81_FR_9201 81 FR 9165 - Caribou-Targhee National Forest; Ashton/Island Park Ranger Station; Idaho; Buffalo TSI

81 FR 9165 - Caribou-Targhee National Forest; Ashton/Island Park Ranger Station; Idaho; Buffalo TSI

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 36 (February 24, 2016)

Page Range9165-9167
FR Document2016-03868

This project proposes to reduce or prolong the overall susceptibility to mountain pine beetle attacks and crown fires in a subset of previously harvested areas within the analysis area. Precommercial thinning is proposed so trees within these stands maintain diameter and height growth as well as increased crown development and to move this project area toward meeting specific goals, and objectives outlined in the Targhee National Forest Revised Forest Management Plan (RFP) and the Properly Functioning Condition Assessment (PFC).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9165-9167]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03868]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Caribou-Targhee National Forest; Ashton/Island Park Ranger 
Station; Idaho; Buffalo TSI

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: This project proposes to reduce or prolong the overall 
susceptibility to mountain pine beetle attacks and crown fires in a 
subset of previously harvested areas within the analysis area. 
Precommercial thinning is proposed so trees within these stands 
maintain diameter and height growth as well as increased crown 
development and to move this project area toward meeting specific 
goals, and objectives outlined in the Targhee National Forest Revised 
Forest Management Plan (RFP) and the Properly Functioning Condition 
Assessment (PFC).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 25, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
July 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
January 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mike Alfieri, Island Park Ranger 
Station, 3726 Highway 20, Island Park, ID 83429. Comments may also be 
sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 208-558-7812.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Alfieri, Forestry Technician 208-
558-4210 or [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 this project is to reduce or prolong the overall 
susceptibility to mountain pine beetle attacks and crown fires in a 
subset of previously harvested areas within the analysis area. The 
purpose is to also to provide for a variety of resource products now 
and in the future. All of the areas identified for treatment were 
harvested using the clearcut method over 20 years ago and are 
regenerated with hundreds and even thousands of trees per acre, 
primarily of lodgepole pine. Precommercial thinning is proposed so 
trees within these stands maintain diameter and height growth as well 
as increased crown development and to move this project area toward 
meeting specific goals, and objectives outlined in the Targhee National 
Forest Revised Forest Management Plan (RFP) and the PFC. These include:
    1. Use vegetation management to achieve a broad array of multiple-
use and ecosystem management objectives, including forest health, 
structure, composition, and distribution in larger landscapes. . . . 
Develop long term vegetation and density management strategies to 
reduce the risk of a future catastrophic bark beetle epidemic (RFP III-
12). For the Buffalo project area this goal has been further refined as 
leaving approximately 195 trees per acre or a 15 by 15 foot overall 
tree spacing to prolong the susceptibility to future mountain pine 
beetle attacks.
    2. Lodgepole pine stands in Watershed 10 would provide a variety of 
forest products now and in the future. More dense stands would provide 
smaller diameter products such as post and poles; less dense stands 
would provide larger diameter trees that could be harvested as 
sawtimber in the future. Stands that remain susceptible to crown fire 
or mountain pine beetle would eventually die providing firewood. For 
the Buffalo project, firewood, post and poles could be a byproduct of 
the proposed treatments. In the future, the areas thinned with this 
proposal would provide sawtimber available for future harvest (RFP III 
31-33).
    3. The likelihood of future landscape-level crown fire will be 
reduced in order to protect human life and safety, developments, 
structures, and sensitive resource values (RFP III-6). The roadside 
fuelbreak along a portion of Fish Creek Road would increase chances 
that firefighters will be able to safely engage either unwanted 
wildfires or fires for resource benefit. For the Buffalo project area, 
the various treatments would reduce spacing between tree canopies to 
reduce the potential of crown fire; and ground fuels will be minimized 
to decrease the potential for a surface fire and for a surface fire to 
reach the crowns.
    The desired condition for this project is outlined in the three 
goals stated above. The need for this project is to bring this 
landscape closer to meeting these desired conditions.
    With reference to susceptibility to mountain pine beetle, thinned 
lodgepole stands have more open grown conditions which leave tree 
stand's microclimate less desirable for mountain pine beetle. Wind 
speeds can increase within thinned stands, disrupting pheromone plumes 
that let other beetles know there is available food. Efforts to prevent 
undesirable levels of bark beetle-caused tree mortality must change 
susceptibility through reductions in tree competition, disruption of 
pheromone plumes thus negatively affecting host-finding, and reduction 
in the fecundity, fitness and survivorship of target bark beetle 
species. Less dense trees have thicker phloem which favors mountain 
pine beetle production but this strategy also increases resistance of 
individual trees through increased tree vigor allowing the trees the 
energy or turgor pressure to expel the beetle. Trees of low vigor 
related to a higher relative stand density caused by competition for 
water and nutrients are more susceptible to bark beetle attack. Areas 
that are not precommercially thinned and have very high densities of 
lodgepole pine are also less susceptible for mountain pine beetle 
because of reduced phloem thickness.
    Watershed 10 will have a variety of lodgepole pine stands that 
would

[[Page 9166]]

provide for various forest products now and in the future. Stands that 
have been previously precommercial thinned to leave approximately 360 
trees per acre would provide sawtimber when the lodgepole pine matures. 
If these stands are not harvested before they reach 80 to 100 years 
old, they may be susceptible to mountain pine beetle attack, die and 
become available for firewood. The lodgepole pine stands that would not 
be precommercially thinned could provide post and poles now and into 
the future. Areas that are proposed for precommercial thinning through 
this project could provide sawtimber when the lodgepole pine matures. 
Post, poles and firewood would be a byproduct of the thinning when the 
project is implemented.
    In lodgepole pine-dominated stands, fire can behave in two 
different extremes. Typically, fire creeps and smolders along the 
forest floor shaded by the dense tree canopy and hindered by the lack 
of ground fuels. However, under dry and windy conditions with heavy 
dead fuel accumulations, fires can spread through those surface fuels 
and quickly get up into the canopy. These fires are typically high-
intensity, stand-replacing fires that do not occur often, but burn many 
acres and are very difficult to extinguish when they do occur. If left 
untreated, the current lodgepole pine-dominated stands within this 
project would over time create the surface fuels necessary to allow 
fire to get into the canopy and potentially produce crown fire that is 
so difficult to suppress. The roadside fuels reduction project would 
enhance a fuel break along a key Forest Service Road, Fish Creek (082) 
to increase chances that firefighters will be able to safely engage 
either unwanted wildfires or fires for resource benefit. Roadside fuel 
breaks located in areas where fire can be safely restored to the 
landscape would contribute to maintaining fire as a disturbance on this 
landscape as well as allow safe effective wildfire response with 
minimal exposure to firefighters. This fuel break is located within the 
wildland urban interface (WUI) and would remove surface, ladder, and 
crown fuels.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action would precommercially thin approximately 3900 
acres located within the Buffalo River Watershed to achieve the desired 
conditions stated in the Purpose and Need. Areas identified to be 
thinned are past harvest units composed primarily of lodgepole pine 
presently stocked at greater than 500 trees per acre.

Precommercial Thinning Units

     Trees would be thinned to a 15 by 15 foot spacing with the 
exception of the Aquatic Influence Zone (AIZ).
     Within 25 feet of any stream or AIZ, Reduce leave tree 
spacing from 15 by 15 foot spacing to 12 by 12 foot spacing, unless 
approved by a hydrologist or fish biologist.
     Within riparian areas and Aquatic Influence Zones (AIZ) 
felled trees would be left where they fall and felled in a way that 
protects residual vegetation from damage.
    Roadside fuel break--Within the 600 feet (300 feet on either side 
of the road) of the Fish Creek Road (FS 082).
     Thin to a 20 by 20 foot spacing.
     Within 25 feet of any stream or aquatic influence zone 
(AIZ), reduce leave tree spacing to 12 by 12 feet, unless approved by a 
hydrologist or fish biologist.
     Masticate remaining slash. Masticated chips would not 
exceed a depth of three inches.
     Areas designated for tree removal will not impact current 
road closures.
     Pioneered roads will be rehabilitated once trees have been 
removed.
     Within AIZs, do not remove (for pile burning or 
mastication) dead and down material greater than 6 inches or less than 
2 inches in diameter.
     Within AIZ, lop and scatter material that is less than 2 
inches in diameter (i.e. do not remove for pile burning or 
mastication).
     Where feasible, do not pile burn or masticate within AIZ. 
If practicable, pull material completely outside of the AIZ to pile 
burn or masticate. If not feasible, pile material as far from stream 
channels as practical given the local terrain.
     No heavy equipment operation (e.g. masticator, skidder, 
etc.) shall occur in the AIZ off of existing routes unless approved by 
a soil scientist or hydrologist.
     Within AIZ, minimize the mechanized treatment of wood 
residue. All debris associated with treatments shall be left or placed 
in such a manner as to prevent their entry into streams.
     Do not burn material within the bankfull channel.
     Fell trees in a way that protects residual vegetation from 
damage. Minimize ground-disturbing activities.
     Avoid heavy equipment use on slopes greater than 40 
percent.
     Rutting in skid trails should not exceed six to eight 
inches in depth (wet condition) over more than ten percent of a 
designated skid trail system. No yarding operations should take place 
when ground conditions are wet enough that there is a risk of such 
rutting. Avoid operations if soil is saturated.
     No new roads, skid trails, or landings will be constructed 
within the AIZ until appropriate standards for construction, 
maintenance, and operations are in place. Use previously disturbed 
areas for landings. All newly constructed landings, skid trails, and 
temporary roads shall be obliterated. No temporary stream crossings are 
necessary.

