Department of Agriculture February 4, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, to construct the Delta-Clearwater Remediation Project, authorized under the Watershed Protection, Watershed Surveys, and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (Pub. L. 83-566, 83d Cong., 68 Stat. 666), as amended. Upon review and analysis of potential environmental impacts, the State Conservationist (Alaska) found that the project would not result in a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Therefore, a FONSI was issued and no environmental impact statement is required.

The Soda Springs Ranger District of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest is proposing to take reservations for group camping and group day use picnicking at the Trail Canyon Group Site on the Soda Springs Ranger District. They are proposing to charge a $40 fee per day for group camping and group day use picnicking (up to a maximum of 100 people). Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance, market assessment and public comment. The fee is proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. To date, an analysis of the facility shows that the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area. Use at other similar facilities on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest has shown that publics appreciate and enjoy the availability of developed recreation campground and picnicking facilities. This facility will remain free of charge during the winter season as a warming shelter. Funds from the use of these developed facilities will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Trail Canyon Group Site.

The Big Piney Ranger District is proposing to implement vegetation management in the Piney Creek drainages throughout the next five-seven years. The need for vegetation management in this area has previously been identified and studied in the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan implemented in 1990, in public meetings held on the revision of the Forest Plan in 2008 and comprehensive evaluation reports for aspen, lodge pole pine, Douglas fir, spruce fir and white bark pine. The analysis area is approximately 20,000 acres within this watershed and includes the creeks of South, Middle and North on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The area also includes Middle and North Piney Lakes, Wyoming Peak the Middle Piney Summer homes, Sacajawea and Middle Piney Lake campgrounds. Management opportunities, practices, standards and guidelines, and mitigation have been developed to help achieve desired resource conditions. These are the basis for this proposal and for further site specific analysis of effects. It is approximately 25 miles west of Big Piney, Wyoming in the Green River drainage, on the east slope of the Wyoming range. All lands within the analysis area are National Forest System lands within Sublette County, Wyoming. The legal description includes portions of T28N through T31N and R112W through R114W.