81_FR_67479 81 FR 67289 - Payette National Forest, Idaho; Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project

81 FR 67289 - Payette National Forest, Idaho; Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)

Page Range67289-67291
FR Document2016-23650

The Payette National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project. The Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project is located approximately 15 miles west of New Meadows, Idaho. Proposed treatments include timber harvest, thinning, prescribed fire, road treatments and road decommissioning, and recreation improvements. The Huckleberry project area is approximately 67,000 acres within the Council Ranger District on the Payette National Forest. The project is located in the Indian, Lick, and Bear Creek subwatersheds within the Brownlee Reservoir Subbasin.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67289-67291]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23650]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 67289]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Payette National Forest, Idaho; Huckleberry Landscape Restoration 
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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

SUMMARY: The Payette National Forest will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Huckleberry Landscape Restoration 
Project. The Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project is located 
approximately 15 miles west of New Meadows, Idaho. Proposed treatments 
include timber harvest, thinning, prescribed fire, road treatments and 
road decommissioning, and recreation improvements. The Huckleberry 
project area is approximately 67,000 acres within the Council Ranger 
District on the Payette National Forest. The project is located in the 
Indian, Lick, and Bear Creek subwatersheds within the Brownlee 
Reservoir Subbasin.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by November 14, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected late April 2017 and the final environmental impact statement 
is expected January 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Keith Lannom, Forest Supervisor, 
500 N. Mission Street, Building 2, McCall, Idaho 83638. Comments may 
also be sent via email to [email protected], or via 
facsimile to 208-634-0744.
    Comments may also be submitted through the Huckleberry Landscape 
Restoration Project Web page at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50218. To submit comments using the web form select ``Comment/
Object on Project'' under ``Get Connected'' on the right panel of the 
project's Web page.
    A public meeting will be held October 18th, 2016, from 4 to 6 p.m. 
at the Council Ranger District Office, 2092 Highway 95, Council, Idaho, 
208-253-0100.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Pierson, New Meadows District 
Ranger, 208-347-0300, [email protected].
    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 Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project is to: 
A. Move vegetation toward the desired conditions defined in the Forest 
Plan and the most recent science addressing restoration and management 
of wildlife habitat, with an emphasis on: (1) Improving habitat for 
specific wildlife species of concern such as the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA)-listed northern Idaho ground squirrel (NIDGS) and species 
dependent on dry coniferous forests (e.g. white-headed woodpecker), 
while maintaining habitat for other Forest sensitive and ESA-listed 
species; (2) Maintaining and promoting large tree forest structure, 
early seral species composition (e.g. example aspen, western larch, 
ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir) and forest resiliency; (3) Reducing 
the risk of uncharacteristic and undesirable wildland fire, with an 
emphasis on restoring and maintaining desirable plant community 
attributes including fuel levels, fire regimes, and other ecological 
processes. (4) Moving forest stands toward desired conditions as 
described in the Forest Plan by returning fire to the ecosystem; 
promoting the development of large tree forest structures mixed with a 
mosaic of size classes; and improving growth, species composition, and 
resiliency to insects, disease, and fire.
    B. Support the development of fire-adapted rural communities by: 
(1) Creating conditions that provide firefighters a higher probability 
of successfully suppressing fire in the wildland urban interface by 
reducing potential fire behavior near values at risk (e.g., homes, 
communication towers, and power lines) and primary ingress/egress 
routes, essential to firefighter access and the public. (2) Creating 
conditions where rural communities are less reliant on suppression 
forces.
    C. Move all subwatersheds within the project area toward the 
desired conditions for soil, water, riparian, and aquatic resources 
(SWRA) as described in the Forest Plan and the Watershed Condition 
Framework (WCF) (USDA 2011) by: (1) Reducing overall road density, 
road-related accelerated sediment, and other road related impacts 
across the project area; restoring riparian vegetation and floodplain 
function. (2) Restoring fish habitat connectivity across the project 
area, especially in streams occupied by ESA Listed bull trout, 
(Salvelinus confluentus) and in or adjacent to bull trout Critical 
Habitat.
    D. Manage recreation use with an emphasis on hardening (where 
needed) dispersed recreation sites for resource improvement, and 
improving existing trail opportunities.
    E. Contribute to the economic vitality of the communities adjacent 
to the Payette National Forest.
    The need for the project is based on the difference between the 
existing and desired conditions. These differences include: (1) Less 
large tree size class than desired and higher canopy cover; (2) Fewer 
early seral species (i.e. ponderosa pine and western larch); (3) Fewer 
fire resilient species than desired; (4) Increase in ground, surface, 
and canopy fuels; (5) Less than desired watershed function and 
integrity.
    The desired conditions for this project are based upon the Payette 
National Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2003), and the Watershed 
Condition Framework (USDA Forest Service 2011).