Design Criteria Common to All Treatments

     Trees remaining following thinning would have straight 
stems, well-formed crowns, be free of insect or disease damage, 
vigorous annual terminal growth, and crown ratio of 40 percent or more.
     To promote species diversity, conifers other than 
lodgepole pine would remain within the treatment units except in aspen 
clumps.
     No aspen would be cut.
     No five needle pines would be cut.
     All conifers except five needle pines would be cut within 
two aspen tree heights of an aspen clump (3 or more aspen trees).
     Cutting of trees would be accomplished by crews using 
chain saws.
     Trees on the ground would provide opportunities to gather 
firewood, post and poles anywhere within the treatment units. Those 
removing products can only drive within 300 feet of either side of an 
open or gated forest service system road to retrieve their wood.
     Each treatment would be sequenced as follows: Cut trees, 
remove products removal such as firewood, post or poles would occur for 
not more than three years, treat slash.
     There would be no new road construction or reconstruction. 
No decommissioned roads would be opened for the project. Approximately 
13.82 miles of restricted (gated roads) would be used to access 
thinning units. The gated roads would only be used by people associated 
with the thinning project and the gates would remain locked at all 
times.
     Following precommercial thinning operations, gated roads 
(FS Roads 083, 105, 448, 447 and 116) would be opened as necessary to 
firewood, post and pole removal within the treatment units. Those 
removing firewood, post and poles can only drive within 300 feet of 
either side of an open or gated forest service system road to retrieve 
their wood.

[[Page 9167]]

     All open and restricted gated roads within or adjacent to 
the units shall be kept free of felled trees.
     No thinning activities would occur before July 1 to reduce 
the effects to nesting migratory birds.
     All contractors and people involved with the proposed 
project must comply with the applicable food storage special order in 
effect when the work is performed.
     There is one pond located within the project area. No 
precommercial thinning will occur within 300 feet of the pond to avoid 
adverse effects to amphibians.
     Generally strive to maintain fine organic matter over at 
least 50 percent of the area (RFP, pages III-6 & 7).
     Five to ten tons of woody debris would remain on the 
ground following treatments.
     Areas of pile burning will be evaluated and monitored to 
determine if seeding or additional rehabilitation is warranted to 
minimize weed spread and maintain soil productivity.
     Adjust chipping size and depth to provide a variation of 
chip depth (maximum depth of three inches including patches of 
unchipped) and chip size to allow differing decomposition rates and 
soil moisture retention lengths and to avoid negatively impacting 
available soil nitrogen.
     Locate public firewood as close to the existing roads as 
possible (material resulting from thinning).
     Plan for burning of piles to occur when soils are wet from 
snow or rain to limit impacts on soil organic matter, physical 
properties and soil organisms.
     Routes pioneered into the project area will need to be 
evaluated for the most appropriate rehabilitation and closure methods. 
Options may include: Leaving additional slash over the area, roughing 
up the segment where the route departs from a system road or 
mastication perpendicular to the segment.

Possible Alternatives

    At a minimum, the proposed action and a no action alternative would 
be analyzed.

Responsible Official

    The Ashton/Island Park District Ranger is the responsible official 
and will make the decision.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    In the decision, the responsible official will decide whether or 
not to precommercially thin the identified stands of trees.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement.
    The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for 
the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed 
action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. It 
is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in 
such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of the 
environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided 
prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate 
the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however.
    Public comment on this analysis is pursuant to the pre-decisional 
process described at 36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B.
    Only those who comment and meet all the requirements contained in 
36 CFR 218.25(a)(3) will have standing to object to the project during 
the 45 day pre-decisional objection period. The objection period will 
occur following the distribution of the final EIS and draft Record of 
Decision. Comments submitted in response to this solicitation must meet 
the definition of ``specific written comments'' as defined at 36 CFR 
218.2, particularly ``. . . specific written comments should be within 
the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the 
proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the 
responsible official to consider.''

    Dated: February 18, 2016.
Elizibeth Davy,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2016-03868 Filed 2-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Notices                                             9165

                                                    d. Commercial or recreational hunting                 DATES:  Comments concerning the scope                 and poles; less dense stands would
                                                  and fishing interests; and                              of the analysis must be received by                   provide larger diameter trees that could
                                                    e. Developed outdoor recreation, off-                 March 25, 2016. The draft                             be harvested as sawtimber in the future.
                                                  highway vehicle users, or commercial                    environmental impact statement is                     Stands that remain susceptible to crown
                                                  recreation interests.                                   expected July 2016 and the final                      fire or mountain pine beetle would
                                                    The Committee will serve 2-year                       environmental impact statement is                     eventually die providing firewood. For
                                                  terms and will meet three to six times                  expected January 2017.                                the Buffalo project, firewood, post and
                                                  annually, or as often as necessary at the               ADDRESSES: Send written comments to                   poles could be a byproduct of the
                                                  times designated by the Designated                      Mike Alfieri, Island Park Ranger Station,             proposed treatments. In the future, the
                                                  Federal Officer (DFO). The appointment                  3726 Highway 20, Island Park, ID 83429.               areas thinned with this proposal would
                                                  of members to the Committee are made                    Comments may also be sent via email to                provide sawtimber available for future
                                                  by the Secretary of Agriculture.                        comments-intermtn-caribou-targhee-                    harvest (RFP III 31–33).
                                                  Members of the Committee serve                          ashton-islandpark@fs.fed.us, or via                      3. The likelihood of future landscape-
                                                  without compensation, but may be                        facsimile to 208–558–7812.                            level crown fire will be reduced in order
                                                  reimbursed for travel expenses while                                                                          to protect human life and safety,
                                                                                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  performing duties on behalf of the                                                                            developments, structures, and sensitive
                                                                                                          Mike Alfieri, Forestry Technician 208–
                                                  Committee, subject to approval by the                                                                         resource values (RFP III–6). The
                                                                                                          558–4210 or malfieri@fs.fed.us.
                                                  DFO. Further information about the                                                                            roadside fuelbreak along a portion of
                                                                                                             Individuals who use
                                                  Committee is posted on the Planning                                                                           Fish Creek Road would increase
                                                                                                          telecommunication devices for the deaf
                                                  Rule Advisory Committee Web site:                                                                             chances that firefighters will be able to
                                                                                                          (TDD) may call the Federal Information
                                                                                                                                                                safely engage either unwanted wildfires
                                                  http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/                            Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
                                                                                                                                                                or fires for resource benefit. For the
                                                  planningrule/committee.                                 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern                    Buffalo project area, the various
                                                    Equal opportunity practices were                      Time, Monday through Friday.                          treatments would reduce spacing
                                                  followed in accordance with U.S.                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            between tree canopies to reduce the
                                                  Department of Agriculture (USDA)                                                                              potential of crown fire; and ground fuels
                                                  policies. To ensure that the                            Purpose and Need for Action
                                                                                                                                                                will be minimized to decrease the
                                                  recommendations of the Committee                           The purpose of this project is to                  potential for a surface fire and for a
                                                  have taken into account the needs of the                reduce or prolong the overall                         surface fire to reach the crowns.
                                                  diverse groups served by USDA,                          susceptibility to mountain pine beetle                   The desired condition for this project
                                                  membership includes to the extent                       attacks and crown fires in a subset of                is outlined in the three goals stated
                                                  possible, individuals with demonstrated                 previously harvested areas within the                 above. The need for this project is to
                                                  ability to represent the needs of all                   analysis area. The purpose is to also to              bring this landscape closer to meeting
                                                  racial and ethnic groups, women and                     provide for a variety of resource                     these desired conditions.
                                                  men, and persons with disabilities.                     products now and in the future. All of                   With reference to susceptibility to
                                                    Dated: February 17, 2016.                             the areas identified for treatment were               mountain pine beetle, thinned
                                                  Gregory L. Parhan,                                      harvested using the clearcut method                   lodgepole stands have more open grown
                                                                                                          over 20 years ago and are regenerated                 conditions which leave tree stand’s
                                                  Assistant Secretary for Administration.
                                                                                                          with hundreds and even thousands of                   microclimate less desirable for
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–03900 Filed 2–23–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          trees per acre, primarily of lodgepole                mountain pine beetle. Wind speeds can
                                                  BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
                                                                                                          pine. Precommercial thinning is                       increase within thinned stands,
                                                                                                          proposed so trees within these stands                 disrupting pheromone plumes that let
                                                                                                          maintain diameter and height growth as                other beetles know there is available
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                                                                                          well as increased crown development                   food. Efforts to prevent undesirable
                                                  Forest Service                                          and to move this project area toward                  levels of bark beetle-caused tree
                                                                                                          meeting specific goals, and objectives                mortality must change susceptibility
                                                  Caribou-Targhee National Forest;                        outlined in the Targhee National Forest               through reductions in tree competition,
                                                  Ashton/Island Park Ranger Station;                      Revised Forest Management Plan (RFP)                  disruption of pheromone plumes thus
                                                  Idaho; Buffalo TSI                                      and the PFC. These include:                           negatively affecting host-finding, and
                                                                                                             1. Use vegetation management to                    reduction in the fecundity, fitness and
                                                  AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.                           achieve a broad array of multiple-use                 survivorship of target bark beetle
                                                  ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an                   and ecosystem management objectives,                  species. Less dense trees have thicker
                                                  environmental impact statement.                         including forest health, structure,                   phloem which favors mountain pine
                                                                                                          composition, and distribution in larger               beetle production but this strategy also
                                                  SUMMARY:   This project proposes to                     landscapes. . . . Develop long term                   increases resistance of individual trees
                                                  reduce or prolong the overall                           vegetation and density management                     through increased tree vigor allowing
                                                  susceptibility to mountain pine beetle                  strategies to reduce the risk of a future             the trees the energy or turgor pressure
                                                  attacks and crown fires in a subset of                  catastrophic bark beetle epidemic (RFP                to expel the beetle. Trees of low vigor
                                                  previously harvested areas within the                   III–12). For the Buffalo project area this            related to a higher relative stand density
                                                  analysis area. Precommercial thinning is                goal has been further refined as leaving              caused by competition for water and
                                                  proposed so trees within these stands                   approximately 195 trees per acre or a 15              nutrients are more susceptible to bark
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  maintain diameter and height growth as                  by 15 foot overall tree spacing to                    beetle attack. Areas that are not
                                                  well as increased crown development                     prolong the susceptibility to future                  precommercially thinned and have very
                                                  and to move this project area toward                    mountain pine beetle attacks.                         high densities of lodgepole pine are also
                                                  meeting specific goals, and objectives                     2. Lodgepole pine stands in                        less susceptible for mountain pine
                                                  outlined in the Targhee National Forest                 Watershed 10 would provide a variety                  beetle because of reduced phloem
                                                  Revised Forest Management Plan (RFP)                    of forest products now and in the future.             thickness.
                                                  and the Properly Functioning Condition                  More dense stands would provide                          Watershed 10 will have a variety of
                                                  Assessment (PFC).                                       smaller diameter products such as post                lodgepole pine stands that would


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                                                  9166                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Notices

                                                  provide for various forest products now                 Precommercial Thinning Units                          when ground conditions are wet enough
                                                  and in the future. Stands that have been                   • Trees would be thinned to a 15 by                that there is a risk of such rutting. Avoid
                                                  previously precommercial thinned to                     15 foot spacing with the exception of                 operations if soil is saturated.
                                                  leave approximately 360 trees per acre                  the Aquatic Influence Zone (AIZ).                       • No new roads, skid trails, or
                                                  would provide sawtimber when the                           • Within 25 feet of any stream or AIZ,             landings will be constructed within the
                                                  lodgepole pine matures. If these stands                 Reduce leave tree spacing from 15 by 15               AIZ until appropriate standards for
                                                  are not harvested before they reach 80                  foot spacing to 12 by 12 foot spacing,                construction, maintenance, and
                                                  to 100 years old, they may be                           unless approved by a hydrologist or fish              operations are in place. Use previously
                                                  susceptible to mountain pine beetle                     biologist.                                            disturbed areas for landings. All newly
                                                  attack, die and become available for                       • Within riparian areas and Aquatic                constructed landings, skid trails, and
                                                  firewood. The lodgepole pine stands                     Influence Zones (AIZ) felled trees would              temporary roads shall be obliterated. No
                                                  that would not be precommercially                       be left where they fall and felled in a               temporary stream crossings are
                                                  thinned could provide post and poles                    way that protects residual vegetation                 necessary.
                                                  now and into the future. Areas that are                 from damage.                                          Design Criteria Common to All
                                                  proposed for precommercial thinning                        Roadside fuel break—Within the 600                 Treatments
                                                  through this project could provide                      feet (300 feet on either side of the road)
                                                  sawtimber when the lodgepole pine                       of the Fish Creek Road (FS 082).                         • Trees remaining following thinning
                                                  matures. Post, poles and firewood                          • Thin to a 20 by 20 foot spacing.                 would have straight stems, well-formed
                                                  would be a byproduct of the thinning                       • Within 25 feet of any stream or                  crowns, be free of insect or disease
                                                  when the project is implemented.                        aquatic influence zone (AIZ), reduce                  damage, vigorous annual terminal
                                                     In lodgepole pine-dominated stands,                  leave tree spacing to 12 by 12 feet,                  growth, and crown ratio of 40 percent or
                                                  fire can behave in two different                        unless approved by a hydrologist or fish              more.
                                                  extremes. Typically, fire creeps and                    biologist.                                               • To promote species diversity,
                                                  smolders along the forest floor shaded                     • Masticate remaining slash.                       conifers other than lodgepole pine
                                                  by the dense tree canopy and hindered                   Masticated chips would not exceed a                   would remain within the treatment
                                                  by the lack of ground fuels. However,                   depth of three inches.                                units except in aspen clumps.
                                                  under dry and windy conditions with                        • Areas designated for tree removal                   • No aspen would be cut.
                                                  heavy dead fuel accumulations, fires                    will not impact current road closures.                   • No five needle pines would be cut.
                                                  can spread through those surface fuels                     • Pioneered roads will be                             • All conifers except five needle
                                                  and quickly get up into the canopy.                     rehabilitated once trees have been                    pines would be cut within two aspen
                                                  These fires are typically high-intensity,               removed.                                              tree heights of an aspen clump (3 or
                                                  stand-replacing fires that do not occur                    • Within AIZs, do not remove (for                  more aspen trees).
                                                  often, but burn many acres and are very                 pile burning or mastication) dead and                    • Cutting of trees would be
                                                  difficult to extinguish when they do                    down material greater than 6 inches or                accomplished by crews using chain
                                                  occur. If left untreated, the current                   less than 2 inches in diameter.                       saws.
                                                  lodgepole pine-dominated stands within                     • Within AIZ, lop and scatter material                • Trees on the ground would provide
                                                  this project would over time create the                 that is less than 2 inches in diameter                opportunities to gather firewood, post
                                                  surface fuels necessary to allow fire to                (i.e. do not remove for pile burning or               and poles anywhere within the
                                                  get into the canopy and potentially                     mastication).                                         treatment units. Those removing
                                                  produce crown fire that is so difficult to                 • Where feasible, do not pile burn or              products can only drive within 300 feet
                                                  suppress. The roadside fuels reduction                  masticate within AIZ. If practicable,                 of either side of an open or gated forest
                                                  project would enhance a fuel break                      pull material completely outside of the               service system road to retrieve their
                                                  along a key Forest Service Road, Fish                   AIZ to pile burn or masticate. If not                 wood.
                                                  Creek (082) to increase chances that                    feasible, pile material as far from stream               • Each treatment would be sequenced
                                                  firefighters will be able to safely engage              channels as practical given the local                 as follows: Cut trees, remove products
                                                  either unwanted wildfires or fires for                  terrain.                                              removal such as firewood, post or poles
                                                  resource benefit. Roadside fuel breaks                     • No heavy equipment operation (e.g.               would occur for not more than three
                                                  located in areas where fire can be safely               masticator, skidder, etc.) shall occur in             years, treat slash.
                                                  restored to the landscape would                         the AIZ off of existing routes unless                    • There would be no new road
                                                  contribute to maintaining fire as a                     approved by a soil scientist or                       construction or reconstruction. No
                                                  disturbance on this landscape as well as                hydrologist.                                          decommissioned roads would be
                                                  allow safe effective wildfire response                     • Within AIZ, minimize the                         opened for the project. Approximately
                                                  with minimal exposure to firefighters.                  mechanized treatment of wood residue.                 13.82 miles of restricted (gated roads)
                                                  This fuel break is located within the                   All debris associated with treatments                 would be used to access thinning units.
                                                  wildland urban interface (WUI) and                      shall be left or placed in such a manner              The gated roads would only be used by
                                                  would remove surface, ladder, and                       as to prevent their entry into streams.               people associated with the thinning
                                                  crown fuels.                                               • Do not burn material within the                  project and the gates would remain
                                                                                                          bankfull channel.                                     locked at all times.
                                                  Proposed Action
                                                                                                             • Fell trees in a way that protects                   • Following precommercial thinning
                                                    The proposed action would                             residual vegetation from damage.                      operations, gated roads (FS Roads 083,
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                                                  precommercially thin approximately                      Minimize ground-disturbing activities.                105, 448, 447 and 116) would be opened
                                                  3900 acres located within the Buffalo                      • Avoid heavy equipment use on                     as necessary to firewood, post and pole
                                                  River Watershed to achieve the desired                  slopes greater than 40 percent.                       removal within the treatment units.
                                                  conditions stated in the Purpose and                       • Rutting in skid trails should not                Those removing firewood, post and
                                                  Need. Areas identified to be thinned are                exceed six to eight inches in depth (wet              poles can only drive within 300 feet of
                                                  past harvest units composed primarily                   condition) over more than ten percent of              either side of an open or gated forest
                                                  of lodgepole pine presently stocked at                  a designated skid trail system. No                    service system road to retrieve their
                                                  greater than 500 trees per acre.                        yarding operations should take place                  wood.


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Notices                                            9167

                                                     • All open and restricted gated roads                Scoping Process                                       SUMMARY:   The National Advisory
                                                  within or adjacent to the units shall be                   This notice of intent initiates the                Committee for Implementation of the
                                                  kept free of felled trees.                              scoping process, which guides the                     National Forest System Land
                                                     • No thinning activities would occur                 development of the environmental                      Management Planning Rule Committee
                                                  before July 1 to reduce the effects to                  impact statement.                                     (Committee) will meet in Washington,
                                                  nesting migratory birds.                                                                                      DC. Attendees may also participate via
                                                                                                             The purpose of this comment period
                                                     • All contractors and people involved                is to provide an opportunity for the
                                                                                                                                                                webinar and conference call. The
                                                  with the proposed project must comply                                                                         Committee operates in compliance with
                                                                                                          public to provide early and meaningful
                                                  with the applicable food storage special                                                                      the Federal Advisory Committee Act
                                                                                                          participation on a proposed action prior
                                                  order in effect when the work is                                                                              (FACA) (Pub. L. 92–463). Committee
                                                                                                          to a decision being made by the
                                                  performed.                                                                                                    information can be found by visiting the
                                                                                                          Responsible Official. It is important that
                                                     • There is one pond located within                   reviewers provide their comments at
                                                                                                                                                                Committee’s Web site at: http://www.fs.
                                                  the project area. No precommercial                                                                            usda.gov/main/planningrule/committee.
                                                                                                          such times and in such manner that
                                                  thinning will occur within 300 feet of                  they are useful to the agency’s                       DATES: The meetings will be held in-
                                                  the pond to avoid adverse effects to                    preparation of the environmental impact               person and via webinar/conference call
                                                  amphibians.                                             statement. Therefore, comments should                 on the following dates and times:
                                                     • Generally strive to maintain fine                  be provided prior to the close of the                    • Tuesday, March 8, 2016, from 9:00
                                                  organic matter over at least 50 percent                 comment period and should clearly                     a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
                                                  of the area (RFP, pages III–6 & 7).                                                                              • Wednesday, March 9, 2016, from
                                                                                                          articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
                                                     • Five to ten tons of woody debris                   contentions.
                                                                                                                                                                9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
                                                  would remain on the ground following                                                                             All meetings are subject to
                                                                                                             Comments received in response to                   cancellation. For updated status of
                                                  treatments.                                             this solicitation, including names and
                                                     • Areas of pile burning will be                                                                            meetings prior to attendance, please
                                                                                                          addresses of those who comment, will                  contact the person listed under FOR
                                                  evaluated and monitored to determine if                 be part of the public record for this
                                                  seeding or additional rehabilitation is                                                                       FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
                                                                                                          proposed action. Comments submitted
                                                  warranted to minimize weed spread and                                                                         ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
                                                                                                          anonymously will be accepted and
                                                  maintain soil productivity.                             considered, however.                                  the USDA Forest Service, Sidney R.
                                                     • Adjust chipping size and depth to                     Public comment on this analysis is
                                                                                                                                                                Yates Building, 1400 Independence
                                                  provide a variation of chip depth                                                                             Avenue, Southwest, Washington DC.
                                                                                                          pursuant to the pre-decisional process
                                                  (maximum depth of three inches                                                                                For anyone who would like to attend via
                                                                                                          described at 36 CFR 218, Subparts A
                                                  including patches of unchipped) and                                                                           webinar and/or conference call, please
                                                                                                          and B.
                                                  chip size to allow differing                                                                                  visit the Web site listed above or contact
                                                                                                             Only those who comment and meet
                                                  decomposition rates and soil moisture                                                                         the person listed in the section titled
                                                                                                          all the requirements contained in 36
                                                  retention lengths and to avoid                                                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
                                                                                                          CFR 218.25(a)(3) will have standing to                   Written comments may be submitted
                                                  negatively impacting available soil                     object to the project during the 45 day
                                                  nitrogen.                                                                                                     as described under SUPPLEMENTARY
                                                                                                          pre-decisional objection period. The                  INFORMATION. All comments, including
                                                     • Locate public firewood as close to                 objection period will occur following
                                                  the existing roads as possible (material                                                                      names and addresses, when provided,
                                                                                                          the distribution of the final EIS and                 are placed in the record and available
                                                  resulting from thinning).                               draft Record of Decision. Comments
                                                     • Plan for burning of piles to occur                                                                       for public inspection and copying. The
                                                                                                          submitted in response to this                         public may inspect comments received
                                                  when soils are wet from snow or rain to                 solicitation must meet the definition of
                                                  limit impacts on soil organic matter,                                                                         at the USDA Forest Service Washington
                                                                                                          ‘‘specific written comments’’ as defined              Office—Yates Building. Please call
                                                  physical properties and soil organisms.                 at 36 CFR 218.2, particularly ‘‘. . .
                                                     • Routes pioneered into the project                                                                        ahead to facilitate entry into the
                                                                                                          specific written comments should be                   building.
                                                  area will need to be evaluated for the                  within the scope of the proposed action,
                                                  most appropriate rehabilitation and                     have a direct relationship to the                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  closure methods. Options may include:                   proposed action, and must include                     Jennifer Helwig, Committee
                                                  Leaving additional slash over the area,                 supporting reasons for the responsible                Coordinator, by phone at 202–205–0892,
                                                  roughing up the segment where the                       official to consider.’’                               or by email at jahelwig@fs.fed.us.
                                                  route departs from a system road or                                                                              Individuals who use
                                                                                                            Dated: February 18, 2016.                           telecommunication devices for the deaf
                                                  mastication perpendicular to the
                                                  segment.                                                Elizibeth Davy,                                       (TDD) may call the Federal Information
                                                                                                          District Ranger.                                      Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
                                                  Possible Alternatives                                   [FR Doc. 2016–03868 Filed 2–23–16; 8:45 am]           between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
                                                    At a minimum, the proposed action                     BILLING CODE 3411–15–P                                Eastern Standard Time, Monday
                                                  and a no action alternative would be                                                                          through Friday.
                                                  analyzed.                                                                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                             purpose of this meeting is to provide:
                                                  Responsible Official
                                                                                                                                                                   1. Continued deliberations on
                                                    The Ashton/Island Park District                       Forest Service                                        formulating advice for the Secretary,
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                                                  Ranger is the responsible official and                                                                           2. Discussion of Committee work
                                                                                                          National Advisory Committee for
                                                  will make the decision.                                                                                       group findings,
                                                                                                          Implementation of the National Forest
                                                                                                                                                                   3. Hearing public comments, and
                                                  Nature of Decision To Be Made                           System Land Management Planning
                                                                                                                                                                   4. Administrative tasks.
                                                    In the decision, the responsible                      Rule                                                     This meeting is open to the public.
                                                  official will decide whether or not to                  AGENCY:   Forest Service, USDA                        The agenda will include time for people
                                                  precommercially thin the identified                                                                           to make oral comments of three minutes
                                                                                                          ACTION:   Notice of meetings.
                                                  stands of trees.                                                                                              or less. Individuals wishing to make an


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Document Created: 2016-02-23 23:55:37
Document Modified: 2016-02-23 23:55:37
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 March 25, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected July 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected January 2017.
ContactMike Alfieri, Forestry Technician 208- 558-4210 or [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 9165 

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