80_FR_60811 80 FR 60617 - Revision of Land Management Plan for Carson National Forest; Counties of Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, and Taos, New Mexico

80 FR 60617 - Revision of Land Management Plan for Carson National Forest; Counties of Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, and Taos, New Mexico

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 194 (October 7, 2015)

Page Range60617-60620
FR Document2015-25519

As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the USDA Forest Service is revising the existing Carson National Forest's Land Management Plan (hereafter referred to as forest plan) through development of an associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This Notice describes the documents (Assessment Report of Ecological, Social, and Economic Conditions, Trends, and Sustainability for the Carson NF; Summaries of Public Meetings; and Carson NF's Needs to Change Management Direction of Its Existing 1986 Forest Plan) available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the needs to change the existing forest plan; provides information concerning public participation and engagement, including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated schedule for the planning process, including the time available for comments, and includes the names and addresses of agency contacts who can provide additional information.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60617-60620]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25519]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revision of Land Management Plan for Carson National Forest; 
Counties of Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, and Taos, New Mexico

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to revise the Carson National Forest Land 
Management Plan and prepare an associated Environmental Impact 
Statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the USDA 
Forest Service is revising the existing Carson National Forest's Land 
Management Plan (hereafter referred to as forest plan) through 
development of an associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This Notice describes the 
documents (Assessment Report of Ecological, Social, and Economic 
Conditions, Trends, and Sustainability for the Carson NF; Summaries of 
Public Meetings; and Carson NF's Needs to Change Management Direction 
of Its Existing 1986 Forest Plan) available for review and how to 
obtain them; summarizes the needs to change the existing forest plan; 
provides information concerning public participation and engagement, 
including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated 
schedule for the planning process, including the time available for 
comments, and includes the names and addresses of agency contacts who 
can provide additional information.

DATES: Comments concerning the Needs to Change and Proposed Action 
provided in this Notice will be most useful in the development of the 
draft revised plan and draft EIS if received by November 20, 2015. The 
agency expects to release a draft revised plan and draft EIS, developed 
through a collaborative public engagement process, by late Fall/Winter 
2016 and a final revised plan and final EIS by Spring 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Carson National Forest, Attn: Plan 
Revision, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, New Mexico 87571. Comments may also 
be sent via email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Naranjo, Forest Planner, 575-
758-6221. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday 
through Friday.
    More information on the planning process can also be found on the 
Carson National Forest's Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Name and Address of the Responsible Official

    James Duran, Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest, 208 Cruz 
Alta, Taos, New Mexico 87571.

Nature of the Decision To Be Made

    The Carson National Forest (NF) is preparing an EIS to revise the 
existing forest plan. The EIS process is meant to inform the Forest 
Supervisor so he can

[[Page 60618]]

decide which alternative best maintains and restores National Forest 
System terrestrial and aquatic resources, while providing ecosystem 
services and multiple uses, as required by the National Forest 
Management Act and the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act.
    The revised forest plan will describe the strategic intent of 
managing the Carson NF for the next 15 years and will address the needs 
to change the existing forest plan. The revised forest plan will 
provide management direction in the form of desired conditions, 
objectives, standards, guidelines, and suitability of lands. It will 
identify delineation of new management areas and geographic areas 
across the Forest; identify the timber sale program quantity; 
potentially make recommendations to Congress for Wilderness 
designation; and list rivers and streams eligible for inclusion in the 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The revised forest plan will 
also provide a description of the plan area's distinctive roles and 
contributions within the broader landscape, identify watersheds that 
are a priority for maintenance or restoration, include a monitoring 
program, and contain information reflecting expected possible actions 
over the life of the plan.
    The revised forest plan will provide strategic direction and a 
framework for decision making during the life of the plan, but it will 
not make site-specific project decisions and will not dictate day-to-
day administrative activities needed to carry on the Forest Service's 
internal operations. The authorization of project level activities will 
be based on the guidance/direction contained in the revised plan, but 
will occur through subsequent project specific decision-making, 
including NEPA.
    The revised forest plan will provide broad, strategic guidance that 
is consistent with other laws and regulations. Though strategic 
guidance will be provided, no decisions will be made regarding the 
management of individual roads or trails, such as those might be 
associated with a Travel Management plan under 36 CFR part 212. Some 
issues (e.g., hunting regulations), although important, are beyond the 
authority or control of the National Forest System and cannot be 
considered. No decision regarding oil and gas leasing availability will 
be made, though plan components may be brought forward or developed 
that will help guide oil and gas leasing availability decisions that 
may be necessary in the future.

Purpose and Need and Proposed Action

    According to the National Forest Management Act and 2012 Planning 
Rule (36 CFR 219), forest plans are to be revised at least every 15 
years. The Proposed Action is to revise the forest plan in order to 
address the needs to change that were identified through public 
involvement and the assessment process. Alternatives to the Proposed 
Action will be developed to address the significant issues that are 
identified through scoping.
    The purpose and need for revising the current Carson NF forest plan 
are: (1) To update the forest plan, which was approved in 1986 and is 
29 years old; (2) to reflect changes in economic, social, and 
ecological conditions, new policies and priorities, and new information 
based on monitoring and scientific research; and (3) to address the 
needs to change the existing forest plan, that are summarized below. 
Extensive public and employee involvement, along with science-based 
evaluations, have helped to identify these needs to change to the 
existing forest plan.
    What follows is a summary of the identified needs to change. A more 
fully developed description of the needs to change statements, which 
has been organized into several resource and management topic sections, 
is available for review on the plan revision Web site at: 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan.

