Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands in Alaska, 44252-44253 [2018-18937]
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44252
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Proposed Rules
procedures at this airport, as part of the
VOR MON Program.
Class E airspace designations are
published in paragraph 6005 of FAA
Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017,
and effective September 15, 2017, which
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR
71.1. The Class E airspace designation
listed in this document will be
published subsequently in the Order.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this
regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which
frequent and routine amendments are
necessary to keep them operationally
current, is non-controversial and
unlikely to result in adverse or negative
comments. It, therefore: (1) Is not a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a
‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44
FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)
does not warrant preparation of a
regulatory evaluation as the anticipated
impact is so minimal. Since this is a
routine matter that will only affect air
traffic procedures and air navigation, it
is certified that this rule, when
promulgated, would not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the
authority delegated to me, the Federal
Aviation Administration proposes to
amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
REPORTING POINTS
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR
part 71 continues to read as follows:
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with PROPOSALS1
■
[Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in
14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11B,
Airspace Designations and Reporting
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:53 Aug 29, 2018
Jkt 244001
*
*
*
*
*
AGL IL E5 Jacksonville, IL [Amended]
Jacksonville Municipal Airport, IL
(Lat. 39°46′29″ N, long. 90°14′18″ W)
That airspace extending upward from 700
feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile
radius of Jacksonville Municipal Airport.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 23,
2018.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group,
ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2018–18767 Filed 8–29–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
36 CFR Part 294
Roadless Area Conservation; National
Forest System Lands in Alaska
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is initiating an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
and public rulemaking process to
address the management of inventoried
roadless areas on the Tongass National
Forest within the State of Alaska. This
rulemaking is the result of a petition
submitted by Governor Bill Walker’s
administration in January 2018 on
behalf of the State of Alaska, pursuant
to the Administrative Procedures Act.
The petition was accepted by the
Secretary of Agriculture in April 2018.
The intent is to evaluate the regulatory
exemption set forth in the petition, as
well as to evaluate other management
solutions that address infrastructure,
timber, energy, mining, access, and
transportation needs to further Alaska’s
economic development, while still
conserving roadless areas for future
generations.
Comments must be received in
writing by October 15, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be
submitted electronically at https://
www.fs.usda.gov/project/
?project=54511. In addition, written
comments can be submitted via hardcopy mail to: Alaska Roadless Rule,
USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region,
DATES:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103,
40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,
1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.
■
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas
Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More
Above the Surface of the Earth.
SUMMARY:
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an
environmental analysis in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1F,
‘‘Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures’’ prior to any FAA final
regulatory action.
§ 71.1
Points, dated August 3, 2017, and
effective September 15, 2017, is
amended as follows:
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Ecosystem Planning and Budget Staff,
P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, Alaska 99802–
1628.
All comments, including names and
addresses, are placed in the record and
are available for public inspection and
copying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken
Tu, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at
303–275–5156 or akroadlessrule@
fs.fed.us. Individuals using
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Services at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time,
Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
January 12, 2001, the Department
promulgated the Roadless Area
Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule)
(66 FR 3244) establishing nationwide
prohibitions on timber harvest, road
construction and road reconstruction
within inventoried roadless areas, with
certain limited exceptions.
In 2001, the State of Alaska filed a
complaint, challenging the Department’s
promulgation of the 2001 Roadless Rule
and its application in Alaska. The
Department and the State of Alaska
reached a settlement in 2003, and the
Department subsequently issued a rule
temporarily exempting the Tongass
National Forest from the Roadless Rule.
In 2011, a federal court set aside the
Tongass Exemption and reinstated the
Roadless Rule on the Tongass National
Forest. The district court’s ruling was
initially reversed by a three-judge panel
of the Ninth Circuit, but the district
court’s ruling was ultimately upheld in
a 6–5 en banc ruling in 2015.
Consequently, the 2001 Roadless Rule
remains in effect in Alaska and the
Forest Service continues to apply the
Rule to the Tongass and Chugach
National Forests.
