Payette National Forest, Idaho; Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project, 67289-67291 [2016-23650]

Download as PDF 67289 Notices Federal Register Vol. 81, No. 190 Friday, September 30, 2016 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Payette National Forest, Idaho; Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: The Payette National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project. The Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project is located approximately 15 miles west of New Meadows, Idaho. Proposed treatments include timber harvest, thinning, prescribed fire, road treatments and road decommissioning, and recreation improvements. The Huckleberry project area is approximately 67,000 acres within the Council Ranger District on the Payette National Forest. The project is located in the Indian, Lick, and Bear Creek subwatersheds within the Brownlee Reservoir Subbasin. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by November 14, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected late April 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected January 2018. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Keith Lannom, Forest Supervisor, 500 N. Mission Street, Building 2, McCall, Idaho 83638. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-intermtnpayette@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 208–634–0744. Comments may also be submitted through the Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project Web page at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/project/ ?project=50218. To submit comments using the web form select ‘‘Comment/ Object on Project’’ under ‘‘Get mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 Connected’’ on the right panel of the project’s Web page. A public meeting will be held October 18th, 2016, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Council Ranger District Office, 2092 Highway 95, Council, Idaho, 208–253– 0100. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Pierson, New Meadows District Ranger, 208–347–0300, kpierson@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 Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project is to: A. Move vegetation toward the desired conditions defined in the Forest Plan and the most recent science addressing restoration and management of wildlife habitat, with an emphasis on: (1) Improving habitat for specific wildlife species of concern such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed northern Idaho ground squirrel (NIDGS) and species dependent on dry coniferous forests (e.g. white-headed woodpecker), while maintaining habitat for other Forest sensitive and ESA-listed species; (2) Maintaining and promoting large tree forest structure, early seral species composition (e.g. example aspen, western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir) and forest resiliency; (3) Reducing the risk of uncharacteristic and undesirable wildland fire, with an emphasis on restoring and maintaining desirable plant community attributes including fuel levels, fire regimes, and other ecological processes. (4) Moving forest stands toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by returning fire to the ecosystem; promoting the development of large tree forest structures mixed with a mosaic of size classes; and improving growth, species composition, and resiliency to insects, disease, and fire. B. Support the development of fireadapted rural communities by: (1) Creating conditions that provide firefighters a higher probability of successfully suppressing fire in the wildland urban interface by reducing potential fire behavior near values at risk (e.g., homes, communication towers, and power lines) and primary PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ingress/egress routes, essential to firefighter access and the public. (2) Creating conditions where rural communities are less reliant on suppression forces. C. Move all subwatersheds within the project area toward the desired conditions for soil, water, riparian, and aquatic resources (SWRA) as described in the Forest Plan and the Watershed Condition Framework (WCF) (USDA 2011) by: (1) Reducing overall road density, road-related accelerated sediment, and other road related impacts across the project area; restoring riparian vegetation and floodplain function. (2) Restoring fish habitat connectivity across the project area, especially in streams occupied by ESA Listed bull trout, (Salvelinus confluentus) and in or adjacent to bull trout Critical Habitat. D. Manage recreation use with an emphasis on hardening (where needed) dispersed recreation sites for resource improvement, and improving existing trail opportunities. E. Contribute to the economic vitality of the communities adjacent to the Payette National Forest. The need for the project is based on the difference between the existing and desired conditions. These differences include: (1) Less large tree size class than desired and higher canopy cover; (2) Fewer early seral species (i.e. ponderosa pine and western larch); (3) Fewer fire resilient species than desired; (4) Increase in ground, surface, and canopy fuels; (5) Less than desired watershed function and integrity. The desired conditions for this project are based upon the Payette National Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2003), and the Watershed Condition Framework (USDA Forest Service 2011). Proposed Action The Proposed Action includes: Vegetative Treatments: The Forest Service proposes