Lincoln National Forest; Lincoln, Otero, Eddy and Chaves Counties, New Mexico; Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Lincoln National Forest, 25029-25032 [2019-11279]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 104 / Thursday, May 30, 2019 / Notices
2019 Quantity-based safeguard trigger
Product
Trigger level
Cheddar Cheese .......................................................................
American-Type Cheese ............................................................
Edam/Gouda Cheese ...............................................................
Italian-Type Cheese ..................................................................
Swiss Cheese with Eye Formation ...........................................
Gruyere Process Cheese .........................................................
NSPF Cheese ...........................................................................
Lowfat Cheese ..........................................................................
Peanut Butter/Paste ..................................................................
Peanuts 1 ...................................................................................
Raw Cane Sugar 1 ....................................................................
Refined Sugars and Syrups 1 ...................................................
Articles over 65% Sugar ...........................................................
Articles over 10% Sugar ...........................................................
Blended Syrups ........................................................................
Sweetened Cocoa Powder .......................................................
Mixes and Doughs ....................................................................
Mixed Condiments and Seasonings .........................................
Short Staple Cotton 2 ................................................................
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Cotton Waste 2 ..........................................................................
Cotton Processed but not Spun 2 .............................................
1 Includes
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21,377,716
28,612,344
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change in U.S. consumption.
period from October to September.
2 12-month
existing Forest Plan; identifies where a
Preliminary Draft Forest Plan (detailed
proposed action) can be obtained;
provides information concerning public
participation and collaboration,
including the process for submitting
comments; provides an estimated
schedule for the planning process,
including the time available for
comments, and includes the names and
addresses of agency contacts who can
provide additional information.
[FR Doc. 2019–11281 Filed 5–29–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lincoln National Forest; Lincoln,
Otero, Eddy and Chaves Counties,
New Mexico; Revision of the Land
Management Plan for the Lincoln
National Forest
The USDA Forest Service is
revising the Land Management Plan
(Forest Plan) for the Lincoln National
Forest and preparing an environmental
impact statement (EIS). This notice
describes the documents available for
review and how to obtain them;
summarizes the needs for change to the
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SUMMARY:
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Comments concerning the needs
for change and the Proposed Action
provided in this notice will be most
useful in the development of the revised
plan and draft EIS if received by July 31,
2019. The draft revised Forest Plan and
draft EIS are expected summer 2020,
and the final revised Forest Plan and
final EIS are expected late 2021.
DATES:
Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
Send written comments to
Lincoln National Forest, Attn: Forest
Plan, 3463 Las Palomas Rd.,
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
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Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310 or via
email to: lnf_fpr_comments@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Diane Prather, Forest Planner, Lincoln
National Forest, 3463 Las Palomas Road,
Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310, 575–
434–7200.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Nature of the Decision To Be Made
The Lincoln National Forest is
preparing an EIS to revise the existing
Forest Plan. The EIS process is meant to
inform the Forest Supervisor so he can
decide which alternative best maintains
and restores National Forest System
terrestrial and aquatic resources while
providing ecosystem services and
multiple uses, as required by the
National Forest Management Act and
the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act.
The revised Forest Plan will describe
the strategic intent of managing the
Forest for the next 10 to 15 years and
will address the identified needs for
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 104 / Thursday, May 30, 2019 / Notices
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change to the existing land management
plans. The revised Forest Plan will
provide management direction in the
form of desired conditions, objectives,
standards, guidelines, and suitability of
lands. It will identify delineation of new
management areas across the Forest;
identify the timber sale program
quantity; make recommendations to
Congress for Wilderness designation;
and list rivers and streams eligible for
inclusion in the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System. The revised forest
plan will also provide a description of
the plan area’s distinctive roles and
contributions within the broader
landscape, identify watersheds that are
a priority for maintenance or
restoration, include a monitoring
program, and contain information
reflecting expected possible actions over
the life of the plan.
It is also important to identify the
types of decisions that will not be made
within the revised Forest Plan. The
revised Forest Plan will represent
decisions that are strategic in nature, but
will not make site-specific project
decisions and will not dictate day-today administrative activities needed to
carry on the Forest Service’s internal
operations. The authorization of project
level activities will be based on the
guidance/direction contained in the
revised plan, but will occur through
subsequent project specific National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
analysis and decision-making.
