Pacific Northwest Region; Oregon; Land Management Plan Amendment; Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon, 48500-48501 [2020-17430]

Download as PDF 48500 Notices Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 155 Tuesday, August 11, 2020 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Office of the Secretary Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection National Appeals Division, Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Appeals Division’s request for an extension to a currently approved information collection for Customer Service Survey. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 13, 2020 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: The National Appeals Division invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by the following method: Federal eRulemaking Portal. This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Angela Parham, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Appeals Division, 1320 Braddock Place, Fourth Floor, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, 703.305.2588. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Appeals Division Customer Service Survey. OMB Number: 0503–0007. Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2020. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Executive Order 12862, requires Federal Agencies to identify the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Aug 10, 2020 Jkt 250001 customers who are or should be served by the Agency and survey those customers to determine the kind and quality of services they want and level of satisfaction with existing services. Therefore, NAD proposes to extend its currently approved information collection survey. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .17 hours per response. Respondents: Appellants, producers, and other USDA agencies. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,600. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 272. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Dr. Angela Parham, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Appeals Division, 1320 Braddock Place, Fourth Floor, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. All comments received will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the same address. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Authority: 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35. Jennifer Michael Nicholson, Deputy Director, National Appeals Division. [FR Doc. 2020–17537 Filed 8–10–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–WY–P PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region; Oregon; Land Management Plan Amendment; Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon Forest Service, USDA. Notice to initiate a land management plan amendment and notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service has prepared a Preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) for Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon. The proposal would amend the land management plans for the Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Malheur, Ochoco, Umatilla, and WallowaWhitman National Forests in Oregon. This notice also provides information on how to comment on the Preliminary EA. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by September 10, 2020. The final EA is expected September 2020. ADDRESSES: Individuals and entities are encouraged to submit comments via webform at https://cara.ecosystemmanagement.org/Public/ CommentInput?project=58050. Comments may also be sent via email to SM.FS.EScreens21@usda.gov. Hardcopy letters must be submitted to the following address: Shane Jeffries, Forest Supervisor, Ochoco National Forest, 3160 NE Third Street, Prineville, OR 97754. For those submitting handdelivered comments, please call 541– 416–6500 to make arrangements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Platt, Team Leader, at SM.FS.EScreens21@usda.gov or at 541– 416–6500. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background In 1995, the Forest Service adopted the Eastside Screens, which amended land management plans for national forests outside of the range of the northern spotted owl in Oregon and Washington. The Eastside Screens E:\FR\FM\11AUN1.SGM 11AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 11, 2020 / Notices include a limit on the harvest of trees equal to or greater than 21-inches diameter at breast-height (dbh) where late and old structural stage forests are below the historic range of variability. Since the issuance of the Eastside Screens, forest conditions have changed, new science has emerged, and land management priorities have shifted to emphasize forest restoration and the mitigation of wildfire impacts. By adapting the 21-inch standard to reflect learning over the past 25 years, the Agency would streamline restoration of forests in eastern Oregon in order to create landscapes that withstand and recover more quickly from drought, wildfire, and other disturbances. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this proposal is to analyze a science-based, contemporary alternative to the 21-inch standard in the Eastside Screens. Adapting the standard to incorporate science and 25 years of learning would enable managers to more effectively restore forestlands in eastern Oregon. Proposed Action The Forest Service is proposing to replace the 21’’ standard with a guideline that emphasizes recruitment of old trees and large trees. An adaptive management component is also assessed in this analysis. Responsible Official The Responsible Official for this amendment is Ochoco Forest Supervisor, Shane Jeffries. Nature of Decision To Be Made Given the purpose and need of the project, the Responsible Official will review alternatives, public comments, and consider the environmental consequences to decide whether to prepare a finding of no significant impact or prepare an environmental impact statement. If a finding of no significant impact is appropriate, the Responsible Official will decide whether to select the proposed action, another alternative, or a combination of alternatives. Substantive Requirements When proposing a Forest Plan amendment, the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219), as amended, requires the responsible official to identify the substantive requirements of the rule that are likely to be directly related to the amendment (36 CFR 219.13(b)(5)). The substantive requirements that are likely to be directly related to the proposed amendments are: (1) 36 CFR 219.8(a)(1)(iv) System drivers, including VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Aug 10, 2020 Jkt 250001 dominant ecological processes, disturbance regimes, and stressors, such as natural succession, wildland fire, invasive species, and climate change; and the ability of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on the plan area to adapt to change; (2) 36 CFR 219.8(a)(1)(v) Wildland fire and opportunities to restore fire adapted ecosystems; and (3) 219.9(b)(1) The responsible official shall determine whether or not the plan components provide the ecological conditions necessary to: Contribute to the recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered species, conserve proposed and candidate species, and maintain a viable population of each species of conservation concern within the plan area. Comment and Objection Information The Preliminary EA and other related documents are available for comment on the project website at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/project/ ?project=58050. Additional information regarding this proposal can found at https://go.usa.gov/xvV4X. As provided for at 36 CFR 219.16, the responsible official has combined the notifications for initiating the plan amendment and inviting comments on the proposed plan amendment and alternatives. This EA is subject to Forest Service regulation 36 CFR 219, Subpart B, known as the administrative review, or objection, process. Only individuals or entities who submit specific written comments during the designated comment period will be eligible to participate in the objection process. Specific written comments should be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered but will not meet the requirements to be eligible for administrative review. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names (and addresses, if included) of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Allen Rowley, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2020–17430 Filed 8–10–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48501 COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the District of Columbia 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 meeting of the District of Columbia Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by conference call, at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, September 3, 2020. The purpose of the planning meeting is to discuss and vote to submit the Committee’s civil report rights project report on the DC Mental Health Community Court to the Staff Director for publication. DATES: Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Public Call-In Information: Conference call number: 1–877–260– 1479 and conference call ID number: 1929821 SUMMARY: Ivy L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone at 202–376–7533. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested members of the public may listen to the discussion by calling the following tollfree conference call number: 1–877– 260–1479 and conference call ID number: 1929821. 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 landline 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: 1–877–260–1479 and conference call ID number: 1929821. Members of the public are invited to make statements during the Public Comments section of the meeting or to submit written comments. The comments must be received 30 days after the meeting date. Comments may be mailed to the Eastern Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 1150, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\11AUN1.SGM 11AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48500-48501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17430]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Pacific Northwest Region; Oregon; Land Management Plan Amendment; 
Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice to initiate a land management plan amendment and notice 
of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service has 
prepared a Preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) for Forest 
Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon. The 
proposal would amend the land management plans for the Deschutes, 
Fremont-Winema, Malheur, Ochoco, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National 
Forests in Oregon. This notice also provides information on how to 
comment on the Preliminary EA.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by September 10, 2020. The final EA is expected September 2020.