approximately 42,600 acres of vegetative treatments in the project area. This acreage includes the treatments designed to benefit Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels (NIDGS) and treatments within Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs). Of the acres proposed for vegetative treatment, 1,400 acres are within RCAs. Approximately 9,000 acres are in areas designed to mitigate fire risk to values at risk. Commercial Vegetative Treatments: The Forest Service proposes to treat up to E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES 67290 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices 23,800 acres with commercial harvests (a combination of Free Thin, Free Thin– Patch Cut-Selection Harvest, Aspen Restoration, and Mature Plantation Harvest). Combined commercial and non-commercial vegetation treatments include up to 11,800 acres of meadow restoration, 1,500 acres Restoration of Low Density Timber Stands and 600 acres of Whitebark pine restoration. These acreages includes treatments designed for and within RCAs. Approximately, 1,400 acres are commercial treatments (as described below) within RCAs. Non-Commercial Treatments—approximately 42,500 acres. Non-commercial thinning would be completed in areas of commercial harvest as well as outside of commercial harvest. This would consist of trees generally less than ten inches DBH and include plantations. Non-commercial thinning would be completed to improve wildlife habitat, increase growth rates and tree vigor, improve stand resiliency to natural disturbance, reduce density-related competition, reduce potential fire behavior and fire effects given a wildland fire. Prescribed Fire Treatments: The entire project area, (approximately 67,000 acres, excluding the Bear Creek RNA), would be treated with prescribed fire over the next 20 years (see Prescribed Fire and Community Wildfire Mitigation Map). Commercial activities would generally be completed prior to the application of fire, except where the application of fire prior to thinning does not affect commercial activities. Reintroducing 500 to 10,000 acres of fire annually would move forested and nonforested vegetation towards conditions that more closely represent historic distribution, structure, and function as well as limit potential fire behavior. A mosaic-like application of fire would reintroduce fire to approximately 75 percent of primary target acres, and 50 percent of secondary target acres. These percentages recognize the variability in the spread of fire across a landscape due to various environmental influences. All acres targeted for the application of fire would be available for noncommercial thinning in order to minimize mortality from prescribed fire and aid in moving towards restored conditions. Watershed Improvement and Restoration Treatments: (1) System road treatments proposed throughout the project area include maintenance and/or improvement of Forest system roads where needed. Approximately 57.7 miles of system roads would be decommissioned. All roads closed to the public would receive implementation of effective closure to motorized use. All unauthorized routes not needed for VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 future management would also be evaluated for some level of restoration treatments. (2) Unauthorized Route Treatments—Restoration treatments are proposed for unauthorized routes, although the exact mileage of unauthorized route treatments have not been determined at this time. It is anticipated that between 60 and 80 miles would be treated. (3) Aquatic Organism Passage/Fish Habitat Connectivity—Improvements to Fish Passage are needed to address the purpose and need of the project. Thirteen road-crossings have been identified in the project area to improve fish passage and improve hydrologic connectivity. In the Indian Creek subwatershed, of which the upper portion is identified as a restoration priority under and ACS, 6 crossings would be improved (crossings would be replaced with appropriate structures or removed with the associated road restoration treatments. These proposed improvements would address all of the known man-made barriers on fish bearing streams in the subwatershed. In the Bear Creek subwatershed, (of which the upper portion is identified as an ACS priority), one crossing is identified for improvement. This would address the only known man-made barrier on a fish-bearing stream in the portion of the Bear Creek subwatershed included in the project area. Past restoration activities have addressed many of the fish passage barriers in the Bear Creek subwatershed. In the Lick Creek subwatershed, 6 crossings are identified for improvement on tributaries of Lick Creek. These crossings would be replaced with appropriate structures or removed with other road restoration treatments. Crossings should be replaced as road work and project activities occur in these areas to improve fish habitat connectivity, and improve hydrologic connectivity. (4) Trail Bridges for Fish Habitat Improvement—In the Bear Creek subwatershed, 2 trail bridges are proposed on FS Trail 228 where the trail crosses Mickey Creek and Wesley Creek. Both of these streams are Bull Trout Critical Habitat. Bridges over these streams would reduce impacts of trail use (from 2-wheeled motorized, nonmotorized and stock) to bull trout and their critical habitat. A trail bridge currently is in place near the FS 228 Trailhead where the trail crosses Bear Creek, which is also critical habitat. Recreation Improvements: The recreation proposal focuses on improving existing developed and dispersed recreation opportunities and facilities, trail maintenance and PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 relocation to improve watershed conditions and the recreational user’s experience. The Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project would: (1) Developed and Dispersed Recreation: (a) Improve the potable water well, increase the radius of the turnaround loop to accommodate larger trailers and RVs, and replace the entire fence with split rail/buck and rail at the Huckleberry Campground; (b) Coordinate dispersed camping along roads open to motorized travel 300 feet off the road, with wildlife in areas where there is a conflict with the NIDGS: (c) On Forest Road 143 (Lick Creek Road) where it enters the Forest, add a travel management sign that state the road is open to dispersed camping using a motorized vehicle in designated sites only; (d) Harden dispersed camping sites identified with resource issues; (e) Place rock barriers in sites identified with a need to restrict further growth; (f) Decommission existing restroom facility and install a new single vault restroom at the Bear trailhead, along with three fire rings and two metal stock hitch rails. (2) Trails: (a) Bring the 33 miles of trails consisting of two-wheel motorized and nonmotorized trail up to defined trail class standard for each trail. This includes signing at all trail junctions, new signing at trailheads lacking proper signs, and trail reestablishment and potential relocation where the trail is undefinable; (b) Improve the Hoo Hoo Gulch 50144 road accessing the #231 trail to accommodate the hauling of a stock trailer. This includes brushing both sides of the road, and performing major road maintenance on the road surface. At the trailhead (location of the closed gate) construct a turn-around large enough to accommodate and truck pulling a horse trailer. Add one metal stock hitch rail and an information trailhead kiosk sign to the trailhead. Relocate portions of the #231 trail above the current roadbed; (c) Relocate and reestablish portions of the non-motorized #229 trail that accesses the Lick Creek Lookout. Establish a trailhead to accommodate two vehicles and one horse trailer at the place the 50129 road turns to seasonal use. Install an informational trailhead kiosk and trail sign. (Note: The seasonally open road beyond this gate could be closed yearround as it only goes an additional 1⁄2 mile and is not needed for recreational access. It only serves to bring unauthorized motorized use into the closed road system above); (d) Establish a small pullout for parking for the nonmotorized #226 trail. Install a trailhead sign. E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices E. Wildlife Habitat Improvements: Changes in forested conditions, fire regimes, and the presence of roads have altered wildlife habitats. Some modifications to habitat have led to the federal listing of terrestrial wildlife species such as northern Idaho ground squirrel (NIDGS). A primary need Forest-wide and in the project area is to maintain and promote dry, lower elevation, large tree, and old forest habitats for the associated wildlife species including reducing road densities and fragmentation that negatively affect elk and other Forest species of concern. The processes, function, patch size and diversity of forested habitats must all be considered in order to properly address wildlife habitat needs. Examples of habitat improvement include: (1) Enhance habitat components that will support sustainable elk populations consistent with the Forest Plan. This includes the best available science to move the project landscape towards the recommended road density and elk security habitat guidelines (e.g. effective seasonal gate closures). One potential method of moving towards effective road densities and enhancing elk security habitat is to target road closures in areas where there is route redundancy. (2) Maintain or restore a representative, resilient and redundant network of habitats for species of greatest conservation concern (e.g. northern Idaho ground squirrel, whiteheaded woodpecker, northern goshawk, etc.). F. Community Wildfire Mitigation Treatments: Both, fuel loading and fuel continuity would be altered to reduce surface fire potential as well as crown fire potential among the community wildfire mitigation treatment areas (see Prescribed Fire Treatments and Community Wildfire Mitigation Map). This would provide suppression forces a higher probability of successfully attacking a wildland fire within intermix or rural condition while creating a safer working environment. A combination of non-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, limbing to reduce ladder fuels, piling dead and downed material, pile burning, and/or prescribed burning would facilitate the desired condition. More specifically, activities would result in the following: (1) Increased canopy base heights to reduce potential for spotting, torching, and crown fire; (2) Reduced canopy densities to reduce the potential for crown fire spread; (3) Reduced species that are not fire-resilient to promote fireresilient stands; (4) Reduced ground and surface fuels. Recurrent application of VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 the necessary treatments (primarily prescribed fire) every 5–15 years would maintain the desired condition, which is lower fuel loadings and reduced horizontal fuel continuity. Responsible Official The Forest Supervisor of the Payette National Forest is the Responsible Official. Nature of Decision To Be Made Based on the purpose and need for the proposed action, the Responsible Official will determine whether to proceed with the action, as proposed, as modified by another alternative or not at all. If an action alternative is selected, the Responsible Official will determine what design features, mitigation measures and monitoring requirements are included in the decision. Addresses Additional project information is available on the project page of the Payette National Forest Web site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/ ?project=50218. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. 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 project. Comments submitted anonymously however will also be accepted and considered. Dated: September 26, 2016. Keith B. Lannom, Payette National Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2016–23650 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Advisory Committees Expiration United States Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Solicitation of applications. AGENCY: Because the terms of the members of the Florida Advisory Committee are expiring on January 28, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67291 2017, the United States Commission on Civil Rights hereby invites any individual who is eligible to be appointed to apply. The memberships are exclusively for the Florida Advisory Committee, and applicants must be residents of Florida to be considered. Letters of interest must be received by the Southern Regional Office of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights no later than November 15, 2016. Letters of interest must be sent to the address listed below. Because the terms of the members of the Texas Advisory Committee are expiring on January 28, 2017, the United States Commission on Civil Rights hereby invites any individual who is eligible to be appointed to apply. The memberships are exclusively for the Texas Advisory Committee, and applicants must be residents of the Texas to be considered. Letters of interest must be received by the Western Regional Office of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights no later than November 15, 2016. Letters of interest must be sent to the address listed below. Because the terms of the members of the Michigan Advisory Committee are expiring on January 28, 2017, the United States Commission on Civil Rights hereby invites any individual who is eligible to be appointed to apply. The memberships are exclusively for the Michigan Advisory Committee, and applicants must be residents of the Michigan to be considered. Letters of interest must be received by the Midwestern Regional Office of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights no later than November 15, 2016. Letters of interest must be sent to the address listed below. DATES: Letters of interest for membership on the Florida Advisory Committee should be received no later than November 15, 2016. Letters of interest for membership on the Texas Advisory Committee should be received no later than November 15, 2016. Letters of interest for membership on the Michigan Advisory Committee should be received no later than November 15, 2016. ADDRESSES: Send letters of interest for the Florida Advisory Committee to: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Southern Regional Office, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Suite 1840T, Atlanta, GA 30303. Letters can also be sent via email to jhinton@ usccr.gov. Send letters of interest for the Texas Advisory Committee to: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Western E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67289-67291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23650]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 67289]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Payette National Forest, Idaho; Huckleberry Landscape Restoration 
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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

SUMMARY: The Payette National Forest will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Huckleberry Landscape Restoration 
Project. The Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project is located 
approximately 15 miles west of New Meadows, Idaho. Proposed treatments 
include timber harvest, thinning, prescribed fire, road treatments and 
road decommissioning, and recreation improvements. The Huckleberry 
project area is approximately 67,000 acres within the Council Ranger 
District on the Payette National Forest. The project is located in the 
Indian, Lick, and Bear Creek subwatersheds within the Brownlee 
Reservoir Subbasin.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by November 14, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected late April 2017 and the final environmental impact statement 
is expected January 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Keith Lannom, Forest Supervisor, 
500 N. Mission Street, Building 2, McCall, Idaho 83638. Comments may 
also be sent via email to comments-intermtn-payette@fs.fed.us, or via 
facsimile to 208-634-0744.
    Comments may also be submitted through the Huckleberry Landscape 
Restoration Project Web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50218. To submit comments using the web form select ``Comment/
Object on Project'' under ``Get Connected'' on the right panel of the 
project's Web page.
    A public meeting will be held October 18th, 2016, from 4 to 6 p.m. 
