Final Record of Decisions for the Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan and Forest Plan Amendments for the Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forests, 66673-66674 [2018-27969]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Notices performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of Burden: The public burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.97 hours per response. Respondents: Importers, exporters, processing operators, foreign federal governments, foreign veterinarians, port personnel, museums, educational institutions, transportation operators, and carrier personnel. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3,437. Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 63. Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 216,399. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 427,877 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of December 2018. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2018–28046 Filed 12–26–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Foreign Agricultural Service khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection Foreign Agricultural Service and Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Dec 26, 2018 Jkt 247001 notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation’s (CCC) intention to request an extension from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a currently approved information collection process in support of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 25, 2019 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by Document Number, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for sending comments. • Email: Podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Include document number in the subject line of the message. • Fax: 202–720–9361. • Mail: 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6512, Washington, DC 20250. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency names and document number for this notice. All comments received will be posted without change to regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Curt Alt, 202 720–4327, Podadmin@ fas.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops. OMB Number: 0551–0038. Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2019. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: This information is needed to administer CCC’s Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program. The information will be gathered from applicants desiring to receive grants under the program to determine the viability of the request for funds. Regulations governing the program appear at 7 CFR part 1487 and are available on the Foreign Agricultural Service’s website. Estimate of Burden: This program is currently suspended pending the passage of a new Farm Bill. However, in case the program is re-authorized by Congress in the future, the agency intends to keep the OMB control number for this program active. Assuming the program is re-authorized in substantially its current form, the agency estimates that the public reporting burden for the associated collection of information would average 32 hours per respondent. Respondents: U.S. government agencies, State government agencies, PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66673 non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, and private companies. Estimated Number of Respondents: 50. Estimated Time per Respondent: 32. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,600 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Connie Ehrhart, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 690–1578. Request for Comments: Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any other aspect of this collection of information, to: Director, Program Operations Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, Room 6512, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250. Facsimile submissions may be sent to (202) 720–9361 and electronic mail submissions should be addressed to: podadmin@fas.usda.gov. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: December 18, 2018. Robert Stephenson, Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. Dated: December 17, 2018. Kenneth Isley, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service. [FR Doc. 2018–28048 Filed 12–26–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–10–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Final Record of Decisions for the Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan and Forest Plan Amendments for the Kootenai, HelenaLewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forests Forest Service, USDA. Notice of plan approval for the Flathead National Forest and plan amendments approval for the Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forests. AGENCY: ACTION: Chip Weber, the Forest Supervisor for the Flathead National Forest, Northern Region, signed the record of decision (ROD) for the Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan (Forest Plan). The responsible officials, William Avey, Forest Supervisor for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest; Chad Benson, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM 27DEN1 khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES 66674 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Notices Acting Forest Supervisor for the Kootenai National Forest; and Joe Alexander, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Lolo National Forest, signed the ROD for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem grizzly bear amendments (Amendments). The final RODs document the rationale for approving the Forest Plan and Amendments and are consistent with the reviewing officers’ responses to objections and instructions. DATES: The revised Forest Plan for the Flathead National Forest will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice of approval in the Federal Register. The Amendments will become effective with this publication in the Federal Register. To view the final RODs, final environmental impact statement (FEIS), the Forest Plan, Amendments, and other related documents, please visit the Flathead National Forest Plan Revision website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ flathead/fpr or the Amendments website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ goto/flathead/gbamend. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information about the Forest Plan for the Flathead National Forest can be obtained from Anastasia Allen, weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time at the Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office (phone: 406– 758–5320). Information about the Amendments can be obtained by contacting Timory Peel, weekdays, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time at the Northern Region Office (phone: 406– 329–3678). Written requests for information may be sent to Flathead National Forests, Attn: Plan Revision, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, Montana 59901. 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 Plan describes the Flathead National Forest’s distinctive roles and contributions within the broader landscape and details forest-wide management area and geographic area desired conditions, objectives, standards, and guidelines. The Forest Plan identifies suitable uses of National Forest System lands and provides estimates of the planned timber sale quantity. The Forest Plan identifies priority watersheds for restoration, and includes recommended wilderness areas and eligible wild and scenic rivers. This Forest Plan provides for efficient and effective management of the Flathead VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Dec 26, 2018 Jkt 247001 National Forest with desired conditions for coordination, partnerships, and shared stewardship with State, local, and Tribal governements, other federal agencies, adjacent landowners, and stakeholders. The Forest Service is concurrently amending the Forest Plans of the Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests to incorporate habitat management direction for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem grizzly bear population. The Flathead National Forest has incorporated the grizzly bear habitat management direction as part of its Forest Plan. Plan components (desired conditions, standards, and guidelines) that conserve grizzly bear habitat will be added to the Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo Forest Plans. These plan components will guide future land management actions related to motorized access and secure core developed recreation sites, vegetation management, livestock grazing, and energy and mineral development. In general, habitat conditions in the primary conservation area will be maintained at levels that occurred during the time period when the grizzly bear population was known to be growing and increasing in distribution and will contribute to sustaining the recovery of the grizzly bear population. The Flathead National Forest initiated plan revision in fall 2013 with field trips and stakeholder meetings. The Forest invited State, local and Tribal governments, and other federal agencies from around the region to participate in the process to revise the Forest Plan. An interagency working group met regularly throughout the plan revision effort. The Forest received almost 54,000 public comments on the Forest Plan and Amendments. Public involvement for the Amendments was initiated with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register on March 6, 2015. Open houses were held in seven communities throughout the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem during the scoping period to provide information about the proposed action and accept public comments. The development of the Forest Plan and Amendments was shaped by the best available science, current laws, and public input. The 60-day timeframe for the opportunity to object ended on February 12, 2018. The Forest Service received 69 eligible objections. The reviewing officers issued their written responses to the objection issues on August 16, 2018. The Regional Forester, Reviewing Official, provided the Forest Supervisors with minor clarification instructions for most of the objection PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 issues. The final RODs document the rationale for approving the Forest Plan and Amendments and are consistent with the reviewing officers’ responses to objections and instructions. Responsible Officials The Responsible Officials for approving the Forest Plan and Amendments are as follows: Chip Weber, Forest Supervisor, Flathead National Forest; William Avey, Forest Supervisor, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest; Chad Benson, Acting Forest Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest; and Joe Alexander, Acting Forest Supervisor, Lolo National Forest. Dated: December 17, 2018. Allen Rowley, Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018–27969 Filed 12–26–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Klamath National Forest; California; Crawford Vegetation Management Project Forest Service, USDA. Withdrawal of notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Klamath National Forest is withdrawing the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Crawford Vegetation Management Project. The original NOI was published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2014 (79 FR 4323). Upon further evaluation, there are no expected significant impacts to the human environment associated with the project. As a result, the Klamath National Forest is now preparing an environmental assessment (EA). All comments previously received regarding this project will be retained and considered in the development of the EA. If it is determined that the project may have significant impacts, the EIS process will be reinitiated and a NOI will be published. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning this notice and requests to be added to the project mailing list should be directed to Lisa Bousfield, Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District, 63822 State Highway 96, P.O. Box 377, Happy Camp, CA 96039; by telephone at (530) 493–1766; or via email at lbousfield@fs.fed.us. Individuals who have previously submitted comments on this project will SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM 27DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 247 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66673-66674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27969]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Final Record of Decisions for the Flathead National Forest Land 
Management Plan and Forest Plan Amendments for the Kootenai, Helena-
Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of plan approval for the Flathead National Forest and 
plan amendments approval for the Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and 
Lolo National Forests.

