80 FR 13515 - White River National Forest; Eagle County, CO; Camp Hale Restoration and Enhancement Project EIS

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 50 (March 16, 2015)

The Camp Hale-Eagle River Headwaters Collaborative Group recently submitted a proposal to the White River National Forest (WRNF) for restorative and enhancement activities in the Camp Hale area. The WRNF is initiating a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis to document and disclose potential impacts. The Proposed Action--the Camp Hale Restoration and Enhancement Project--is built on the recommendations from the collaborative group to restore ecosystems, enhance recreation opportunities, protect historic values, and preserve existing valid permits and rights.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13515-13516]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05895]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


White River National Forest; Eagle County, CO; Camp Hale 
Restoration and Enhancement Project EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Camp Hale-Eagle River Headwaters Collaborative Group 
recently submitted a proposal to the White River National Forest (WRNF) 
for restorative and enhancement activities in the Camp Hale area. The 
WRNF is initiating a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis 
to document and disclose potential impacts. The Proposed Action--the 
Camp Hale Restoration and Enhancement Project--is built on the 
recommendations from the collaborative group to restore ecosystems, 
enhance recreation opportunities, protect historic values, and preserve 
existing valid permits and rights.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by April 30, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
to be available for public review in August 2015 and the final 
environmental impact statement is expected in the spring of 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest 
Supervisor, c/o Matt Grove, East Zone Fisheries Biologist, White River 
National Forest, P.O. Box 190, Minturn, CO 81645. Comments may also be 
sent via email to https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public//CommentInput?Project=46121 (include ``Camp Hale Restoration and 
Enhancement Project EIS'' in the subject line), or via facsimile to 
(970) 827-5715.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
project can be obtained from the project Web page: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=46121: & Matt Grove, East 
Zone Fisheries Biologist, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, 24747 U.S. 
Hwy 24, P.O. Box 190, Minturn, Colorado 81645. Mr. Grove can be reached 
by phone at (970) 827-5166 or by email at [email protected].
    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: 
    Purpose and Need for Action: The purpose of action is to improve 
aquatic, riparian, and wetland conditions in and along the Eagle River 
and its tributaries, maintain or improve recreation opportunities and 
facilities, and conserve historic values in the Camp Hale area, while 
preserving existing valid rights and permits.
    The need for action is driven by historic and ongoing impairment of 
stream health, riparian condition and hydrologic function in the upper 
Eagle River and its tributaries. Current recreational infrastructure 
and facilities are quickly becoming outdated and overused. Recreational 
sites throughout the project area are in various states of 
deterioration and/or are entirely lacking. The project would focus on 
repairing and enhancing existing infrastructure thereby improving the 
overall experience at these sites. There is a commitment at the same 
time to retain features that reflect historic values of the Camp Hale 
area.
    Proposed Action: To address the purpose of and need for action 
specific project components would:
     Create and/or enhance up to 340 acres of wetland habitat 
and increase sinuosity up to 6 miles collectively in the South Fork, 
East Fork, and main stem Eagle River.
     Create an inset floodplain located approximately in the 
1939 stream alignment; increase sinuosity and reconnect the upper Eagle 
River and its tributaries within this floodplain or wetlands connected 
to this floodplain.
     Create inset wetlands that are outside or adjacent to the 
floodplain but connected by hydrologic function.
     Modify the travel system to maintain recreation access and 
accommodate restoration activities. Install open arch structures or 
bridges where designated roads or trails cross the restored stream 
alignment. Modification to the travel system could result in closing 
road segments that are now open to public access, and opening segments 
of road currently closed to public access.
     Improve access at Camp Hale Memorial Campground, and 
improve deteriorating infrastructure at Camp Hale Memorial and Camp 
Hale Group Campground.
     Improve recreational infrastructure including: Access 
across the Eagle River for cross country skiing, designated dispersed 
camping, improved parking areas, and trailhead access improvements.
     Improve terrestrial habitat through the removal of noxious 
weeds, reintroduction of native vegetation, and incorporating soil 
amendments to create a better growing environment for native plants.
     Retain identified historically significant remnant 
structures such as the fixed-distance rifle range, field house, 
warehouse area, pasture barn, core service command, climbing wall, and 
portions of the straightened stream channel outside the constructed 
inset floodplain. The main river would not continue to directly flow 
through the retained portion of the straightened channel.
     Dispose of excavated fill material from the restored 
stream channel and wetlands into identified borrow sites in the 
vicinity or haul to an offsite location.
     Amend the Forest Plan to provide long term protection for 
restored or enhanced wetlands.
    Responsible Official: The Responsible Official is Scott 
Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor for the WRNF.
    Nature of Decision To Be Made: Based on the analysis that will be 
documented in the forthcoming EIS, the Responsible Official will decide 
whether or not to implement, in whole or in part, the Proposed Action 
or another alternative that may be developed by the Forest Service as a 
result of scoping.
    Scoping Process: This notice of intent initiates the scoping 
process, which guides the development of the environmental impact 
statement. The Forest Service is soliciting comments from Federal, 
State and local agencies and other individuals or organizations that 
may be interested in or affected by implementation of the proposed 
project. Public questions and comments regarding this proposal are an 
integral part of this environmental analysis process. Input provided by 
interested and/or affected individuals, organizations and governmental 
agencies will be used to identify

[[Page 13516]]

alternative actions and resource issues that will be analyzed in the 
environmental impact statement. The Forest Service will identify 
significant issues raised during the scoping process, and use them to 
formulate alternatives, prescribe mitigation measures and project 
design features, or analyze environmental effects.
    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 should be 
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 solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however. Those who submit comments will have 
eligibility to file an objection under 36 CFR 219.32 because the 
decision includes a forest plan amendment. There will be an additional 
opportunity to comment when the Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS 
is published in the Federal Register. For objection eligibility, each 
individual or representative from each entity submitting written 
comments must either sign the comment or verify identity upon request. 
Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must 
meet the information requirements in 36 CFR 219.32.

    Dated: March 4, 2015.
Scott G. Fitzwilliams,
Forest Supervisor, White River National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2015-05895 Filed 3-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-11-P