at the Council Ranger District Office, 2092 Highway 95, Council, Idaho, 
208-253-0100.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Pierson, New Meadows District 
Ranger, 208-347-0300, kpierson@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 Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project is to: 
A. Move vegetation toward the desired conditions defined in the Forest 
Plan and the most recent science addressing restoration and management 
of wildlife habitat, with an emphasis on: (1) Improving habitat for 
specific wildlife species of concern such as the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA)-listed northern Idaho ground squirrel (NIDGS) and species 
dependent on dry coniferous forests (e.g. white-headed woodpecker), 
while maintaining habitat for other Forest sensitive and ESA-listed 
species; (2) Maintaining and promoting large tree forest structure, 
early seral species composition (e.g. example aspen, western larch, 
ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir) and forest resiliency; (3) Reducing 
the risk of uncharacteristic and undesirable wildland fire, with an 
emphasis on restoring and maintaining desirable plant community 
attributes including fuel levels, fire regimes, and other ecological 
processes. (4) Moving forest stands toward desired conditions as 
described in the Forest Plan by returning fire to the ecosystem; 
promoting the development of large tree forest structures mixed with a 
mosaic of size classes; and improving growth, species composition, and 
resiliency to insects, disease, and fire.
    B. Support the development of fire-adapted rural communities by: 
(1) Creating conditions that provide firefighters a higher probability 
of successfully suppressing fire in the wildland urban interface by 
reducing potential fire behavior near values at risk (e.g., homes, 
communication towers, and power lines) and primary ingress/egress 
routes, essential to firefighter access and the public. (2) Creating 
conditions where rural communities are less reliant on suppression 
forces.
    C. Move all subwatersheds within the project area toward the 
desired conditions for soil, water, riparian, and aquatic resources 
(SWRA) as described in the Forest Plan and the Watershed Condition 
Framework (WCF) (USDA 2011) by: (1) Reducing overall road density, 
road-related accelerated sediment, and other road related impacts 
across the project area; restoring riparian vegetation and floodplain 
function. (2) Restoring fish habitat connectivity across the project 
area, especially in streams occupied by ESA Listed bull trout, 
(Salvelinus confluentus) and in or adjacent to bull trout Critical 
Habitat.
    D. Manage recreation use with an emphasis on hardening (where 
needed) dispersed recreation sites for resource improvement, and 
improving existing trail opportunities.
    E. Contribute to the economic vitality of the communities adjacent 
to the Payette National Forest.
    The need for the project is based on the difference between the 
existing and desired conditions. These differences include: (1) Less 
large tree size class than desired and higher canopy cover; (2) Fewer 
early seral species (i.e. ponderosa pine and western larch); (3) Fewer 
fire resilient species than desired; (4) Increase in ground, surface, 
and canopy fuels; (5) Less than desired watershed function and 
integrity.
    The desired conditions for this project are based upon the Payette 
National Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2003), and the Watershed 
Condition Framework (USDA Forest Service 2011).

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action includes: Vegetative Treatments: The Forest 
Service proposes approximately 42,600 acres of vegetative treatments in 
the project area. This acreage includes the treatments designed to 
benefit Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels (NIDGS) and treatments within 
Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs). Of the acres proposed for 
vegetative treatment, 1,400 acres are within RCAs. Approximately 9,000 
acres are in areas designed to mitigate fire risk to values at risk. 
Commercial Vegetative Treatments: The Forest Service proposes to treat 
up to

[[Page 67290]]

23,800 acres with commercial harvests (a combination of Free Thin, Free 
Thin-Patch Cut-Selection Harvest, Aspen Restoration, and Mature 
Plantation Harvest). Combined commercial and non-commercial vegetation 
treatments include up to 11,800 acres of meadow restoration, 1,500 
acres Restoration of Low Density Timber Stands and 600 acres of 
Whitebark pine restoration. These acreages includes treatments designed 
for and within RCAs. Approximately, 1,400 acres are commercial 
treatments (as described below) within RCAs. Non-Commercial 
Treatments--approximately 42,500 acres. Non-commercial thinning would 
be completed in areas of commercial harvest as well as outside of 
commercial harvest. This would consist of trees generally less than ten 
inches DBH and include plantations. Non-commercial thinning would be 
completed to improve wildlife habitat, increase growth rates and tree 
vigor, improve stand resiliency to natural disturbance, reduce density-
related competition, reduce potential fire behavior and fire effects 
given a wildland fire.
