Forest, 161
East 1st Avenue, Door 8, Anchorage, AK 99501.
Applicable Planning Rule
Preparation of the revised forest plan for the Chugach National
Forest began with the publication of a Notice of Initiation in the
Federal Register on July 9, 2014 [79 FR 38852] and was initiated under
the planning procedures contained in the 2012 Forest Service planning
rule (36 CFR 219 (2012)).
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. Written comments received in response to
this notice will be analyzed to further develop the proposed revised
forest plan and identify potential significant issues. Significant
issues will, in turn, form the basis for developing alternatives to the
proposed action.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments such that
they are useful to the agency's preparation of the EIS. Comments on the
proposed action will be most valuable if received within 60 days of the
publication of this notice and should clearly articulate the reviewer's
opinions and concerns.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public
record. 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. See the section below concerning the objection process and
the requirements for filing an objection.
While we are interested in all comments related to the proposed
action, the Forest Service is particularly interested in receiving
comments about which if any areas of the Chugach National Forest should
be included in the analysis of wilderness character. The areas analyzed
will form the basis for recommendations for future Wilderness
designation.
Public Participation in the Planning Process
Beginning in March 2012, the Forest Service began to lay the
foundation to engage the public about the forest plan revision process.
The public and stakeholders were informed through press releases,
letters and Web-based information, and the Forest Service partnered
with the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to hold 10 community
workshops in the spring of 2012. Additionally, an online participatory
mapping interface (Talking Points) was available for the public to use
from April to November 2012.
On January 31, 2013, the Forest Service issued a news release
announcing the beginning of the first phase of the planning process. On
February 7, 2013, a legal notice was published in the Anchorage Daily
News announcing the beginning of the assessment phase of the plan
revision and upcoming opportunities for public engagement. Eighteen
additional public meetings and workshops were held in local communities
in 2013. In addition to these efforts, the Forest Service also
conducted a series of targeted outreach efforts to federally recognized
Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations, youth, new audiences,
permittees, and neighboring landowners, including the State of Alaska,
to capture stakeholder input for the assessment.
A public comment period with nine accompanying ``open house''
meetings was held in spring 2015 following publication of the following
documents: Preliminary Need to Change Report; Draft Wilderness
Inventory and Evaluation Report; Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers
Evaluation Report; and a spring 2015 Plan Revision newsletter.
The public engagement strategy for early 2016 will focus on issue
identification and alternative development. Engagement tools include:
Keeping the Plan Revision Web page updated; notifying mailing list
subscribers and interested parties when information is available; and
soliciting invitations to stakeholder meetings to present additional
forest plan revision information. Additional comment periods and public
meetings will be scheduled to coincide with the availability of the
revised forest plan and draft environmental impact statement expected
in July 2016.
Decision Will Be Subject to Objection
The decision to approve the revised forest plan for the Chugach
National Forest will be subject to the objection process identified in
36 CFR 219 Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According to 36 CFR 219.53(a),
those who may file an objection are individuals and entities who have
submitted substantive formal comments related to plan revision during
the opportunities provided for public comment during the planning
process.
Documents Available for Review
The detailed proposed action text describing preliminary desired
conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, and other plan content;
the 2015 Need for Change; the 2014 Assessment; other documents that
support the proposed action; and information from previous public
meetings are posted on the Chugach National Forest's Web site at:
https://go.usa.gov/cBWvQ. The material available on this site may be
revised or updated at any time as part of the planning process.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1600-1614; 36 CFR part 219 [77 FR 21162-
21276].
[[Page 79305]]
Dated: December 14, 2015.
Alicia King,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-32043 Filed 12-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
