80 FR 62013 - Fremont-Winema National Forest; Chiloquin Ranger District; Oregon: Lobert Restoration Project Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 199 (October 15, 2015)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 199 (October 15, 2015)
| Page Range | 62013-62014 | |
| FR Document | 2015-26288 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 62013-62014] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-26288] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Fremont-Winema National Forest; Chiloquin Ranger District; Oregon: Lobert Restoration Project Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of commercial and non-commercial vegetation management activities, prescribed burning, road activities, recreation opportunity improvements, and other restoration activities. Other design criteria are included to protect resources and facilitate management activities. The project is located on the Chiloquin Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Klamath County, Oregon. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by November 16, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected September 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected December 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Constance Cummins, Forest Supervisor, Fremont-Winema National Forest, c/o Kelly Ware, 38500 Highway 97 North, Chiloquin, OR 97624. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-pacificnorthwest-winema-chiloquin@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 541-783-2134. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Ware, NEPA Planner, Chiloquin Ranger District, 38500 Highway 97 North, Chiloquin, OR 97624. Phone: 541-783-4039. Email: kware@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lobert project area encompasses approximately 97,500 acres of National Forest System lands and is located within the Klamath Tribes' former 1954 reservation. The project lies within portions of the Sprague River, Hog Creek-Williamson River, Swan Lake Valley, Long Lake Valley-Upper Klamath Lake, Yonna Valley- Lost River, and Wood River watersheds. The project area is in Klamath County, generally located between the communities of Fort Klamath and Chiloquin, south to Hagelstein Park, and east to Swan Lake Point and Saddle Mountain. The legal description for the project planning area includes Townships 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 South, and Ranges 07, 08, 09, 10 East, Willamette Meridian, Klamath County, Oregon. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for the Lobert Restoration Project was developed by comparing the management objectives and desired conditions of the Winema Forest Plan to the existing conditions in the project planning area related to watershed and forest resiliency and function. Where plan information was not explicit, best available science and local research, including the Klamath Tribes' Management Plan, were utilized. Comparison of the existing and desired condition indicates the specific needs to: (1) Restore forest structure, composition, and density toward more resistance and resilient vegetative conditions given the historic fire regime by reducing the horizontal and vertical connectivity and density of standing [[Page 62014]] vegetation, surface fuels, and/or ladder fuels; (2) protect and release large and old trees from competition; (3) reduce uncharacteristic wildfire effects within the project planning area including the Saddle Mountain Cultural Resource Area and WUI; (4) Maintain and improve habitat for fish and wildlife species present in the project planning area, particularly mule deer; (5) restore degraded physical and biological stream processes that sustain floodplain ecosystem structure, function and diversity; (6) implement recovery plans for federally listed species; (7) reduce risk of northern spotted owl habitat degradation and loss from uncharacteristic wildfire and/or insect and disease outbreak; (8) conserve and restore cultural plants and maintain habitat for two rare endemic plant populations; (9) provide for a variety of social and cultural values and opportunities in the project area, including availability of traditional use plants, a variety of wood products, enhanced recreation experiences and opportunities, and a safe road system that moves toward current public access and resource management objectives. Proposed Action The Forest proposed action includes restoration activities for the following resources: Vegetation management, aquatic restoration, recreation interpretive site improvement, and associated road management activities to address the purpose and need. These activities would occur over approximately the next 10 years. Vegetation management will include a mix of commercial thinning, small tree thinning, prescribed fire, and other fuels treatments. The use of different methods would be determined by site conditions, accessibility and specific resource protection needs. The proposal includes 9 different restoration treatments: (1) Dry ponderosa pine restoration; (2) dry mixed conifer restoration; (3) moist mixed conifer restoration; (4) xeric ponderosa pine restoration; (5) dispersal habitat for northern spotted owl (NSO); (6) foraging habitat (NSO); (7) wildland urban interface fuels reduction; (8) riparian restoration; (9) endemic plant enhancement. The proposed action will include large wood and spawning gravel placement in six stream reaches that are deficient in wood, riparian hardwood species planting, headcut repair, and spring enhancement. Spring enhancement may include: (1) Removal or repair of spring boxes or other spring development equipment; (2) installation of protective fencing; (3) vegetation treatments to improve hydrologic conditions (4) planting/sowing riparian species. Approximately 13.2 miles of roads are proposed to be closed post- implementation, 162 miles of roads are proposed for decommissioning, and 4.5 miles of roads would have their operational maintenance levels upgraded. Recreation activities proposed include removal of three flush facilities from the Spring Creek Campground and picnic area and installation of one vault toilet. Two vault toilets that no longer meet water quality standards would be removed from the Oux Kanee Overlook; one would be replaced with a vault toilet that meets current standards. The Lobert Restoration Project will also include a variety of project design criteria that serve to mitigate impacts of activities to forest resources, including wildlife, soils, watershed condition, aquatic species, riparian habitat conservation areas, heritage resources, visuals, rangeland, botanical resources, and invasive plants. The proposed action may also include amendments to the Winema National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended. Possible Alternatives The Forest Service will consider a range of alternatives. One of these will be the ``no action'' alternative in which none of the proposed action would be implemented. Additional alternatives may be included in response to issues raised by the public during the scoping process or due to additional concerns for resource values identified by the interdisciplinary team. Responsible Official The Forest Supervisor of the Fremont-Winema National Forest, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630, is the Responsible Official. As the Responsible Official, I will decide if the proposed action will be implemented. I will document the decision and rationale for the decision in the Record of Decision. I have delegated the responsibility for preparing the draft EIS and final EIS to the District Ranger, Chiloquin Ranger District. Nature of Decision To Be Made Based on the purpose and need, the Responsible Official reviews the proposed action, the other alternatives, the environmental consequences, and public comments on the analysis in order to make the following decision: (1) Whether to implement timber harvest and associated fuels treatments, prescribed burning, and watershed work, including the design features and potential mitigation measures to protect resources; and if so, how much and at what specific locations; (2) What, if any, specific project monitoring requirements are needed to assure design features and potential mitigation measures are implemented and effective, and to evaluate the success of the project objectives. A project specific monitoring plan will be developed. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. The interdisciplinary team will continue to seek information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribal governments, and other individuals or organizations that may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed action. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered. Dated: October 1, 2015. Constance Cummins, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2015-26288 Filed 10-14-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Notices 62013
approval. All comments will be a matter information needed to complete this are 110,136. This includes 55,068
of public record. form is obtained from the SNAP case sampled active cases for QC review and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: record and state quality control the same 55,068 records being kept by
Requests for additional information or findings. The information is used to the 53 State agencies.
copies of this information collection monitor and reduce errors, develop Estimated Time per Response: The
should be directed to Stephanie Proska policy strategies and analyze household
estimated time of response for State
at 703–305–2437. characteristic data. We estimate that it
agencies to report is approximately
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: takes 1.05 hours per response and .0236
hours per record for recordkeeping to 63.36 minutes and the estimated
Title: Quality Control Review
complete the form. response time for State agencies to do
Schedule.
Form Number: FNS 380–1. Affected Public: State, Local and recordkeeping is approximately 1.42
OMB Number: 0584–0299. Tribal Government: Respondent groups minutes. Therefore, the total time per
Expiration Date: February 29, 2016. identified include: 53 State agencies. response is approximately 64.78
Type of Request: Revision of a Estimated Number of Responses per minutes.
currently approved collection. Respondent: The total estimated number Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Abstract: Form FNS 380–1 is the of responses per respondent is 1,039.02. Respondents: 3,567,055.8 minutes
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Estimated Frequency per Respondent: (59,450.93 hours). See the table below
Program’s (SNAP) Quality Control (QC) 1.9980769. for estimated total annual burden for
Review Schedule which collects QC and Estimated Total Annual Responses:
each type of respondent.