    Prescribed Fire Treatments: The entire project area, (approximately 
67,000 acres, excluding the Bear Creek RNA), would be treated with 
prescribed fire over the next 20 years (see Prescribed Fire and 
Community Wildfire Mitigation Map). Commercial activities would 
generally be completed prior to the application of fire, except where 
the application of fire prior to thinning does not affect commercial 
activities. Re-introducing 500 to 10,000 acres of fire annually would 
move forested and non- forested vegetation towards conditions that more 
closely represent historic distribution, structure, and function as 
well as limit potential fire behavior. A mosaic-like application of 
fire would re-introduce fire to approximately 75 percent of primary 
target acres, and 50 percent of secondary target acres. These 
percentages recognize the variability in the spread of fire across a 
landscape due to various environmental influences. All acres targeted 
for the application of fire would be available for noncommercial 
thinning in order to minimize mortality from prescribed fire and aid in 
moving towards restored conditions.
    Watershed Improvement and Restoration Treatments: (1) System road 
treatments proposed throughout the project area include maintenance 
and/or improvement of Forest system roads where needed. Approximately 
57.7 miles of system roads would be decommissioned. All roads closed to 
the public would receive implementation of effective closure to 
motorized use. All unauthorized routes not needed for future management 
would also be evaluated for some level of restoration treatments. (2) 
Unauthorized Route Treatments--Restoration treatments are proposed for 
unauthorized routes, although the exact mileage of unauthorized route 
treatments have not been determined at this time. It is anticipated 
that between 60 and 80 miles would be treated. (3) Aquatic Organism 
Passage/Fish Habitat Connectivity--Improvements to Fish Passage are 
needed to address the purpose and need of the project. Thirteen road-
crossings have been identified in the project area to improve fish 
passage and improve hydrologic connectivity. In the Indian Creek 
subwatershed, of which the upper portion is identified as a restoration 
priority under and ACS, 6 crossings would be improved (crossings would 
be replaced with appropriate structures or removed with the associated 
road restoration treatments. These proposed improvements would address 
all of the known man-made barriers on fish bearing streams in the 
subwatershed. In the Bear Creek subwatershed, (of which the upper 
portion is identified as an ACS priority), one crossing is identified 
for improvement. This would address the only known man-made barrier on 
a fish-bearing stream in the portion of the Bear Creek subwatershed 
included in the project area. Past restoration activities have 
addressed many of the fish passage barriers in the Bear Creek 
subwatershed. In the Lick Creek subwatershed, 6 crossings are 
identified for improvement on tributaries of Lick Creek. These 
crossings would be replaced with appropriate structures or removed with 
other road restoration treatments. Crossings should be replaced as road 
work and project activities occur in these areas to improve fish 
habitat connectivity, and improve hydrologic connectivity. (4) Trail 
Bridges for Fish Habitat Improvement--In the Bear Creek subwatershed, 2 
trail bridges are proposed on FS Trail 228 where the trail crosses 
Mickey Creek and Wesley Creek. Both of these streams are Bull Trout 
Critical Habitat. Bridges over these streams would reduce impacts of 
trail use (from 2-wheeled motorized, non-motorized and stock) to bull 
trout and their critical habitat. A trail bridge currently is in place 
near the FS 228 Trailhead where the trail crosses Bear Creek, which is 
also critical habitat.