Throughout the Plan

    There is a need for the revised plan to better recognize and 
enhance the Carson NF's role in contributing to local economies, 
including service-based sectors, such as recreation and tourism, timber 
and forest products, livestock grazing, and other multiple-use related 
activities and products.
    There is a need to reevaluate management areas in the current plan, 
to minimize complexity and allow more flexibility for restoration and 
habitat treatments, as well as update plan content regarding the 
resources, goods, and services provided by the Carson NF.
    There is a need to include plan direction that allows for adaptive 
management, to address potential climate change effects.
    There is a need to develop plan direction related to Forest Service 
land acquisitions, disposals, and exchanges that are not covered by the 
existing forest plan.
    There is a need to include other plan content or management 
approaches that: (1) Consider the capacity of local infrastructure, 
contractors, and markets in moving toward achieving desired conditions; 
(2) utilize partnership and volunteer opportunities as a management 
option, to promote movement toward desired conditions; and (3) allow 
for adapting to fluctuations in forest budgets over the life of the 
plan, in moving toward achieving desired conditions.

Ecological Integrity

    There is a need to develop desired conditions regarding forest and 
woodland structure, composition, and function, as well as objectives, 
standards, and guidelines that will promote restoration and achievement 
of desired conditions; support resiliency and sustainability; and 
minimize risks to ecosystem integrity.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the restoration 
and maintenance of grass productivity, particularly native bunchgrass 
species, and to limit woody species encroachment and invasive plant 
establishment, both in grasslands and non-grasslands.
    There is a need to update plan direction that supports integrated 
pest (weed) management.
    There is a need to update plan direction which allows for an 
integrated resource approach to prescribed fire activity, as well as 
flexibility for restoration and maintenance of ecosystems.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the use of 
wildland fire (management of wildfire and prescribed fire) in fire 
adapted ecosystems, while addressing public safety and health concerns.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote aspen health 
and resilience through managing regeneration and existing stands.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the maintenance 
and restoration of soil condition and function (i.e., soil hydrology, 
soil stability, nutrient cycling), particularly in lower elevation 
systems.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that promotes the 
protection, restoration and maintenance of appropriate composition and 
amount of riparian vegetation.
    There is a need to provide plan direction regarding management of 
riparian areas around all lakes, perennial and intermittent streams, 
and wetlands.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that promotes the 
protection, restoration, and maintenance of wetland condition and 
function.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for the restoration of 
watersheds.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for the sustainable 
management of water resources (e.g.,

[[Page 60619]]

groundwater, springs, wetlands, riparian areas, perennial waters) and 
their interconnections.
    There is a need to update plan direction on managing for 
sustainable watersheds for multiple uses (e.g., wildlife, livestock, 
recreation, and mining) and public water supplies.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote desired 
watershed conditions that maintain water quality and quantity, as well 
as enhance retention.

Wildlife, Fish, and Plants

    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the recovery 
and conservation of federally recognized species, the maintenance of 
viable populations of the species of conservation concern, and the 
maintenance of common and abundant species within the plan area.
    There is a need to provide plan direction to address sustainability 
of habitat(s) for plant and animal species important to tribes and 
traditional communities.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for managing towards 
terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic habitat connectivity for species 
movement across the landscape.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that allows for improving 
aquatic passage in streams where it has been compromised. Plan 
direction should promote the restoration and expansion of the range of 
native aquatic species and connectivity of fragmented populations.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that allows for an 
assortment of management approaches, including timber harvest, 
thinning, prescribed burning, and other vegetation management methods, 
to provide wildlife habitat for species that need a variety of forest 
habitats, such as interior, edge, young, and old forest.

Cultural and Historic Resources and Uses

    There is a need to update plan direction for Native American 
traditional cultural properties and sacred sites and places, and non-
Native American traditional cultural properties.
    There is a need to provide plan direction addressing management of 
historic and contemporary cultural and traditional uses, including both 
economic and non-economic uses for tribes, and for traditional 
communities not considered under tribal relations (i.e., traditional 
Hispanic and Anglo communities).

Areas of Tribal Importance

    There is a need to update plan direction addressing consistency of 
activities with legally mandated trust responsibilities to tribes.
    There is a need to update plan direction orders, to ensure privacy 
for tribes engaged in cultural and ceremonial activities.
    There is a need to update plan direction on design, location, 
installation, maintenance, and abandonment of towers, facilities, and 
alternative infrastructure within electronic communication sites, while 
giving due consideration to the value and importance of areas that may 
be identified as a sacred site or part of an important cultural 
landscape by tribes.

Multiple Uses

    There is a need to provide plan direction for the management of 
commercial and noncommercial use of forest products.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for the livestock grazing 
program that incorporates adaptive management, to move towards 
ecosystem-based desired conditions.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the sustainable 
management of wild horses.

Recreation

    There is a need to provide plan direction that promotes sustainable 
recreation management and to include management approaches within the 
revised plan to address user conflicts and demands in moving toward 
achieving recreation desired conditions.
    There is a need to provide guidance for recreation activities that 
occur in areas sensitive to resource degradation or at risk, due to 
high visitation.
    There is a need to update plan direction for the Continental Divide 
National Scenic Trail.
    There is a need to update plan direction and guidance for 
incorporating the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum classifications the 
Scenery Management System integrity objectives across all programs 
areas.
    There is a need to update plan direction for over-snow vehicle use 
and the recreation special uses program.

Designated Areas

    There is a need to update plan direction for managing existing 
designated areas, including designated wilderness, research natural 
areas, and designated and eligible wild and scenic rivers, that promote 
the maintenance of desired values and characteristics unique to each 
area, as well as newly designated or potential designated areas.

Infrastructure

    There is a need to provide plan direction for maintenance of 
transportation systems in watersheds identified as impaired or at-risk 
and for the reclamation of non-system roads.

Land Status and Ownership, Use, and Access

    There is a need to update plan direction to address legal access 
for public, private landowner, and tribal needs and management, to 
promote contiguity of the land base and for reducing small unmanageable 
tracts of National Forest System lands.

Energy and Minerals

    There is a need to update plan direction for recreational mining-
related activities and the permitted use of common mineral materials.
    There is a need to update plan direction for existing or proposed 
transmission corridors and renewable energy generation, including 
solar, biomass, and geothermal, while protecting natural resources, 
heritage and sacred sites, tribal traditional activities, and scenery.

Public Involvement

    A Notice of initiating the assessment phase of forest plan revision 
for the Carson NF was published in the Federal Register on February 27, 
2014 (79 FR 11074). Subsequently, the Carson NF held or participated in 
32 public meetings and collaborative work sessions in communities 
around the forest, to explain the plan revision process and solicit 
comments, opinions, data, and ideas from members of the public, 
governmental entities, tribes, land grants, and nongovernmental 
organizations. Fifteen meetings were held in June 2014 providing an 
opportunity for people to express how they value and use the forest and 
asking what they want the forest to look like in the future. This 
information was used to inform the assessment for the Carson NF. The 
Carson and Santa Fe NFs jointly held 3 meetings in April/May of 2015 
with members of local land grants, to present and discuss the plan 
revision process. In June of 2015, the forest held 14 community public 
meetings to present the key findings of the assessment and to have 
participants come up with management solutions to address these key 
findings or other issues of concern. The input from these meetings was 
used to inform and update both the assessment and needs-to-change 
statements. Approximately 556 people attended the 32 meetings and 
nearly 1,800 comment letters or forms were received, either at the 
meetings or

[[Page 60620]]

by email, postal mail, or web-form. Public Information to the public 
was provided by a dedicated forest plan revision Web page and through 
mailings, flyers, news releases, Twitter, and radio interviews. Any 
comments related to the Carson NF's assessment report that are received 
following the publication of this Notice may be considered in the draft 
and final environmental impact statements.

Scoping Process

    Written comments received in response to this Notice will be 
analyzed to complete the identification of the needs for change to the 
existing plan, further develop the proposed action, and identify 
potential significant issues. Significant issues will, in turn, form 
the basis for developing alternatives to the proposed action. Comments 
on the Needs to Change the Forest Plan and Proposed Action will be most 
valuable if received by November 20, 2015, and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's issues and concerns. Comments received in 
response to this Notice, including the names and addresses of those who 
comment, will be part of the public record. Comments submitted 
anonymously will be accepted and considered in the NEPA process; 
however, anonymous comments will not provide the Agency with the 
ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental 
documents. See the below Objection Process description, particularly 
the requirements for filing an objection, on how anonymous comments are 
handled during the objection process. Refer to the Carson NF's Web site 
at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan for information on when public 
meetings will be scheduled for refining the Proposed Action and 
identifying possible alternatives to the Proposed Action.

Applicable Planning Rule

    Preparation of the revised forest plan for the Carson NF began with 
the assessment of the conditions and trends of the Forest's ecological, 
social, and economic resources, initiated under the planning procedures 
contained in the 2012 Forest Service planning rule (36 CFR 219 (2012)).

Permits or Licenses Required To Implement the Proposed Action

    No permits or licenses are needed for the development or revision 
of a forest plan.

Proposed Decisions Are Subject To Objection

    The proposed decision to approve the revised forest plan for the 
Carson NF will be subject to the objection process identified in 36 CFR 
part 219 Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According to 36 CFR 219.53(a), 
those who may file an objection are individuals and entities who have 
submitted substantive formal comments related to plan revision, during 
the opportunities provided for public comment throughout the planning 
process.

Documents Available for Review

    The (1) Assessment Report of Ecological, Social, and Economic 
Conditions, Trends, and Sustainability for the Carson National Forest 
and (2) Carson National Forest's Needs to Change Management Direction 
of Its Existing 1986 Forest Plan, as well as summaries of the public 
meetings and public meeting materials, and public comments are posted 
on the Carson NF's Web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan. As necessary or appropriate, the material available 
on this site will be further adjusted as part of the planning process 
using the provisions of the 2012 planning rule.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1600-1614; 36 CFR part 219 [77 FR 21260-
21273].

