Department of Agriculture March 28, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, awarded a grant to Flambeau River Papers, LLC, Park Falls, WI in the amount of $1.925MIL for a project titled ``Biomass-to-Fuel''. This grant is being used by the grantee to support its ongoing effort in determining the potential technical and economic viability of constructing and operating a demonstration biomass-to-liquids biofuels facility, which would be co-located with the company's existing pulp and paper mill. If successful, the biomass- to-liquids facility would generate renewable energy to operate the pulp and paper mill, as well as producing a marketable liquid transportation fuel.

On April 29, 2002, Forest Supervisor Liz Agpaoa signed a Notice of Intent (NOT) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cibola National Forest Invasive Plant Management Project. On May 3, 2002, the Federal Register published the Notice of Intent (NOT) (Volume 67, Number 86, pages 22389-22390). The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is issuing this notice to advise the public that we are cancelling the notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for this proposed action. The initial proposal provided for the inclusion of all the administrative units on the Cibola National Forest including the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. The areas included in the proposal vary widely in geographical and ecological settings and conditions, from woodlands and forests to short-grass and tall-grass prairies. The wide range of biological and physical settings complicates the analysis and disclosure of effects. The Forest Service plans to reassess the proposal and determine the appropriate scope of the proposal and form of environmental documentation. The NEPA process will be re-initiated for any new proposed actions.

This notice revises an earlier Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) to analyze and disclose new information relative to oil and gas leasing of 44,720 acres on the Big Piney Ranger District. The Forest Service is providing this revised notice because the public scoping period is being extended. Scoping for a supplemental statement is not required [40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)], but due to the length of time since scoping associated with the current leasing decision was conducted, comments specific to new issues or information that was not considered are being solicited.

The National Forests in Mississippi is proposing new fees for two horse trails. Witch Dance Horse Trail is located on the Tombigbee National Forest within Chickasaw County, MS. This trail is 18 miles long with multiple loops and 1 trailhead that provides a toilet, hitching posts, and designated developed parking. Big Foot Horse Trail is located on the De Soto National Forest, De Soto Ranger District within Harrison County, MS. This trail is 22 miles long trail with multiple loops and 1 trailhead that provides a toilet, hitching posts and designated developed parking. The Forest Service proposes to charge $5 per rider per day for use of these trails. Funds received from these fees will be used for continued operation and maintenance of these trails and would allow additional amenities to be added in the future. The purpose of this notice is to solicit public input on this proposal. Please contact us or provide written comments (information below) within 6 months from the date of this publication.