The revised Forest Plan will provide
broad, strategic guidance designed to
supplement, not replace, overarching
laws and regulations. Though strategic
guidance will be provided, no decisions
will be made regarding the management
of individual roads or trails, such as
those that might be associated with a
Travel Management plan under 36 CFR
part 212. Some issues (e.g., hunting
regulations), although important, are
beyond the authority or control of the
National Forest System and will not be
considered. No decision regarding oil
and gas leasing availability will be
made, though standards will be brought
forward or developed that would serve
as mitigations should an availability
decision be necessary in the future.
Purpose and Need and Needs for
Change
According to the National Forest
Management Act, Forest Plans are to be
revised on a 10 to 15 year cycle. The
purpose and need for revising the
current Forest Plan is (1) the Forest Plan
is over 33 years old, (2) since the Forest
Plan was approved in 1986, there have
been changes in economic, social, and
ecological conditions, new policies and
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priorities, and new information based
on monitoring and scientific research,
and (3) to address the preliminary
identified needs for change to the
existing Forest Plan, which is
summarized below. Extensive public
and employee involvement, along with
science-based evaluations, have helped
to identify the preliminary needs for
change to the existing Forest Plan.
What follows is a summary of the
preliminary identified needs for change.
A more fully developed description of
the preliminary needs for change, which
has been organized into several resource
and management topic sections, is
available for review on the plan revision
website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
detail/lincoln/landmanagement/
planning/?cid=STELPRD3814307.
The Lincoln National Forest has
identified 21 focus areas that need to be
considered and addressed through the
plan revision process in order to
provide sustainable resources, goods,
and services. Overall, there is a need for
plan direction that is strategic and
identifies desired conditions with
objectives for how resources should be
managed; eliminates redundancies with
existing laws, regulations and policy;
removes requirements to prepare
additional resource plans; and that
incorporates the best available scientific
information into all plan components.
The following are the 21 focus areas that
will be the focus of the need to change
during plan revision.
Monitoring
• There is a need for monitoring
plans that track progress toward desired
conditions and allows for responsive
adaptive management with available
resources.
• There is a need for monitoring
questions and associated indicators that
look at the status of resources at
appropriate scales.
Collaboration, Partnerships, and
Relationships
• There is a need to include
management approaches that will
strengthen existing relationships,
promote new relationships, and
incorporate strategies that prioritize
partnerships.
• There is a need for management
approaches that promote seeking
outside assistance in addition to
working with partners and volunteers to
manage resources and monitor
activities.
Terrestrial Ecosystems
• There is a need to develop plan
components that emphasize landscapescale ecosystem restoration and
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resiliency through adaptive
management strategies to changing
environmental conditions and stressors.
• There is a need to include plan
components that focus on addressing
the impacts of nonnative invasive
species on terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems.
• There is a need for plan
components, including desired
conditions and objectives, that
recognize fire-adapted ecosystems, the
role of fire on the landscape (including
wilderness), and its use as a
management tool, including planned
and unplanned ignitions.
• There is need for plan direction that
allows managers the flexibility to
manage naturally ignited fires to meet
resource objectives based on weather
and site-specific conditions (for
example, fuel conditions, topography,
safety concerns, and values). These
actions may include using prescribed
fire, improving wildlife and range
habitat, encouraging aspen regeneration,
and improving watershed and overall
forest health.
• There is a need to develop desired
conditions (at multiple scales) for
vegetation structure and composition to
promote a characteristic diversity of
seral states and species composition as
well as meet management
considerations for wildlife such as
northern goshawk and Mexican spotted
owl. This includes a suite of desired
conditions for patch size, ecological
status (composition), ground cover,
coarse woody debris, and snags that
characterize different ecological
response units.
• There is a need to develop
management objectives to meet desired
conditions and monitoring criteria to
measure effectiveness of management
toward meeting desired conditions.
Riparian Ecosystems
• There is a need for plan
components that identify appropriate
riparian characteristics (e.g.,
biodiversity, connectivity, water
availability) that promote functionality
and resiliency while taking into account
multiple stressors.