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for revision of the Carson NF's forest 
plan is Forest Supervisor James Duran, Carson National Forest, 208 Cruz 
Alta Road, Taos, New Mexico 87571.

    Dated: September 29, 2015.
James Duran,
Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2015-25519 Filed 10-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-11-P



                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices                                                            60617

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Total annual
                                                                                                                                               Estimated
                                                                                 Data collection                                                                Frequency of      Total annual        Average hours      burden
                                                      Affected public                                            Respondents                   number of
                                                                                    activity                                                                      response         responses          per response      estimate
                                                                                                                                              respondents                                                                (hours)

                                                    State ...................   Notify state offi-             State education                            50                 1                 50              0.08                  4
                                                                                  cials of web                   agency finan-
                                                                                  survey.                        cial officer.
                                                    State ...................   Self-Administered              Non-respondents                              3                1                   3             0.08             0.2
                                                                                  Web Survey.
                                                                                (Administrative                State education                            47                 1                 47               1.0             47
                                                                                  data on USDA                   agency finan-
                                                                                  Food costs).                   cial officer.
                                                    State ...................   Notify state offi-             State education                        8–20                   1               8–20              0.25            2–5
                                                                                  cials of in-per-               agency finan-
                                                                                  son interview.                 cial officer.
                                                    State ...................   In-person inter-               State education                        8–20                   1               8–20                 6         48–120
                                                                                  view of state                  agency finan-
                                                                                  distribution                   cial officer.
                                                                                  agency (Addi-
                                                                                  tional informa-
                                                                                  tion on USDA
                                                                                  Food costs).
                                                    Local and Tribal ..         Notify local and               Foodservice di-                    112–280                    1         112–280                 0.08       9.0–22.4
                                                                                  tribal officials of            rector.
                                                                                  web survey.
                                                    Local and Tribal ..         Self-Administered              Non-respondents                      12–30                    1              12–30              0.08         1.0–2.4
                                                                                  Web Survey.
                                                                                (Administrative                Foodservice di-                    100–250                    1         100–250                 0.75     75.0–187.5
                                                                                  data on USDA                   rector.
                                                                                  Food costs).
                                                                                Phone Follow-up                Nonrespondents                       20–50                    1              20–50              0.08         1.6–4.0
                                                                                  Survey.
                                                                                (Administrative                Foodservice di-                     80–200                    1          80–200                  1.5       120–300
                                                                                  data on USDA                   rector.
                                                                                  Food costs).

                                                          Grand Total           ............................   ............................       440–950                    1         440–950                 0.72       308–693



                                                      Dated: September 30, 2015.                                           describes the documents (Assessment                     ADDRESSES:   Send written comments to
                                                    Telora T. Dean,                                                        Report of Ecological, Social, and                       Carson National Forest, Attn: Plan
                                                    Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition                               Economic Conditions, Trends, and                        Revision, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos,
                                                    Service.                                                               Sustainability for the Carson NF;                       New Mexico 87571. Comments may also
                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–25444 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am]                            Summaries of Public Meetings; and                       be sent via email to carsonplan@
                                                    BILLING CODE 3410–30–P                                                 Carson NF’s Needs to Change                             fs.fed.us.
                                                                                                                           Management Direction of Its Existing                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                           1986 Forest Plan) available for review                  Kevin Naranjo, Forest Planner, 575–
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                                              and how to obtain them; summarizes                      758–6221. Individuals who use
                                                                                                                           the needs to change the existing forest                 telecommunication devices for the deaf
                                                    Forest Service
                                                                                                                           plan; provides information concerning                   (TDD) may call the Federal Information
                                                    Revision of Land Management Plan for                                   public participation and engagement,                    Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
                                                    Carson National Forest; Counties of                                    including the process for submitting                    between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
                                                    Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, and Taos,                                    comments; provides an estimated                         Eastern Standard Time, Monday
                                                    New Mexico                                                             schedule for the planning process,                      through Friday.
                                                                                                                                                                                      More information on the planning
                                                                                                                           including the time available for
                                                    AGENCY:  Forest Service, USDA.                                                                                                 process can also be found on the Carson
                                                                                                                           comments, and includes the names and
                                                    ACTION: Notice of intent to revise the                                                                                         National Forest’s Web site at
                                                                                                                           addresses of agency contacts who can                    www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan.
                                                    Carson National Forest Land
                                                                                                                           provide additional information.
                                                    Management Plan and prepare an                                                                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                    associated Environmental Impact                                        DATES:  Comments concerning the Needs
                                                                                                                                                                                   Name and Address of the Responsible
                                                    Statement.                                                             to Change and Proposed Action                           Official
                                                                                                                           provided in this Notice will be most
                                                    SUMMARY:   As directed by the National
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                           useful in the development of the draft                    James Duran, Forest Supervisor,
                                                    Forest Management Act, the USDA                                                                                                Carson National Forest, 208 Cruz Alta,
                                                    Forest Service is revising the existing                                revised plan and draft EIS if received by
                                                                                                                           November 20, 2015. The agency expects                   Taos, New Mexico 87571.
                                                    Carson National Forest’s Land
                                                    Management Plan (hereafter referred to                                 to release a draft revised plan and draft               Nature of the Decision To Be Made
                                                    as forest plan) through development of                                 EIS, developed through a collaborative                    The Carson National Forest (NF) is
                                                    an associated National Environmental                                   public engagement process, by late Fall/                preparing an EIS to revise the existing
                                                    Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental                                        Winter 2016 and a final revised plan                    forest plan. The EIS process is meant to
                                                    Impact Statement (EIS). This Notice                                    and final EIS by Spring 2018.                           inform the Forest Supervisor so he can


