Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; Idaho; Lolo Insect & Disease Project, 45798-45800 [2017-21008]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45798-45800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21008]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; Idaho; Lolo Insect & 
Disease Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: This is a corrected Notice of Intent (NOI). This notice 
updates the information about the purpose and need, proposed action, 
expected dates of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and 
Final EIS, addresses, contact information for the project, and the 
responsible official for the Lolo Insect & Disease project. This notice 
also provides clarification for individuals or organizations that 
provided comments in response to scoping previously conducted as it 
relates to having standing to object. Preliminary issues, alternatives, 
and permits are also available and presented in this notice.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by October 17, 2017. The Draft EIS is expected January of 2018 and the 
Final EIS is expected August of 2018. This project was originally 
scoped under the provisions of 36 CFR 215. For this project, 
individuals or organizations who submitted written comments in response 
to scoping conducted under 36 CFR 215 will be considered to have 
standing to object under 36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B. Those who also 
wish to establish standing to object under 36 CFR part 218 should 
submit scoping comments no later than 15 days after publication of this 
Notice of Intent or during the 45-day comment period following 
distribution of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Lochsa Ranger District, c/o Sara 
Daugherty, 502 Lowry Street, Kooskia, Idaho 83539. Comments may also be 
sent via email to comments-northern-clearwater-lochsa@fs.fed.us, or via 
facsimile to 208-926-6450.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information please contact 
Sara Daugherty at 208-926-6404 or sddaugherty@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: The Forest Service gives notice of its 
intent to prepare an EIS for the Lolo Insect & Disease project to 
analyze and disclose the effects of proposed forest management and 
watershed improvement activities within the Lolo Creek watershed, 
located approximately 16 miles northeast of Kamiah, Idaho. The proposed 
action would use a combination of timber harvest and reforestation to 
achieve the desired range of age classes, size classes, vegetative 
species distributions, habitat complexity (diversity), and landscape 
patterns across the forested portions of the project area. Road 
decommissioning, culvert replacements, road and trail improvements, and 
soils rehabilitation are also proposed to improve watershed health. The 
EIS will analyze the effects of the proposed action and alternatives. 
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests invites comments and 
suggestions on the issues to be addressed. The agency gives notice of 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and decision 
making process on the proposal so interested and affected members of 
the public may participate and contribute to the final decision. The 
original notice was published in the Federal Register on April 25, 
2013; 78 FR 24718. This process is being conducted pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations for Implementing the NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), 
and Forest Service NEPA guidelines. Additionally, pursuant to Section 
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the public scoping 
process will allow members of the general public to provide comments on 
potential impacts to historic and cultural resources for the proposed 
action. An objection priod for the Draft Record of Decision will be 
provided, consistent with 36 CFR part 218.

Purpose and Need for Action

Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Improvement

    Existing Condition: Most of the project area is in Forest Plan 
management area (MA) E1. MA E1 is timber-producing land to be managed

[[Page 45799]]

for healthy timber stands to optimize potential timber growing. Timber 
production is to be cost-effective and provide maximum protection of 
soil and water quality. Big game, primarily elk, is to be managed 
through limited road closures. Dispersed recreation and livestock 
grazing will be provide if compatible with timber management goals.
    In the project area, fires that occurred in 1910 and 1934 and the 
introduction of white pine blister rust have created a homogeneous age 
class and species composition which has become highly susceptible to 
insect and disease change agents due to its current age. Mortality in 
grand fir and Douglas-fir dominated stands is increasing from root 
disease, Douglas-fir bark beetle, and grand fir engraver. In 2015, some 
of the proposed treatment areas were burned causing extensive tree 
mortality. Insects are invading stands within and outside of areas 
burned in 2015. Currently, a higher percentage of grand fir and 
Douglas-fir exist than natural long-term disturbances patterns would 
have created and that would have dominated these habitat types in the 
absence of historical disturbance events. Grand fir and Douglas-fir are 
more susceptible to insects and diseases, and grand fir is less likely 
to survive intense wildfires, than early seral species such as 
ponderosa pine, western larch, and western white pine.
    Young forest habitat is lacking on this landscape, while the 
quality of available habitat for sensitive and old growth-associated 
species has declined. Patches of young forest that do exist are smaller 
with edges that are straighter and more even than natural disturbances 
would have created.
    Desired Condition: The desired condition is a forest structure with 
a range of age and size classes with species diversity that is 
resistant and resilient to change agents such as insects, diseases, and 
wildfires. Early seral species (white pine, larch) should represent a 
greater percentage of the species mix.
    Need for Action: Vegetation in this area needs to be managed to 
create a more diverse and resilient forest structure by creating a 
range of age and size classes, species diversity, and disturbance 
patterns that more closely emulate the results of natural disturbance. 
A need exists to shift tree species composition away from shade-
tolerant species toward more resistant and resilient early seral 
species. Restoration of blister rust resistant white pine is a primary 
objective.
Goods and Services
    Existing Condition: Much of the Project area consists of grand fir-
dominated stands. Insect and disease infestations are contributing to 
increased tree mortality, while decreasing timber volume and value.
    Desired Condition: The desired condition is to provide a sustained 
yield of resource outputs as direct by the Clearwater Forest Plan.
    Need for Action: Stands that are infested with insects and diseases 
need to be treated so that the harvested timber that still has a 
merchantable product in the trees will help sustain community stability 
through supporting jobs in the timber industry and support businesses.

Watershed Improvement

    The emphasis for watershed restoration in the Lolo Creek drainage 
is associated with roads and soil improvement.
    Existing Condition: Gravel and native surface roads could 
contribute sediment to stream channels, which can affect water quality 
and fish habitat. There are 555 miles of system and 40 miles of non-
system road in the Lolo Creek watershed. A total of 178 miles occurs 
within designated PACFISH buffers.
    Desired Condition: The desired condition is to maintain a road 
system in the Lolo Creek watershed that is adequate to provide for 
continued recreation, commodity production, and administrative use as 
described in the Clearwater Forest Plan while maintaining fish and 
water quality objectives.
    Need for Action: Improving watershed function and stream conditions 
by reducing road densities and repairing existing roads and culverts to 
reduce sediment and improve drainage is needed. New system roads would 
be constructed to provide a long term transportation system while 
reducing roads located within riparian habitat conservation areas.

Roads Analysis

    Existing Condition: Transportation planning has been completed at 
the Clearwater National Forest level by analyzing the entire 
transportation system as a whole. A roads analysis of the project area 
provides the current transportation system.
    Desired Condition: A diversity of motorized access adequate to 
provide for continued recreation, commodity production, and 
administrative use as described in the Clearwater Forest Plan.
    Need for Action: A comprehensive roads analysis including all 
motorized access opportunities. Implementation of the results of the 
roads analysis would create a sustainable transportation system.

Soil Improvement

    Existing Condition: Past management activities have resulted in 
areas of detrimental soil disturbance, mostly in the form of compacted 
or displaced soil or loss of organic matter.
    Desired Condition: Soils are productive (functioning soil biology, 
soil hydrology, and nutrient cycling) and stable.
    Need for Action: Watershed function can be improved by restoring 
compacted soils and adding organic material on old skid trails and 
landings. Restoration of meadow function with seeding and planting of 
native species.

Proposed Action

    The Lochsa Ranger District proposes the following vegetation 
management actions to improve forest health, reforest areas burned in 
2015, provide goods and services, and improve wildlife habitat:
     Variable retention regeneration harvest and site 
preparation activities would be conducted on approximately 3464 acres. 
Stands that are currently being affected by biotic change agents would 
be targeted for treatment. Regeneration harvest would create early 
successional plant communities and habitat. Project design criteria 
would be used in portions of units to address specific resource 
concerns, such as areas within the National Historic Landmark Corridor 
that require retention to meet visual objectives. Regeneration would 
focus on restoring white pine and other long-lived early seral species. 
Variable retention harvest would include areas of full retention 
(clumps), irregular edges, and retention of snags and legacy trees to 
provide structure and a future source of woody debris. Some openings 
may exceed 40 acres. Harvest would include utilizing ground based, 
skyline, and helicopter yarding systems; as well as approximately 2.6 
miles of tractor swing trails. There is no harvest proposed in old 
growth.
     Approximately 19 miles of temporary roads would be 
constructed to carry out the proposed harvest. Temporary roads would be 
decommissioned after use.
    The following road improvement actions area proposed to reduce 
sediment production and address transportation needs.
     Road improvements would occur on up to 125 miles of roads 
within the project area. Road improvement activities include: Adding 
cross drains on either side of perennial streams

[[Page 45800]]

where fish-bearing would be the highest priority followed by non-fish 
bearing perennial streams (these would be determined and prioritized 
based on field review); replacing crossings on perennial streams with 
structures appropriately sized for a 100-year event (these would be 
prioritized by the district fisheries biologist); and stabilize eroding 
sections of road that may be accomplished by blading followed by spot 
rocking or the addition of drainage structures where needed.
     Road maintenance and reconditioning would occur on 
approximately 157 miles of system roads. Maintenance consist of culvert 
cleaning, surface blading, and roadside brushing; and reconditioning 
includes minor road reshaping, waterbar removal, and road surface brush 
removal.
     Road decommissioning is proposed on approximately 60 miles 
of system road and approximately 30 miles of non-system road. In most 
cases this includes fully re-contouring the road.
     Approximately 4 miles of system roads would be converted 
to an off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail.
     Approximately 0.74 miles of new system roads would be 
constructed to contribute to the long term transportation system while 
reducing roads located within riparian habitat conservation areas.
    The following actions are proposed to improve soil and vegetation 
conditions in the Musselshell Restoration Area portion (1,600 acres) of 
the project area:
     Approximately 745 acres of white pine restoration would be 
accomplished through intermediate harvest by creating small openings to 
plant blister rust resistant seedlings, benefit other species, and 
contribute to ecosystem health.
     Approximately 92 acres of riparian habitat conservation 
area (RHCA) restoration would occur where RHCAs of perennial streams 
are overstocked with trees. Trees would be commercially thinned to 
promote a healthy stand and promote long term RHCA function.
     Soil rehabilitation would occur on approximately 55 acres 
of currently detrimentally disturbed areas associated with past harvest 
related activities. Activities could include decompaction, mastication, 
fertilization, seeding, and addition of woody/organic material.
     Deferred maintenance would occur on mile of Trail #853. 
Work may include improvement and development of drainage structures 
within the existing tread. Rock and/or gravel material may be placed on 
the exiting tread surface to complement the drainage structures and 
provide adequate base to support motorized OHV use, reduce erosion, and 
loss of fine materials.
    The Lolo Insect & Disease project will also include a variety of 
project design criteria that have been developed from past projects, 
verified by field surveys, and will be used to limit possible adverse 
effects to soils, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation 
opportunities, and culturally significant areas.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the No Action and the Proposed Action, alternatives 
that do not harvest in riparian habitat conservation areas, within the 
Eldorado Creek Roadless Area and special areas of historic or tribal 
significance (such as the National Historic Landmark corridor), as well 
as minimal temporary road construction with more helicopter logging are 
expected. These preliminary alternatives were developed based on prior 
scoping comments received. Alternatives will be developed based on 
previous and additional comments received during the scoping periods.

Responsible Official

    Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will determine whether to adopt the 
proposed action or another alternative, in whole or in part, and what 
mitigation measurements and management requirements will be 
implemented.

Preliminary Issues

    Issues received during the previous scoping period include 
harvesting in the Eldorado Creek Roadless Area, the National Historic 
Landmark corridor, and other special areas of historic or tribal 
significance; riparian habitat conservation area thinning, helicopter 
logging systems, winter logging, and minimal road construction.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Any required permits for disturbance of water or wetlands would be 
obtained prior to initiating work (Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit, 
Idaho Department of Water Resources Stream Alteration Permit). Any 
additional mitigation measures identified in the permitting process 
would be incorporated into the project plans.

Scoping Process

    This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. The interdisciplinary team will continue to 
seek information and comments from Federal, State, and local agencies, 
Tribal governments, and other individuals or organizations that may 
interested in, or affected by, the proposed action. There is a 
collaborative group in the area that the interdisciplinary team will 
interact with during the analysis process. 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 EIS. Therefore, 
comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period 
and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however, anonymous comments will not provide 
the Agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent 
environmental documents.

    Dated: September 13, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-21008 Filed 9-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P