Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia; Big Rock Project, 53444-53445 [2018-23087]

Download as PDF 53444 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Notices khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES 1. Loss of large trees and old forest structure; 2. loss of western white pine and whitebark pine; 3. Lynx habitat quality and distribution and long-term availability; 4. missed fire intervals through fire suppression (fire deficit); 5. overabundance of young forests with multi-stories and shade tolerant species, in particular subalpine fir; 6. highly fragmented forests in the valley bottom (too many small patches); and 7. homogenous forests at higher elevations due to fire suppression (in a few large patches). An analysis of the WUI identified that current fuel conditions would create flame lengths greater than four feet precluding direct attack. Crown fire initiation and crown fire propagation conditions are high. Proposed Action In order to restore and maintain aquatic ecosystem resilience, this project proposes to storm proof (decommission, store, or improve) approximately 167 miles of existing Forest Service roads, including about 20 miles of road that are within riparian management zones (RMZ). The goals of the project include: Reducing sediment loads in streams through road storage and decommissioning (storm proofing); removal of five fish passage barriers (culverts) at road/stream crossings; application of vegetative treatment actions within RMZs to better match desired conditions; and, to install beaver dam analog structures at nine stream sites to increase water holding capacity in cold water drainages. The artificial beaver dams would slightly offset predicted climate induced stressors in key stream reaches. The Mid-Swan EIS will also propose treatments on forest ecosystems to promote resilience by reducing ladder fuels, decreasing crown bulk density, and reducing the risk of crown fire in large ponderosa pine, western larch and Douglas-fir forest types. Other proposed treatments will include thinning to reduce competition from shade tolerant conifers. Goals include planting rust resistant western white pine stock in suitable areas after regeneration harvest. Tree composition will also be improved through the removal of encroaching subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce and the planting of rust resistant whitebark pine. Another goal of the Mid-Swan project is to restore whitebark pine stands by caching rust resistant whitebark pine seeds; and, converting overabundant competing multistory subalpine fir patches to other cover VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:20 Oct 22, 2018 Jkt 247001 types with better structural stages. Whitebark pine restoration would also be promoted by breaking up large homogeneous patches through mechanical treatments and prescribed fire. To reduce risk of wildfire in the WUI, proposed actions will include removing vegetation to reduce potential flame lengths to four feet or less; reducing ladder fuels to minimize crown fire initiation; and reduction of canopy fuels to minimize crown fuel propagation. Vegetation treatments would include: Non-commercial thinning on approximately 2,900 acres, thinning with variable retention on 12,000 acres, thinning with regeneration openings on 21,700 acres, regeneration harvest with variable retention on 7,400 acres, controlled burning on 24,600 acres, planting on 500 acres, and seed caching on 900 acres. Proposed treatment methods include the use of tractor, skyline, helicopter, and hand treatments. The total number of acres proposed for treatment is approximately 70,000. Both temporary and permanent road construction would be needed to access treatments. This project would not change, increase, or reduce open motorized travel routes identified in the Flathead National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map. Responsible Official The Responsible Official for this project is the Flathead National Forest Supervisor. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Flathead National Forest Supervisor will decide whether to implement the action as proposed, take no action, or to implement an alternative, or combination of alternatives, that have been analyzed. The Forest Supervisor will also decide whether to amend the Land and Resource Management Plan, if necessary, to implement the decision. Forest Plan Amendment Two project-specific suspension of forest plan standards would be required to implement the proposed actions and achieve desired conditions. The substantive requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) that are directly related to the proposed amendments are § 36 CFR 219.8 (a)(1); 219.9 (a)(1); 219.9 (a)(2); 219.9 (b)(1); and 219.10 (a)(8). The proposed amendments are: 1. Conduct non-commercial thinning and regeneration operations in snowshoe hare habitat that occurs from the stand initiation structural stage PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (Northern Rockies Lynx Management Direction (NRLMD) Standard Veg S5). 2. Conduct thinning activities in mature, multi-story lynx and snowshoe hare habitat (NRLMD Standard Veg S6). Permits or Licenses Required When the project is scheduled for implementation the appropriate 404 permits and approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers will be obtained for fish barrier removal and beaver dam analog structures among other proposed actions. Montana Streamside Protection Act, 124 permits, would be obtained for any activity that disturbs stream channels. Scoping Process This notice of intent (NOI) to publish an EIS initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the EIS. An open house will be scheduled following the publication of this NOI and release of the scoping document. The public will be informed through mailing and media release of the date, time, and location. Your comments will be most useful if they describe a specific action and the environmental effects of that action (cause and effect). If you cite literature in your comments please provide us with a complete bibliography and a copy of the reference material. It is important that reviewers provide their comments so they are useful to the Agency’s preparation of the EIS. 