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014       18:12 Oct 06, 2015       Jkt 238001      PO 00000        Frm 00007    Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM    07OCN1


                                                    60618                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices

                                                    decide which alternative best maintains                 Rule (36 CFR 219), forest plans are to be             movement toward desired conditions;
                                                    and restores National Forest System                     revised at least every 15 years. The                  and (3) allow for adapting to
                                                    terrestrial and aquatic resources, while                Proposed Action is to revise the forest               fluctuations in forest budgets over the
                                                    providing ecosystem services and                        plan in order to address the needs to                 life of the plan, in moving toward
                                                    multiple uses, as required by the                       change that were identified through                   achieving desired conditions.
                                                    National Forest Management Act and                      public involvement and the assessment
                                                                                                            process. Alternatives to the Proposed                 Ecological Integrity
                                                    the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act.
                                                       The revised forest plan will describe                Action will be developed to address the                  There is a need to develop desired
                                                    the strategic intent of managing the                    significant issues that are identified                conditions regarding forest and
                                                    Carson NF for the next 15 years and will                through scoping.                                      woodland structure, composition, and
                                                    address the needs to change the existing                   The purpose and need for revising the              function, as well as objectives,
                                                    forest plan. The revised forest plan will               current Carson NF forest plan are: (1) To             standards, and guidelines that will
                                                    provide management direction in the                     update the forest plan, which was                     promote restoration and achievement of
                                                    form of desired conditions, objectives,                 approved in 1986 and is 29 years old;                 desired conditions; support resiliency
                                                    standards, guidelines, and suitability of               (2) to reflect changes in economic,                   and sustainability; and minimize risks
                                                    lands. It will identify delineation of new              social, and ecological conditions, new                to ecosystem integrity.
                                                    management areas and geographic areas                   policies and priorities, and new                         There is a need to update plan
                                                    across the Forest; identify the timber                  information based on monitoring and                   direction to promote the restoration and
                                                    sale program quantity; potentially make                 scientific research; and (3) to address               maintenance of grass productivity,
                                                    recommendations to Congress for                         the needs to change the existing forest               particularly native bunchgrass species,
                                                    Wilderness designation; and list rivers                 plan, that are summarized below.                      and to limit woody species
                                                    and streams eligible for inclusion in the               Extensive public and employee                         encroachment and invasive plant
                                                    National Wild and Scenic Rivers                         involvement, along with science-based                 establishment, both in grasslands and
                                                    System. The revised forest plan will also               evaluations, have helped to identify                  non-grasslands.
                                                    provide a description of the plan area’s                these needs to change to the existing                    There is a need to update plan
                                                    distinctive roles and contributions                     forest plan.                                          direction that supports integrated pest
                                                    within the broader landscape, identify                     What follows is a summary of the                   (weed) management.
                                                    watersheds that are a priority for                      identified needs to change. A more fully                 There is a need to update plan
                                                    maintenance or restoration, include a                   developed description of the needs to                 direction which allows for an integrated
                                                    monitoring program, and contain                         change statements, which has been                     resource approach to prescribed fire
                                                    information reflecting expected possible                organized into several resource and                   activity, as well as flexibility for
                                                    actions over the life of the plan.                      management topic sections, is available               restoration and maintenance of
                                                       The revised forest plan will provide                 for review on the plan revision Web site              ecosystems.
                                                    strategic direction and a framework for                 at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/                                There is a need to update plan
                                                    decision making during the life of the                  carsonforestplan.                                     direction to promote the use of wildland
                                                    plan, but it will not make site-specific                                                                      fire (management of wildfire and
                                                    project decisions and will not dictate                  Throughout the Plan                                   prescribed fire) in fire adapted
                                                    day-to-day administrative activities                       There is a need for the revised plan               ecosystems, while addressing public
                                                    needed to carry on the Forest Service’s                 to better recognize and enhance the                   safety and health concerns.
                                                    internal operations. The authorization of               Carson NF’s role in contributing to local                There is a need to update plan
                                                    project level activities will be based on               economies, including service-based                    direction to promote aspen health and
                                                    the guidance/direction contained in the                 sectors, such as recreation and tourism,              resilience through managing
                                                    revised plan, but will occur through                    timber and forest products, livestock                 regeneration and existing stands.
                                                    subsequent project specific decision-                   grazing, and other multiple-use related                  There is a need to update plan
                                                    making, including NEPA.                                 activities and products.                              direction to promote the maintenance
                                                       The revised forest plan will provide                    There is a need to reevaluate                      and restoration of soil condition and
                                                    broad, strategic guidance that is                       management areas in the current plan,                 function (i.e., soil hydrology, soil
                                                    consistent with other laws and                          to minimize complexity and allow more                 stability, nutrient cycling), particularly
                                                    regulations. Though strategic guidance                  flexibility for restoration and habitat               in lower elevation systems.
                                                    will be provided, no decisions will be                  treatments, as well as update plan                       There is a need to provide plan
                                                    made regarding the management of                        content regarding the resources, goods,               direction that promotes the protection,
                                                    individual roads or trails, such as those               and services provided by the Carson NF.               restoration and maintenance of
                                                    might be associated with a Travel                          There is a need to include plan                    appropriate composition and amount of
                                                    Management plan under 36 CFR part                       direction that allows for adaptive                    riparian vegetation.
                                                    212. Some issues (e.g., hunting                         management, to address potential                         There is a need to provide plan
                                                    regulations), although important, are                   climate change effects.                               direction regarding management of
                                                    beyond the authority or control of the                     There is a need to develop plan                    riparian areas around all lakes,
                                                    National Forest System and cannot be                    direction related to Forest Service land              perennial and intermittent streams, and
                                                    considered. No decision regarding oil                   acquisitions, disposals, and exchanges                wetlands.
                                                    and gas leasing availability will be                    that are not covered by the existing                     There is a need to provide plan
                                                                                                            forest plan.                                          direction that promotes the protection,
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                                                    made, though plan components may be
                                                    brought forward or developed that will                     There is a need to include other plan              restoration, and maintenance of wetland
                                                    help guide oil and gas leasing                          content or management approaches that:                condition and function.
                                                    availability decisions that may be                      (1) Consider the capacity of local                       There is a need to provide plan
                                                    necessary in the future.                                infrastructure, contractors, and markets              direction for the restoration of
                                                                                                            in moving toward achieving desired                    watersheds.
                                                    Purpose and Need and Proposed Action                    conditions; (2) utilize partnership and                  There is a need to provide plan
                                                      According to the National Forest                      volunteer opportunities as a                          direction for the sustainable
                                                    Management Act and 2012 Planning                        management option, to promote                         management of water resources (e.g.,


