80 FR 8846 - Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana, Castle Mountains Restoration Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 8846-8847 | |
| FR Document | 2015-03466 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 8846-8847] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-03466] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana, Castle Mountains Restoration Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Lewis and Clark National Forest (LCNF) is going to prepare an environmental impact statement for vegetation management actions in the Castle Mountains located in Central Montana. The project is designed to meet the desired condition of restoring forest and grasslands ecosystems to promote landscape resiliency over time for multiple resource values while minimizing the threat of high intensity wildfire within the Willow Creek municipal watershed and areas of other valued resources and infrastructure in the 69,610 acre Castle Mountains landscape. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by March 23, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected September 2015 and the final environmental impact statement is expected March 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Carol Hatfield White Sulphur Springs District Ranger, Lewis & Clark National Forest, 204 W. Folsom, P.O. Box A, White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 406-547-6023. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered, however. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Casselli Project Team Lead, at 406-791-7723. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1- 800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the project is to move toward a resilient forest and grassland ecosystem that will mimic a more historic natural fire regime to reduce the future threat of high intensity wildfire and the associated hazards to life, valued resources and infrastructure. In order to achieve this, there is a need to create a mosaic of vegetation and fuel structure more resilient to disturbance over time that includes improving the overall diversity in age classes, species, and meadow openings across the landscape. The action will provide for safer, more effective fire suppression actions when needed, reduce threats to forest users, to private residences, power corridors, agency infrastructure, water quality of Willow Creek and to valued wildlife habitat. These actions will reduce the probability of post-wildfire watershed impacts to the Willow Creek municipal watershed and associated costs. Proposed Action Approximately 22,124 acres are proposed for treatment which includes a combination of fuels reduction thinning, commercial harvest of trees, non-commercial thinning, and prescribed fire. Mechanical and/ or hand treatment methods would be used to accomplish the treatment objectives. Proposed treatment activities include: roughly 1,911 acres of Improvement Thinning; 7,329 acres of Prescribed Fire; 313 acres of Aspen Restoration; 277 acres of Precommercial Thinning; 856 acres of White Bark Pine Restoration; 8,681 acres of meadow Restoration; 1,519 acres of Douglas-fir Thinning; and 1,236 acres of Lodgepole Pine [[Page 8847]] regeneration harvest. There would be up to 57 miles of temporary road utilized for the project with approximately 20 miles of this occurring over existing road prisms. Road maintenance or reconstruction of existing system roads to meet forestry best management practices would be necessary to implement the proposed action. No new permanent roads will be constructed. Temporary roads not on the forest road system that are utilized will be obliterated (stabilized and or restored to natural contours) upon completion of treatment operations. Roads identified in the 2007 Travel Management Record of Decision that were removed from the road system (decommissioned) would be physically stabilized or re- contoured as needed to meet the resource objectives of travel management. Site-specific amendments to the Lewis and Clark National Forest Plan standards pertaining to elk hiding cover, elk winter range, and elk thermal cover may be necessary in order to meet the project's purpose and need. To address potential impacts of proposed management activities on cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in meeting the project objectives, the proposal includes an integrated management approach to control the establishment and spread of this invasive grass species. The use of applicable EPA approved selective herbicides and or biological controls would be utilized in units having prescribed burning as the treatment action. Approximately 42 percent (29,498 acres) of the total project area is located within the Castles Mountains Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). Proposed treatment activities on approximately 6,262 acres are planned within the IRA. A combination of non-commercial vegetation treatments and prescribed fire techniques are proposed. Under the proposal, road maintenance may occur but no road construction, reconstruction of system or temporary roads are planned within the IRA. The location of this project area is those sections of the Castle Mountains within the National Forest Boundary; Township 8 and 9 N, Range 8, 9 and 10 E. Principle Meridian, Meagher County, Montana. Responsible Official Helena and Lewis & Clark National Forests Forest Supervisor. Nature of Decision To Be Made The decisions to be made include: Whether to implement the proposed action or an alternative to the proposed action, what monitoring requirements would be appropriate to evaluate the implementation of this project, the timing of the project and whether a forest plan site specific amendment (exemption) would be necessary as a result of the decision for this project. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. In February 2015, a scoping notice (flyer) will be mailed to interested and affected parties directing them to the project's information which will be posted to the Lewis and Clark National Forest's projects Web page (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lcnf/). The Web page will contain detailed project information, including when public meetings will be scheduled, project proposal maps, and other pertinent project information. 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. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in the administrative objection process or any judicial review. Dated: February 11, 2015. Robin Strathy, Deputy Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2015-03466 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
![8846 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices
Scope of Issues dates of any public meetings will be such a way that they are useful to the
Extensive prior public involvement announced by press releases in local Agency’s preparation of the EIS.
has resulted in the following key issues papers, direct mailings, emails, and will Therefore, comments should be
to be analyzed in the Environmental be posted on the San Juan National provided prior to the close of the
Impact Statement: 1. Impacts of grazing Forest Web site. comment period and should clearly
Comments received in response to articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
on soil and water, 2. Impacts of grazing
this solicitation, including names and contentions.
on vegetation, including riparian areas
addresses of those who comment, will Comments received in response to
and wildflowers, 3. Impacts of grazing
be part of the public record for this this solicitation, including names and
on recreational experiences, including
proposed action. Comments submitted addresses of those who comment, will
grazing in a Wilderness, and hiker anonymously will be accepted and
interactions with guard dogs, 4. Impacts be part of the public record for this
considered; however, anonymous proposed action. Comments submitted
of grazing on wildlife, including habitat comments will not provide the Agency
damage and potential disease anonymously will be accepted and
with the ability to provide the considered, however.
transmission, 5. Impacts of grazing on respondent with subsequent
socio-economics of the local FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
environmental documents. Casselli Project Team Lead, at 406–791–
communities, and 6. Impacts of grazing
on cultural resources. Dated: February 3, 2015. 7723. Individuals who use
Kara L. Chadwick, telecommunication devices for the deaf
Scoping Process Forest Supervisor. (TDD) may call the Federal Information
Written comments that were [FR Doc. 2015–03469 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
submitted during scoping and comment BILLING CODE 3410–11–P between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
periods for the development of the Time, Monday through Friday.
preceding Environmental Assessment SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
will still be considered and are still part DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
of the project record. The Forest Service Purpose and Need for Action
requests that you do not resubmit the Forest Service The purpose of the project is to move
same comments. Because of extensive toward a resilient forest and grassland
Lewis and Clark National Forest,
public input during the Environmental ecosystem that will mimic a more
Montana, Castle Mountains
Assessment process, the scope of issues historic natural fire regime to reduce the
Restoration Project
and alternatives to be analyzed in the future threat of high intensity wildfire
Environmental Impact Statement have AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. and the associated hazards to life,
already been well examined and the ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an valued resources and infrastructure. In
Forest Service is considering this prior environmental impact statement. order to achieve this, there is a need to
public input as meeting the primary create a mosaic of vegetation and fuel
requirement for scoping for the SUMMARY: The Lewis and Clark National structure more resilient to disturbance
Environmental Impact Statement. Forest (LCNF) is going to prepare an over time that includes improving the
This notice of intent initiates a environmental impact statement for overall diversity in age classes, species,
supplementary scoping process, which vegetation management actions in the and meadow openings across the
is intended to provide the opportunity Castle Mountains located in Central landscape. The action will provide for
for the public to comment on the scope Montana. The project is designed to safer, more effective fire suppression
of issues and alternatives to be analyzed meet the desired condition of restoring actions when needed, reduce threats to
in the Environmental Impact Statement forest and grasslands ecosystems to forest users, to private residences,
only if there is new or different promote landscape resiliency over time power corridors, agency infrastructure,
information that has not been for multiple resource values while water quality of Willow Creek and to
previously considered. To determine minimizing the threat of high intensity valued wildlife habitat. These actions
whether your comment or concern has wildfire within the Willow Creek will reduce the probability of post-
previously been submitted, please read municipal watershed and areas of other wildfire watershed impacts to the
the Scoping Summary and Response to valued resources and infrastructure in Willow Creek municipal watershed and
Comments documents found on the the 69,610 acre Castle Mountains associated costs.
project Web page at www.fs.usda.gov/ landscape.
projects/sanjuan/landmanagement/ DATES: Comments concerning the scope
Proposed Action
projects, or call Jared Whitmer. of the analysis must be received by Approximately 22,124 acres are
It is important that reviewers provide March 23, 2015. The draft proposed for treatment which includes
their comments at such times and in environmental impact statement is a combination of fuels reduction
such manner that they are useful to the expected September 2015 and the final thinning, commercial harvest of trees,
agency’s preparation of the environmental impact statement is non-commercial thinning, and
Environmental Impact Statement. expected March 2016. prescribed fire. Mechanical and/or hand
Therefore, comments should be ADDRESSES: Send written comments to treatment methods would be used to
provided prior to the close of the Carol Hatfield White Sulphur Springs accomplish the treatment objectives.
comment period and should clearly District Ranger, Lewis & Clark National Proposed treatment activities include:
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
articulate the reviewer’s concerns. Forest, 204 W. Folsom, P.O. Box A, roughly 1,911 acres of Improvement
Information regarding this project is White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645. Thinning; 7,329 acres of Prescribed Fire;
available at the Columbine Ranger Comments may also be sent via email to 313 acres of Aspen Restoration; 277
District office in Bayfield, Colorado, and comments-northern-lewisclark-white- acres of Precommercial Thinning; 856
on the San Juan National Forest Web sulphur-sprg@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile acres of White Bark Pine Restoration;
site noted above. Public meetings may to 406–547–6023. 8,681 acres of meadow Restoration;
be scheduled at a later date to provide It is important that reviewers provide 1,519 acres of Douglas-fir Thinning; and
further information as needed. The their comments at such times and in 1,236 acres of Lodgepole Pine
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices 8847
regeneration harvest. There would be up timing of the project and whether a Room 5164 South Building,
to 57 miles of temporary road utilized forest plan site specific amendment Washington, DC 20250–1522.
for the project with approximately 20 (exemption) would be necessary as a Telephone: (202) 690–4492. FAX: (202)
miles of this occurring over existing result of the decision for this project. 720–8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@
road prisms. Road maintenance or wdc.usda.gov.