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action includes: Vegetative Treatments: The Forest 
Service proposes approximately 42,600 acres of vegetative treatments in 
the project area. This acreage includes the treatments designed to 
benefit Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels (NIDGS) and treatments within 
Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs). Of the acres proposed for 
vegetative treatment, 1,400 acres are within RCAs. Approximately 9,000 
acres are in areas designed to mitigate fire risk to values at risk. 
Commercial Vegetative Treatments: The Forest Service proposes to treat 
up to

[[Page 67290]]

23,800 acres with commercial harvests (a combination of Free Thin, Free 
Thin-Patch Cut-Selection Harvest, Aspen Restoration, and Mature 
Plantation Harvest). Combined commercial and non-commercial vegetation 
treatments include up to 11,800 acres of meadow restoration, 1,500 
acres Restoration of Low Density Timber Stands and 600 acres of 
Whitebark pine restoration. These acreages includes treatments designed 
for and within RCAs. Approximately, 1,400 acres are commercial 
treatments (as described below) within RCAs. Non-Commercial 
Treatments--approximately 42,500 acres. Non-commercial thinning would 
be completed in areas of commercial harvest as well as outside of 
commercial harvest. This would consist of trees generally less than ten 
inches DBH and include plantations. Non-commercial thinning would be 
completed to improve wildlife habitat, increase growth rates and tree 
vigor, improve stand resiliency to natural disturbance, reduce density-
related competition, reduce potential fire behavior and fire effects 
given a wildland fire.
    Prescribed Fire Treatments: The entire project area, (approximately 
67,000 acres, excluding the Bear Creek RNA), would be treated with 
prescribed fire over the next 20 years (see Prescribed Fire and 
Community Wildfire Mitigation Map). Commercial activities would 
generally be completed prior to the application of fire, except where 
the application of fire prior to thinning does not affect commercial 
activities. Re-introducing 500 to 10,000 acres of fire annually would 
move forested and non- forested vegetation towards conditions that more 
closely represent historic distribution, structure, and function as 
well as limit potential fire behavior. A mosaic-like application of 
fire would re-introduce fire to approximately 75 percent of primary 
target acres, and 50 percent of secondary target acres. These 
percentages recognize the variability in the spread of fire across a 
landscape due to various environmental influences. All acres targeted 
for the application of fire would be available for noncommercial 
thinning in order to minimize mortality from prescribed fire and aid in 
moving towards restored conditions.
    Watershed Improvement and Restoration Treatments: (1) System road 
treatments proposed throughout the project area include maintenance 
and/or improvement of Forest system roads where needed. Approximately 
57.7 miles of system roads would be decommissioned. All roads closed to 
the public would receive implementation of effective closure to 
motorized use. All unauthorized routes not needed for future management 
would also be evaluated for some level of restoration treatments. (2) 
Unauthorized Route Treatments--Restoration treatments are proposed for 
unauthorized routes, although the exact mileage of unauthorized route 
treatments have not been determined at this time. It is anticipated 
that between 60 and 80 miles would be treated. (3) Aquatic Organism 
Passage/Fish Habitat Connectivity--Improvements to Fish Passage are 
needed to address the purpose and need of the project. Thirteen road-
crossings have been identified in the project area to improve fish 
passage and improve hydrologic connectivity. In the Indian Creek 
subwatershed, of which the upper portion is identified as a restoration 
priority under and ACS, 6 crossings would be improved (crossings would 
be replaced with appropriate structures or removed with the associated 
road restoration treatments. These proposed improvements would address 
all of the known man-made barriers on fish bearing streams in the 
subwatershed. In the Bear Creek subwatershed, (of which the upper 
portion is identified as an ACS priority), one crossing is identified 
for improvement. This would address the only known man-made barrier on 
a fish-bearing stream in the portion of the Bear Creek subwatershed 
included in the project area. Past restoration activities have 
addressed many of the fish passage barriers in the Bear Creek 
subwatershed. In the Lick Creek subwatershed, 6 crossings are 
identified for improvement on tributaries of Lick Creek. These 
crossings would be replaced with appropriate structures or removed with 
other road restoration treatments. Crossings should be replaced as road 
work and project activities occur in these areas to improve fish 
habitat connectivity, and improve hydrologic connectivity. (4) Trail 
Bridges for Fish Habitat Improvement--In the Bear Creek subwatershed, 2 
trail bridges are proposed on FS Trail 228 where the trail crosses 
Mickey Creek and Wesley Creek. Both of these streams are Bull Trout 
Critical Habitat. Bridges over these streams would reduce impacts of 
trail use (from 2-wheeled motorized, non-motorized and stock) to bull 
trout and their critical habitat. A trail bridge currently is in place 
near the FS 228 Trailhead where the trail crosses Bear Creek, which is 
also critical habitat.
    Recreation Improvements: The recreation proposal focuses on 
improving existing developed and dispersed recreation opportunities and 
facilities, trail maintenance and relocation to improve watershed 
conditions and the recreational user's experience. The Huckleberry 
Landscape Restoration Project would: (1) Developed and Dispersed 
Recreation: (a) Improve the potable water well, increase the radius of 
the turnaround loop to accommodate larger trailers and RVs, and replace 
the entire fence with split rail/buck and rail at the Huckleberry 
Campground; (b) Coordinate dispersed camping along roads open to 
motorized travel 300 feet off the road, with wildlife in areas where 
there is a conflict with the NIDGS: (c) On Forest Road 143 (Lick Creek 
Road) where it enters the Forest, add a travel management sign that 
state the road is open to dispersed camping using a motorized vehicle 
in designated sites only; (d) Harden dispersed camping sites identified 
with resource issues; (e) Place rock barriers in sites identified with 
a need to restrict further growth; (f) Decommission existing restroom 
facility and install a new single vault restroom at the Bear trailhead, 
along with three fire rings and two metal stock hitch rails. (2) 
Trails: (a) Bring the 33 miles of trails consisting of two-wheel 
motorized and non-motorized trail up to defined trail class standard 
for each trail. This includes signing at all trail junctions, new 
signing at trailheads lacking proper signs, and trail reestablishment 
and potential relocation where the trail is undefinable; (b) Improve 
the Hoo Hoo Gulch 50144 road accessing the #231 trail to accommodate 
the hauling of a stock trailer. This includes brushing both sides of 
the road, and performing major road maintenance on the road surface. At 
the trailhead (location of the closed gate) construct a turn-around 
large enough to accommodate and truck pulling a horse trailer. Add one 
metal stock hitch rail and an information trailhead kiosk sign to the 
trailhead. Relocate portions of the #231 trail above the current 
roadbed; (c) Relocate and re-establish portions of the non-motorized 
#229 trail that accesses the Lick Creek Lookout. Establish a trailhead 
to accommodate two vehicles and one horse trailer at the place the 
50129 road turns to seasonal use. Install an informational trailhead 
kiosk and trail sign. (Note: The seasonally open road beyond this gate 
could be closed year-round as it only goes an additional \1/2\ mile and 
is not needed for recreational access. It only serves to bring 
unauthorized motorized use into the closed road system above); (d) 
Establish a small pullout for parking for the non-motorized #226 trail. 
Install a trailhead sign.