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices                                           60619

                                                    groundwater, springs, wetlands, riparian                Areas of Tribal Importance                            Infrastructure
                                                    areas, perennial waters) and their                         There is a need to update plan                        There is a need to provide plan
                                                    interconnections.                                       direction addressing consistency of                   direction for maintenance of
                                                      There is a need to update plan                        activities with legally mandated trust                transportation systems in watersheds
                                                    direction on managing for sustainable                   responsibilities to tribes.                           identified as impaired or at-risk and for
                                                    watersheds for multiple uses (e.g.,                        There is a need to update plan                     the reclamation of non-system roads.
                                                    wildlife, livestock, recreation, and                    direction orders, to ensure privacy for
                                                    mining) and public water supplies.                                                                            Land Status and Ownership, Use, and
                                                                                                            tribes engaged in cultural and
                                                      There is a need to update plan                                                                              Access
                                                                                                            ceremonial activities.
                                                    direction to promote desired watershed                     There is a need to update plan                       There is a need to update plan
                                                    conditions that maintain water quality                  direction on design, location,                        direction to address legal access for
                                                    and quantity, as well as enhance                        installation, maintenance, and                        public, private landowner, and tribal
                                                    retention.                                              abandonment of towers, facilities, and                needs and management, to promote
                                                                                                            alternative infrastructure within                     contiguity of the land base and for
                                                    Wildlife, Fish, and Plants                                                                                    reducing small unmanageable tracts of
                                                                                                            electronic communication sites, while
                                                      There is a need to update plan                        giving due consideration to the value                 National Forest System lands.
                                                    direction to promote the recovery and                   and importance of areas that may be                   Energy and Minerals
                                                    conservation of federally recognized                    identified as a sacred site or part of an
                                                    species, the maintenance of viable                      important cultural landscape by tribes.                  There is a need to update plan
                                                    populations of the species of                                                                                 direction for recreational mining-related
                                                    conservation concern, and the                           Multiple Uses                                         activities and the permitted use of
                                                    maintenance of common and abundant                        There is a need to provide plan                     common mineral materials.
                                                    species within the plan area.                           direction for the management of                          There is a need to update plan
                                                      There is a need to provide plan                       commercial and noncommercial use of                   direction for existing or proposed
                                                    direction to address sustainability of                  forest products.                                      transmission corridors and renewable
                                                    habitat(s) for plant and animal species                   There is a need to provide plan                     energy generation, including solar,
                                                    important to tribes and traditional                     direction for the livestock grazing                   biomass, and geothermal, while
                                                                                                            program that incorporates adaptive                    protecting natural resources, heritage
                                                    communities.
                                                                                                            management, to move towards                           and sacred sites, tribal traditional
                                                      There is a need to provide plan
                                                                                                            ecosystem-based desired conditions.                   activities, and scenery.
                                                    direction for managing towards
                                                    terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic habitat                There is a need to update plan                      Public Involvement
                                                    connectivity for species movement                       direction to promote the sustainable
                                                                                                            management of wild horses.                               A Notice of initiating the assessment
                                                    across the landscape.                                                                                         phase of forest plan revision for the
                                                      There is a need to provide plan                       Recreation                                            Carson NF was published in the Federal
                                                    direction that allows for improving                                                                           Register on February 27, 2014 (79 FR
                                                                                                              There is a need to provide plan
                                                    aquatic passage in streams where it has                                                                       11074). Subsequently, the Carson NF
                                                                                                            direction that promotes sustainable
                                                    been compromised. Plan direction                                                                              held or participated in 32 public
                                                                                                            recreation management and to include
                                                    should promote the restoration and                                                                            meetings and collaborative work
                                                                                                            management approaches within the
                                                    expansion of the range of native aquatic                                                                      sessions in communities around the
                                                                                                            revised plan to address user conflicts
                                                    species and connectivity of fragmented                                                                        forest, to explain the plan revision
                                                                                                            and demands in moving toward
                                                    populations.                                                                                                  process and solicit comments, opinions,
                                                                                                            achieving recreation desired conditions.
                                                      There is a need to provide plan                         There is a need to provide guidance                 data, and ideas from members of the
                                                    direction that allows for an assortment                 for recreation activities that occur in               public, governmental entities, tribes,
                                                    of management approaches, including                     areas sensitive to resource degradation               land grants, and nongovernmental
                                                    timber harvest, thinning, prescribed                    or at risk, due to high visitation.                   organizations. Fifteen meetings were
                                                    burning, and other vegetation                             There is a need to update plan                      held in June 2014 providing an
                                                    management methods, to provide                          direction for the Continental Divide                  opportunity for people to express how
                                                    wildlife habitat for species that need a                National Scenic Trail.                                they value and use the forest and asking
                                                    variety of forest habitats, such as                       There is a need to update plan                      what they want the forest to look like in
                                                    interior, edge, young, and old forest.                  direction and guidance for incorporating              the future. This information was used to
                                                                                                            the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum                   inform the assessment for the Carson
                                                    Cultural and Historic Resources and
                                                                                                            classifications the Scenery Management                NF. The Carson and Santa Fe NFs
                                                    Uses
                                                                                                            System integrity objectives across all                jointly held 3 meetings in April/May of
                                                       There is a need to update plan                       programs areas.                                       2015 with members of local land grants,
                                                    direction for Native American                             There is a need to update plan                      to present and discuss the plan revision
                                                    traditional cultural properties and                     direction for over-snow vehicle use and               process. In June of 2015, the forest held
                                                    sacred sites and places, and non-Native                 the recreation special uses program.                  14 community public meetings to
                                                    American traditional cultural                                                                                 present the key findings of the
                                                    properties.                                             Designated Areas                                      assessment and to have participants
                                                       There is a need to provide plan                        There is a need to update plan                      come up with management solutions to
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                                                    direction addressing management of                      direction for managing existing                       address these key findings or other
                                                    historic and contemporary cultural and                  designated areas, including designated                issues of concern. The input from these
                                                    traditional uses, including both                        wilderness, research natural areas, and               meetings was used to inform and update
                                                    economic and non-economic uses for                      designated and eligible wild and scenic               both the assessment and needs-to-
                                                    tribes, and for traditional communities                 rivers, that promote the maintenance of               change statements. Approximately 556
                                                    not considered under tribal relations                   desired values and characteristics                    people attended the 32 meetings and
                                                    (i.e., traditional Hispanic and Anglo                   unique to each area, as well as newly                 nearly 1,800 comment letters or forms
                                                    communities).                                           designated or potential designated areas.             were received, either at the meetings or