Scoping Process
reconstruction of existing system roads SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office
to meet forestry best management This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the of Management and Budget’s (OMB)
practices would be necessary to regulation (5 CFR part 1320)
implement the proposed action. No new development of the environmental
impact statement. In February 2015, a implementing provisions of the
permanent roads will be constructed. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.
Temporary roads not on the forest road scoping notice (flyer) will be mailed to
interested and affected parties directing L. 104–13) requires that interested
system that are utilized will be
them to the project’s information which members of the public and affected
obliterated (stabilized and or restored to
will be posted to the Lewis and Clark agencies have an opportunity to
natural contours) upon completion of
National Forest’s projects Web page comment on information collection and
treatment operations. Roads identified
(http://www.fs.usda.gov/lcnf/). The Web recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR
in the 2007 Travel Management Record
page will contain detailed project 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an
of Decision that were removed from the
information, including when public information collection that RUS is
road system (decommissioned) would
meetings will be scheduled, project submitting to OMB for extension.
be physically stabilized or re-contoured
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
as needed to meet the resource proposal maps, and other pertinent
the proposed collection of information
objectives of travel management. Site- project information.
It is important that reviewers provide is necessary for the proper performance
specific amendments to the Lewis and
their comments at such times and in of the functions of the Agency,
Clark National Forest Plan standards
such manner that they are useful to the including whether the information will
pertaining to elk hiding cover, elk
winter range, and elk thermal cover may agency’s preparation of the have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of
be necessary in order to meet the environmental impact statement. the Agency’s estimate of the burden of
project’s purpose and need. To address Therefore, comments should be the proposed collection of information
potential impacts of proposed provided prior to the close of the including the validity of the
management activities on cheatgrass comment period and should clearly methodology and assumptions used; (c)
(Bromus tectorum) in meeting the articulate the reviewer’s concerns and ways to enhance the quality, utility and
project objectives, the proposal includes contentions. The submission of timely clarity of the information to be
an integrated management approach to and specific comments can affect a collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
control the establishment and spread of reviewer’s ability to participate in the burden of the collection of information
this invasive grass species. The use of administrative objection process or any on those who are to respond, including
applicable EPA approved selective judicial review. through the use of appropriate
herbicides and or biological controls automated, electronic, mechanical, or
Dated: February 11, 2015. other technological collection
would be utilized in units having Robin Strathy,
prescribed burning as the treatment techniques or other forms of information
Deputy Forest Supervisor. technology. Comments may be sent to:
action. Approximately 42 percent
(29,498 acres) of the total project area is [FR Doc. 2015–03466 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director,
located within the Castles Mountains BILLING CODE 3410–15–P Program Development and Regulatory
Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S.
Proposed treatment activities on Department of Agriculture, 1400
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522,
approximately 6,262 acres are planned
within the IRA. A combination of non- Room 5164 South Building,
Rural Utilities Service Washington, DC 20250–1522.
commercial vegetation treatments and
prescribed fire techniques are proposed. Information Collection Activity; Telephone: (202) 690–4492, FAX: (202)
Under the proposal, road maintenance Comment Request 720–8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@
may occur but no road construction, wdc.usda.gov.
reconstruction of system or temporary Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
AGENCY: Title: Substantially Underserved Trust
roads are planned within the IRA. The Notice and request for
ACTION: Areas.
location of this project area is those comments. OMB Control Number: 0572–0147.
sections of the Castle Mountains within Type of Request: Revision of a
SUMMARY: In accordance with the currently approved information
the National Forest Boundary; Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
Township 8 and 9 N, Range 8, 9 and 10 collection.
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Abstract: The RUS provides loan, loan
E. Principle Meridian, Meagher County, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites
Montana. guarantee and grant programs for rural
comments on this information electric, water and waste, and
Responsible Official collection for which RUS intends to telecommunications and broadband
Helena and Lewis & Clark National request approval from the Office of infrastructure. The SUTA initiative
Forests Forest Supervisor. Management and Budget (OMB). gives the Secretary of Agriculture
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DATES: Comments on this notice must be certain discretionary authorities relating
Nature of Decision To Be Made received by April 20, 2015. to financial assistance terms and
The decisions to be made include: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: conditions that can enhance the
Whether to implement the proposed Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director & financing possibilities in areas that are
action or an alternative to the proposed Funds Control Officer, Program underserved by certain RUS electric,
action, what monitoring requirements Development and Regulatory Analysis, water and waste, and
would be appropriate to evaluate the USDA Rural Development, 1400 telecommunications and broadband
implementation of this project, the Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, programs. The data covered by this
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Document Created: 2018-02-16 11:12:25
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 11:12:25
| 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 March 23, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is expected September 2015 and the final environmental impact statement is expected March 2016. | |
| Contact | John Casselli Project Team Lead, at 406-791-7723. 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. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 8846 |
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