[[Page 67291]]

    E. Wildlife Habitat Improvements: Changes in forested conditions, 
fire regimes, and the presence of roads have altered wildlife habitats. 
Some modifications to habitat have led to the federal listing of 
terrestrial wildlife species such as northern Idaho ground squirrel 
(NIDGS). A primary need Forest-wide and in the project area is to 
maintain and promote dry, lower elevation, large tree, and old forest 
habitats for the associated wildlife species including reducing road 
densities and fragmentation that negatively affect elk and other Forest 
species of concern. The processes, function, patch size and diversity 
of forested habitats must all be considered in order to properly 
address wildlife habitat needs. Examples of habitat improvement 
include: (1) Enhance habitat components that will support sustainable 
elk populations consistent with the Forest Plan. This includes the best 
available science to move the project landscape towards the recommended 
road density and elk security habitat guidelines (e.g. effective 
seasonal gate closures). One potential method of moving towards 
effective road densities and enhancing elk security habitat is to 
target road closures in areas where there is route redundancy. (2) 
Maintain or restore a representative, resilient and redundant network 
of habitats for species of greatest conservation concern (e.g. northern 
Idaho ground squirrel, white-headed woodpecker, northern goshawk, 
etc.).
    F. Community Wildfire Mitigation Treatments: Both, fuel loading and 
fuel continuity would be altered to reduce surface fire potential as 
well as crown fire potential among the community wildfire mitigation 
treatment areas (see Prescribed Fire Treatments and Community Wildfire 
Mitigation Map). This would provide suppression forces a higher 
probability of successfully attacking a wildland fire within intermix 
or rural condition while creating a safer working environment. A 
combination of non-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, limbing to 
reduce ladder fuels, piling dead and downed material, pile burning, 
and/or prescribed burning would facilitate the desired condition. More 
specifically, activities would result in the following: (1) Increased 
canopy base heights to reduce potential for spotting, torching, and 
crown fire; (2) Reduced canopy densities to reduce the potential for 
crown fire spread; (3) Reduced species that are not fire-resilient to 
promote fire-resilient stands; (4) Reduced ground and surface fuels. 
Recurrent application of the necessary treatments (primarily prescribed 
fire) every 5-15 years would maintain the desired condition, which is 
lower fuel loadings and reduced horizontal fuel continuity.

Responsible Official

    The Forest Supervisor of the Payette National Forest is the 
Responsible Official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Based on the purpose and need for the proposed action, the 
Responsible Official will determine whether to proceed with the action, 
as proposed, as modified by another alternative or not at all. If an 
action alternative is selected, the Responsible Official will determine 
what design features, mitigation measures and monitoring requirements 
are included in the decision.

Addresses

    Additional project information is available on the project page of 
the Payette National Forest Web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50218.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. 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 project. Comments submitted anonymously however will also be 
accepted and considered.

    Dated: September 26, 2016.
Keith B. Lannom,
Payette National Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2016-23650 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                  67289

                                                  Notices                                                                                                       Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                                Vol. 81, No. 190

                                                                                                                                                                Friday, September 30, 2016



                                                  This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    Connected’’ on the right panel of the                 ingress/egress routes, essential to
                                                  contains documents other than rules or                  project’s Web page.                                   firefighter access and the public. (2)
                                                  proposed rules that are applicable to the                  A public meeting will be held October              Creating conditions where rural
                                                  public. Notices of hearings and investigations,         18th, 2016, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the                   communities are less reliant on
                                                  committee meetings, agency decisions and                Council Ranger District Office, 2092                  suppression forces.
                                                  rulings, delegations of authority, filing of                                                                     C. Move all subwatersheds within the
                                                                                                          Highway 95, Council, Idaho, 208–253–
                                                  petitions and applications and agency
                                                  statements of organization and functions are            0100.                                                 project area toward the desired
                                                  examples of documents appearing in this                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim                  conditions for soil, water, riparian, and
                                                  section.                                                Pierson, New Meadows District Ranger,                 aquatic resources (SWRA) as described
                                                                                                          208–347–0300, kpierson@fs.fed.us.                     in the Forest Plan and the Watershed
                                                                                                             Individuals who use                                Condition Framework (WCF) (USDA
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               telecommunication devices for the deaf                2011) by: (1) Reducing overall road
                                                                                                          (TDD) may call the Federal Information                density, road-related accelerated
                                                  Forest Service                                          Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339                sediment, and other road related
                                                                                                          between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern                    impacts across the project area; restoring
                                                  Payette National Forest, Idaho;                         Time, Monday through Friday.                          riparian vegetation and floodplain
                                                  Huckleberry Landscape Restoration                                                                             function. (2) Restoring fish habitat
                                                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  Project                                                                                                       connectivity across the project area,
                                                                                                          Purpose and Need for Action                           especially in streams occupied by ESA
                                                  AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
                                                                                                             The purpose of the Huckleberry                     Listed bull trout, (Salvelinus
                                                  ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an                                                                        confluentus) and in or adjacent to bull
                                                                                                          Landscape Restoration Project is to: A.
                                                  environmental impact statement.                                                                               trout Critical Habitat.
                                                                                                          Move vegetation toward the desired
                                                                                                          conditions defined in the Forest Plan                    D. Manage recreation use with an
                                                  SUMMARY:    The Payette National Forest                                                                       emphasis on hardening (where needed)
                                                  will prepare an Environmental Impact                    and the most recent science addressing
                                                                                                          restoration and management of wildlife                dispersed recreation sites for resource
                                                  Statement (EIS) for the Huckleberry                                                                           improvement, and improving existing
                                                  Landscape Restoration Project. The                      habitat, with an emphasis on: (1)
                                                                                                                                                                trail opportunities.
                                                  Huckleberry Landscape Restoration                       Improving habitat for specific wildlife
                                                                                                                                                                   E. Contribute to the economic vitality
                                                  Project is located approximately 15                     species of concern such as the
                                                                                                                                                                of the communities adjacent to the
                                                  miles west of New Meadows, Idaho.                       Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed                   Payette National Forest.
                                                  Proposed treatments include timber                      northern Idaho ground squirrel (NIDGS)                   The need for the project is based on
                                                  harvest, thinning, prescribed fire, road                and species dependent on dry                          the difference between the existing and
                                                  treatments and road decommissioning,                    coniferous forests (e.g. white-headed                 desired conditions. These differences
                                                  and recreation improvements. The                        woodpecker), while maintaining habitat                include: (1) Less large tree size class
                                                  Huckleberry project area is                             for other Forest sensitive and ESA-listed             than desired and higher canopy cover;
                                                  approximately 67,000 acres within the                   species; (2) Maintaining and promoting                (2) Fewer early seral species (i.e.
                                                  Council Ranger District on the Payette                  large tree forest structure, early seral              ponderosa pine and western larch); (3)
                                                  National Forest. The project is located                 species composition (e.g. example                     Fewer fire resilient species than desired;
                                                  in the Indian, Lick, and Bear Creek                     aspen, western larch, ponderosa pine,                 (4) Increase in ground, surface, and
                                                  subwatersheds within the Brownlee                       and Douglas-fir) and forest resiliency;               canopy fuels; (5) Less than desired
                                                  Reservoir Subbasin.                                     (3) Reducing the risk of uncharacteristic             watershed function and integrity.
                                                                                                          and undesirable wildland fire, with an                   The desired conditions for this project
                                                  DATES: Comments concerning the scope
                                                                                                          emphasis on restoring and maintaining                 are based upon the Payette National
                                                  of the analysis must be received by                     desirable plant community attributes
                                                  November 14, 2016. The draft                                                                                  Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2003),
                                                                                                          including fuel levels, fire regimes, and              and the Watershed Condition
                                                  environmental impact statement is                       other ecological processes. (4) Moving                Framework (USDA Forest Service 2011).
                                                  expected late April 2017 and the final                  forest stands toward desired conditions
                                                  environmental impact statement is                       as described in the Forest Plan by                    Proposed Action
                                                  expected January 2018.                                  returning fire to the ecosystem;                         The Proposed Action includes:
                                                  ADDRESSES: Send written comments to:                    promoting the development of large tree               Vegetative Treatments: The Forest
                                                  Keith Lannom, Forest Supervisor, 500                    forest structures mixed with a mosaic of              Service proposes approximately 42,600
                                                  N. Mission Street, Building 2, McCall,                  size classes; and improving growth,                   acres of vegetative treatments in the
                                                  Idaho 83638. Comments may also be                       species composition, and resiliency to                project area. This acreage includes the
                                                  sent via email to comments-intermtn-                    insects, disease, and fire.                           treatments designed to benefit Northern
                                                  payette@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to                     B. Support the development of fire-                Idaho Ground Squirrels (NIDGS) and
                                                  208–634–0744.                                           adapted rural communities by: (1)                     treatments within Riparian
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                     Comments may also be submitted                       Creating conditions that provide                      Conservation Areas (RCAs). Of the acres
                                                  through the Huckleberry Landscape                       firefighters a higher probability of                  proposed for vegetative treatment, 1,400
                                                  Restoration Project Web page at http://                 successfully suppressing fire in the                  acres are within RCAs. Approximately
                                                  www.fs.usda.gov/project/                                wildland urban interface by reducing                  9,000 acres are in areas designed to
                                                  ?project=50218. To submit comments                      potential fire behavior near values at                mitigate fire risk to values at risk.
                                                  using the web form select ‘‘Comment/                    risk (e.g., homes, communication                      Commercial Vegetative Treatments: The
                                                  Object on Project’’ under ‘‘Get                         towers, and power lines) and primary                  Forest Service proposes to treat up to