Purpose and Need
In response to the State of Alaska’s
petition for rulemaking, the Department,
Forest Service, and State of Alaska agree
that the controversy surrounding the
management of roadless areas on the
Tongass National Forest may be
resolved through state-specific
rulemaking. A long-term, durable
approach to roadless area management
is needed that accommodates the
unique biological, social and economic
situation in and around the Tongass
National Forest. The Tongass National
Forest is unique from other National
Forests in respect to the size of the
Tongass National Forest; the large
percentage of roadless areas that
comprise the Tongass National Forest;
the degree of dependency of local
E:\FR\FM\30AUP1.SGM
30AUP1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Proposed Rules
communities on federal lands (the
Tongass National Forest comprises
almost 80% of southeast Alaska); as
well as Alaska and Tongass National
Forest-specific statutory considerations
(e.g., Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (ANILCA), Tongass
Timber Reform Act (TTRA)).
The Department and Forest Service
believe that current timber harvest and
road construction/reconstruction
restrictions can be adjusted for the
Tongass National Forest in a manner
that meaningfully addresses local
economic and development concerns
while balancing roadless area
conservation needs.
The State of Alaska believes that
roadless conservation interests for the
Tongass National Forest can be
adequately protected under the Tongass
Land Management Plan and that the
2001 Roadless Rule prohibitions are
unnecessary. In addition, the State
believes application of the 2001
Roadless Rule substantially impacts the
social and economic fabric of southeast
Alaska and violates ANILCA and TTRA.
In response to the State’s petition,
commercial and non-profit
organizations have expressed strong
opinions, for and against, the idea of a
regulatory review.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with PROPOSALS1
Proposed Action
The Department proposes to develop
a durable and long-lasting regulation for
the conservation and management of
roadless areas on the Tongass National
Forest. The state-specific roadless rule
would establish a land classification
system designed to conserve roadless
area characteristics on the Tongass
National Forest while accommodating
timber harvesting and road
construction/reconstruction activities
that are determined to be needed for
forest management, economic
development opportunities, and the
exercise of valid existing rights or other
non-discretionary legal authorities.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
The other alternatives being
considered at this time are the no-action
alternative, which is the continuation of
current management of the Tongass
National Forest in Alaska in accordance
with the 2001 Roadless Rule, and an
alternative that would exempt the
Tongass National Forest from the
provisions of that 2001 Roadless Rule,
but leave current management under the
2001 Roadless Rule in place on the
Chugach National Forest.
Cooperating Agencies
The State of Alaska will participate as
a cooperating agency in the preparation
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:53 Aug 29, 2018
Jkt 244001
of the EIS. Federally recognized Tribes
within the Tongass National Forest have
been invited to participate as a
cooperating agency.
Dated: August 24, 2018.
Christopher B. French,
Acting Deputy Chief.
Responsible Official
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
44253
[FR Doc. 2018–18937 Filed 8–29–18; 8:45 am]
The Responsible Official for the
rulemaking and EIS is the Secretary of
Agriculture or his designee.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Decision To Be Made
42 CFR Part 100
The Responsible Official will
determine appropriate management
direction for roadless areas within the
State of Alaska, including appropriate
exceptions to address essential
infrastructure, timber, energy, mining,
access, and transportation systems
necessary to further Alaska’s economic
development interests, while at the
same time conserving roadless areas in
Alaska for generations to come.
RIN 0906–AB14
Scoping Process
This Notice of Intent initiates the
scoping process in compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act and
its implementing regulations (40 CFR
part 1500–1508). As part of the scoping
period, the Forest Service, on behalf of
the Department, solicits public
comment on the nature and scope of the
environmental, social, and economic
issues related to Alaska-specific
rulemaking that should be analyzed in
depth in the Draft EIS.
Comments collected during scoping of
the Alaska-specific rulemaking will be
used to refine the proposed action,
define the scope of the analysis, and
develop alternatives to the proposed
action if needed. Public meetings are
planned to be held in Juneau
(September 13, 2018), Ketchikan
(September 17, 2018), Hoonah
(September 17, 2018), Craig (September
18, 2018), Angoon (September 18, 2018),
Point Baker/Port Protection (September
19, 2018), Wrangell (September 24,
2018), Sitka (September 24, 2018),
Petersburg (September 25, 2018),
Yakutat (September 25, 2018), Kake
(September 26, 2018), and Anchorage
(September 26, 2018), and Washington
DC (date to be determined). Additional
information on meeting times and
locations will be provided through the
project website and local media.