• There is a need to develop desired
conditions for riparian areas including
vegetation structure, ecological status
(composition), ground cover, coarse
woody debris and snags that
characterize different riparian
Ecological Response Units.
• There is a need for plan
components that minimize ecological
impacts of multiple uses in riparian
areas.
• There is a need to develop more
effective riparian plan monitoring
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 104 / Thursday, May 30, 2019 / Notices
criteria in order to better assess riparian
conditions and trends.
emissions from biomass removal, and
prescribed and wild fires.
Soil Resources
Air
• There is a need to describe desired
conditions and objectives for air quality,
incorporated by reference from
applicable Federal and State
Regulations (i.e. Clean Air Act) without
duplicating or conflicting with those
regulations.
• There is a need for plan
components that promote the
maintenance and restoration of soil
condition and function (e.g., hydrology,
stability, and nutrient cycling) by
limiting the amount of exposed bare soil
and by restoring and maintaining
sufficient vegetative cover, including
downed woody material.
Watershed and Water Resources
• There is a need to include plan
components to maintain or restore the
integrity of aquatic ecosystems and
watersheds.
• There is a need for plan
components that improve hydrological
function and condition of waterdependent system by maintaining and
restoring upland and riparian vegetative
cover and reducing erosion and
sedimentation from disturbed sites (e.g.,
reclaim head cuts) where feasible.
• There is a need to develop plan
components to ensure stream channels
and floodplains are dynamic and
resilient to disturbance.
• There is a need to develop more
effective aquatic biotic monitoring items
in order to better assess biological
condition and trends.
At-Risk Species
• There is a need for plan
components that support ecological
conditions that contribute to the
recovery and conservation of federally
listed species (threatened and
endangered), maintaining stable to
increasing populations of the species of
conservation concern, and maintaining
common and abundant species.
• There is a need for plan
components that will support
documentation and establishment of
baseline conditions for terrestrial and
aquatic habitat linkages and
connectivity for species migration and
movement across the landscape.
Climate
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• There is a need to include plan
components that consider potential
climate impacts or stressors (e.g.,
increases in storm events,
uncharacteristic wildfire, drought,
flooding, and other extreme weather) to
ecosystems and natural resources.
Carbon Stocks
• There is a need to describe desired
conditions for carbon storage and
emissions, particularly as they relate to
historic and current vegetation
structure, including the potential for
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Social and Economic Conditions and
Multiple Uses
• There is a need for plan
components that recognize the Lincoln
National Forest’s role in contributing to
local economies (e.g., timber, grazing,
and other multiple-use activities and
products, etc.).
• There is a need for plan
components that build stronger
relationships with states, state and
federal agencies, cities and counties,
tribal governments, and the public,
including, but not limited to,
recreational and forest user groups,
environmental groups, local
communities, youth, vendors, and other
users with cultural and historic ties to
the forest for the management of
resources such as water, timber and
other forest products.
Rangeland Resources
• There is a need to add plan
components for rangeland management
that maintain or restore ecological
integrity and productivity of rangelands.
Timber and Forest Products
• There is a need for plan
components to ensure the sustainability
and availability of forest products such
as timber, firewood, and other special
forest products for economic uses.
Water Resources
• There is a need for updating and
developing plan components that
provide for the management of
sustainable water supply for multiple
uses.
Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Resources
• There is a need for plan
components to meet desired ecological
conditions that allow a wide range of
management practices to promote forest
health, resiliency, and sustainability.
• There is a need to develop plan
components that support ecological
conditions of the various habitat types
that contribute to the conservation of
native plant and animal species for
hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Cultural and Historic Resources
• There is a need for plan
components to evaluate, stabilize,
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25031
preserve, interpret, and protect historic
and sensitive properties (e.g.
archeological sites, historic structures,
and traditional properties).
• There is a need for plan
components to ensure the sustainability
and availability of forest products such
as timber, firewood, medicinal and
ceremonial plants, edible plants and
other special forest products for
economic and cultural uses.
Recreation and Scenic Character
• There is a need for plan
components to address changing trends
in services, activities, and types of
facilities desired by the public, while
balancing those trends with other
resource management such as soils and
vegetation.
• There is a need for plan
components to address illegal use and
compliance to prevent resource damage.
• There is a need for management
approaches to better address those areas
of public concern with law enforcement
to address user conflicts and resource
damage.
• There is a need for plan
components to reduce user conflicts
(e.g. recreational shooting and hikers,
equestrians, hikers, and bicyclists, and
motorized and non-motorized users).
• There is a need for plan
components to better integrate scenery
management within all forest
management (e.g. restoration, habitat
diversity, timber management) to further
positive outcomes for all resources.
Designated Areas
• There is a need to re-evaluate
designated and proposed special areas
(i.e., research natural areas, botanical
areas, etc.), excluding Congressionallydesignated areas as considerable time
has passed and conditions may have
changed.
• There is a need to conduct
wilderness evaluations for the revised
plan while taking into account existing
uses of the areas being evaluated/
recommended.
Infrastructure
• There is a need for plan
components to address the long-term
sustainability of infrastructure (e.g.,
trails, administrative and recreation
facilities, range improvements, roads,
etc.), maintenance, design, and
improvement.
Land Ownership, Status, Use, and
Access
• There is a need to develop plan
components to manage special uses for
the purpose of resource protection and
public needs.
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 104 / Thursday, May 30, 2019 / Notices
• There is a need to develop plan
components related to the Forest
Service land uses and adjustment
program to provide access, resolve
boundary inconsistency, create
connectivity for wildlife, and facilitate
management.
• There is a need for plan
components that encourage the
acquisition of public access and
protection of existing public access.
• There is a need for plan
components related to military uses of
the Forest.
Energy Resources, Mineral Resources,
and Geologic Hazards
• There is a need for plan
components that address transmission
corridors, non-renewable and renewable
energy generation, including wind,
solar, biomass, and geothermal, in order
to protect natural resources, heritage
and sacred sites, traditional tribal
activities, caves and scenery.
• There is a need for plan
components regarding the use of
common variety salable mineral
materials, such as commercial contracts,
personal use, and free use permits,
while protecting natural resources,
heritage and sacred sites, traditional
tribal activities, and scenery.
• There is need for plan components
regarding locatable minerals such as
commercial leasing, while protecting
natural resources, heritage and sacred
sites, traditional tribal activities, and
scenery.
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Proposed Action
The proposed action is to revise the
Forest Plan to address the above
identified needs for change to the
existing Forest Plan. Alternatives to the
proposed action will be developed to
address the significant issues that will
be identified through scoping. In
response to the above needs for change,
a Preliminary Draft Forest Plan has been
developed. This more fully developed
description of the proposed action is
available for review on the Lincoln plan
revision website at: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lincoln/
landmanagement/planning/
?cid=STELPRD3814307.
Please review and provide any
feedback you may have on both the
needs for change identified above and
on the Preliminary Draft Forest Plan
found on the above website.
Responsible Official
Travis Moseley, Forest Supervisor,
Lincoln National Forest
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Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the EIS. Written
comments received in response to this
notice will be analyzed to complete the
identification of the needs for change to
the existing plan, further develop the
proposed action (Preliminary Draft
Forest Plan), and identify potential
significant issues. Significant issues
will, in turn, form the basis for
developing alternatives to the proposed
action.
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
environmental impact statement.
Therefore, comments are best 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
notice, including the names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record. Comments
submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered; however,
anonymous comments will not provide
the Lincoln National Forest with the
ability to provide the respondent with
subsequent environmental documents.
For information on when public
meetings will be scheduled for refining
the proposed action and identifying
possible alternatives to the proposed
action, refer to the Forest’s website:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lincoln/
landmanagement/planning/
?cid=STELPRD3814307.
The decision to approve the revised
Forest Plan for the Lincoln National
Forest will be subject to the objection
process identified in 36 CFR part 219
subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According
to 36 CFR 219.53(a), those who may file
an objection are individuals and entities
who have submitted substantive formal
comments related to plan revision
during the opportunities provided for
public comment during the planning
process.
Applicable Planning Rule
Preparation of the revised Forest Plan
for the Lincoln National Forest began
with the publication of a Notice of
Assessment Initiation in the Federal
Register on June 25, 2015 (80 FR 36500)
and was initiated under the planning
procedures contained in the 2012
Planning Rule (36 CFR 219 (2012)).
Documents Available for Review
The Needs for Change documentation,
the Preliminary Draft Forest Plan, the
Assessment Report (Volumes 1 & 2),
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summaries of the public meetings and
public meeting materials, and public
comments are posted on the Forest’s
website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
detail/lincoln/landmanagement/
planning/?cid=STELPRD3814307. As
necessary or appropriate, the material
available on this site will be further
adjusted as part of the planning process
using the provisions of the 2012
Planning Rule.
Dated: May 10, 2019.
Frank R. Beum,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2019–11279 Filed 5–29–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Revision of the Land Management Plan
for El Yunque National Forest
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of approval of the revised
land management plan for El Yunque
National Forest.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Sharon Wallace, the Forest
Supervisor for El Yunque National
Forest, Southern Region, has signed the
Record of Decision (ROD) for the
Revised Land Management Plan (Forest
Plan) for El Yunque National Forest.
The final ROD documents the rationale
for approving the Forest Plan and is
consistent with the Reviewing Officer’s
response to objections and instructions.
DATES: The Revised Land Managmenent
Plan for El Yunque National Forest will
become effective 30 days after the
publication of this notice of approval in
the Federal Register (36 CFR
219.17(a)(1)). To view the final ROD,
final environmental impact statement
(FEIS), the Revised Land Management
Plan, and other related documents,
please visit the El Yunque National
Forest website at: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/detail/elyunque/home/
?cid=stelprdb5411382.
A legal notice of approval is also
being published in El Yunque National
Forest’s newspaper of record, El Nuevo
Dia. A copy of this legal notice will be
posted on the website described above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Further information about the Revised
Land Management Plan for El Yunque
National Forest can obtained by
contacting Pedro Rios, Forest Planning
Staff Officer, El Yunque National Forest,
at 787–888–1880. Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25029-25032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11279]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lincoln National Forest; Lincoln, Otero, Eddy and Chaves
Counties, New Mexico; Revision of the Land Management Plan for the
Lincoln National Forest
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service is revising the Land Management Plan
(Forest Plan) for the Lincoln National Forest and preparing an
environmental impact statement (EIS). This notice describes the
documents available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the
needs for change to the existing Forest Plan; identifies where a
Preliminary Draft Forest Plan (detailed proposed action) can be
obtained; provides information concerning public participation and
collaboration, including the process for submitting comments; provides
an estimated schedule for the planning process, including the time
available for comments, and includes the names and addresses of agency
contacts who can provide additional information.
DATES: Comments concerning the needs for change and the Proposed Action
provided in this notice will be most useful in the development of the
revised plan and draft EIS if received by July 31, 2019. The draft
revised Forest Plan and draft EIS are expected summer 2020, and the
final revised Forest Plan and final EIS are expected late 2021.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Lincoln National Forest, Attn:
Forest Plan, 3463 Las Palomas Rd., Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310 or via
email to: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Prather, Forest Planner, Lincoln
National Forest, 3463 Las Palomas Road, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310,
575-434-7200.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Nature of the Decision To Be Made
The Lincoln National Forest is preparing an EIS to revise the
existing Forest Plan. The EIS process is meant to inform the Forest
Supervisor so he can decide which alternative best maintains and
restores National Forest System terrestrial and aquatic resources while
providing ecosystem services and multiple uses, as required by the
National Forest Management Act and the Multiple Use Sustained Yield
Act.
The revised Forest Plan will describe the strategic intent of
managing the Forest for the next 10 to 15 years and will address the
identified needs for
[[Page 25030]]
change to the existing land management plans. The revised Forest Plan
will provide management direction in the form of desired conditions,
objectives, standards, guidelines, and suitability of lands. It will
identify delineation of new management areas across the Forest;
identify the timber sale program quantity; make recommendations to
Congress for Wilderness designation; and list rivers and streams
eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
The revised forest plan will also provide a description of the plan
area's distinctive roles and contributions within the broader
landscape, identify watersheds that are a priority for maintenance or
restoration, include a monitoring program, and contain information
reflecting expected possible actions over the life of the plan.
It is also important to identify the types of decisions that will
not be made within the revised Forest Plan. The revised Forest Plan
will represent decisions that are strategic in nature, but will not
make site-specific project decisions and will not dictate day-to-day
administrative activities needed to carry on the Forest Service's
internal operations. The authorization of project level activities will
be based on the guidance/direction contained in the revised plan, but
will occur through subsequent project specific National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and decision-making.
The revised Forest Plan will provide broad, strategic guidance
designed to supplement, not replace, overarching laws and regulations.
Though strategic guidance will be provided, no decisions will be made
regarding the management of individual roads or trails, such as those
that might be associated with a Travel Management plan under 36 CFR
part 212. Some issues (e.g., hunting regulations), although important,
are beyond the authority or control of the National Forest System and
will not be considered. No decision regarding oil and gas leasing
availability will be made, though standards will be brought forward or
developed that would serve as mitigations should an availability
decision be necessary in the future.
Purpose and Need and Needs for Change
According to the National Forest Management Act, Forest Plans are
to be revised on a 10 to 15 year cycle. The purpose and need for
revising the current Forest Plan is (1) the Forest Plan is over 33
years old, (2) since the Forest Plan was approved in 1986, there have
been changes in economic, social, and ecological conditions, new
policies and priorities, and new information based on monitoring and
scientific research, and (3) to address the preliminary identified
needs for change to the existing Forest Plan, which is summarized
below. Extensive public and employee involvement, along with science-
based evaluations, have helped to identify the preliminary needs for
change to the existing Forest Plan.
What follows is a summary of the preliminary identified needs for
change. A more fully developed description of the preliminary needs for
change, which has been organized into several resource and management
topic sections, is available for review on the plan revision website
at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lincoln/landmanagement/planning/?cid=STELPRD3814307.
The Lincoln National Forest has identified 21 focus areas that need
to be considered and addressed through the plan revision process in
order to provide sustainable resources, goods, and services. Overall,
there is a need for plan direction that is strategic and identifies
desired conditions with objectives for how resources should be managed;
eliminates redundancies with existing laws, regulations and policy;
removes requirements to prepare additional resource plans; and that
incorporates the best available scientific information into all plan
components. The following are the 21 focus areas that will be the focus
of the need to change during plan revision.
Monitoring
There is a need for monitoring plans that track progress
toward desired conditions and allows for responsive adaptive management
with available resources.
There is a need for monitoring questions and associated
indicators that look at the status of resources at appropriate scales.
Collaboration, Partnerships, and Relationships
There is a need to include management approaches that will
strengthen existing relationships, promote new relationships, and
incorporate strategies that prioritize partnerships.
There is a need for management approaches that promote
seeking outside assistance in addition to working with partners and
volunteers to manage resources and monitor activities.
Terrestrial Ecosystems
There is a need to develop plan components that emphasize
landscape-scale ecosystem restoration and resiliency through adaptive
management strategies to changing environmental conditions and
stressors.
There is a need to include plan components that focus on
addressing the impacts of nonnative invasive species on terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems.
There is a need for plan components, including desired
conditions and objectives, that recognize fire-adapted ecosystems, the
role of fire on the landscape (including wilderness), and its use as a
management tool, including planned and unplanned ignitions.
There is need for plan direction that allows managers the
flexibility to manage naturally ignited fires to meet resource
objectives based on weather and site-specific conditions (for example,
fuel conditions, topography, safety concerns, and values). These
actions may include using prescribed fire, improving wildlife and range
habitat, encouraging aspen regeneration, and improving watershed and
overall forest health.
There is a need to develop desired conditions (at multiple
scales) for vegetation structure and composition to promote a
characteristic diversity of seral states and species composition as
well as meet management considerations for wildlife such as northern
goshawk and Mexican spotted owl. This includes a suite of desired
conditions for patch size, ecological status (composition), ground
cover, coarse woody debris, and snags that characterize different
ecological response units.
There is a need to develop management objectives to meet
desired conditions and monitoring criteria to measure effectiveness of
management toward meeting desired conditions.
Riparian Ecosystems
There is a need for plan components that identify
appropriate riparian characteristics (e.g., biodiversity, connectivity,
water availability) that promote functionality and resiliency while
taking into account multiple stressors.
There is a need to develop desired conditions for riparian
areas including vegetation structure, ecological status (composition),
ground cover, coarse woody debris and snags that characterize different
riparian Ecological Response Units.
There is a need for plan components that minimize
ecological impacts of multiple uses in riparian areas.
There is a need to develop more effective riparian plan
monitoring
[[Page 25031]]
criteria in order to better assess riparian conditions and trends.
Soil Resources
There is a need for plan components that promote the
maintenance and restoration of soil condition and function (e.g.,
hydrology, stability, and nutrient cycling) by limiting the amount of
exposed bare soil and by restoring and maintaining sufficient
vegetative cover, including downed woody material.
Watershed and Water Resources
There is a need to include plan components to maintain or
restore the integrity of aquatic ecosystems and watersheds.
There is a need for plan components that improve
hydrological function and condition of water-dependent system by
maintaining and restoring upland and riparian vegetative cover and
reducing erosion and sedimentation from disturbed sites (e.g., reclaim
head cuts) where feasible.
There is a need to develop plan components to ensure
stream channels and floodplains are dynamic and resilient to
disturbance.
There is a need to develop more effective aquatic biotic
monitoring items in order to better assess biological condition and
trends.
At-Risk Species
There is a need for plan components that support
ecological conditions that contribute to the recovery and conservation
of federally listed species (threatened and endangered), maintaining
stable to increasing populations of the species of conservation
concern, and maintaining common and abundant species.
There is a need for plan components that will support
documentation and establishment of baseline conditions for terrestrial
and aquatic habitat linkages and connectivity for species migration and
movement across the landscape.
Climate
There is a need to include plan components that consider
potential climate impacts or stressors (e.g., increases in storm
events, uncharacteristic wildfire, drought, flooding, and other extreme
weather) to ecosystems and natural resources.
Carbon Stocks
There is a need to describe desired conditions for carbon
storage and emissions, particularly as they relate to historic and
current vegetation structure, including the potential for emissions
from biomass removal, and prescribed and wild fires.
Air
There is a need to describe desired conditions and
objectives for air quality, incorporated by reference from applicable
Federal and State Regulations (i.e. Clean Air Act) without duplicating
or conflicting with those regulations.
Social and Economic Conditions and Multiple Uses
There is a need for plan components that recognize the
Lincoln National Forest's role in contributing to local economies
(e.g., timber, grazing, and other multiple-use activities and products,
etc.).
There is a need for plan components that build stronger
relationships with states, state and federal agencies, cities and
counties, tribal governments, and the public, including, but not
limited to, recreational and forest user groups, environmental groups,
local communities, youth, vendors, and other users with cultural and
historic ties to the forest for the management of resources such as
water, timber and other forest products.
Rangeland Resources
There is a need to add plan components for rangeland
management that maintain or restore ecological integrity and
productivity of rangelands.
Timber and Forest Products
There is a need for plan components to ensure the
sustainability and availability of forest products such as timber,
firewood, and other special forest products for economic uses.
Water Resources
There is a need for updating and developing plan
components that provide for the management of sustainable water supply
for multiple uses.
Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Resources
There is a need for plan components to meet desired
ecological conditions that allow a wide range of management practices
to promote forest health, resiliency, and sustainability.
There is a need to develop plan components that support
ecological conditions of the various habitat types that contribute to
the conservation of native plant and animal species for hunting,
fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Cultural and Historic Resources
There is a need for plan components to evaluate,
stabilize, preserve, interpret, and protect historic and sensitive
properties (e.g. archeological sites, historic structures, and
traditional properties).
There is a need for plan components to ensure the
sustainability and availability of forest products such as timber,
firewood, medicinal and ceremonial plants, edible plants and other
special forest products for economic and cultural uses.
Recreation and Scenic Character
There is a need for plan components to address changing
trends in services, activities, and types of facilities desired by the
public, while balancing those trends with other resource management
such as soils and vegetation.
There is a need for plan components to address illegal use
and compliance to prevent resource damage.
There is a need for management approaches to better
address those areas of public concern with law enforcement to address
user conflicts and resource damage.
There is a need for plan components to reduce user
conflicts (e.g. recreational shooting and hikers, equestrians, hikers,
and bicyclists, and motorized and non-motorized users).
There is a need for plan components to better integrate
scenery management within all forest management (e.g. restoration,
habitat diversity, timber management) to further positive outcomes for
all resources.
Designated Areas
There is a need to re-evaluate designated and proposed
special areas (i.e., research natural areas, botanical areas, etc.),
excluding Congressionally-designated areas as considerable time has
passed and conditions may have changed.
There is a need to conduct wilderness evaluations for the
revised plan while taking into account existing uses of the areas being
evaluated/recommended.
Infrastructure
There is a need for plan components to address the long-
term sustainability of infrastructure (e.g., trails, administrative and
recreation facilities, range improvements, roads, etc.), maintenance,
design, and improvement.
Land Ownership, Status, Use, and Access
There is a need to develop plan components to manage
special uses for the purpose of resource protection and public needs.
[[Page 25032]]
There is a need to develop plan components related to the
Forest Service land uses and adjustment program to provide access,
resolve boundary inconsistency, create connectivity for wildlife, and
facilitate management.
There is a need for plan components that encourage the
acquisition of public access and protection of existing public access.
There is a need for plan components related to military
uses of the Forest.
Energy Resources, Mineral Resources, and Geologic Hazards
There is a need for plan components that address
transmission corridors, non-renewable and renewable energy generation,
including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal, in order to protect
natural resources, heritage and sacred sites, traditional tribal
activities, caves and scenery.
There is a need for plan components regarding the use of
common variety salable mineral materials, such as commercial contracts,
personal use, and free use permits, while protecting natural resources,
heritage and sacred sites, traditional tribal activities, and scenery.
There is need for plan components regarding locatable
minerals such as commercial leasing, while protecting natural
resources, heritage and sacred sites, traditional tribal activities,
and scenery.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to revise the Forest Plan to address the
above identified needs for change to the existing Forest Plan.
Alternatives to the proposed action will be developed to address the
significant issues that will be identified through scoping. In response
to the above needs for change, a Preliminary Draft Forest Plan has been
developed. This more fully developed description of the proposed action
is available for review on the Lincoln plan revision website at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lincoln/landmanagement/planning/?cid=STELPRD3814307.
Please review and provide any feedback you may have on both the
needs for change identified above and on the Preliminary Draft Forest
Plan found on the above website.
Responsible Official
Travis Moseley, Forest Supervisor, Lincoln National Forest
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. Written comments received in response to
this notice will be analyzed to complete the identification of the
needs for change to the existing plan, further develop the proposed
action (Preliminary Draft Forest Plan), and identify potential
significant issues. Significant issues will, in turn, form the basis
for developing alternatives to the proposed action.
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 environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments are best
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 notice, including the names and addresses of those
who comment, will be part of the public record. Comments submitted
anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous
comments will not provide the Lincoln National Forest with the ability
to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental documents.
For information on when public meetings will be scheduled for
refining the proposed action and identifying possible alternatives to
the proposed action, refer to the Forest's website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lincoln/landmanagement/planning/?cid=STELPRD3814307.
The decision to approve the revised Forest Plan for the Lincoln
National Forest will be subject to the objection process identified in
36 CFR part 219 subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According to 36 CFR
219.53(a), those who may file an objection are individuals and entities
who have submitted substantive formal comments related to plan revision
during the opportunities provided for public comment during the
planning process.
Applicable Planning Rule
Preparation of the revised Forest Plan for the Lincoln National
Forest began with the publication of a Notice of Assessment Initiation
in the Federal Register on June 25, 2015 (80 FR 36500) and was
initiated under the planning procedures contained in the 2012 Planning
Rule (36 CFR 219 (2012)).
Documents Available for Review
The Needs for Change documentation, the Preliminary Draft Forest
Plan, the Assessment Report (Volumes 1 & 2), summaries of the public
meetings and public meeting materials, and public comments are posted
on the Forest's website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lincoln/landmanagement/planning/?cid=STELPRD3814307. As necessary or
appropriate, the material available on this site will be further
adjusted as part of the planning process using the provisions of the
2012 Planning Rule.
Dated: May 10, 2019.
Frank R. Beum,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2019-11279 Filed 5-29-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