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

SUMMARY: Chip Weber, the Forest Supervisor for the Flathead National 
Forest, Northern Region, signed the record of decision (ROD) for the 
Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan (Forest Plan). The 
responsible officials, William Avey, Forest Supervisor for the Helena-
Lewis and Clark National Forest; Chad Benson,

[[Page 66674]]

Acting Forest Supervisor for the Kootenai National Forest; and Joe 
Alexander, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Lolo National Forest, 
signed the ROD for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem grizzly 
bear amendments (Amendments). The final RODs document the rationale for 
approving the Forest Plan and Amendments and are consistent with the 
reviewing officers' responses to objections and instructions.

DATES: The revised Forest Plan for the Flathead National Forest will 
become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice of 
approval in the Federal Register. The Amendments will become effective 
with this publication in the Federal Register. To view the final RODs, 
final environmental impact statement (FEIS), the Forest Plan, 
Amendments, and other related documents, please visit the Flathead 
National Forest Plan Revision website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr or the Amendments website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/gbamend.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information about the Forest Plan for 
the Flathead National Forest can be obtained from Anastasia Allen, 
weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time at the Flathead National 
Forest Supervisor's Office (phone: 406-758-5320). Information about the 
Amendments can be obtained by contacting Timory Peel, weekdays, 8:30 to 
5:00 p.m. Mountain Time at the Northern Region Office (phone: 406-329-
3678). Written requests for information may be sent to Flathead 
National Forests, Attn: Plan Revision, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, 
Montana 59901.
    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 Plan describes the Flathead 
National Forest's distinctive roles and contributions within the 
broader landscape and details forest-wide management area and 
geographic area desired conditions, objectives, standards, and 
guidelines. The Forest Plan identifies suitable uses of National Forest 
System lands and provides estimates of the planned timber sale 
quantity. The Forest Plan identifies priority watersheds for 
restoration, and includes recommended wilderness areas and eligible 
wild and scenic rivers. This Forest Plan provides for efficient and 
effective management of the Flathead National Forest with desired 
conditions for coordination, partnerships, and shared stewardship with 
State, local, and Tribal governements, other federal agencies, adjacent 
landowners, and stakeholders.
    The Forest Service is concurrently amending the Forest Plans of the 
Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests to 
incorporate habitat management direction for the Northern Continental 
Divide Ecosystem grizzly bear population. The Flathead National Forest 
has incorporated the grizzly bear habitat management direction as part 
of its Forest Plan. Plan components (desired conditions, standards, and 
guidelines) that conserve grizzly bear habitat will be added to the 
Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo Forest Plans. These plan 
components will guide future land management actions related to 
motorized access and secure core developed recreation sites, vegetation 
management, livestock grazing, and energy and mineral development. In 
general, habitat conditions in the primary conservation area will be 
maintained at levels that occurred during the time period when the 
grizzly bear population was known to be growing and increasing in 
distribution and will contribute to sustaining the recovery of the 
grizzly bear population.
    The Flathead National Forest initiated plan revision in fall 2013 
with field trips and stakeholder meetings. The Forest invited State, 
local and Tribal governments, and other federal agencies from around 
the region to participate in the process to revise the Forest Plan. An 
interagency working group met regularly throughout the plan revision 
effort. The Forest received almost 54,000 public comments on the Forest 
Plan and Amendments. Public involvement for the Amendments was 
initiated with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal 
Register on March 6, 2015. Open houses were held in seven communities 
throughout the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem during the scoping 
period to provide information about the proposed action and accept 
public comments.
    The development of the Forest Plan and Amendments was shaped by the 
best available science, current laws, and public input. The 60-day 
timeframe for the opportunity to object ended on February 12, 2018. The 
Forest Service received 69 eligible objections. The reviewing officers 
issued their written responses to the objection issues on August 16, 
2018. The Regional Forester, Reviewing Official, provided the Forest 
Supervisors with minor clarification instructions for most of the 
objection issues. The final RODs document the rationale for approving 
the Forest Plan and Amendments and are consistent with the reviewing 
officers' responses to objections and instructions.

Responsible Officials

    The Responsible Officials for approving the Forest Plan and 
Amendments are as follows: Chip Weber, Forest Supervisor, Flathead 
National Forest; William Avey, Forest Supervisor, Helena-Lewis and 
Clark National Forest; Chad Benson, Acting Forest Supervisor, Kootenai 
National Forest; and Joe Alexander, Acting Forest Supervisor, Lolo 
National Forest.

    Dated: December 17, 2018.
Allen Rowley,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-27969 Filed 12-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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