household characteristics data. The The estimated total annual responses
REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING BURDEN
Estimated
Estimated Responses Total annual average Estimated
Respondent number annually per responses number of total hours
respondents respondent (col. bxc) hours per (col. dxe)
response
State Agencies Reporting ................................................ 53 1,039.02 55,068 1.056 58,151.87
State Agencies Recordkeeping ....................................... 53 1,039.02 55,068 0.0236 1,299.60
Total Reporting Burden ............................................ 106 ........................ 110,136 1.0796 59,450.93
Dated: October 2, 2015. DATES: Comments concerning the scope Creek-Williamson River, Swan Lake
Audrey Rowe, of the analysis must be received by Valley, Long Lake Valley-Upper
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. November 16, 2015. The draft Klamath Lake, Yonna Valley-Lost River,
[FR Doc. 2015–26292 Filed 10–14–15; 8:45 am] environmental impact statement is and Wood River watersheds. The project
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
expected September 2016 and the final area is in Klamath County, generally
environmental impact statement is located between the communities of
expected December 2016. Fort Klamath and Chiloquin, south to
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Hagelstein Park, and east to Swan Lake
Constance Cummins, Forest Supervisor, Point and Saddle Mountain. The legal
Forest Service Fremont-Winema National Forest, c/o description for the project planning area
Kelly Ware, 38500 Highway 97 North, includes Townships 33, 34, 35, 36, 37
Fremont-Winema National Forest; South, and Ranges 07, 08, 09, 10 East,
Chiloquin, OR 97624. Comments may
Chiloquin Ranger District; Oregon: Willamette Meridian, Klamath County,
also be sent via email to comments-
Lobert Restoration Project Oregon.
pacificnorthwest-winema-chiloquin@
Environmental Impact Statement
fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 541–783– Purpose and Need for Action
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 2134.
The purpose and need for the Lobert
ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Restoration Project was developed by
environmental impact statement. Kelly Ware, NEPA Planner, Chiloquin comparing the management objectives
Ranger District, 38500 Highway 97 and desired conditions of the Winema
SUMMARY: The Forest Service will North, Chiloquin, OR 97624. Phone: Forest Plan to the existing conditions in
prepare an Environmental Impact 541–783–4039. Email: kware@fs.fed.us. the project planning area related to
Statement (EIS) to disclose the Individuals who use watershed and forest resiliency and
environmental effects of commercial telecommunication devices for the deaf function. Where plan information was
and non-commercial vegetation (TDD) may call the Federal Information not explicit, best available science and
management activities, prescribed Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 local research, including the Klamath
burning, road activities, recreation between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Tribes’ Management Plan, were utilized.
Time, Monday through Friday.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
opportunity improvements, and other Comparison of the existing and desired
restoration activities. Other design SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The condition indicates the specific needs
criteria are included to protect resources Lobert project area encompasses to: (1) Restore forest structure,
and facilitate management activities. approximately 97,500 acres of National composition, and density toward more
The project is located on the Chiloquin Forest System lands and is located resistance and resilient vegetative
Ranger District, Fremont-Winema within the Klamath Tribes’ former 1954 conditions given the historic fire regime
National Forest, Klamath County, reservation. The project lies within by reducing the horizontal and vertical
Oregon. portions of the Sprague River, Hog connectivity and density of standing
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Oct 14, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15OCN1.SGM 15OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_62212/page/1.svg)
![62014 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Notices
vegetation, surface fuels, and/or ladder conditions (4) planting/sowing riparian potential mitigation measures to protect
fuels; (2) protect and release large and species. resources; and if so, how much and at
old trees from competition; (3) reduce Approximately 13.2 miles of roads are what specific locations; (2) What, if any,
uncharacteristic wildfire effects within proposed to be closed post- specific project monitoring
the project planning area including the implementation, 162 miles of roads are requirements are needed to assure
Saddle Mountain Cultural Resource proposed for decommissioning, and 4.5 design features and potential mitigation
Area and WUI; (4) Maintain and miles of roads would have their measures are implemented and
improve habitat for fish and wildlife operational maintenance levels effective, and to evaluate the success of
species present in the project planning upgraded. the project objectives. A project specific
area, particularly mule deer; (5) restore Recreation activities proposed include monitoring plan will be developed.
degraded physical and biological stream removal of three flush facilities from the
processes that sustain floodplain Spring Creek Campground and picnic Scoping Process
ecosystem structure, function and area and installation of one vault toilet. This notice of intent initiates the
diversity; (6) implement recovery plans Two vault toilets that no longer meet scoping process, which guides the
for federally listed species; (7) reduce water quality standards would be development of the environmental
risk of northern spotted owl habitat removed from the Oux Kanee Overlook; impact statement. The interdisciplinary
degradation and loss from one would be replaced with a vault team will continue to seek information,
uncharacteristic wildfire and/or insect toilet that meets current standards. comments, and assistance from Federal,
and disease outbreak; (8) conserve and The Lobert Restoration Project will State, and local agencies, Tribal
restore cultural plants and maintain also include a variety of project design governments, and other individuals or
habitat for two rare endemic plant criteria that serve to mitigate impacts of organizations that may be interested in,
populations; (9) provide for a variety of activities to forest resources, including or affected by, the proposed action.
social and cultural values and wildlife, soils, watershed condition, It is important that reviewers provide
opportunities in the project area, aquatic species, riparian habitat their comments at such times and in
including availability of traditional use conservation areas, heritage resources, such manner that they are useful to the
plants, a variety of wood products, visuals, rangeland, botanical resources, agency’s preparation of the
enhanced recreation experiences and and invasive plants. The proposed environmental impact statement.
opportunities, and a safe road system action may also include amendments to Therefore, comments should be
that moves toward current public access the Winema National Forest Land and provided prior to the close of the
and resource management objectives. Resource Management Plan, as comment period and should clearly
amended. articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
Proposed Action
contentions.
The Forest proposed action includes Possible Alternatives Comments received in response to
restoration activities for the following The Forest Service will consider a this solicitation, including names and
resources: Vegetation management, range of alternatives. One of these will addresses of those who comment, will
aquatic restoration, recreation be the ‘‘no action’’ alternative in which be part of the public record for this
interpretive site improvement, and none of the proposed action would be proposed action. Comments submitted
associated road management activities implemented. Additional alternatives anonymously will be accepted and
to address the purpose and need. These may be included in response to issues considered.
activities would occur over raised by the public during the scoping Dated: October 1, 2015.
approximately the next 10 years. process or due to additional concerns
Vegetation management will include a Constance Cummins,
for resource values identified by the
mix of commercial thinning, small tree Forest Supervisor.
interdisciplinary team.
thinning, prescribed fire, and other fuels [FR Doc. 2015–26288 Filed 10–14–15; 8:45 am]
treatments. The use of different methods Responsible Official BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
would be determined by site conditions, The Forest Supervisor of the Fremont-
accessibility and specific resource Winema National Forest, 1301 South G
protection needs. The proposal includes Street, Lakeview, OR 97630, is the CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD
9 different restoration treatments: (1) Responsible Official. As the Responsible INVESTIGATION BOARD
Dry ponderosa pine restoration; (2) dry Official, I will decide if the proposed
mixed conifer restoration; (3) moist action will be implemented. I will Sunshine Act Meeting
mixed conifer restoration; (4) xeric document the decision and rationale for
ponderosa pine restoration; (5) dispersal TIME AND DATE: October 21, 2015, 1 p.m.
the decision in the Record of Decision.
habitat for northern spotted owl (NSO); EDT.
I have delegated the responsibility for
(6) foraging habitat (NSO); (7) wildland preparing the draft EIS and final EIS to PLACE: Palomar Hotel, 2121 P St. NW.,
urban interface fuels reduction; (8) the District Ranger, Chiloquin Ranger Phillips Ballroom, Washington, DC
riparian restoration; (9) endemic plant District. 20037.
enhancement. STATUS: Open to the public.
The proposed action will include Nature of Decision To Be Made MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The
large wood and spawning gravel Based on the purpose and need, the Chemical Safety and Hazard
placement in six stream reaches that are Responsible Official reviews the Investigation Board (CSB) will convene
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
deficient in wood, riparian hardwood proposed action, the other alternatives, a public meeting on October 21, 2015,
species planting, headcut repair, and the environmental consequences, and starting at 1 p.m. EDT in Washington,
spring enhancement. Spring public comments on the analysis in DC at the Palomar Hotel, 2121 P St.
enhancement may include: (1) Removal order to make the following decision: (1) NW., in the Phillips Ballroom. The
or repair of spring boxes or other spring Whether to implement timber harvest Board will discuss the final report and
development equipment; (2) installation and associated fuels treatments, recommendations on the Caribbean
of protective fencing; (3) vegetation prescribed burning, and watershed Petroleum incident. The Board may
treatments to improve hydrologic work, including the design features and then vote on the Caribbean Petroleum
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Oct 14, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15OCN1.SGM 15OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_62212/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:52:36
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:52:36
| 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 November 16, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected September 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected December 2016. | |
| Contact | Kelly Ware, NEPA Planner, Chiloquin Ranger District, 38500 Highway 97 North, Chiloquin, OR 97624. Phone: 541-783-4039. Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 62013 |
2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR