Kemmerer Ranger District; Bridger-Teton National Forest; Wyoming; Kemmerer Grazing and Rangeland Vegetation Management Project, 45802-45804 [2017-21007]
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45802
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices
for those roads and trails that does not
require redundant analysis.
Collectively, these changes will be
analyzed and incorporated into the
revised DEIS, which will be circulated
for public comment. The previous
public comments and analysis will be
used as the foundation for this revision.
At the time that the revised DEIS is
circulated, the public will have the
opportunity to comment on the entire
DEIS, including portions that have not
been revised.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Preliminary Issues
The Forest analyzed all scoping
comments received in 2007 to identify
issues, which are defined as cause-effect
relationships directly or indirectly
caused by implementing the proposed
action. The issues defined as within the
scope of the project, and directly or
indirectly caused by implementing the
proposal, were used to develop the
range of action alternatives. Four issues
were identified: (1) Restricting
motorized access for dispersed camping;
(2) restricting motorized big game
retrieval; (3) impacts to resources from
motorized use; and, (4) economics: loss
of revenues and jobs.
Proposed Action
The revised proposed action would
designate a system of roads, trails, and
areas for motorized use as well as
motorized access for dispersed camping
and motorized access for big game
retrieval. The road system would have
15 percent fewer roads and 68 percent
more motorized trails than the current
system. That would result in 2,890
miles of NFS roads open to public
motorized travel, including 2,143 miles
of roads that are open to both highway
legal and off-highway vehicles. Also,
this would result in 270 miles of
motorized trails across the Forests, with
20 miles open to all vehicles and 182
miles open to vehicles less than 50
inches wide.
The proposed action would designate
300 feet from either side of around 35
percent of the designated open roads
(1,027 miles) for the sole purpose of
accessing dispersed camping locations
with motor vehicles. Motorized big
game retrieval would be allowed within
a 1-mile distance off the designated road
and motorized trail system (1.2 million
acres) for elk. No other species would be
retrieved using motor vehicles. There
would be one motorized use area
designated (17 acres). All other cross
country travel would be prohibited.
Possible Alternatives
The revised DEIS will analyze three
alternatives in detail. These revised
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Jkt 244001
alternatives used the 2010 DEIS as a
foundation and the public comments
received from that DEIS.
Alternative 1 (no action) represents
the existing transportation system and
proposes no changes. The existing
system includes 3,418 miles of open
roads and 127 miles of motorized trails.
Cross-country travel off system roads on
around 1.6 million acres would
continue, except where currently
prohibited. This alternative is not be
compliant with the travel management
rule because it does not designate a
system of roads, trails and areas for
motorized use.
Alternative 2 is the Proposed Action,
which would designate a system of
roads, trails, and areas for motorized use
as well as motorized access for
dispersed camping and motorized
access for big game retrieval. The road
system would have 15 percent fewer
roads and 68 percent more motorized
trails than the current system. That
would result in 2,890 miles of NFS
roads open to public motorized travel,
including 2,143 miles of roads that are
open to both highway legal and offhighway vehicles.
Alternative 3 is being designated to
address the following issues: (1)
Restricting motorized access for
dispersed camping; (2) restricting
motorized big game retrieval; and, (3)
impacts to resources from motorized
use.
Scoping Process
The proposed action outlined in this
revised NOI is identical to the scope of
the proposed action that was originally
scoped, and therefore a new scoping
period is not required. The original
scoping process solicited over 20,000
public comments, which are being used
to guide the development of the revised
DEIS. 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 also be accepted and
considered.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official is the Forest
Supervisor of the Apache-Sitgreaves
National Forests, P.O. Box 640,
Springerville, AZ 85938.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Based on the effects to social, natural,
and cultural resources, the Forest
Supervisor will decide what changes to
make to the current motorized travel
system to be compliant with the Travel
Management Rule. The decision will
also include whether to provide
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
motorized access for dispersed camping,
whether to designate motorized use
areas, and whether to provide access for
motorized big game retrieval. The
Record of Decision, which will be
published after analyzing the public’s
comments, will document the decision
with the rationale.
Dated: September 15, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017–21009 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Kemmerer Ranger District; BridgerTeton National Forest; Wyoming;
Kemmerer Grazing and Rangeland
Vegetation Management Project
Forest Service, USDA.
Revised Notice of Intent to
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Bridger-Teton National
Forest will prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the
effects of continued authorization of
grazing on 17 sheep allotments on the
Kemmerer Ranger District in southwest
Wyoming.
DATES: Although comments are accepted
at any time, two designated comment
periods concerning the scope of the
analysis were established: June 26, 2017
through July 26, 2017 and November 17,
2008 through January 2, 2009.
Comments will be accepted for an
additional 30 days after October 2, 2017.
The Draft EIS is expected in June 2018.
Following its release, an opportunity to
comment on the Draft EIS will be
provided. The Final EIS is expected
June 2019.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Kemmerer Ranger District, 308 U.S.
Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, WY
83101. Comments may also be sent via
email to comments-intermtn-bridgerteton-kemmerer@fs.fed.us, or via
facsimile to 307–828–5135. Please put
‘‘Comments on Kemmerer Grazing’’ in
the subject line.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such a way that they are useful to the
Agency’s preparation of the EIS.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM
02OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices
R.
Aaron Zobell, Rangeland Management
Specialist, Kemmerer Ranger District,
307–828–5100, richardazobell@
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.
Ongoing information related to the
proposed project can be found on the
the project Web page at: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=
26874.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Purpose and Need for Action
A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an
EIS was published on November 17,
2008 (73 FR 67835) and April 9, 2010
(75 FR 10144). This NOI updates and
supplements the previously published
NOI to prepare an EIS and adds one
additional allotment, Trespass Creek
Allotment. The project area
encompasses 181,227 acres of National
Forest System lands within Lincoln
County of western Wyoming. The 17
allotments included in the analysis are:
Aspen Springs; Basin Creek; Buckskin
Knoll; Devils Hole; Elk Creek; Green
Knoll; Indian Creek; Lake Alice; Lake
Mountain; Lower Salt Creek; Pole Creek;
Porcupine Creek; Sams-Allen Creek;
Smiths Fork; South Fontenelle; Spruce
Creek; and Trespass Creek allotments.
The analysis contained in the EIS will
be used by the responsible official to
decide whether or not, and if so, how
to authorize livestock grazing and
manage rangeland vegetation within the
project area.
The purpose of the Kemmerer Grazing
and Rangeland Vegetation Management
project is to authorize livestock grazing
in a manner that will maintain desired
conditions or improve resource
conditions towards desired conditions.
There is a need for continued livestock
grazing on the Bridger-Teton National
Forest to meet the direction provided by
the Bridger Teton Land and Resource
Management Plan (Forest Plan) to
contribute to the prosperity of
communities (Goal 1.1) and provide
forage for about 260,000 animal unit
months of livestock grazing annually
(Objective 1.1(h)). There is also a need
to avoid unacceptable effects from
livestock use as outlined in the Forest
Plan (Goal 4.7) which directs that
grazing use of the National Forest
sustain or improve overall range, soils,
water, wildlife, and recreation values or
experiences. The difference between the
existing condition and desired
condition in terms of livestock grazing
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19:01 Sep 29, 2017
Jkt 244001
45803
and resource conditions describes the
need for federal action. Desired
conditions are defined by the Forest
Plan, Forest Service Manual, and
applicable laws. This effort is
undertaken to comply with the 1995
Rescissions Act (Pub. L. 104–19).
in authorized livestock numbers and
season of use, as needed.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to authorize
livestock grazing on 17 allotments
within the project area (Aspen Springs;
Basin Creek; Buckskin Knoll; Devils
Hole; Elk Creek; Green Knoll; Indian
Creek; Lake Alice; Lake Mountain;
Lower Salt Creek; Pole Creek; Porcupine
Creek; Sams-Allen Creek; Smiths Fork;
South Fontenelle; Spruce Creek; and
Trespass Creek allotments) with
updated domestic sheep grazing and
rangeland vegetation management
direction. Desired conditions are
identified. Grazing practices addressing
frequency of grazing and rest from
grazing would be guided by the amount
and diversity of vegetation given the
capability of soils, as well as indicators
of soil quality such as amount of ground
cover, sign of active erosion and healing
of headcuts. Other best management
practices addressing the timing,
duration, and in specific settings the
intensity, of use are identified. Adaptive
management is part of the proposed
action. Identified are: Criteria to guide
management, pre-determined optional
courses of action used to make adaptive
changes in management over time, and
the focused monitoring which provides
the basis for adjusting management to
attain desired resource conditions.
Allotment management plans would
become part of a term grazing permit
and contain the livestock grazing and
rangeland vegetation management
direction identified by the responsible
official’s decision.
Whether domestic sheep grazing
should be allowed to continue on all,
part, or none of the 17 allotments within
the project area; and if so, under what
management strategy.
Possible Alternatives
To date the Bridger-Teton National
Forest has identified two alternatives to
the proposed action: Alternative A—No
Domestic Livestock Grazing, and
Alternative B—Continuation of Current
Livestock Management. Alternative A
would discontinue sheep grazing on the
17 allotments over the next five years
with the exception of sheep trailing to
other allotments on the Bridger-Teton
National Forest and the Caribou
National Forest. This alternative will
demonstrate the effects of eliminating
livestock grazing on the environment
and more clearly illustrate the potential
effects of implementing any grazing and
rangeland vegetation management
alternative. Alternative B would
continue current grazing management
practices including annual adjustments
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Responsible Official
Kemmerer District Ranger Adrienne
Holcomb
Nature of the Decision To Be Made
Preliminary Issues
Preliminary issues associated with the
proposed action include:
(1) The amount and diversity of
vegetation in some locations is less than
the current capability of soils;
(2) Sediment delivery to drainages
supporting fisheries, and retention of
precipitation on uplands, as evidenced
by headcutting/gullies and sign of active
erosion; and
(3) Wildlife values within some aspen
stands are minimized by a lack of
diverse aspen age classes; in some
locations the diversity of herbaceous
and shrub species in the understory is
also diminished.
Permits or Licenses Required
If a decision is made to authorize
regularly scheduled livestock grazing,
such grazing must be authorized under
a term grazing permit.
Scoping Process
Pursuant to 36 CFR 218.7(a)(2), this
proposed project implements the land
management plan and is subject to § 218
subparts A and B. Those who submit
specific written comments regarding the
proposed project during this scoping
period or other designated opportunity
for public comment in accordance with
§ 218.5(a) are eligible to object. Issues
raised in objections must be based on
previously submitted timely, specific
written comments regarding the
proposed project unless based on new
information arising after the designated
comment opportunities.
Specific written comments as defined
by § 218.2 should be within the scope of
the proposed action, have a direct
relationship to the proposed action, and
must include supporting reasons for the
responsible official to consider. It is the
responsibility of all individuals and
organizations to ensure that their
comments are received in a timely
manner.
Comments received, including names
and addresses of those who comment,
will be considered part of the public
record on these proposed actions and
will be available for public inspection.
E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM
02OCN1
45804
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices
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 nor provide
the respondent with standing to object
the subsequent draft decision. Only
those who respond to the request for
comments or request to be placed on the
mailing list will be added to the mailing
list for this project.
An objection period will follow the
regulation found in § 218.7. For
objection eligibility (§ 218.5), only those
who have submitted timely, specific
written comments during any
designated opportunity for public
comment may file an objection.
Issues to be raised in objections must
be based on previously submitted
specific written comments regarding the
proposed project and attributed to the
objector, unless the issue is based on
new information that arose after a
designated opportunity to comment
(§ 218.8(c)).
Dated: September 12, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017–21007 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
THE BROADCASTING BOARD OF
GOVERNORS
Notice of Public Availability of the
Broadcasting Board of Governors FY–
2015 Service Contract Analysis and
FY–2016 Service Contract Inventory
The Broadcasting Board of
Governors.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with Section
743 of Division C of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2010, the
Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG)
is publishing this notice to advise the
public of the availability of its FY–2015
Service Contract Analysis and FY 2016
Service Contract Inventory. They are
available on the BBG Web site, through
the following link: https://www.bbg.gov/
strategy-and-performance/researchreports/bbg-service-contract-inventory/.
The service contract inventory provides
information on service contract actions
over $25,000 made in FY–2016. The
information is organized by function to
show how contracted resources are
distributed throughout the Agency. The
inventory has been developed in
accordance with guidance on service
contract inventories issued on
November 5, 2010 and on December 19,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:01 Sep 29, 2017
Jkt 244001
2011 by the Office of Management and
Budget, Office of Federal Procurement
Policy (OFPP).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James McGuirk, Senior Procurement
Analyst, IBB Office of Contracts via
email at jmcguirk@bbg.gov or at
telephone number (202) 382–7840.
Dated: September 27, 2017.
Chris Luer,
Chief, IBB Office of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017–21102 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8610–01–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the New
Hampshire Advisory Committee
Commission on Civil Rights.
Announcement of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), that a meeting of the New
Hampshire Advisory Committee to the
Commission will convene by conference
call at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) on: Thursday
October 26, 2017. The purpose of the
meeting is to begin the work on the
Valley Street project, including
potential panelists, venue, and other
details for a future briefing on the
project.
SUMMARY:
Thursday, October 26, 2017, at
11:00 a.m. EDT.
Public Call-In Information:
Conference call-in number: 1–888–539–
3624 and conference call 6145125.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Evelyn Bohor, at ero@usccr.gov or by
phone at 202–376–7533.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested
members of the public may listen to the
discussion by calling the following tollfree conference call-in number: 1–888–
539–3624 and conference call 6145125.
Please be advised that before placing
them into the conference call, the
conference call operator will ask callers
to provide their names, their
organizational affiliations (if any), and
email addresses (so that callers may be
notified of future meetings). Callers can
expect to incur charges for calls they
initiate over wireless lines, and the
Commission will not refund any
incurred charges. Callers will incur no
charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free
conference call-in number.
Persons with hearing impairments
may also follow the discussion by first
DATES:
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calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–
800–977–8339 and providing the
operator with the toll-free conference
call-in number: 1–888–539–3624 and
conference call 6145125.
Members of the public are invited to
make statements during the open
comment period of the meeting or
submit written comments. The
comments must be received in the
regional office approximately 30 days
after each scheduled meeting. Written
comments may be mailed to the Eastern
Regional Office, U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania
Avenue, Suite 1150, Washington, DC
20425, faxed to (202) 376–7548, or
emailed to Evelyn Bohor at ero@
usccr.gov. Persons who desire
additional information may contact the
Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376–
7533.
Records and documents discussed
during the meeting will be available for
public viewing as they become available
at https://www.facadatabase.gov/
committee/meetings.aspx?cid=262; click
the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’
links.Records generated from this
meeting may also be inspected and
reproduced at the Eastern Regional
Office, as they become available, both
before and after the meetings. Persons
interested in the work of this advisory
committee are advised to go to the
Commission’s Web site, www.usccr.gov,
or to contact the Eastern Regional Office
at the above phone numbers, email or
street address.
Agenda
October 26, 2017
• Open—Rollcall
• Project Discussion: Valley Street Jail
Venues, Panelists, Other Details
• Open Comment
• Adjourn
Dated: September 27, 2017.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2017–21034 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act.
Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
Title: Longitudinal EmployerHousehold Dynamics (LEHD).
E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45802-45804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21007]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Kemmerer Ranger District; Bridger-Teton National Forest; Wyoming;
Kemmerer Grazing and Rangeland Vegetation Management Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bridger-Teton National Forest will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the effects of
continued authorization of grazing on 17 sheep allotments on the
Kemmerer Ranger District in southwest Wyoming.
DATES: Although comments are accepted at any time, two designated
comment periods concerning the scope of the analysis were established:
June 26, 2017 through July 26, 2017 and November 17, 2008 through
January 2, 2009. Comments will be accepted for an additional 30 days
after October 2, 2017. The Draft EIS is expected in June 2018.
Following its release, an opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS will
be provided. The Final EIS is expected June 2019.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Kemmerer Ranger District, 308 U.S.
Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, WY 83101. Comments may also be sent via
email to comments-intermtn-bridger-teton-kemmerer@fs.fed.us, or via
facsimile to 307-828-5135. Please put ``Comments on Kemmerer Grazing''
in the subject line.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of
the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's
concerns and contentions.
[[Page 45803]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. Aaron Zobell, Rangeland Management
Specialist, Kemmerer Ranger District, 307-828-5100,
richardazobell@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.
Ongoing information related to the proposed project can be found on
the the project Web page at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=26874.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS was published on
November 17, 2008 (73 FR 67835) and April 9, 2010 (75 FR 10144). This
NOI updates and supplements the previously published NOI to prepare an
EIS and adds one additional allotment, Trespass Creek Allotment. The
project area encompasses 181,227 acres of National Forest System lands
within Lincoln County of western Wyoming. The 17 allotments included in
the analysis are: Aspen Springs; Basin Creek; Buckskin Knoll; Devils
Hole; Elk Creek; Green Knoll; Indian Creek; Lake Alice; Lake Mountain;
Lower Salt Creek; Pole Creek; Porcupine Creek; Sams-Allen Creek; Smiths
Fork; South Fontenelle; Spruce Creek; and Trespass Creek allotments.
The analysis contained in the EIS will be used by the responsible
official to decide whether or not, and if so, how to authorize
livestock grazing and manage rangeland vegetation within the project
area.