ADDRESSES: Individuals and entities are encouraged to submit comments 
via webform at https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=58050. Comments may also be sent via email to 
[email protected]. Hardcopy letters must be submitted to the 
following address: Shane Jeffries, Forest Supervisor, Ochoco National 
Forest, 3160 NE Third Street, Prineville, OR 97754. For those 
submitting hand-delivered comments, please call 541-416-6500 to make 
arrangements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Platt, Team Leader, at 
[email protected] or at 541-416-6500. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. 
and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In 1995, the Forest Service adopted the Eastside Screens, which 
amended land management plans for national forests outside of the range 
of the northern spotted owl in Oregon and Washington. The Eastside 
Screens

[[Page 48501]]

include a limit on the harvest of trees equal to or greater than 21-
inches diameter at breast-height (dbh) where late and old structural 
stage forests are below the historic range of variability.
    Since the issuance of the Eastside Screens, forest conditions have 
changed, new science has emerged, and land management priorities have 
shifted to emphasize forest restoration and the mitigation of wildfire 
impacts. By adapting the 21-inch standard to reflect learning over the 
past 25 years, the Agency would streamline restoration of forests in 
eastern Oregon in order to create landscapes that withstand and recover 
more quickly from drought, wildfire, and other disturbances.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of this proposal is to analyze a science-based, 
contemporary alternative to the 21-inch standard in the Eastside 
Screens. Adapting the standard to incorporate science and 25 years of 
learning would enable managers to more effectively restore forestlands 
in eastern Oregon.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service is proposing to replace the 21'' standard with a 
guideline that emphasizes recruitment of old trees and large trees. An 
adaptive management component is also assessed in this analysis.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official for this amendment is Ochoco Forest 
Supervisor, Shane Jeffries.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose and need of the project, the Responsible Official 
will review alternatives, public comments, and consider the 
environmental consequences to decide whether to prepare a finding of no 
significant impact or prepare an environmental impact statement. If a 
finding of no significant impact is appropriate, the Responsible 
Official will decide whether to select the proposed action, another 
alternative, or a combination of alternatives.

Substantive Requirements

    When proposing a Forest Plan amendment, the 2012 Planning Rule (36 
CFR 219), as amended, requires the responsible official to identify the 
substantive requirements of the rule that are likely to be directly 
related to the amendment (36 CFR 219.13(b)(5)). The substantive 
requirements that are likely to be directly related to the proposed 
amendments are: (1) 36 CFR 219.8(a)(1)(iv) System drivers, including 
dominant ecological processes, disturbance regimes, and stressors, such 
as natural succession, wildland fire, invasive species, and climate 
change; and the ability of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on the 
plan area to adapt to change; (2) 36 CFR 219.8(a)(1)(v) Wildland fire 
and opportunities to restore fire adapted ecosystems; and (3) 
219.9(b)(1) The responsible official shall determine whether or not the 
plan components provide the ecological conditions necessary to: 
Contribute to the recovery of federally listed threatened and 
endangered species, conserve proposed and candidate species, and 
maintain a viable population of each species of conservation concern 
within the plan area.

Comment and Objection Information

    The Preliminary EA and other related documents are available for 
comment on the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58050. Additional information regarding this proposal can 
found at https://go.usa.gov/xvV4X. As provided for at 36 CFR 219.16, 
the responsible official has combined the notifications for initiating 
the plan amendment and inviting comments on the proposed plan amendment 
and alternatives.
    This EA is subject to Forest Service regulation 36 CFR 219, Subpart 
B, known as the administrative review, or objection, process. Only 
individuals or entities who submit specific written comments during the 
designated comment period will be eligible to participate in the 
objection process. Specific written comments should be within the scope 
of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed 
action, and include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to 
consider. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and 
considered but will not meet the requirements to be eligible for 
administrative review. Comments received in response to this 
solicitation, including names (and addresses, if included) of those who 
comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action.

Allen Rowley,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-17430 Filed 8-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

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