Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Colorado; Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, 14243-14245 [2018-06686]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices included for the convenience of the State agencies because the poverty guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii are higher than for the 48 contiguous States. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1786. Dated: March 8, 2018. Brandon Lipps, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. [FR Doc. 2018–06178 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–C DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Siskiyou Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Siskiyou (OR) Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Harbor, Oregon. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the Title II of the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https:// cloudapps-usda-gov.secure.force.com/ FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002 Jcv6AAC. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held on April 25, 2018, 9:30 a.m. All RAC meetings are subject to cancellation. For status of the meeting prior to attendance, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Harbor Water Public Utilities District, 98069 West Benham Lane, Harbor, Oregon. Written comments may be submitted as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, Oregon. Please call ahead to (541) 618–2200 to facilitate entry into the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virginia Gibbons, Public Affairs Officer, by phone at (541) 618–2113 or via email at vgibbons@fs.fed.us. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:47 Apr 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the meeting is to: 1. Review projects previously authorized under Title II of the Act; and 2. Review and make proposed fee changes for fee sites on the Rogue RiverSiskiyou National Forest. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda will include time for people to make oral statements of three minutes or less. Individuals wishing to make an oral statement should request in writing by April 11, 2018, to be scheduled on the agenda. Anyone who would like to bring related matters to the attention of the committee may file written statements with the committee staff before the meeting. Written comments and requests for time to make oral comments must be sent to Virginia Gibbons, Public Affairs Officer, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, Oregon 97504; by phone at (541) 618–2113, by email at Rogue_ River-Siskiyou_RecFee@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile at (541) 618–2400. Meeting Accommodations: If you are a person requiring reasonable accommodation, please make requests in advance for sign language interpreting, assistive listening devices, or other reasonable accommodation. For access to the facility or proceedings, please contact the person listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case by case basis. Dated: March 14, 2018. Chris French, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018–06682 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3415–11–P 14243 Management Plan and to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is revising the existing Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests’ Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its revised Forest Plan. This notice briefly describes the preliminary needs for change that will be used to develop a revised Forest Plan, the nature of the decision to be made, and information concerning public participation. This notice also describes estimated dates for filing the EIS, the name and address of the responsible agency officials, and the individuals who can provide additional information. Finally, this notice identifies the applicable planning rule that will be used for completing the plan revision. DATES: Comments concerning the preliminary need for change provided in this notice must be received by May 3, 2018. The Draft EIS is expected in the spring of 2019, and the Final EIS is expected in the spring of 2020. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/ forestplan_comments. Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed to GMUG National Forests, Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Comments may also be sent via email to gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us with the subject line: ‘‘Scoping Comment,’’ or via facsimile to 970–874–6698. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received by visiting the public reading room online at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan_ readingroom. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Colorado; Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Forest Service, USDA. Notice of Intent to revise the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison Land and Resource AGENCY: ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Forest Plan Revision Team Leader Samantha Staley o (970–874–6666) or Assistant Forest Planner Brittany Duffy (970–874–6649) via email at gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us or mail at GMUG National Forests, Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Additional information concerning the planning process can be found online at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1 14244 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The revised GMUG Forest Plan will replace the existing 1983 GMUG Forest Plan, as amended. The existing Forest Plan will remain in effect until the revised Forest Plan takes effect. In response to this notice we are asking for comments on the preliminary need for change, distinctive role and contribution of the Forests, and proposed management area framework. The full text of the preliminary need for change and additional materials and information on public engagement opportunities can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ gmug/forestplan by clicking on the link of interest. Input gathered during this scoping period, as well as other information, will be used to prepare the Draft Forest Plan and the Draft EIS. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for revising the current Forest Plan is (1) the 1983 Forest Plan, as amended, needs revision per the National Forest Management Act, which requires Forest Plans to be revised on a 10 to 15 year cycle, and (2) to address the preliminary needs for change to the existing plan, which are summarized below. Preliminary needs for change are identified to respond to new requirements per the Forest Service’s 2012 Land Management Planning Rule (36 CFR 219); to address changes in economic, social, and ecological conditions; and to use the best available scientific information. An assessment of the conditions and trends of the Forests’ ecological, social, and economic resources, informed by public input, has helped to identify these preliminary needs for changing the existing Forest Plan. A summary of the preliminary needs for change follows. Three overarching needs for change, or principles, emerged throughout the assessment process: (1) Provide direction that reflects the best available science and management approaches, and yet remains durable and relevant through time in our rapidly changing environment; (2) Provide more strategic, adaptive direction than the often prescriptive, tactical direction in the current Forest Plan. Adaptive direction should provide for greater durability; and (3) Create a plan that is more purposeful, accessible and useful to the public and agency personnel. The current Forest Plan is unwieldy and overly complicated. These principles will be used to implement the requirements of the 2012 planning rule, which requires that the revised Forest Plan: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:47 Apr 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 • Contribute to social and economic sustainability by providing people and communities with a range of social and economic benefits for present and future generations. These benefits include water, timber production, grazing, recreation, energy resources, and additional multiple uses. • Provide for ecological sustainability by maintaining or restoring ecological integrity; air, soil and water; and riparian areas, taking into account stressors such as wildland fire, insect and disease, and changes in climate. • Provide for ecological conditions to maintain the diversity of plant and animal communities, including additional consideration for threatened and endangered species, species of conservation concern, and species of public interest. • Designate areas suitable for timber production and provide for sustainable recreation. Furthermore, the 2012 planning rule requires the GMUG, during the Forest Plan revision process, to: • Identify and evaluate lands that may be suitable for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. • Identify eligible rivers for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Proposed Action The proposed action is to revise the Forest Plan in order to address these identified needs for change to the existing Forest Plan. The revised Forest Plan will include forest-wide and geographic/management area-specific desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, guidelines, and the designation of lands suitable for timber production. Development of alternatives will be guided by the scoping process. Responsible Official The responsible official who will approve the Record of Decision for the GMUG National Forests’ revised Forest Plan is Scott Armentrout, Forest Supervisor for the GMUG National Forests, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Nature of Decision To Be Made The responsible official will decide whether the required plan components (desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, guidelines, and suitability) are sufficient to promote the ecological integrity and sustainability of the GMUG National Forests’ ecosystems, watersheds, and diverse plant and animal communities. In addition, the responsible official will decide whether the required plan components for the PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 GMUG National Forests’ multiple uses and ecosystem services are sufficient to contribute to social and economic sustainability for people and communities. This proposed action is programmatic in nature and guides future implementation of site-specific projects. Additional National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance may be required for site-specific projects as part of a two-stage decision making process (40 CFR 1508.23, 42 U.S.C. 4322(2)(C)), 36 CFR 219.7(f)). Scoping Process This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the Draft Forest Plan and Draft EIS. We are seeking your input to continue to develop the GMUG National Forests’ revised Forest Plan. Public webinars will be held to provide additional information and address questions related to this scoping notice. Dates and locations will be posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Revision website at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan and can be accessed by clicking on ‘‘Get Involved.’’ Any changes to the webinar schedule will be communicated on the same website. 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 as well as proposed solutions. Decision Will be Subject to Objection Only those individuals and entities who have submitted substantive formal comments related to the GMUG National Forests’ plan revision during the formal opportunities provided for public comment (beginning with this Notice of Intent) throughout the planning process will be eligible to file an objection (36 CFR 219.53(a)). The decision to approve the revised Forest Plan for the GMUG National Forests will be subject to the objection process identified in 36 CFR 219 Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). 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. E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices Documents Available for Review The GMUG National Forest plan revision website at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan provides the full text of the preliminary need for change; distinctive role and contribution of the Forests; proposed management area framework; the 2018 assessments; public meeting materials from the assessment phase, including open house materials and recorded webinars; in public comments. The material available on these sites may be updated or revised at any time as part of the planning process. The 2012 planning rule is explained in more detail on the Forest Service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ detail/planningrule/home/ ?cid=stelprdb5359471. Dated: March 28, 2018. Glenn Casamassa, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018–06686 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board) will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Additional information concerning the Board, including the meeting summary/ minutes, can be found by visiting the Board’s website at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/blackhills/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees. DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. All meetings are subject to cancellation. For updated status of meeting prior to attendance, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Forest Service Center, 8221 Mount Rushmore Road, Rapid City, South Dakota. Written comments may be submitted as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All comments, including amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:47 Apr 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 14245 names and addresses, when provided, are placed in the record and available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at the Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Please call ahead to facilitate entry into the building. Dated: March 14, 2018. Christopher French, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Scott Jacobson, Committee Coordinator, by phone at 605–440–1409 or by email at sjjacobson@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 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. The purpose of the meeting is to provide: (1) Ethics Training; (2) Information Topic: Forest Staffing and Seasonal Hiring; (3) Black Hills Resilient Landscape Project update; (4) 2018 Fire Season Preparedness; and (5) 2018 Fire Season Outlook. The meeting is open to the public and transcripts, documents and minutes will be made available for public inspection. The U.S. Forest Service will attempt to accommodate as many attendees as possible; however, admittance will be limited to seating availability. The Chairman may allow the public to make oral statements of three minutes or less. Individuals wishing to make an oral statement should submit a request in writing by April 9, 2018, to be scheduled on the agenda. Anyone who would like to bring related matters to the attention of the Board may file written statements with the Board’s staff before or after the meeting. Written comments and time requests for oral comments must be sent to Scott Jacobson, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1019 North Fifth Street, Custer, South Dakota 57730; by email to sjjacobson@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 605–673–9208. Meeting Accommodations: If you are a person requiring reasonable accommodation, please make requests in advance for sign language interpreting, assistive listening devices, or other reasonable accommodation for access to the facility or proceedings by contacting the person listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case by case basis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2018–06683 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Rural Utilities Service Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA). AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), herein referred to as RUS or the Agency, announces its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. The Agency is publishing the amount of funding received in the appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/ notices-solicitation-applications-nosas. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant’s risk. In addition to announcing the application window, RUS announces the minimum and maximum amounts for DLT grants applicable for the fiscal year. The DLT Grant Program regulation can be found at 7 CFR part 1734, subpart B. This DLT Grant Program regulation replaced the previous DLT Grant Program regulation, 7 CFR part 1703, subpart E, on December 27, 2017. DATES: Submit completed paper or electronic applications for grants according to the following deadlines: • Paper submissions: Paper submissions must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than June 4, 2018 to be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. • Electronic submissions: Electronic submissions must be received no later than June 4, 2018 to be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. • If the submission deadline falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day. ADDRESSES: Copies of the FY 2018 Application Guide and materials for the DLT Grant Program may be obtained through: (1) The DLT website at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14243-14245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06686]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Colorado; 
Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, 
Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to revise the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and 
Gunnison Land and Resource Management Plan and to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is 
revising the existing Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) 
National Forests' Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). The 
Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
its revised Forest Plan.
    This notice briefly describes the preliminary needs for change that 
will be used to develop a revised Forest Plan, the nature of the 
decision to be made, and information concerning public participation. 
This notice also describes estimated dates for filing the EIS, the name 
and address of the responsible agency officials, and the individuals 
who can provide additional information. Finally, this notice identifies 
the applicable planning rule that will be used for completing the plan 
revision.

DATES: Comments concerning the preliminary need for change provided in 
this notice must be received by May 3, 2018. The Draft EIS is expected 
in the spring of 2019, and the Final EIS is expected in the spring of 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan_comments. Written comments 
concerning this notice should be addressed to GMUG National Forests, 
Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. 
Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected] with 
the subject line: ``Scoping Comment,'' or via facsimile to 970-874-
6698. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received by visiting the 
public reading room online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan_readingroom.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Forest Plan Revision Team Leader 
Samantha Staley o (970-874-6666) or Assistant Forest Planner Brittany 
Duffy (970-874-6649) via email at [email protected] or mail at 
GMUG National Forests, Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main 
St., Delta, CO 81416. Additional information concerning the planning 
process can be found online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339

[[Page 14244]]

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The revised GMUG Forest Plan will replace 
the existing 1983 GMUG Forest Plan, as amended. The existing Forest 
Plan will remain in effect until the revised Forest Plan takes effect. 
In response to this notice we are asking for comments on the 
preliminary need for change, distinctive role and contribution of the 
Forests, and proposed management area framework. The full text of the 
preliminary need for change and additional materials and information on 
public engagement opportunities can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan by clicking on the link of interest. Input 
gathered during this scoping period, as well as other information, will 
be used to prepare the Draft Forest Plan and the Draft EIS.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose and need for revising the current Forest Plan is (1) 
the 1983 Forest Plan, as amended, needs revision per the National 
Forest Management Act, which requires Forest Plans to be revised on a 
10 to 15 year cycle, and (2) to address the preliminary needs for 
change to the existing plan, which are summarized below. Preliminary 
needs for change are identified to respond to new requirements per the 
Forest Service's 2012 Land Management Planning Rule (36 CFR 219); to 
address changes in economic, social, and ecological conditions; and to 
use the best available scientific information. An assessment of the 
conditions and trends of the Forests' ecological, social, and economic 
resources, informed by public input, has helped to identify these 
preliminary needs for changing the existing Forest Plan. A summary of 
the preliminary needs for change follows.
    Three overarching needs for change, or principles, emerged 
throughout the assessment process: (1) Provide direction that reflects 
the best available science and management approaches, and yet remains 
durable and relevant through time in our rapidly changing environment; 
(2) Provide more strategic, adaptive direction than the often 
prescriptive, tactical direction in the current Forest Plan. Adaptive 
direction should provide for greater durability; and (3) Create a plan 
that is more purposeful, accessible and useful to the public and agency 
personnel. The current Forest Plan is unwieldy and overly complicated.
    These principles will be used to implement the requirements of the 
2012 planning rule, which requires that the revised Forest Plan:
     Contribute to social and economic sustainability by 
providing people and communities with a range of social and economic 
benefits for present and future generations. These benefits include 
water, timber production, grazing, recreation, energy resources, and 
additional multiple uses.
     Provide for ecological sustainability by maintaining or 
restoring ecological integrity; air, soil and water; and riparian 
areas, taking into account stressors such as wildland fire, insect and 
disease, and changes in climate.
     Provide for ecological conditions to maintain the 
diversity of plant and animal communities, including additional 
consideration for threatened and endangered species, species of 
conservation concern, and species of public interest.
     Designate areas suitable for timber production and provide 
for sustainable recreation.
    Furthermore, the 2012 planning rule requires the GMUG, during the 
Forest Plan revision process, to:
     Identify and evaluate lands that may be suitable for 
inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System.
     Identify eligible rivers for inclusion in the National 
Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to revise the Forest Plan in order to 
address these identified needs for change to the existing Forest Plan. 
The revised Forest Plan will include forest-wide and geographic/
management area-specific desired conditions, goals, objectives, 
standards, guidelines, and the designation of lands suitable for timber 
production. Development of alternatives will be guided by the scoping 
process.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official who will approve the Record of Decision 
for the GMUG National Forests' revised Forest Plan is Scott Armentrout, 
Forest Supervisor for the GMUG National Forests, 2250 S. Main St., 
Delta, CO 81416.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The responsible official will decide whether the required plan 
components (desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, 
guidelines, and suitability) are sufficient to promote the ecological 
integrity and sustainability of the GMUG National Forests' ecosystems, 
watersheds, and diverse plant and animal communities. In addition, the 
responsible official will decide whether the required plan components 
for the GMUG National Forests' multiple uses and ecosystem services are 
sufficient to contribute to social and economic sustainability for 
people and communities.
    This proposed action is programmatic in nature and guides future 
implementation of site-specific projects. Additional National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance may be required for site-
specific projects as part of a two-stage decision making process (40 
CFR 1508.23, 42 U.S.C. 4322(2)(C)), 36 CFR 219.7(f)).

Scoping Process

    This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the Draft Forest Plan and Draft EIS. We are seeking 
your input to continue to develop the GMUG National Forests' revised 
Forest Plan.
    Public webinars will be held to provide additional information and 
address questions related to this scoping notice. Dates and locations 
will be posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Revision website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan and can be accessed by clicking on 
``Get Involved.'' Any changes to the webinar schedule will be 
communicated on the same website.
    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 as well as proposed solutions.

Decision Will be Subject to Objection

    Only those individuals and entities who have submitted substantive 
formal comments related to the GMUG National Forests' plan revision 
during the formal opportunities provided for public comment (beginning 
with this Notice of Intent) throughout the planning process will be 
eligible to file an objection (36 CFR 219.53(a)). The decision to 
approve the revised Forest Plan for the GMUG National Forests will be 
subject to the objection process identified in 36 CFR 219 Subpart B 
(219.50 to 219.62).
    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.

[[Page 14245]]

Documents Available for Review

    The GMUG National Forest plan revision website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan provides the full text of the 
preliminary need for change; distinctive role and contribution of the 
Forests; proposed management area framework; the 2018 assessments; 
public meeting materials from the assessment phase, including open 
house materials and recorded webinars; in public comments. The material 
available on these sites may be updated or revised at any time as part 
of the planning process.
    The 2012 planning rule is explained in more detail on the Forest 
Service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/planningrule/home/?cid=stelprdb5359471.

    Dated: March 28, 2018.
Glenn Casamassa,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-06686 Filed 4-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.