The purpose of the Kemmerer Grazing and Rangeland Vegetation
Management project is to authorize livestock grazing in a manner that
will maintain desired conditions or improve resource conditions towards
desired conditions. There is a need for continued livestock grazing on
the Bridger-Teton National Forest to meet the direction provided by the
Bridger Teton Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) to
contribute to the prosperity of communities (Goal 1.1) and provide
forage for about 260,000 animal unit months of livestock grazing
annually (Objective 1.1(h)). There is also a need to avoid unacceptable
effects from livestock use as outlined in the Forest Plan (Goal 4.7)
which directs that grazing use of the National Forest sustain or
improve overall range, soils, water, wildlife, and recreation values or
experiences. The difference between the existing condition and desired
condition in terms of livestock grazing and resource conditions
describes the need for federal action. Desired conditions are defined
by the Forest Plan, Forest Service Manual, and applicable laws. This
effort is undertaken to comply with the 1995 Rescissions Act (Pub. L.
104-19).
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to authorize livestock grazing on 17
allotments within the project area (Aspen Springs; Basin Creek;
Buckskin Knoll; Devils Hole; Elk Creek; Green Knoll; Indian Creek; Lake
Alice; Lake Mountain; Lower Salt Creek; Pole Creek; Porcupine Creek;
Sams-Allen Creek; Smiths Fork; South Fontenelle; Spruce Creek; and
Trespass Creek allotments) with updated domestic sheep grazing and
rangeland vegetation management direction. Desired conditions are
identified. Grazing practices addressing frequency of grazing and rest
from grazing would be guided by the amount and diversity of vegetation
given the capability of soils, as well as indicators of soil quality
such as amount of ground cover, sign of active erosion and healing of
headcuts. Other best management practices addressing the timing,
duration, and in specific settings the intensity, of use are
identified. Adaptive management is part of the proposed action.
Identified are: Criteria to guide management, pre-determined optional
courses of action used to make adaptive changes in management over
time, and the focused monitoring which provides the basis for adjusting
management to attain desired resource conditions. Allotment management
plans would become part of a term grazing permit and contain the
livestock grazing and rangeland vegetation management direction
identified by the responsible official's decision.
Possible Alternatives
To date the Bridger-Teton National Forest has identified two
alternatives to the proposed action: Alternative A--No Domestic
Livestock Grazing, and Alternative B--Continuation of Current Livestock
Management. Alternative A would discontinue sheep grazing on the 17
allotments over the next five years with the exception of sheep
trailing to other allotments on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and
the Caribou National Forest. This alternative will demonstrate the
effects of eliminating livestock grazing on the environment and more
clearly illustrate the potential effects of implementing any grazing
and rangeland vegetation management alternative. Alternative B would
continue current grazing management practices including annual
adjustments in authorized livestock numbers and season of use, as
needed.
Responsible Official
Kemmerer District Ranger Adrienne Holcomb
Nature of the Decision To Be Made
Whether domestic sheep grazing should be allowed to continue on
all, part, or none of the 17 allotments within the project area; and if
so, under what management strategy.
Preliminary Issues
Preliminary issues associated with the proposed action include:
(1) The amount and diversity of vegetation in some locations is
less than the current capability of soils;
(2) Sediment delivery to drainages supporting fisheries, and
retention of precipitation on uplands, as evidenced by headcutting/
gullies and sign of active erosion; and
(3) Wildlife values within some aspen stands are minimized by a
lack of diverse aspen age classes; in some locations the diversity of
herbaceous and shrub species in the understory is also diminished.
Permits or Licenses Required
If a decision is made to authorize regularly scheduled livestock
grazing, such grazing must be authorized under a term grazing permit.
Scoping Process
Pursuant to 36 CFR 218.7(a)(2), this proposed project implements
the land management plan and is subject to Sec. 218 subparts A and B.
Those who submit specific written comments regarding the proposed
project during this scoping period or other designated opportunity for
public comment in accordance with Sec. 218.5(a) are eligible to
object. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously
submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed
project unless based on new information arising after the designated
comment opportunities.
Specific written comments as defined by Sec. 218.2 should be
within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to
the proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the
responsible official to consider. It is the responsibility of all
individuals and organizations to ensure that their comments are
received in a timely manner.
Comments received, including names and addresses of those who
comment, will be considered part of the public record on these proposed
actions and will be available for public inspection.
[[Page 45804]]
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 nor provide the respondent with standing to object the
subsequent draft decision. Only those who respond to the request for
comments or request to be placed on the mailing list will be added to
the mailing list for this project.
An objection period will follow the regulation found in Sec.
218.7. For objection eligibility (Sec. 218.5), only those who have
submitted timely, specific written comments during any designated
opportunity for public comment may file an objection.
Issues to be raised in objections must be based on previously
submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project and
attributed to the objector, unless the issue is based on new
information that arose after a designated opportunity to comment (Sec.
218.8(c)).
Dated: September 12, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-21007 Filed 9-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P