    Recreation Improvements: The recreation proposal focuses on 
improving existing developed and dispersed recreation opportunities and 
facilities, trail maintenance and relocation to improve watershed 
conditions and the recreational user's experience. The Huckleberry 
Landscape Restoration Project would: (1) Developed and Dispersed 
Recreation: (a) Improve the potable water well, increase the radius of 
the turnaround loop to accommodate larger trailers and RVs, and replace 
the entire fence with split rail/buck and rail at the Huckleberry 
Campground; (b) Coordinate dispersed camping along roads open to 
motorized travel 300 feet off the road, with wildlife in areas where 
there is a conflict with the NIDGS: (c) On Forest Road 143 (Lick Creek 
Road) where it enters the Forest, add a travel management sign that 
state the road is open to dispersed camping using a motorized vehicle 
in designated sites only; (d) Harden dispersed camping sites identified 
with resource issues; (e) Place rock barriers in sites identified with 
a need to restrict further growth; (f) Decommission existing restroom 
facility and install a new single vault restroom at the Bear trailhead, 
along with three fire rings and two metal stock hitch rails. (2) 
Trails: (a) Bring the 33 miles of trails consisting of two-wheel 
motorized and non-motorized trail up to defined trail class standard 
for each trail. This includes signing at all trail junctions, new 
signing at trailheads lacking proper signs, and trail reestablishment 
and potential relocation where the trail is undefinable; (b) Improve 
the Hoo Hoo Gulch 50144 road accessing the #231 trail to accommodate 
the hauling of a stock trailer. This includes brushing both sides of 
the road, and performing major road maintenance on the road surface. At 
the trailhead (location of the closed gate) construct a turn-around 
large enough to accommodate and truck pulling a horse trailer. Add one 
metal stock hitch rail and an information trailhead kiosk sign to the 
trailhead. Relocate portions of the #231 trail above the current 
roadbed; (c) Relocate and re-establish portions of the non-motorized 
#229 trail that accesses the Lick Creek Lookout. Establish a trailhead 
to accommodate two vehicles and one horse trailer at the place the 
50129 road turns to seasonal use. Install an informational trailhead 
kiosk and trail sign. (Note: The seasonally open road beyond this gate 
could be closed year-round as it only goes an additional \1/2\ mile and 
is not needed for recreational access. It only serves to bring 
unauthorized motorized use into the closed road system above); (d) 
Establish a small pullout for parking for the non-motorized #226 trail. 
Install a trailhead sign.

[[Page 67291]]

    E. Wildlife Habitat Improvements: Changes in forested conditions, 
fire regimes, and the presence of roads have altered wildlife habitats. 
Some modifications to habitat have led to the federal listing of 
terrestrial wildlife species such as northern Idaho ground squirrel 
(NIDGS). A primary need Forest-wide and in the project area is to 
maintain and promote dry, lower elevation, large tree, and old forest 
habitats for the associated wildlife species including reducing road 
densities and fragmentation that negatively affect elk and other Forest 
species of concern. The processes, function, patch size and diversity 
of forested habitats must all be considered in order to properly 
address wildlife habitat needs. Examples of habitat improvement 
include: (1) Enhance habitat components that will support sustainable 
elk populations consistent with the Forest Plan. This includes the best 
available science to move the project landscape towards the recommended 
road density and elk security habitat guidelines (e.g. effective 
seasonal gate closures). One potential method of moving towards 
effective road densities and enhancing elk security habitat is to 
target road closures in areas where there is route redundancy. (2) 
Maintain or restore a representative, resilient and redundant network 
of habitats for species of greatest conservation concern (e.g. northern 
Idaho ground squirrel, white-headed woodpecker, northern goshawk, 
etc.).
    F. Community Wildfire Mitigation Treatments: Both, fuel loading and 
fuel continuity would be altered to reduce surface fire potential as 
well as crown fire potential among the community wildfire mitigation 
treatment areas (see Prescribed Fire Treatments and Community Wildfire 
Mitigation Map). This would provide suppression forces a higher 
probability of successfully attacking a wildland fire within intermix 
or rural condition while creating a safer working environment. A 
combination of non-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, limbing to 
reduce ladder fuels, piling dead and downed material, pile burning, 
and/or prescribed burning would facilitate the desired condition. More 
specifically, activities would result in the following: (1) Increased 
canopy base heights to reduce potential for spotting, torching, and 
crown fire; (2) Reduced canopy densities to reduce the potential for 
crown fire spread; (3) Reduced species that are not fire-resilient to 
promote fire-resilient stands; (4) Reduced ground and surface fuels. 
Recurrent application of the necessary treatments (primarily prescribed 
fire) every 5-15 years would maintain the desired condition, which is 
lower fuel loadings and reduced horizontal fuel continuity.

Responsible Official

    The Forest Supervisor of the Payette National Forest is the 
Responsible Official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Based on the purpose and need for the proposed action, the 
Responsible Official will determine whether to proceed with the action, 
as proposed, as modified by another alternative or not at all. If an 
action alternative is selected, the Responsible Official will determine 
what design features, mitigation measures and monitoring requirements 
are included in the decision.

Addresses

    Additional project information is available on the project page of 
the Payette National Forest Web site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50218.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. 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 project. Comments submitted anonymously however will also be 
accepted and considered.

    Dated: September 26, 2016.
Keith B. Lannom,
Payette National Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2016-23650 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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