Notice of Initiating the Assessment Phase of the Forest Plan Revision for the Salmon-Challis National Forest, 4282 [2017-00684]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 4282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00684]



[[Page 4282]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Initiating the Assessment Phase of the Forest Plan 
Revision for the Salmon-Challis National Forest

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Salmon-Challis National Forest, located in east central 
Idaho, is initiating the first phase of the forest planning process 
pursuant to the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning 
rule. This process will result in a revised forest land management plan 
(Forest Plan) which describes the strategic direction for management of 
forest resources on the Salmon-Challis National Forest for the next ten 
to fifteen years. The planning process encompasses three-stages: 
assessment, plan revision, and monitoring. The first stage of the 
planning process involves assessing ecological, social, and economic 
conditions of the planning area, which is documented in an assessment 
report.
    The Forest is inviting the public to contribute in the development 
of the Assessment. The Forest will be hosting public forums near the 
end of February into early March 2017 with a second set of meetings 
forthcoming in June 2017. We will invite the public to share 
information relevant to the assessment including existing information, 
current trends, and local knowledge. Public engagement opportunities 
associated with the development of the Assessment will be announced on 
the Web site cited below.

DATES: From January 2017 through August 2017, the public is invited to 
participate in the development of the Assessment. The draft assessment 
report for the Salmon-Challis National Forest is being initiated and is 
expected to be available in August 2017 on the Forest Web site at: 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/.
    Following completion of the assessment, the Forest will initiate 
procedures pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to 
prepare and evaluate a revised forest plan.

ADDRESSES: Written correspondence can be sent to Salmon-Challis 
National Forest, 1206 S. Challis Street, Salmon, ID 83467, or sent via 
email to jmilligan@fs.fed.us. All correspondence, including names and 
addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for 
public inspection and copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Milligan, Forest Plan Revision 
Team Leader at 208-756-5560. Individuals who use telecommunication 
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. 
(Eastern time), Monday through Friday.
    More information on the planning process can also be found on the 
Salmon-Challis National Forest Planning Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/scnf/home/?cid=FSEPRD522039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 
1976 requires that every National Forest System (NFS) unit develop a 
land management plan (LMP). On April 9, 2012, the Forest Service 
finalized its land management planning rule (2012 Planning Rule, 36 CFR 
part 291), which describes requirements for the planning process and 
the content of the land management plans. Forest plans describe the 
strategic direction for management of forest resources for ten to 
fifteen years, and are adaptive and amendable as conditions change over 
time. Pursuant to the 2012 Forest Planning Rule (36 CFR part 219), the 
planning process encompasses three-stages: assessment, plan revision, 
and monitoring. The first stage of the planning process involves 
assessing social, economic, and ecological conditions of the planning 
area, which is documented in an assessment report. This notice 
announces the start of the initial stage of the planning process, which 
is the development of the assessment report.
    The second stage, formal plan revision, involves the development of 
our Forest Plan in conjunction with the preparation of an Environmental 
Impact Statement under the NEPA. Once the plan revision is completed, 
it will be subject to the objection procedures of 36 CFR part 219, 
subpart B, before it can be approved. The third stage of the planning 
process is the monitoring and evaluation of the revised plan, which is 
ongoing over the life of the revised plan.
    The assessment rapidly evaluates existing information about 
relevant ecological, economic, cultural and social conditions, trends, 
and sustainability and their relationship to land management plans 
within the context of the broader landscape. This information builds a 
common understanding prior to entering formal plan revision. The 
development of the assessment will include public engagement.
    With this notice, the Salmon-Challis National Forest invites other 
governments, non-governmental parties, and the public to contribute in 
assessment development. The intent of public engagement during 
development of the assessment is to identify as much relevant 
information as possible to inform the upcoming plan revision process. 
We encourage contributors to share material about existing conditions, 
trends, and perceptions of social, economic, and ecological systems 
relevant to the planning process. The assessment also supports the 
development of relationships with key stakeholders that will be used 
throughout the plan revision process
    As public meetings, other opportunities for public engagement, and 
public review and comment opportunities are identified to assist with 
the development of the forest plan revision, public announcements will 
be made, notifications will be posted on the Forest's Web site at: 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/ and information will be sent out to the 
Forest's mailing list. If anyone is interested in being on the Forest's 
mailing list to receive these notifications, please contact Josh 
Milligan at the address identified above, or by sending an email 
jmilligan@fs.fed.us.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for the revision of the land management 
plan for the Salmon-Challis National Forest is Charles Mark, Forest 
Supervisor, Salmon-Challis National Forest.

    Dated: January 4, 2017.
Charles A. Mark,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2017-00684 Filed 1-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P