80 FR 43056 - Kootenai National Forest; Lincoln and Sanders Counties; Montana; Kootenai National Forest Young Growth Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 139 (July 21, 2015)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 139 (July 21, 2015)
| Page Range | 43056-43057 | |
| FR Document | 2015-17770 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 139 (Tuesday, July 21, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 43056-43057] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-17770] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Kootenai National Forest; Lincoln and Sanders Counties; Montana; Kootenai National Forest Young Growth Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of commercial and non-commercial vegetation management activities and prescribed burning of activity fuels. Access management changes and other design features are included to protect resources and facilitate management activities. The project is located across the Kootenai National Forest Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln and Sanders Counties, Montana. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received within 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Chris Savage; Forest Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest, 31374 US Hwy 2, Libby, MT 59923. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected]; or via facsimile to (406) 283-7709. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Janis Bouma, Project Team Leader, Kootenai National Forest, 31374 US Hwy 2, Libby, MT 59923. Phone: (406) 283-7774. 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: On May 20, 2014, Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced the designation of approximately 45.6 million acres of National Forest System lands across 94 national forests in 35 states to address insect and disease threats that weaken forests and increase the risk of forest fire. The Kootenai National Forest is the only forest in Montana that lies completely within these priority landscapes. The Governor of Montana has asked that priority be given to project development within these designated insect and disease areas, and created his Forest in Focus Initiative to accelerate the pace and scale of forest restoration in the state of Montana. The Kootenai National Forest Young-Growth Project area is approximately 400,000 acres in size and is located only in second-growth; previously harvested timber stands about across the Kootenai National Forest. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for this project is: (1) Improve the resiliency of the timber stands to insects and disease; (2); improve wildlife habitat especially for grizzly bear and lynx; (3) address impacts from climate change and, 4) and to decrease risk of stand- replacing wildfire. Overall project benefits and the purpose associated with young- growth vegetation management will be to improve stand conditions and increase resistance to insects, disease, and stand-replacement wildfire while also providing for abundance of forage and improved habitat conditions for a variety of wildlife species. Managing these stands is important in order to reach a healthier stocking rate and to increase overall growth and vigor of the stand by reducing competition and stress on remaining conifers. Management of these stands would also increase quantities of grasses, forbs, and shrubs that many wildlife species utilize in the early stage of forest development, thereby improving foraging habitat for grizzly bear, lynx, and other wildlife species. The project would allow for adaptive management over the next 10 to 15 years as stand conditions would allow and to respond to local environmental conditions and stocking rates. All of these benefits fall within the Governor's criteria. Proposed Action The proposed action includes non-commercial and commercial vegetation management activities that accomplish the following: Habitat improvement for grizzly bear and lynx; (2) Reduce fuel loading and ladder fuels; (3) Break up the continuity of fuels; (4) Reduce tree densities and tree species susceptible to fire mortality; (5) Increase fire resilient species; (6) Reduce susceptibility to insects and potential disease; (7) Increase tree vigor and resilience to disturbance. Project NEPA analysis would employ various adaptive management screens across the initial proposed acreage. These ``screens'' would be used to avoid impacts to Threatened and Endangered wildlife and plant species, and sensitive areas. Treatment boundaries could also be further narrowed depending on localized site conditions including soils conditions, standard wildlife effects mitigations, and Best Management Practices (BMPs). Therefore, the actual, on-the ground vegetation management would be considerably smaller than the initial 400,000 acres proposed for evaluation. The project would rely on the existing road system to reach the stands with a need for treatment, with no new specified road construction proposed for this analysis. Prior logging systems such as previous skid trails may be used if evidence of them still exists. If site-specific Forest Plan amendments may be needed, then the proposed treatments would be dropped or deferred to another future project analysis. The acres included in this anticipated decision would provide forest products for an array of markets. A portion of the acreage, predominately the older second growth, would provide a saw log product. Many of the acres would provide non-saw products such as post and pole. These offerings of forest products would be assessed for economic feasibility and may be mixed and matched with other offerings or decisions in order to ensure economic viability. Additionally, in order to anticipate and respond to future timber market opportunities or newly developed markets, the analysis would consider biomass removal in addition to traditional commercial timber harvest activities. Various silvicultural treatments would be proposed to meet the vegetative objectives for the previously harvested areas and move the landscape [[Page 43057]] towards the desired ranges. Often two or more treatments, for example commercial harvest followed by non-commercial thinning may be prescribed for the same unit. Pre-commercial thinning would occur either following a commercial entry or as the only treatment. Trees cut during this activity may be removed as biomass (if future market opportunities develop) or left on site and the slash treated by a variety of fuels treatments. Possible Alternatives The Forest Service will consider a range of alternatives. One of these will be the ``no action'' alternative in which none of the proposed action would be implemented. Additional alternatives may be included in response to issues raised by the public during the scoping process or due to additional concerns for resource values identified by the Interdisciplinary Team. Responsible Official The Forest Supervisor of the Kootenai National Forest, 31374 US Highway 2, Libby, MT 59923-3022, is the Responsible Official. As the Responsible Official, I will decide if the proposed action will be implemented. I will document the decision and rationale for the decision in the Record of Decision. Nature of Decision To Be Made Based on the purpose and need, the Responsible Official reviews the proposed action, the other alternatives, the environmental consequences, and public comments on the analysis in order to make the following decision: (1) Whether the proposed action will proceed as proposed, as modified by an alternative, or not at all? (2) Whether to implement timber harvest and associated fuels treatments, and prescribed burning, including the design features and potential mitigation measures to protect resources; and if so, how much and at what specific locations; (3) What, if any, specific project monitoring requirements are needed to assure design features and potential mitigation measures are implemented and effective, and to evaluate the success of the project objectives. A project specific monitoring plan will be developed. Preliminary Issues Initial analysis by the Interdisciplinary Team has brought forward seven issues that may affect the design of the project: (1) Susceptibility to severe wildfire; (2) Effect on wildlife habitat, especially lynx, grizzly bear, and bull trout; (3) Effect on big game winter range; (4) Economic viability of commercial treatments; (5) Cost of non-commercial treatments; (6) Effects on water quality and aquatic habitats; and (7) Effects on weed introduction and spread. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. The Interdisciplinary Team will continue to seek information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribal governments, and other individuals or organizations that may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed action. The overall development of the project would also be done through a collaborative process with interested parties, including the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition, Lincoln County, Sanders County, and timber industry. 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 become part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered. Dated: July 10, 2015. Chris S. Savage, Forest Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest . [FR Doc. 2015-17770 Filed 7-20-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![43056 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 139 / Tuesday, July 21, 2015 / Notices
protocol. Treatment of figs with methyl FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: allow and to respond to local
bromide fumigation is also consistent Contact Janis Bouma, Project Team environmental conditions and stocking
with the International Plant Protection Leader, Kootenai National Forest, 31374 rates. All of these benefits fall within
Convention’s standard of requiring the US Hwy 2, Libby, MT 59923. Phone: the Governor’s criteria.
least restrictive phytosanitary measures (406) 283–7774.
Individuals who use Proposed Action
to mitigate pests of concern.
Therefore, in accordance with the telecommunication devices for the deaf The proposed action includes non-
regulations in § 305.3(b)(3), we are (TDD) may call the Federal Information commercial and commercial vegetation
affirming our addition of a methyl Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 management activities that accomplish
bromide treatment schedule for figs to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern the following:
control certain pests, as described in the Time, Monday through Friday. Habitat improvement for grizzly bear
TED made available with the previous SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May and lynx; (2) Reduce fuel loading and
notice. The treatment schedule is 20, 2014, Department of Agriculture ladder fuels; (3) Break up the continuity
numbered T101-i-2–2. The treatment Secretary Vilsack announced the of fuels; (4) Reduce tree densities and
schedule will be listed in the PPQ designation of approximately 45.6 tree species susceptible to fire mortality;
Treatment Manual, which is available as million acres of National Forest System (5) Increase fire resilient species; (6)
described in footnote 1 of this lands across 94 national forests in 35 Reduce susceptibility to insects and
document. states to address insect and disease potential disease; (7) Increase tree vigor
threats that weaken forests and increase and resilience to disturbance.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781– Project NEPA analysis would employ
7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, the risk of forest fire. The Kootenai
National Forest is the only forest in various adaptive management screens
2.80, and 371.3. across the initial proposed acreage.
Montana that lies completely within
Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of
these priority landscapes. The Governor These ‘‘screens’’ would be used to avoid
July 2015. impacts to Threatened and Endangered
of Montana has asked that priority be
Kevin Shea, given to project development within wildlife and plant species, and sensitive
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health these designated insect and disease areas. Treatment boundaries could also
Inspection Service. areas, and created his Forest in Focus be further narrowed depending on
[FR Doc. 2015–17841 Filed 7–20–15; 8:45 am] Initiative to accelerate the pace and localized site conditions including soils
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P scale of forest restoration in the state of conditions, standard wildlife effects
Montana. The Kootenai National Forest mitigations, and Best Management
Young-Growth Project area is Practices (BMPs). Therefore, the actual,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE approximately 400,000 acres in size and on-the ground vegetation management
is located only in second-growth; would be considerably smaller than the
Forest Service initial 400,000 acres proposed for
previously harvested timber stands
about across the Kootenai National evaluation. The project would rely on
Kootenai National Forest; Lincoln and the existing road system to reach the
Sanders Counties; Montana; Kootenai Forest.
stands with a need for treatment, with
National Forest Young Growth Purpose and Need for Action no new specified road construction
Environmental Impact Statement The purpose and need for this project proposed for this analysis. Prior logging
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. is: (1) Improve the resiliency of the systems such as previous skid trails may
timber stands to insects and disease; (2); be used if evidence of them still exists.
ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an If site-specific Forest Plan amendments
improve wildlife habitat especially for
environmental impact statement. may be needed, then the proposed
grizzly bear and lynx; (3) address
SUMMARY: The Forest Service will impacts from climate change and, 4) and treatments would be dropped or
prepare an Environmental Impact to decrease risk of stand-replacing deferred to another future project
Statement (EIS) to disclose the wildfire. analysis.
environmental effects of commercial Overall project benefits and the The acres included in this anticipated
and non-commercial vegetation purpose associated with young-growth decision would provide forest products
management activities and prescribed vegetation management will be to for an array of markets. A portion of the
burning of activity fuels. Access improve stand conditions and increase acreage, predominately the older second
management changes and other design resistance to insects, disease, and stand- growth, would provide a saw log
features are included to protect replacement wildfire while also product. Many of the acres would
resources and facilitate management providing for abundance of forage and provide non-saw products such as post
activities. The project is located across improved habitat conditions for a and pole. These offerings of forest
the Kootenai National Forest Kootenai variety of wildlife species. Managing products would be assessed for
National Forest, Lincoln and Sanders these stands is important in order to economic feasibility and may be mixed
reach a healthier stocking rate and to and matched with other offerings or
Counties, Montana.
increase overall growth and vigor of the decisions in order to ensure economic
DATES: Comments concerning the scope stand by reducing competition and viability. Additionally, in order to
of the analysis must be received within stress on remaining conifers. anticipate and respond to future timber
30 days from the date of publication in Management of these stands would also market opportunities or newly
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the Federal Register. increase quantities of grasses, forbs, and developed markets, the analysis would
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to shrubs that many wildlife species utilize consider biomass removal in addition to
Chris Savage; Forest Supervisor, in the early stage of forest development, traditional commercial timber harvest
Kootenai National Forest, 31374 US thereby improving foraging habitat for activities.
Hwy 2, Libby, MT 59923. Comments grizzly bear, lynx, and other wildlife Various silvicultural treatments
may also be sent via email to comments- species. The project would allow for would be proposed to meet the
northern-kootenai@fs.fed.us; or via adaptive management over the next 10 vegetative objectives for the previously
facsimile to (406) 283–7709. to 15 years as stand conditions would harvested areas and move the landscape
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jul 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_43195/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 139 / Tuesday, July 21, 2015 / Notices 43057
towards the desired ranges. Often two or winter range; (4) Economic viability of SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the
more treatments, for example commercial treatments; (5) Cost of non- intention of NRCS to issue a series of
commercial harvest followed by non- commercial treatments; (6) Effects on revised conservation practice standards
commercial thinning may be prescribed water quality and aquatic habitats; and in the National Handbook of
for the same unit. Pre-commercial (7) Effects on weed introduction and Conservation Practices. These standards
thinning would occur either following a spread. include: Channel Bed Stabilization
commercial entry or as the only (Code 584), Karst Sinkhole Treatment
Scoping Process
treatment. Trees cut during this activity (Code 527), Open Channel (Code 582),
may be removed as biomass (if future This notice of intent initiates the Pond (Code 378), Surface Drain, Field
market opportunities develop) or left on scoping process, which guides the Ditch (Code 607), Surface Drain, Main
site and the slash treated by a variety of development of the environmental or Lateral (Code 608), Vertical Drain
fuels treatments. impact statement. The Interdisciplinary (Code 630) and Waste Hauling (Code
Team will continue to seek information, 321). NRCS State Conservationists who
Possible Alternatives comments, and assistance from Federal, choose to adopt these practices for use
The Forest Service will consider a State, and local agencies, Tribal within their States will incorporate
range of alternatives. One of these will governments, and other individuals or them into section IV of their respective
be the ‘‘no action’’ alternative in which organizations that may be interested in, electronic Field Office Technical Guide.
none of the proposed action would be or affected by, the proposed action. The Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture
implemented. Additional alternatives overall development of the project Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
may be included in response to issues would also be done through a requires NRCS to make available for
raised by the public during the scoping collaborative process with interested public review and comment all
process or due to additional concerns parties, including the Kootenai Forest proposed revisions to conservation
for resource values identified by the Stakeholders Coalition, Lincoln County, practice standards used to carry out HEL
Interdisciplinary Team. Sanders County, and timber industry. and wetland provisions of the law.
Responsible Official It is important that reviewers provide DATES: Effective Date: This is effective
their comments at such times and in July 21, 2015.
The Forest Supervisor of the Kootenai such manner that they are useful to the
National Forest, 31374 US Highway 2, Comment Date: Submit comments on
agency’s preparation of the or before August 20, 2015. Final
Libby, MT 59923–3022, is the environmental impact statement.
Responsible Official. As the Responsible versions of these new or revised
Therefore, comments should be conservation practice standards will be
Official, I will decide if the proposed provided prior to the close of the
action will be implemented. I will adopted after the close of the 30-day
comment period and should clearly period and after consideration of all
document the decision and rationale for articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
the decision in the Record of Decision. comments.
contentions.
Nature of Decision To Be Made Comments received in response to ADDRESSES: Comments should be
this solicitation, including names and submitted, identified by Docket Number
Based on the purpose and need, the addresses of those who comment, will NRCS–2015–0010, using any of the
Responsible Official reviews the become part of the public record for this following methods:
proposed action, the other alternatives, proposed action. Comments submitted • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
the environmental consequences, and anonymously will be accepted and www.regulations.gov. Follow the
public comments on the analysis in considered. instructions for submitting comments.
order to make the following decision: • Mail or hand delivery: Public
(1) Whether the proposed action will Dated: July 10, 2015.
Chris S. Savage,
Comments Processing, Attention:
proceed as proposed, as modified by an Regulatory and Agency Policy Team,
alternative, or not at all? Forest Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest
Strategic Planning and Accountability,
(2) Whether to implement timber .
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
harvest and associated fuels treatments, [FR Doc. 2015–17770 Filed 7–20–15; 8:45 am]
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1–
and prescribed burning, including the BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
design features and potential mitigation
measures to protect resources; and if so, NRCS will post all comments on
how much and at what specific DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE http://www.regulations.gov. In general,
locations; personal information provided with
(3) What, if any, specific project Natural Resources Conservation comments will be posted. If your
monitoring requirements are needed to Service comment includes your address, phone
assure design features and potential number, email, or other personal
mitigation measures are implemented [Docket No. NRCS–2015–0010] identifying information (PII), your
and effective, and to evaluate the comments, including personal
Notice of Proposed Changes to the information, may be available to the
success of the project objectives. A
National Handbook of Conservation public. You may ask in your comment
project specific monitoring plan will be
Practices for the Natural Resources that your PII be withheld from public
developed.
Conservation Service view, but this cannot be guaranteed.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Preliminary Issues FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
AGENCY: Natural Resources
Initial analysis by the Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural
Interdisciplinary Team has brought Department of Agriculture (USDA). Engineer, Conservation Engineering
forward seven issues that may affect the Division, Department of Agriculture,
ACTION: Notice of availability of
design of the project: (1) Susceptibility Natural Resources Conservation Service,
proposed changes in the NRCS National
to severe wildfire; (2) Effect on wildlife 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room
Handbook of Conservation Practices for
habitat, especially lynx, grizzly bear, 6136 South Building, Washington, DC
public review and comment.
and bull trout; (3) Effect on big game 20250.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jul 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_43195/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:23:13
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:23:13
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. | |
| Dates | Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received within 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. | |
| Contact | Contact Janis Bouma, Project Team Leader, Kootenai National Forest, 31374 US Hwy 2, Libby, MT 59923. Phone: (406) 283-7774. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 43056 |
2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR