81 FR 71475 - Angeles National Forest, California, Cattle Canyon Improvements Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 200 (October 17, 2016)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 200 (October 17, 2016)
| Page Range | 71475-71477 | |
| FR Document | 2016-25007 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 200 (Monday, October 17, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 71475-71477] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-25007] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Angeles National Forest, California, Cattle Canyon Improvements Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare draft environmental impact statement/environmental impact report and public scoping meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Angeles National Forest (USFS-ANF) and the Watershed Conservation Authority WCA are lead agencies preparing a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Endangered Species Act, and other applicable laws, to evaluate the San Gabriel River Confluence with Cattle Canyon Improvements Project (Project). The USFS- ANF and the WCA have agreed to jointly prepare an EIS/EIR in order to optimize efficiency and avoid duplication. The EIS/EIR is intended to be sufficient in scope to address the federal, state, and local requirements and the environmental issues concerning the proposed activities and permit approvals. The Project was developed to better manage the recreation use and balance the needs for resource protection. The project site encompasses an approximate 2.5-mile reach of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, running generally south until its confluence with Cattle Canyon Creek in Los Angeles County: T2N R8W Sections 19 and 30, T2N R9W Sections 24, 25, 26, T3N R8W Section 18. The entire project site is within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument boundary and will continue to be managed by the USFS- ANF. The proposed actions are to develop new management strategies to protect and restore the multi-use areas for future public enjoyment. Proposed enhancements include establishment of parking spaces, development of new picnic areas, pedestrian trails, river access points and upgrades to existing facilities, improvements to paved and unpaved roadways, and restoration of riparian and upland vegetation communities. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by December 1, 2016. Two public scoping meetings are being held to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed action and to express comments on the proposed action and scope of the EIS/EIR. The scoping meetings will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, November 19, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: Please send written scoping comments to: Cattle Canyon Improvements Project, 110 N. Wabash Ave., Glendora, CA 91741. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to (626) 574-5233. If applicable, responses should include the name of a contact person at your agency or organization. The scoping meetings will be held at the following locations: Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Julia McNeill Senior Center--Celebration Hall, 4100 Baldwin Park Boulevard, Baldwin Park, California Saturday, November 19, 2016, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Angeles National Forest Headquarters, 701 North Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, California Additional information about public meetings is posted on: http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/angeles/landmanagement/projects and http://www.wca.ca.gov/cattle_canyon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: USDA Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, 110 N. Wabash Ave., Glendora, CA 91741, Contact: Jeremy Sugden, Phone: (626) 335-1251 x222, Email: [email protected] Watershed Conservation Authority, 100 N. Old San Gabriel Canyon Road, Azusa, CA 91701, Contact: Rob Romanek, Phone: (626) 815-1019 x108, Email: [email protected] Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information [[Page 71476]] 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 Due to steep topography and dense chaparral, recreation is highly concentrated in areas that are relatively flat with roaded access in ANF. The heavy use combined with the lack of facilities has resulted in the degradation within the project site. Current conditions are not sustainable for long-term management. The San Gabriel River Confluence with the Cattle Canyon Improvement Project is being proposed to better manage the recreation use and balance the needs for resource protection. The future desired condition is to provide balanced, environmentally sustainable recreation opportunities to meet the needs of a growing urban and culturally diverse population, particularly for day use. The purpose and need for the project is to provide recreation facilities and infrastructure that are high quality, well-maintained, safe, accessible and consistent with visitors' expectations; shift and concentrate recreational use to certain areas in order to minimize adverse effects over a broader area; promote stewardship of public land by providing quality and sustainable recreation opportunities that result in increased visitor satisfaction; allow for better management of the recreation resources on the Forest; and improve riparian habitat conditions in certain areas and make progress toward enhancing stream habitat conditions by restoring vegetation, minimizing invasive plants and noxious weed presence, and developing management strategies to regulate access. Proposed Action The full description of the proposed action/project is on the following Web sites: http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/angeles/landmanagement/projects http://www.wca.ca.gov/cattle_canyon Proposed actions/project include the following components: River Access To provide better public access to the river while protecting natural resources, a total of six locations for river access points are proposed throughout the project site. Each river access point would implement the Sustainable Site Access Model and include: Parking, infrastructure to provide for potential development of future shuttle services, litter disposal, restrooms, picnic tables and seating, East Fork Scenic Trail with interpretive elements, safe river access trails, and elimination of user-created trails and parking. Riparian and Upland Habitat Restoration Restoration would occur throughout the project site to reduce impacts from user generated trails, protect seeps/springs on east side of the road, preserve stream habitat in tributary behind oaks picnic area, and mitigate losses from trail construction. Restoration would include non-native vegetation removal and/or riparian plantings. Parking The project proposes a total of 270 new parking spaces designated for standard vehicles and three spaces for bus parking within the vicinity of the Oaks Picnic Area and Coyote Flat. Of the 270 parking spaces, 14 spaces would be designed and designated as accessible spaces. These spaces include angled and perpendicular bays with curbs, formal (marked) paved roadside parking, and a paved parking lot at the former fire station within the East Fork Scenic Overlook and Trailhead area. Parking would be available during day-use hours. Undesignated parking areas would be blocked by boulders and parking signage installed. Right of Way Improvements Improvements along the two-mile reach of the public right of way would include designated roadside parking, the addition of three loading area/shuttle stops, low barrier walls, signage, and a vehicle turnaround at the end of Camp Bonita Road. Amenities Proposed actions include development of the following amenities:Recreational Trails: Recreational trail improvements would include the following: The 2.5 mile East Fork Scenic Trail (comprising two miles of newly constructed road-adjacent scenic trail and .5 miles of improvements to existing trail/access road that runs between the East Fork Overlook area and Heaton Flat), Botanical Interpretive Trail (approximately 1.5 miles of existing non designated trail), Trail steps to Coyote Flat (approximately 350 feet), five trailheads, and a trailhead parking lot. Interpretive Areas: An interpretive area with site- specific signage and informational displays would be located at the Oaks, Confluence, Coyote Flat, and Heaton Flat Areas. Scenic Overlooks: The existing scenic overlook of the EFSGR in the Overlook Area would be improved with planters, Geology Hut, low masonry barrier walls, litter receptacles, and interpretive signs. A new scenic overlook in the Confluence Area would include an interpretive element of Eldoradoville, and an East Fork Scenic Trail interpretive sign. Picnic Areas: Six designated picnic areas would be located throughout the project area. Improvements are planned for the existing picnic areas at Oaks, Coyote Flat, and Heaton Flat. Pedestrian Bridge: A prefabricated pedestrian steel bridge may be constructed across the Cattle Canyon Creek, parallel to the existing L.A. County Camp Bonita Road Bridge (also known as Cattle Canyon Bridge). USFS Visitor Kiosk: Three USFS Visitor Kiosks would be strategically placed throughout the project site. Restrooms and Refuse Disposal: Nine restroom facilities are planned with three 2-toilet units and six 4-unit toilet facilities located near river access points, picnic areas and other popular destination sites. Small bear-proof trash receptacles would be located at all river access points, loading areas/shuttle stops, parking areas, along the East Fork Scenic trail, and all designated picnic sites. Site Type Management The project area is being proposed to be managed as a Day Use only area. Currently recreation sites located within the project area (Oaks Picnic Site and East Fork Trailhead Day Use Parking) are managed as Standard Amenity Recreation Fee Sites (SARF). With the development of the project new recreation sites will be eligible to be included into the SARF program. These new sites may be designated for fee collection after the project is constructed, in accordance with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, including necessary approvals of the Recreation Advisory Committee established by that law. Possible Alternatives In order to address substantive issues identified during scoping, project alternatives may be considered and developed by lead agencies staff, following completion of the public scoping period. If necessary, the alternatives shall fulfill the identified purpose & need for action while addressing one or more significant issues related to the proposed project. Preliminary Issues/Potential Environmental Effects Potential environmental effects and impacts for the proposed project and the [[Page 71477]] alternatives will be explored during the scoping and during preparation of the EIS/EIR. The EIS/EIR will focus on issues for which potentially significant impacts are identified, including: Public recreation and impacts to user groups, biological resources, cultural resources, transportation and parking, water resources and water quality, and others. In addition, the EIS/EIR will analyze the full range of resource topics required by the lead agencies (e.g., noise, land use) and cumulative impacts. Permits or Licenses Required Permits that may be required before implementation include: A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Construction Permit issued by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, a Section 404 Permit and Section 401 Certification (per the Clean Water Act) issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Biological Opinion/ Incidental Take Statement issued by USFWS, Section 2081 Incidental Take Permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a Streambed Alteration Agreement (Section 1602 permits of the California Fish and Game Code) issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Local traffic control and encroachment permits may be required from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works or the California Department of Transportation. Scoping Process The ANF and the WCA are seeking public and agency comment on the proposed project to identify major issues. Comments received will help define the scope of the project and issues to be analyzed in depth. Comments should be as ``project specific'' as possible. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a 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 scoping comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions in relation to the project. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1503.3) in addressing these points. The proposed project is consistent with the 2006 Angeles National Forest Land Management Plan, and is subject to project level, pre- decisional administrative review pursuant to 36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B. Comments received on this notice or in subsequent environmental reviews, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered as part of the public record on this proposed project, and are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and California Public Records Act (CPRA). Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have standing to object to the subsequent decision. Dated: October 7, 2016. Rachel C. Smith, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Angeles National Forest. [FR Doc. 2016-25007 Filed 10-14-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![71475
Notices Federal Register
Vol. 81, No. 200
Monday, October 17, 2016
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Dated: October 1, 2016. enhancements include establishment of
contains documents other than rules or Lynn P. Winston, parking spaces, development of new
proposed rules that are applicable to the Chief, Bureau for Management, Office of picnic areas, pedestrian trails, river
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, Management Services, Information and access points and upgrades to existing
committee meetings, agency decisions and Records Division, U.S. Agency for facilities, improvements to paved and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of International Development.
petitions and applications and agency
unpaved roadways, and restoration of
statements of organization and functions are
[FR Doc. 2016–24853 Filed 10–14–16; 8:45 am] riparian and upland vegetation
examples of documents appearing in this BILLING CODE 6116–01–M communities.
section. DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE December 1, 2016.
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL Two public scoping meetings are
DEVELOPMENT Forest Service being held to provide you with an
Angeles National Forest, California, opportunity to learn more about the
Notice of Public Information Collection proposed action and to express
Requirements Submitted to OMB for Cattle Canyon Improvements Project
comments on the proposed action and
Review AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. scope of the EIS/EIR. The scoping
ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare draft meetings will be held Wednesday,
SUMMARY: U.S. Agency for International environmental impact statement/ November 16, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to
Development (USAID) has submitted environmental impact report and public 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, November 19,
the following information collection to scoping meeting. 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
OMB for review and clearance under the ADDRESSES: Please send written scoping
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, SUMMARY: The Angeles National Forest
comments to: Cattle Canyon
Public Law 104–13. Comments (USFS–ANF) and the Watershed
Improvements Project, 110 N. Wabash
regarding this information collection are Conservation Authority WCA are lead
Ave., Glendora, CA 91741. Comments
best assured of having their full effect if agencies preparing a joint Draft
may also be sent via email to comments-
received within 30 days of this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/
pacificsouthwest-angeles@fs.fed.us, or
notification. Comments should be Environmental Impact Report (EIR),
via facsimile to (626) 574–5233. If
addressed to: Desk Officer for USAID, pursuant to the National Environmental
applicable, responses should include
Office of Information and Regulatory Policy Act (NEPA), the California
the name of a contact person at your
Affairs, Office of Management and Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the
agency or organization.
Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 Endangered Species Act, and other The scoping meetings will be held at
applicable laws, to evaluate the San the following locations:
or be sent via email to
Gabriel River Confluence with Cattle
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.crov. Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 6:00
Canyon Improvements Project (Project).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USFS–ANF and the WCA have p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Julia McNeill
agreed to jointly prepare an EIS/EIR in Senior Center—Celebration Hall, 4100
OMB Number: OMB 0412–XXXX. Baldwin Park Boulevard, Baldwin
order to optimize efficiency and avoid
Form Number: AID Form 309–1. duplication. The EIS/EIR is intended to Park, California
Title: Contract With an Individual for be sufficient in scope to address the Saturday, November 19, 2016, 11:00
federal, state, and local requirements a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Angeles National
Personal Services.
and the environmental issues Forest Headquarters, 701 North Santa
Type of Submission: A Revised Anita Avenue, Arcadia, California
Information Collection. concerning the proposed activities and
permit approvals. The Project was Additional information about public
Purpose: United States Agency for developed to better manage the meetings is posted on: http://
International Development must collect recreation use and balance the needs for www.fs.usda.gov/projects/angeles/
information for reporting purposes to resource protection. The project site landmanagement/projects and http://
Congress and Office of Acquisition and encompasses an approximate 2.5-mile www.wca.ca.gov/cattle_canyon.
Assistance Contract Administration. reach of the East Fork of the San Gabriel FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
This collection is to collect personal River, running generally south until its USDA Forest Service, Angeles National
information on applicants for USAID confluence with Cattle Canyon Creek in Forest, 110 N. Wabash Ave.,
personal services contracts and is used Los Angeles County: T2N R8W Sections Glendora, CA 91741, Contact: Jeremy
to award a personal services contract 19 and 30, T2N R9W Sections 24, 25, Sugden, Phone: (626) 335–1251 x222,
with required signatures. 26, T3N R8W Section 18. The entire Email: jmsugden@fs.fed.us
project site is within the San Gabriel Watershed Conservation Authority, 100
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Annual Reporting Burden: N. Old San Gabriel Canyon Road,
Mountains National Monument
Respondents: 550. boundary and will continue to be Azusa, CA 91701, Contact: Rob
Total annual responses: 550. managed by the USFS–ANF. The Romanek, Phone: (626) 815–1019
proposed actions are to develop new x108, Email: rromanek@wca.ca.gov
Total annual hours requested: 137.50
hr. management strategies to protect and Individuals who use
restore the multi-use areas for future telecommunication devices for the deaf
public enjoyment. Proposed (TDD) may call the Federal Information
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 200 / Monday, October 17, 2016 / Notices 71477
alternatives will be explored during the such times and in such a manner that ACTION: Notice.
scoping and during preparation of the they are useful to the agency’s
EIS/EIR. The EIS/EIR will focus on preparation of the environmental impact SUMMARY: GIPSA is announcing the
issues for which potentially significant statement. Therefore, comments should designation of the Washington State
impacts are identified, including: Public be provided prior to the close of the Department of Agriculture (Washington)
recreation and impacts to user groups, scoping comment period and should to provide official services under the
biological resources, cultural resources, clearly articulate the reviewer’s United States Grain Standards Act
transportation and parking, water concerns and contentions in relation to (USGSA), as amended.
resources and water quality, and others. the project. Reviewers may wish to refer DATES: Effective Date: January 1, 2015.
In addition, the EIS/EIR will analyze the to the Council on Environmental ADDRESSES: Sharon Lathrop,
full range of resource topics required by Quality Regulations for implementing Compliance Officer, USDA, GIPSA,
the lead agencies (e.g., noise, land use) the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 FGIS, QACD, 10383 North Ambassador
and cumulative impacts. CFR 1503.3) in addressing these points. Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153.
Permits or Licenses Required The proposed project is consistent
with the 2006 Angeles National Forest FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Permits that may be required before Land Management Plan, and is subject Sharon Lathrop, 816–891–0415,
implementation include: A National to project level, pre-decisional Sharon.L.Lathrop@usda.gov or
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System administrative review pursuant to 36 FGIS.QACD@usda.gov.
General Construction Permit issued by CFR 218, Subparts A and B. Comments READ APPLICATIONS: All applications and
the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality received on this notice or in subsequent comments are available for public
Control Board, a Section 404 Permit and environmental reviews, including inspection at the office above during
Section 401 Certification (per the Clean names and addresses of those who regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(c)).
Water Act) issued by the U.S. Army comment, will be considered as part of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the
Corps of Engineers, Biological Opinion/ the public record on this proposed
Incidental Take Statement issued by August 26, 2014, Federal Register (79
project, and are subject to the Freedom FR 50886), GIPSA requested
USFWS, Section 2081 Incidental Take of Information Act (FOIA) and
Permit issued by the California applications for designation to provide
California Public Records Act (CPRA). official services in the geographic areas
Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a Comments submitted anonymously will
Streambed Alteration Agreement presently serviced by Washington.
be accepted and considered; however, Applications were due by September 25,
(Section 1602 permits of the California those who submit anonymous
Fish and Game Code) issued by the 2014.
comments will not have standing to The current official agency,
California Department of Fish and object to the subsequent decision.
Wildlife. Local traffic control and Washington, was the only applicant for
Dated: October 7, 2016. designation to provide official services
encroachment permits may be required
from the Los Angeles County Rachel C. Smith, in these areas. As a result, GIPSA did
Department of Public Works or the Deputy Forest Supervisor, Angeles National not ask for additional comments.
California Department of Forest. GIPSA evaluated the designation
Transportation. [FR Doc. 2016–25007 Filed 10–14–16; 8:45 am] criteria in USGSA 7 U.S.C. 79(f), and
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P determined that Washington is qualified
Scoping Process to provide official services in the
The ANF and the WCA are seeking geographic areas specified in the
public and agency comment on the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Register on August 26, 2014.
proposed project to identify major This designation to provide official
issues. Comments received will help Grain Inspection, Packers and services in the specified areas of Idaho,
define the scope of the project and Stockyards Administration Oregon, and Washington is effective
issues to be analyzed in depth. January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2017.
Designation for the Olympia, WA Area
Comments should be as ‘‘project Interested persons may obtain official
specific’’ as possible. It is important that AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and services by contacting this agency at the
reviewers provide their comments at Stockyards Administration, USDA. following telephone number:
Designation Designation
Official agency Headquarters location Telephone start end
Washington ......... Olympia, WA .............................................................................................. 360–902–1888 1/1/2015 12/31/2017
The USGSA authorizes the Secretary DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers
to designate a qualified applicant to and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
provide official services in a specified Grain Inspection, Packers and is taking several actions to post
area after determining that the applicant Stockyards Administration stockyards under the Packers and
is better able than any other applicant Stockyards Act (P&S Act). Specifically,
to provide such official services 7 U.S.C. Proposed Posting and Posting of we are proposing that eight stockyards
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
79(f). Stockyards now operating subject to the P&S Act be
posted. We are also posting 15
Larry Mitchell, AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and stockyards that were identified
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA. previously as operating subject to the
Stockyards Administration. P&S Act.
Notice and request for
ACTION:
[FR Doc. 2016–25015 Filed 10–14–16; 8:45 am] DATES: For the proposed posting of
comments.
BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P stockyards, we will consider comments
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Document Created: 2016-10-15 01:51:38
Document Modified: 2016-10-15 01:51:38
| 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 draft environmental impact statement/environmental impact report and public scoping meeting. | |
| Dates | Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by December 1, 2016. | |
| Contact | USDA Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, 110 N. Wabash Ave., Glendora, CA 91741, Contact: Jeremy Sugden, Phone: (626) 335-1251 x222, Email: [email protected] Watershed Conservation Authority, 100 N. Old San Gabriel Canyon Road, Azusa, CA 91701, Contact: Rob Romanek, Phone: (626) 815-1019 x108, Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 71475 |
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