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. Dated: October 4, 2018. Allen Rowley, Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018–23086 Filed 10–22–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia; Big Rock Project Forest Service, USDA. Withdrawal of notice of intent to prepare environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Notices The Monongahela National Forest is withdrawing the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Big Rock Project. The original NOI was published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2014. The environmental analysis for this project is proceeding under an Environmental Assessment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning withdrawal of the NOI should be addressed to Karen Stevens (Forest Planner) at the following address: Monongahela National Forest, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, West Virginia 26241, or via phone at: 304– 635–4480. 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. Further information about the project can be found at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/project/ ?project=44762. SUMMARY: Dated: October 5, 2018. Allen Rowley, Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018–23087 Filed 10–22–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the New Jersey 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 planning meeting of the New Jersey Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by conference call, on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (EST). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the topics under review and to select the topic it will examine as its civil rights project. DATES: Friday, November 16, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. (EST). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone at 202–376–7533. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Call-In Information: Conference call number: 1–888–778–9069 and conference call ID: 6970676. Interested members of the public may listen to the discussion by calling the following toll-free conference call khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:20 Oct 22, 2018 Jkt 247001 number: 1–888–778–9069 and conference call ID: 6970676. Please be advised that before placing them into the conference call, the conference call operator may 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 land-line connections to the toll-free telephone number herein. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the discussion by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1– 800–877–8339 and providing the operator with the toll-free conference call number: 1–888–778–9069 and conference call ID: 6970676. Members of the public are invited to 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, 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://gsageo.force.com/FACA/ FACAPublicViewCommittee Details?id=a10t0000001gzjVAAQ; 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 website, www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Eastern Regional Office at the above phone number, email or street address. Agenda Friday, November 16, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (EST) I. Welcome and Introductions and Rollcall II. Planning Meeting —Discuss Project Topics —Discuss Process for Selecting the Topic for the Civil Rights Project III. Other Business IV. Adjournment PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53445 Dated: October 18, 2018. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2018–23048 Filed 10–22–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the Delaware 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 planning meeting of the Delaware Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by conference call, on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. (EST). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss preparation of the Committee’s report on implicit bias and policing in communities of color in Delaware. SUMMARY: Monday, November 19, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. (EST). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone at 202–376–7533. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Call-In Information: Conference call number: 1–800–210–9006 and conference call ID: 4124362. Interested members of the public may listen to the discussion by calling the following toll-free conference call number: 1–800–210–9006 and conference call ID: 4124362. Please be advised that before placing them into the conference call, the conference call operator may 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 land-line connections to the toll-free telephone number herein. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the discussion by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1– 800–877–8339 and providing the operator with the toll-free conference call number: 1–800–210–9006 and conference call ID: 4124362. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office approximately 30 days after each scheduled meeting. Written DATES: E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53444-53445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23087]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia; Big Rock Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Withdrawal of notice of intent to prepare environmental impact 
statement.

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

[[Page 53445]]

SUMMARY: The Monongahela National Forest is withdrawing the Notice of 
Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Big 
Rock Project. The original NOI was published in the Federal Register on 
July 30, 2014. The environmental analysis for this project is 
proceeding under an Environmental Assessment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning withdrawal of the 
NOI should be addressed to Karen Stevens (Forest Planner) at the 
following address: Monongahela National Forest, 200 Sycamore Street, 
Elkins, West Virginia 26241, or via phone at: 304-635-4480.
    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.
    Further information about the project can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44762.

    Dated: October 5, 2018.
Allen Rowley,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-23087 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.