Estimated Timeline
The Draft EIS and proposed rule are
estimated to be released in early
summer 2019. The Final EIS is
estimated to be released in spring 2020,
with a final rule expected in June 2020.
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program: Adding the Category of
Vaccines Recommended for Pregnant
Women to the Vaccine Injury Table
Office of the Secretary, HHS.
Notice of public hearing.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
This document announces a
public hearing to receive information
and comments regarding the notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled
‘‘National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program: Adding the Category of
Vaccines Recommended for Pregnant
Women to the Vaccine Injury Table.’’
DATE AND TIME: September 17, 2018,
from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET.
Location: 5600 Fishers Lane,
Conference Room 08SWH01, Rockville,
MD 20857 (and via audio conference
call and Adobe Connect).
The public can join the hearing by:
1. (In Person) The hearing will take
place at 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville,
MD 20857. Persons interested in
attending the hearing in person are
encouraged to submit a written
notification to: Ana Marie BalingitWines, Division of Injury Compensation
Programs (DICP), Healthcare Systems
Bureau (HSB), Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA), Room
08N146B, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville,
Maryland 20857 or email: abalingitwines@hrsa.gov. Since this hearing is
held in a Federal government building,
attendees must go through a security
check to enter the building and
participate in the meeting. A written
notification is encouraged to make entry
through security quicker. To request an
escort during the hearing, call Ana
Marie Balingit-Wines at 301–443–2030.
2. (Audio Portion) Call the conference
phone number 855–303–0062 and
provide the following information:
Leader’s Name: Dr. Narayan Nair,
Password: 622245.
3. (Visual Portion) Connect to the
NPRM-Public Hearing Adobe Connect
Pro Meeting using the following URL:
https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/
nprm_public_hearing/ (copy and paste
the link into your browser if it does not
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\30AUP1.SGM
30AUP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44252-44253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18937]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
36 CFR Part 294
Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands in
Alaska
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is initiating an
environmental impact statement (EIS) and public rulemaking process to
address the management of inventoried roadless areas on the Tongass
National Forest within the State of Alaska. This rulemaking is the
result of a petition submitted by Governor Bill Walker's administration
in January 2018 on behalf of the State of Alaska, pursuant to the
Administrative Procedures Act. The petition was accepted by the
Secretary of Agriculture in April 2018. The intent is to evaluate the
regulatory exemption set forth in the petition, as well as to evaluate
other management solutions that address infrastructure, timber, energy,
mining, access, and transportation needs to further Alaska's economic
development, while still conserving roadless areas for future
generations.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing by October 15, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54511. In addition, written comments
can be submitted via hard-copy mail to: Alaska Roadless Rule, USDA
Forest Service, Alaska Region, Ecosystem Planning and Budget Staff,
P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, Alaska 99802-1628.
All comments, including names and addresses, are placed in the
record and are available for public inspection and copying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Tu, Interdisciplinary Team Leader,
at 303-275-5156 or [email protected]. Individuals using
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Services at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 12, 2001, the Department
promulgated the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule)
(66 FR 3244) establishing nationwide prohibitions on timber harvest,
road construction and road reconstruction within inventoried roadless
areas, with certain limited exceptions.
In 2001, the State of Alaska filed a complaint, challenging the
Department's promulgation of the 2001 Roadless Rule and its application
in Alaska. The Department and the State of Alaska reached a settlement
in 2003, and the Department subsequently issued a rule temporarily
exempting the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule. In 2011,
a federal court set aside the Tongass Exemption and reinstated the
Roadless Rule on the Tongass National Forest. The district court's
ruling was initially reversed by a three-judge panel of the Ninth
Circuit, but the district court's ruling was ultimately upheld in a 6-5
en banc ruling in 2015. Consequently, the 2001 Roadless Rule remains in
effect in Alaska and the Forest Service continues to apply the Rule to
the Tongass and Chugach National Forests.
Purpose and Need
In response to the State of Alaska's petition for rulemaking, the
Department, Forest Service, and State of Alaska agree that the
controversy surrounding the management of roadless areas on the Tongass
National Forest may be resolved through state-specific rulemaking. A
long-term, durable approach to roadless area management is needed that
accommodates the unique biological, social and economic situation in
and around the Tongass National Forest. The Tongass National Forest is
unique from other National Forests in respect to the size of the
Tongass National Forest; the large percentage of roadless areas that
comprise the Tongass National Forest; the degree of dependency of local
[[Page 44253]]
communities on federal lands (the Tongass National Forest comprises
almost 80% of southeast Alaska); as well as Alaska and Tongass National
Forest-specific statutory considerations (e.g., Alaska National
Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), Tongass Timber Reform Act
(TTRA)).
The Department and Forest Service believe that current timber
harvest and road construction/reconstruction restrictions can be
adjusted for the Tongass National Forest in a manner that meaningfully
addresses local economic and development concerns while balancing
roadless area conservation needs.
The State of Alaska believes that roadless conservation interests
for the Tongass National Forest can be adequately protected under the
Tongass Land Management Plan and that the 2001 Roadless Rule
prohibitions are unnecessary. In addition, the State believes
application of the 2001 Roadless Rule substantially impacts the social
and economic fabric of southeast Alaska and violates ANILCA and TTRA.
In response to the State's petition, commercial and non-profit
organizations have expressed strong opinions, for and against, the idea
of a regulatory review.
Proposed Action
The Department proposes to develop a durable and long-lasting
regulation for the conservation and management of roadless areas on the
Tongass National Forest. The state-specific roadless rule would
establish a land classification system designed to conserve roadless
area characteristics on the Tongass National Forest while accommodating
timber harvesting and road construction/reconstruction activities that
are determined to be needed for forest management, economic development
opportunities, and the exercise of valid existing rights or other non-
discretionary legal authorities.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
The other alternatives being considered at this time are the no-
action alternative, which is the continuation of current management of
the Tongass National Forest in Alaska in accordance with the 2001
Roadless Rule, and an alternative that would exempt the Tongass
National Forest from the provisions of that 2001 Roadless Rule, but
leave current management under the 2001 Roadless Rule in place on the
Chugach National Forest.
Cooperating Agencies
The State of Alaska will participate as a cooperating agency in the
preparation of the EIS. Federally recognized Tribes within the Tongass
National Forest have been invited to participate as a cooperating
agency.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for the rulemaking and EIS is the
Secretary of Agriculture or his designee.
Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official will determine appropriate management
direction for roadless areas within the State of Alaska, including
appropriate exceptions to address essential infrastructure, timber,
energy, mining, access, and transportation systems necessary to further
Alaska's economic development interests, while at the same time
conserving roadless areas in Alaska for generations to come.
Scoping Process
This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process in compliance
with the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing
regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508). As part of the scoping period, the
Forest Service, on behalf of the Department, solicits public comment on
the nature and scope of the environmental, social, and economic issues
related to Alaska-specific rulemaking that should be analyzed in depth
in the Draft EIS.
Comments collected during scoping of the Alaska-specific rulemaking
will be used to refine the proposed action, define the scope of the
analysis, and develop alternatives to the proposed action if needed.
Public meetings are planned to be held in Juneau (September 13, 2018),
Ketchikan (September 17, 2018), Hoonah (September 17, 2018), Craig
(September 18, 2018), Angoon (September 18, 2018), Point Baker/Port
Protection (September 19, 2018), Wrangell (September 24, 2018), Sitka
(September 24, 2018), Petersburg (September 25, 2018), Yakutat
(September 25, 2018), Kake (September 26, 2018), and Anchorage
(September 26, 2018), and Washington DC (date to be determined).
Additional information on meeting times and locations will be provided
through the project website and local media.
Estimated Timeline
The Draft EIS and proposed rule are estimated to be released in
early summer 2019. The Final EIS is estimated to be released in spring
2020, with a final rule expected in June 2020.
Dated: August 24, 2018.
Christopher B. French,
Acting Deputy Chief.
[FR Doc. 2018-18937 Filed 8-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