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:49 Sep 29, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM   30SEN1


                                                  67290                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices

                                                  23,800 acres with commercial harvests                   future management would also be                       relocation to improve watershed
                                                  (a combination of Free Thin, Free Thin–                 evaluated for some level of restoration               conditions and the recreational user’s
                                                  Patch Cut-Selection Harvest, Aspen                      treatments. (2) Unauthorized Route                    experience. The Huckleberry Landscape
                                                  Restoration, and Mature Plantation                      Treatments—Restoration treatments are                 Restoration Project would: (1)
                                                  Harvest). Combined commercial and                       proposed for unauthorized routes,                     Developed and Dispersed Recreation: (a)
                                                  non-commercial vegetation treatments                    although the exact mileage of                         Improve the potable water well, increase
                                                  include up to 11,800 acres of meadow                    unauthorized route treatments have not                the radius of the turnaround loop to
                                                  restoration, 1,500 acres Restoration of                 been determined at this time. It is                   accommodate larger trailers and RVs,
                                                  Low Density Timber Stands and 600                       anticipated that between 60 and 80                    and replace the entire fence with split
                                                  acres of Whitebark pine restoration.                    miles would be treated. (3) Aquatic                   rail/buck and rail at the Huckleberry
                                                  These acreages includes treatments                      Organism Passage/Fish Habitat                         Campground; (b) Coordinate dispersed
                                                  designed for and within RCAs.                           Connectivity—Improvements to Fish                     camping along roads open to motorized
                                                  Approximately, 1,400 acres are                          Passage are needed to address the                     travel 300 feet off the road, with wildlife
                                                  commercial treatments (as described                     purpose and need of the project.                      in areas where there is a conflict with
                                                  below) within RCAs. Non-Commercial                      Thirteen road-crossings have been                     the NIDGS: (c) On Forest Road 143 (Lick
                                                  Treatments—approximately 42,500                         identified in the project area to improve             Creek Road) where it enters the Forest,
                                                  acres. Non-commercial thinning would                    fish passage and improve hydrologic                   add a travel management sign that state
                                                  be completed in areas of commercial                     connectivity. In the Indian Creek                     the road is open to dispersed camping
                                                  harvest as well as outside of commercial                subwatershed, of which the upper                      using a motorized vehicle in designated
                                                  harvest. This would consist of trees                    portion is identified as a restoration
                                                  generally less than ten inches DBH and                                                                        sites only; (d) Harden dispersed
                                                                                                          priority under and ACS, 6 crossings                   camping sites identified with resource
                                                  include plantations. Non-commercial                     would be improved (crossings would be
                                                  thinning would be completed to                                                                                issues; (e) Place rock barriers in sites
                                                                                                          replaced with appropriate structures or               identified with a need to restrict further
                                                  improve wildlife habitat, increase                      removed with the associated road
                                                  growth rates and tree vigor, improve                                                                          growth; (f) Decommission existing
                                                                                                          restoration treatments. These proposed
                                                  stand resiliency to natural disturbance,                                                                      restroom facility and install a new
                                                                                                          improvements would address all of the
                                                  reduce density-related competition,                                                                           single vault restroom at the Bear
                                                                                                          known man-made barriers on fish
                                                  reduce potential fire behavior and fire                                                                       trailhead, along with three fire rings and
                                                                                                          bearing streams in the subwatershed. In
                                                  effects given a wildland fire.                                                                                two metal stock hitch rails. (2) Trails: (a)
                                                                                                          the Bear Creek subwatershed, (of which
                                                     Prescribed Fire Treatments: The entire                                                                     Bring the 33 miles of trails consisting of
                                                                                                          the upper portion is identified as an
                                                  project area, (approximately 67,000                     ACS priority), one crossing is identified             two-wheel motorized and non-
                                                  acres, excluding the Bear Creek RNA),                   for improvement. This would address                   motorized trail up to defined trail class
                                                  would be treated with prescribed fire                   the only known man-made barrier on a                  standard for each trail. This includes
                                                  over the next 20 years (see Prescribed                  fish-bearing stream in the portion of the             signing at all trail junctions, new
                                                  Fire and Community Wildfire                             Bear Creek subwatershed included in                   signing at trailheads lacking proper
                                                  Mitigation Map). Commercial activities                  the project area. Past restoration                    signs, and trail reestablishment and
                                                  would generally be completed prior to                   activities have addressed many of the                 potential relocation where the trail is
                                                  the application of fire, except where the               fish passage barriers in the Bear Creek               undefinable; (b) Improve the Hoo Hoo
                                                  application of fire prior to thinning does              subwatershed. In the Lick Creek                       Gulch 50144 road accessing the #231
                                                  not affect commercial activities. Re-                                                                         trail to accommodate the hauling of a
                                                                                                          subwatershed, 6 crossings are identified
                                                  introducing 500 to 10,000 acres of fire                                                                       stock trailer. This includes brushing
                                                                                                          for improvement on tributaries of Lick
                                                  annually would move forested and non-                                                                         both sides of the road, and performing
                                                                                                          Creek. These crossings would be
                                                  forested vegetation towards conditions                                                                        major road maintenance on the road
                                                                                                          replaced with appropriate structures or
                                                  that more closely represent historic                                                                          surface. At the trailhead (location of the
                                                                                                          removed with other road restoration
                                                  distribution, structure, and function as                                                                      closed gate) construct a turn-around
                                                                                                          treatments. Crossings should be
                                                  well as limit potential fire behavior. A                                                                      large enough to accommodate and truck
                                                                                                          replaced as road work and project
                                                  mosaic-like application of fire would re-                                                                     pulling a horse trailer. Add one metal
                                                                                                          activities occur in these areas to
                                                  introduce fire to approximately 75                                                                            stock hitch rail and an information
                                                                                                          improve fish habitat connectivity, and
                                                  percent of primary target acres, and 50
                                                                                                          improve hydrologic connectivity. (4)                  trailhead kiosk sign to the trailhead.
                                                  percent of secondary target acres. These
                                                                                                          Trail Bridges for Fish Habitat                        Relocate portions of the #231 trail above
                                                  percentages recognize the variability in
                                                                                                          Improvement—In the Bear Creek                         the current roadbed; (c) Relocate and re-
                                                  the spread of fire across a landscape due
                                                  to various environmental influences. All                subwatershed, 2 trail bridges are                     establish portions of the non-motorized
                                                  acres targeted for the application of fire              proposed on FS Trail 228 where the trail              #229 trail that accesses the Lick Creek
                                                  would be available for noncommercial                    crosses Mickey Creek and Wesley Creek.                Lookout. Establish a trailhead to
                                                  thinning in order to minimize mortality                 Both of these streams are Bull Trout                  accommodate two vehicles and one
                                                  from prescribed fire and aid in moving                  Critical Habitat. Bridges over these                  horse trailer at the place the 50129 road
                                                  towards restored conditions.                            streams would reduce impacts of trail                 turns to seasonal use. Install an
                                                     Watershed Improvement and                            use (from 2-wheeled motorized, non-                   informational trailhead kiosk and trail
                                                  Restoration Treatments: (1) System road                 motorized and stock) to bull trout and                sign. (Note: The seasonally open road
                                                  treatments proposed throughout the                      their critical habitat. A trail bridge                beyond this gate could be closed year-
                                                  project area include maintenance and/or                 currently is in place near the FS 228                 round as it only goes an additional 1⁄2
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  improvement of Forest system roads                      Trailhead where the trail crosses Bear                mile and is not needed for recreational
                                                  where needed. Approximately 57.7                        Creek, which is also critical habitat.                access. It only serves to bring
                                                  miles of system roads would be                             Recreation Improvements: The                       unauthorized motorized use into the
                                                  decommissioned. All roads closed to the                 recreation proposal focuses on                        closed road system above); (d) Establish
                                                  public would receive implementation of                  improving existing developed and                      a small pullout for parking for the non-
                                                  effective closure to motorized use. All                 dispersed recreation opportunities and                motorized #226 trail. Install a trailhead
                                                  unauthorized routes not needed for                      facilities, trail maintenance and                     sign.


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:49 Sep 29, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00002   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM   30SEN1


                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices                                           67291

                                                     E. Wildlife Habitat Improvements:                    the necessary treatments (primarily                   2017, the United States Commission on
                                                  Changes in forested conditions, fire                    prescribed fire) every 5–15 years would               Civil Rights hereby invites any
                                                  regimes, and the presence of roads have                 maintain the desired condition, which                 individual who is eligible to be
                                                  altered wildlife habitats. Some                         is lower fuel loadings and reduced                    appointed to apply. The memberships
                                                  modifications to habitat have led to the                horizontal fuel continuity.                           are exclusively for the Florida Advisory
                                                  federal listing of terrestrial wildlife                                                                       Committee, and applicants must be
                                                                                                          Responsible Official
                                                  species such as northern Idaho ground                                                                         residents of Florida to be considered.
                                                  squirrel (NIDGS). A primary need                          The Forest Supervisor of the Payette                Letters of interest must be received by
                                                  Forest-wide and in the project area is to               National Forest is the Responsible                    the Southern Regional Office of the U.S.
                                                  maintain and promote dry, lower                         Official.                                             Commission on Civil Rights no later
                                                  elevation, large tree, and old forest                   Nature of Decision To Be Made                         than November 15, 2016. Letters of
                                                  habitats for the associated wildlife                                                                          interest must be sent to the address
                                                  species including reducing road                            Based on the purpose and need for the              listed below.
                                                  densities and fragmentation that                        proposed action, the Responsible                         Because the terms of the members of
                                                  negatively affect elk and other Forest                  Official will determine whether to                    the Texas Advisory Committee are
                                                  species of concern. The processes,                      proceed with the action, as proposed, as              expiring on January 28, 2017, the United
                                                  function, patch size and diversity of                   modified by another alternative or not at             States Commission on Civil Rights
                                                  forested habitats must all be considered                all. If an action alternative is selected,            hereby invites any individual who is
                                                  in order to properly address wildlife                   the Responsible Official will determine               eligible to be appointed to apply. The
                                                  habitat needs. Examples of habitat                      what design features, mitigation                      memberships are exclusively for the
                                                  improvement include: (1) Enhance                        measures and monitoring requirements                  Texas Advisory Committee, and
                                                  habitat components that will support                    are included in the decision.                         applicants must be residents of the
                                                  sustainable elk populations consistent                  Addresses                                             Texas to be considered. Letters of
                                                  with the Forest Plan. This includes the                                                                       interest must be received by the Western
                                                                                                            Additional project information is
                                                  best available science to move the                                                                            Regional Office of the U.S. Commission
                                                                                                          available on the project page of the
                                                  project landscape towards the                                                                                 on Civil Rights no later than November
                                                                                                          Payette National Forest Web site at:
                                                  recommended road density and elk                                                                              15, 2016. Letters of interest must be sent
                                                                                                          http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/
                                                  security habitat guidelines (e.g. effective                                                                   to the address listed below.
                                                                                                          ?project=50218.
                                                  seasonal gate closures). One potential                                                                           Because the terms of the members of
                                                  method of moving towards effective                      Scoping Process                                       the Michigan Advisory Committee are
                                                  road densities and enhancing elk                          This notice of intent initiates the                 expiring on January 28, 2017, the United
                                                  security habitat is to target road closures             scoping process, which guides the                     States Commission on Civil Rights
                                                  in areas where there is route                           development of the environmental                      hereby invites any individual who is
                                                  redundancy. (2) Maintain or restore a                   impact statement. It is important that                eligible to be appointed to apply. The
                                                  representative, resilient and redundant                 reviewers provide their comments at                   memberships are exclusively for the
                                                  network of habitats for species of                      such times and in such manner that                    Michigan Advisory Committee, and
                                                  greatest conservation concern (e.g.                     they are useful to the agency’s                       applicants must be residents of the
                                                  northern Idaho ground squirrel, white-                  preparation of the environmental impact               Michigan to be considered. Letters of
                                                  headed woodpecker, northern goshawk,                    statement. Therefore, comments should                 interest must be received by the
                                                  etc.).                                                  be provided prior to the close of the                 Midwestern Regional Office of the U.S.
                                                     F. Community Wildfire Mitigation                     comment period and should clearly                     Commission on Civil Rights no later
                                                  Treatments: Both, fuel loading and fuel                 articulate the reviewer’s concerns and                than November 15, 2016. Letters of
                                                  continuity would be altered to reduce                   contentions.                                          interest must be sent to the address
                                                  surface fire potential as well as crown                   Comments received in response to                    listed below.
                                                  fire potential among the community                      this solicitation, including names and                DATES:
                                                  wildfire mitigation treatment areas (see                addresses of those who comment, will                     Letters of interest for membership on
                                                  Prescribed Fire Treatments and                          be part of the public record for this                 the Florida Advisory Committee should
                                                  Community Wildfire Mitigation Map).                     project. Comments submitted                           be received no later than November 15,
                                                  This would provide suppression forces                   anonymously however will also be                      2016.
                                                  a higher probability of successfully                    accepted and considered.                                 Letters of interest for membership on
                                                  attacking a wildland fire within                                                                              the Texas Advisory Committee should
                                                                                                            Dated: September 26, 2016.
                                                  intermix or rural condition while                                                                             be received no later than November 15,
                                                                                                          Keith B. Lannom,
                                                  creating a safer working environment. A                                                                       2016.
                                                                                                          Payette National Forest Supervisor.                      Letters of interest for membership on
                                                  combination of non-commercial
                                                  thinning, commercial thinning, limbing                  [FR Doc. 2016–23650 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]           the Michigan Advisory Committee
                                                  to reduce ladder fuels, piling dead and                 BILLING CODE 3411–15–P                                should be received no later than
                                                  downed material, pile burning, and/or                                                                         November 15, 2016.
                                                  prescribed burning would facilitate the                                                                       ADDRESSES:
                                                  desired condition. More specifically,                   COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS                               Send letters of interest for the Florida
                                                  activities would result in the following:                                                                     Advisory Committee to: U.S.
                                                  (1) Increased canopy base heights to                    Advisory Committees Expiration                        Commission on Civil Rights, Southern
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  reduce potential for spotting, torching,                AGENCY:  United States Commission on                  Regional Office, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
                                                  and crown fire; (2) Reduced canopy                      Civil Rights.                                         Suite 1840T, Atlanta, GA 30303. Letters
                                                  densities to reduce the potential for                   ACTION: Solicitation of applications.                 can also be sent via email to jhinton@
                                                  crown fire spread; (3) Reduced species                                                                        usccr.gov.
                                                  that are not fire-resilient to promote fire-            SUMMARY: Because the terms of the                        Send letters of interest for the Texas
                                                  resilient stands; (4) Reduced ground and                members of the Florida Advisory                       Advisory Committee to: U.S.
                                                  surface fuels. Recurrent application of                 Committee are expiring on January 28,                 Commission on Civil Rights, Western


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:49 Sep 29, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00003   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM   30SEN1



Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:33:35
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:33:35
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 prepare an environmental impact statement.
DatesComments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by November 14, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected late April 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected January 2018.
ContactKim Pierson, New Meadows District Ranger, 208-347-0300, [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 67289 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR