80 FR 55590 - Sequoia National Forest, California; Summit Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 179 (September 16, 2015)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 179 (September 16, 2015)
| Page Range | 55590-55591 | |
| FR Document | 2015-23236 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 179 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 55590-55591] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-23236] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Sequoia National Forest, California; Summit Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Sequoia National Forest (SQF) is planning to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document and publicly disclose the environmental effects of implementing a fuels reduction and forest health project within a 10,600 acre project analysis area. The Summit Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project (Summit Project) will encourage a healthy and diverse forest ecosystem that is more resilient to the effects of wildfire, drought, disease, and other disturbances. The Summit Project is located in the wildland-urban intermix (WUI) of the Greenhorn Mountains on the Kern River Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest, surrounding the Alta Sierra community in Kern County, California. The Summit Project is located in Township 25 South, Ranges 31 and 32 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by September 16, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected January 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected June 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Kern River Ranger District, Attention: Summit Comments, P.O. Box 9, Kernville, CA 93238. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-pacificsouthwest-sequoia@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (760) 376-3795. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Anderson, Kern River Ranger District, P.O. Box 9 (105 Whitney Road), Kernville, CA 93238 at 760- 376-3781. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Rely 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 the project is to provide defensible space around the community of Alta Sierra and nearby structures, improve forest health and provide for ecological restoration. There is a need to reduce fuels to protect the private properties of the Alta Sierra community and adjacent forest special [[Page 55591]] uses including the recreation residence tracts of El Monte, Greenhorn Summit, Kern Park, Shirley Meadows, Slick Rock, and Weeping Springs; the Shirley Meadow ski resort; communication facilities at Cooks Peak; and power transmission lines; as well as protecting the forest and wildlife habitat from large-scale, severe wildfire effects. Fuels reduction will provide forest and fuel structure that allows for safe use of managed fire for resource benefit and forest health; and reduce the risks to firefighting personnel and the public. There is a need to restore the forest ecosystem by accelerating development of mature forest conditions including large tree forest structure; by re- introducing a fire regime that can be safely managed; by improving wildlife habitat; shifting tree species composition towards historic fire-and drought-adapted oak and pine dominance while reducing fire- and drought-intolerant fir and cedar; and changing stand structure to restore natural heterogeneity and resilience to disturbance events. Sustained yield of timber and other forest by products remains as part of the multiple-use mission of the Forest Service. However, fuels reduction, ecological restoration and movement toward the desired conditions identified in the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment are the driving influences that will dictate the end result, with an emphasis on ``what is left behind'' rather than ``what is taken.'' Timber harvest may be used as a tool to improve efficiency and reduce overall costs while moving the forest toward the desired conditions. Proposed Action The proposed action will create defensible space near communities in the WUI defense zones; establish and maintain a pattern of area treatments that can be effective in modifying wild fire behavior in the WUI threat zones; and result in economically efficient treatments to reduce hazardous fuels. The Summit Project proposes a combination of prescribed fire, hand or mechanical thinning to reduce ladder fuels and the potential for crown fire while increasing forest resilience. Thinning may include commercial timber harvest within the 2,500 acre proposed treatment areas. It is expected that the timber sale volume would be less than 5,000 CCF. The proposed treatment areas include salvage harvest of hazard trees of any size as well as dead and dying trees; commercial harvest, using ground skidding, skyline or helicopter yarding of trees smaller than 30 inches diameter at breast height (dbh); and hand thinning, mastication, chipping or other fuels treatments. Treatments will vary based on slopes, ground conditions, access and other factors. Prescribed fire would be introduced within the project analysis area to reduce surface fuels and promote natural regeneration. Areas selected for thinning or mastication would favor Jeffrey and sugar pines, oak, and other shade intolerant, fire and drought tolerant species, to restore the historic species composition. Large snags and woody debris would be strategically retained for wildlife habitat. Riparian areas and meadows would be protected. Implementation would begin after completion of the environmental review process, estimated in 2016, and would be completed over a 5-10 year period. Possible Alternatives In addition to the proposed action, the EIS will evaluate a no action alternative. An alternative will be developed that applies only non-commercial treatments to achieve the purpose and need. The Draft Interim Recommendations for the Management of California Spotted Owl Habitat on National Forest System Lands 29 May 2015 will be included and analyzed in an alternative as well. Other alternatives may be identified through the interdisciplinary process and public participation. Responsible Official The responsible official is Alfred W. Watson, District Ranger, Sequoia National Forest, P.O. Box 9, Kernville, CA 93238. Nature of Decision To Be Made The responsible official will decide whether to adopt and implement the proposed action, an alternative to the proposed action, or take no action with respect to the Summit Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project. Scoping Process This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process which guides the development of the EIS. A public scoping meeting will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 starting at 10 a.m. at Greenhorn Mountains County Park on Old State Road in Alta Sierra. Detailed information on the meeting and proposed action, including maps, are available on the forest Web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=45951. This project is included in the Sequoia National Forest's quarterly schedule of proposed actions (SOPA). This project will follow the objection procedures as directed by 36 CFR 218 (A) and (B). The objection process provides an opportunity for members of the public who have commented during opportunities for public participation to have any unresolved concerns receive an independent review by the Forest Service prior to a final decision being made by the responsible official. Only those who provided specific written comments during opportunities for public comment are eligible to file an objection. 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 the names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record on this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered, however anonymous comments will not provide the Agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental documents. Dated: September 9, 2015. Alfred W. Watson, District Ranger. [FR Doc. 2015-23236 Filed 9-15-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
![55590 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Notices
the records that is compatible with the SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
purpose for which the records were Program Manager, Animal Disease
collected; Forest Service
Traceability, VS, APHIS, 4700 River
(6) To USDA contractors, partner Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737–
agency employees or contractors, or Sequoia National Forest, California;
1231; (301) 851–3539. Summit Fuels Reduction and Forest
private industry employed to identify
patterns, trends, or anomalies indicative Health Project
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
of fraud, waste, or abuse. Such AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
contractors and other parties are bound Any individual may request general ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an
by the nondisclosure provisions of the information regarding this system of environmental impact statement.
Privacy Act; and records or information as to whether the
(7) To the National Archives and system contains records pertaining to SUMMARY: The Sequoia National Forest
Records Administration or to the him/her from the system manager at the (SQF) is planning to prepare an
General Services Administration for address above. All inquiries pertaining environmental impact statement (EIS) to
records management inspections to this system should be in writing, document and publicly disclose the
conducted under 44 U.S.C. 2904 and must name the system of records as set environmental effects of implementing a
2906. forth in the system notice, and must fuels reduction and forest health project
contain the individual’s name, within a 10,600 acre project analysis
DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMER REPORTING
telephone number, address, and email area. The Summit Fuels Reduction and
AGENCIES: Forest Health Project (Summit Project)
address.
None. will encourage a healthy and diverse
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: forest ecosystem that is more resilient to
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, the effects of wildfire, drought, disease,
RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND Any individual may obtain and other disturbances. The Summit
DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: information from a record in the system Project is located in the wildland-urban
STORAGE: that pertains to him or her. Requests for intermix (WUI) of the Greenhorn
hard copies of records should be in Mountains on the Kern River Ranger
The electronic master data for the
writing, and the request must contain District of Sequoia National Forest,
ADTIS are stored on USDA servers in
the requesting individual’s name, surrounding the Alta Sierra community
secure facilities at two separate
locations. This redundancy ensures address, name of the system of records, in Kern County, California. The Summit
around-the-clock operations. All servers timeframe for the records in question, Project is located in Township 25 South,
for the ADTIS are backed up nightly. any other pertinent information to help Ranges 31 and 32 East, Mount Diablo
Backup media is taken weekly to an identify the file, and a copy of his/her Base and Meridian.
offsite storage facility and stored on photo identification containing a DATES: Comments concerning the scope
tape. current address for verification of of the analysis must be received by
identification. All inquiries should be September 16, 2015. The draft
RETRIEVABILITY: addressed to the Freedom of environmental impact statement is
Data can be retrieved by identification Information and Privacy Act Staff, expected January 2016 and the final
number assigned to premises, premises Legislative and Public Affairs, APHIS, environmental impact statement is
address, and name of contact person for 4700 River Road Unit 50, Riverdale, MD expected June 2016.
the premises if provided by the State or 20737–1232. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Tribe, name of non-producer Kern River Ranger District, Attention:
participant, non-producer participant CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: Summit Comments, P.O. Box 9,
number, and official animal Any individual may contest Kernville, CA 93238. Comments may
identification numbers. also be sent via email to comments-
information contained within a record
pacificsouthwest-sequoia@fs.fed.us, or
SAFEGUARDS: in the system that pertains to him/her
via facsimile to (760) 376–3795.
by submitting a written request to the
The electronic master data for the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
system manager at the address above.
ADTIS is stored on USDA servers in Steve Anderson, Kern River Ranger
Include the reason for contesting the
secure facilities. The computer room has District, P.O. Box 9 (105 Whitney Road),
record and the proposed amendment to
safeguards that limit physical access. Kernville, CA 93238 at 760–376–3781.
Access to data is limited to users who the information with supporting
Individuals who use
have Level 2 eAuthentication documentation to show how the record telecommunication devices for the deaf
credentials and/or database is inaccurate. (TDD) may call the Federal Information
authentication. User roles further limit Rely Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
access to data, and the application between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time,
contains security measures to prevent Information in the ADTIS comes from Monday through Friday.
access to unauthorized information. members of the public, either SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
USDA monitors eAuthentication access individuals or businesses, involved in
to ensure authorized and appropriate Purpose and Need for Action
asabaliauskas on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
or supporting the production,
use of data. management, or holding of livestock or The purpose of the project is to
poultry. provide defensible space around the
RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: community of Alta Sierra and nearby
APHIS will maintain records in the EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM: structures, improve forest health and
system indefinitely while the records provide for ecological restoration. There
schedule is awaiting approval. The None. is a need to reduce fuels to protect the
qualifier is supported under 36 CFR [FR Doc. 2015–23255 Filed 9–15–15; 8:45 am] private properties of the Alta Sierra
120.18. BILLING CODE 3410–34–P community and adjacent forest special
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Notices 55591
uses including the recreation residence chipping or other fuels treatments. the public who have commented during
tracts of El Monte, Greenhorn Summit, Treatments will vary based on slopes, opportunities for public participation to
Kern Park, Shirley Meadows, Slick ground conditions, access and other have any unresolved concerns receive
Rock, and Weeping Springs; the Shirley factors. Prescribed fire would be an independent review by the Forest
Meadow ski resort; communication introduced within the project analysis Service prior to a final decision being
facilities at Cooks Peak; and power area to reduce surface fuels and promote made by the responsible official. Only
transmission lines; as well as protecting natural regeneration. Areas selected for those who provided specific written
the forest and wildlife habitat from thinning or mastication would favor comments during opportunities for
large-scale, severe wildfire effects. Fuels Jeffrey and sugar pines, oak, and other public comment are eligible to file an
reduction will provide forest and fuel shade intolerant, fire and drought objection.
structure that allows for safe use of tolerant species, to restore the historic It is important that reviewers provide
managed fire for resource benefit and species composition. Large snags and their comments at such times and in
forest health; and reduce the risks to woody debris would be strategically such manner that they are useful to the
firefighting personnel and the public. retained for wildlife habitat. Riparian agency’s preparation of the
There is a need to restore the forest areas and meadows would be protected. environmental impact statement.
ecosystem by accelerating development Implementation would begin after Therefore, comments should be
of mature forest conditions including completion of the environmental review provided prior to the close of the
large tree forest structure; by re- process, estimated in 2016, and would comment period and should clearly
introducing a fire regime that can be be completed over a 5–10 year period. articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
safely managed; by improving wildlife
Possible Alternatives contentions.
habitat; shifting tree species
composition towards historic fire-and In addition to the proposed action, the Comments received in response to
drought-adapted oak and pine EIS will evaluate a no action alternative. this solicitation, including the names
dominance while reducing fire- and An alternative will be developed that and addresses of those who comment,
drought-intolerant fir and cedar; and applies only non-commercial treatments will be part of the public record on this
changing stand structure to restore to achieve the purpose and need. The proposed action. Comments submitted
natural heterogeneity and resilience to Draft Interim Recommendations for the anonymously will be accepted and
disturbance events. Sustained yield of Management of California Spotted Owl considered, however anonymous
timber and other forest by products Habitat on National Forest System comments will not provide the Agency
remains as part of the multiple-use Lands 29 May 2015 will be included with the ability to provide the
mission of the Forest Service. However, and analyzed in an alternative as well. respondent with subsequent
fuels reduction, ecological restoration Other alternatives may be identified environmental documents.
and movement toward the desired through the interdisciplinary process Dated: September 9, 2015.
conditions identified in the Sierra and public participation. Alfred W. Watson,
Nevada Forest Plan Amendment are the
Responsible Official District Ranger.
driving influences that will dictate the
[FR Doc. 2015–23236 Filed 9–15–15; 8:45 am]
end result, with an emphasis on ‘‘what The responsible official is Alfred W.
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
is left behind’’ rather than ‘‘what is Watson, District Ranger, Sequoia
taken.’’ Timber harvest may be used as National Forest, P.O. Box 9, Kernville,
a tool to improve efficiency and reduce CA 93238.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
overall costs while moving the forest
Nature of Decision To Be Made
toward the desired conditions. Forest Service
The responsible official will decide
Proposed Action whether to adopt and implement the Shasta County Resource Advisory
The proposed action will create proposed action, an alternative to the Committee
defensible space near communities in proposed action, or take no action with
the WUI defense zones; establish and respect to the Summit Fuels Reduction AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
maintain a pattern of area treatments and Forest Health Project.
that can be effective in modifying wild ACTION: Notice of meeting.
fire behavior in the WUI threat zones; Scoping Process
and result in economically efficient This Notice of Intent initiates the SUMMARY: The Shasta County Resource
treatments to reduce hazardous fuels. scoping process which guides the Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in
The Summit Project proposes a development of the EIS. A public Redding, California. The committee is
combination of prescribed fire, hand or scoping meeting will be held on authorized under the Secure Rural
mechanical thinning to reduce ladder Saturday, October 3, 2015 starting at 10 Schools and Community Self-
fuels and the potential for crown fire a.m. at Greenhorn Mountains County Determination Act (the Act) and
while increasing forest resilience. Park on Old State Road in Alta Sierra. operates in compliance with the Federal
Thinning may include commercial Detailed information on the meeting and Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
timber harvest within the 2,500 acre proposed action, including maps, are of the committee is to improve
proposed treatment areas. It is expected available on the forest Web site at: collaborative relationships and to
that the timber sale volume would be http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/ provide advice and recommendations to
asabaliauskas on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
less than 5,000 CCF. The proposed ?project=45951. This project is included the Forest Service concerning projects
treatment areas include salvage harvest in the Sequoia National Forest’s and funding consistent with Title II of
of hazard trees of any size as well as quarterly schedule of proposed actions the Act. Additional RAC information,
dead and dying trees; commercial (SOPA). including the meeting agenda and the
harvest, using ground skidding, skyline This project will follow the objection meeting summary/minutes can be found
or helicopter yarding of trees smaller procedures as directed by 36 CFR 218 at the following Web site: www.fs.usda.
than 30 inches diameter at breast height (A) and (B). The objection process gov/main/stnf/workingtogether/advisory
(dbh); and hand thinning, mastication, provides an opportunity for members of committees.
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Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:16:52
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:16:52
| 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 by September 16, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected January 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected June 2016. | |
| Contact | Steve Anderson, Kern River Ranger District, P.O. Box 9 (105 Whitney Road), Kernville, CA 93238 at 760- 376-3781. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 55590 |
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