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                                                    60620                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices

                                                    by email, postal mail, or web-form.                     Proposed Decisions Are Subject To                     (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
                                                    Public Information to the public was                    Objection                                             of burden including the validity of the
                                                    provided by a dedicated forest plan                       The proposed decision to approve the                methodology and assumptions used; (c)
                                                    revision Web page and through                           revised forest plan for the Carson NF                 ways to enhance the quality, utility and
                                                    mailings, flyers, news releases, Twitter,                                                                     clarity of the information to be
                                                                                                            will be subject to the objection process
                                                    and radio interviews. Any comments                                                                            collected; (d) ways to minimize the
                                                                                                            identified in 36 CFR part 219 Subpart B
                                                    related to the Carson NF’s assessment                                                                         burden of the collection of information
                                                                                                            (219.50 to 219.62). According to 36 CFR
                                                    report that are received following the                                                                        on those who are to respond, including
                                                                                                            219.53(a), those who may file an
                                                    publication of this Notice may be                                                                             through the use of appropriate
                                                                                                            objection are individuals and entities
                                                                                                                                                                  automated, electronic, mechanical, or
                                                    considered in the draft and final                       who have submitted substantive formal
                                                                                                                                                                  other technological collection
                                                    environmental impact statements.                        comments related to plan revision,
                                                                                                                                                                  techniques and other forms of
                                                                                                            during the opportunities provided for
                                                    Scoping Process                                                                                               information technology.
                                                                                                            public comment throughout the                           Comments regarding this information
                                                       Written comments received in                         planning process.                                     collection received by November 6,
                                                    response to this Notice will be analyzed                Documents Available for Review                        2015 will be considered. Written
                                                    to complete the identification of the                                                                         comments should be addressed to: Desk
                                                                                                              The (1) Assessment Report of
                                                    needs for change to the existing plan,                                                                        Officer for Agriculture, Office of
                                                                                                            Ecological, Social, and Economic                      Information and Regulatory Affairs,
                                                    further develop the proposed action,                    Conditions, Trends, and Sustainability
                                                    and identify potential significant issues.                                                                    Office of Management and Budget
                                                                                                            for the Carson National Forest and (2)                (OMB), New Executive Office Building,
                                                    Significant issues will, in turn, form the              Carson National Forest’s Needs to
                                                    basis for developing alternatives to the                                                                      725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC
                                                                                                            Change Management Direction of Its                    20503. Commentors are encouraged to
                                                    proposed action. Comments on the                        Existing 1986 Forest Plan, as well as
                                                    Needs to Change the Forest Plan and                                                                           submit their comments to OMB via
                                                                                                            summaries of the public meetings and                  email to: OIRA_Submission@
                                                    Proposed Action will be most valuable                   public meeting materials, and public
                                                    if received by November 20, 2015, and                                                                         omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395–5806 and
                                                                                                            comments are posted on the Carson                     to Departmental Clearance Office,
                                                    should clearly articulate the reviewer’s                NF’s Web site at: http://                             USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602,
                                                    issues and concerns. Comments                           www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan.                Washington, DC 20250–7602. Copies of
                                                    received in response to this Notice,                    As necessary or appropriate, the                      the submission(s) may be obtained by
                                                    including the names and addresses of                    material available on this site will be               calling (202) 720–8681.
                                                    those who comment, will be part of the                  further adjusted as part of the planning                An agency may not conduct or
                                                    public record. Comments submitted                       process using the provisions of the 2012              sponsor a collection of information
                                                    anonymously will be accepted and                        planning rule.                                        unless the collection of information
                                                    considered in the NEPA process;                           Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1600–1614; 36 CFR              displays a currently valid OMB control
                                                    however, anonymous comments will                        part 219 [77 FR 21260–21273].                         number and the agency informs
                                                    not provide the Agency with the ability                 Responsible Official                                  potential persons who are to respond to
                                                    to provide the respondent with                                                                                the collection of information that such
                                                    subsequent environmental documents.                       The responsible official for revision of            persons are not required to respond to
                                                    See the below Objection Process                         the Carson NF’s forest plan is Forest                 the collection of information unless it
                                                    description, particularly the                           Supervisor James Duran, Carson                        displays a currently valid OMB control
                                                    requirements for filing an objection, on                National Forest, 208 Cruz Alta Road,                  number.
                                                    how anonymous comments are handled                      Taos, New Mexico 87571.
                                                                                                                                                                  Forest Service
                                                    during the objection process. Refer to                    Dated: September 29, 2015.
                                                    the Carson NF’s Web site at                             James Duran,                                            Title: National Woodland Owner
                                                                                                                                                                  Survey.
                                                    www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan                   Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest.
                                                                                                                                                                    OMB Control Number: 0596–0078.
                                                    for information on when public                          [FR Doc. 2015–25519 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am]             Summary of Collection: The Forest
                                                    meetings will be scheduled for refining                 BILLING CODE 3410–11–P                                and Rangeland Renewable Resources
                                                    the Proposed Action and identifying                                                                           Planning Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93–278
                                                    possible alternatives to the Proposed                                                                         Sec. 3) and the Forest and Rangeland
                                                    Action.                                                 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                             Renewable Resources Research Act of
                                                    Applicable Planning Rule                                Forest Service                                        1978 (Pub. L. 307 Sec. 3) are the legal
                                                                                                                                                                  authorities for conducting the National
                                                      Preparation of the revised forest plan                Submission for OMB Review;                            Woodland Owner Survey. The National
                                                    for the Carson NF began with the                        Comment Request                                       Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS)
                                                    assessment of the conditions and trends                                                                       collects information to help answer
                                                                                                            October 1, 2015.                                      questions related to the characteristics
                                                    of the Forest’s ecological, social, and
                                                    economic resources, initiated under the                   The Department of Agriculture has                   of the landholdings and landowners,
                                                    planning procedures contained in the                    submitted the following information                   ownership objectives, the supply of
                                                                                                            collection requirement(s) to OMB for                  timber and non-timber products, forest
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                                                    2012 Forest Service planning rule (36
                                                                                                            review and clearance under the                        management practices, climate change,
                                                    CFR 219 (2012)).
                                                                                                            Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,                      wildfires, invasive species, and delivery
                                                    Permits or Licenses Required To                         Public Law 104–13. Comments                           of the concerns/constraints perceived by
                                                    Implement the Proposed Action                           regarding (a) whether the collection of               the landowners.
                                                                                                            information is necessary for the proper                 Need and Use of the Information: The
                                                      No permits or licenses are needed for                 performance of the functions of the                   NWOS will utilize a mixed-mode survey
                                                    the development or revision of a forest                 agency, including whether the                         technique involving cognitive
                                                    plan.                                                   information will have practical utility;              interviews, focus groups, self-


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:49:15
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:49:15
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of intent to revise the Carson National Forest Land Management Plan and prepare an associated Environmental Impact Statement.
DatesComments concerning the Needs to Change and Proposed Action provided in this Notice will be most useful in the development of the draft revised plan and draft EIS if received by November 20, 2015. The agency expects to release a draft revised plan and draft EIS, developed through a collaborative public engagement process, by late Fall/Winter 2016 and a final revised plan and final EIS by Spring 2018.
ContactKevin Naranjo, Forest Planner, 575- 758-6221. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800- 877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
FR Citation80 FR 60617 

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