82_FR_15746 82 FR 15686 - Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho; John Wood Forest Management Project

82 FR 15686 - Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho; John Wood Forest Management Project

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 60 (March 30, 2017)

Page Range15686-15687
FR Document2017-06273

The Soda Springs Ranger District proposes to conduct forest vegetation management activities and road work in a 5,590-acre project area within the Wood Canyon and Johnson Creek drainages located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, approximately six miles east of Soda Springs, Idaho. The project area has a forest vegetation management emphasis designated in the Caribou Revised Forest Plan (RFP) (2003). Overall, the landscape in which the project area is located has been identified as being outside of desired conditions outlined in the RFP with respect to forest structure and species composition.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 60 (Thursday, March 30, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 60 (Thursday, March 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15686-15687]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06273]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho; John Wood Forest 
Management Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Soda Springs Ranger District proposes to conduct forest 
vegetation management activities and road work in a 5,590-acre project 
area within the Wood Canyon and Johnson Creek drainages located in the 
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, approximately six miles east of Soda 
Springs, Idaho. The project area has a forest vegetation management 
emphasis designated in the Caribou Revised Forest Plan (RFP) (2003). 
Overall, the landscape in which the project area is located has been 
identified as being outside of desired conditions outlined in the RFP 
with respect to forest structure and species composition.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 1, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
August 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
October 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Soda Springs Ranger District, 410 
East Hooper Avenue, Soda Springs, ID 83276. Comments may also be sent 
via email to [email protected] 
or via facsimile to (208) 547-2235.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Beck, Project Leader, (208) 847-
8941. A public scoping letter with more details is posted on the forest 
Web site (https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/landmanagement/ 
projects). In addition, a copy of the Caribou RFP is available on the 
forest Web site (https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ctnf/landmanagement/planning).
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the project proposal is to improve the overall 
composition, health and resilience of the forest within the project 
area, utilize and improve timber resources, and improve the Forest 
transportation system.
    The project proposal is needed because a fire regime condition 
class assessment of the forested landscape indicated that the landscape 
qualifies as Condition Class 2. This means that the vegetation 
composition, structure and fuels have moderate departure from the 
natural regime and predispose the system to risk of loss of key 
ecosystem components. Also, the project area is within a Caribou RFP 
5.2 prescription area. The emphasis in this prescription area is on 
scheduled wood-fiber production, timber growth and yield, while 
maintaining or restoring forested ecosystems (RFP at 4-71). This 
prescription area also sets the following guidelines: [p]ractices to 
prevent or control natural disturbances, such as insects and disease 
losses and wildfire, are emphasized. (RFP at 4-72) and where aspen 
exists, it should be maintained or enhanced as a component through 
restoration treatments (RFP at 4-72). Many of the stands in the project 
area that were previously harvested are becoming overly dense, which 
impacts growth and yield and increases risk to forest pests such as the 
western spruce budworm. Finally, there is a need to address the poor 
condition and resource concerns of the existing transportation system 
within the project area.

Proposed Action

    A combination of vegetation management activities would occur on 
approximately 760 acres. More specifically, approximately 395 acres are 
proposed for selection harvest, which would require approximately 1.6 
miles of temporary road construction to facilitate the harvest. 
Additionally, approximately 365 acres are proposed for non-harvest 
stand-tending treatments (pre-commercial thinning, piling, pile 
burning, jackpot burning and chopping).
    Several different types of road work are also proposed. The road 
work is proposed to meet transportation system needs for timber 
removal, resource needs, and public safety. It is proposed to 
reconstruct and improve the condition of approximately 5.1 miles of 
roads within the project area. This would include activities such as 
blading and shaping the road bed, spot graveling, culvert replacements, 
and other minor repairs. Approximately, 2.3 miles of road has been 
identified as needing to be relocated to address resource concerns. 
These roads will be located in the same general area, but large 
portions will be moved to a new foot print. Additionally, it is 
proposed to construct Road 574 in a more sustainable location (1.6 
miles new construction), obliterate the previous location along with 
several other short segments of road (2.1 miles), and close 0.3 miles. 
Development of a gravel pit within the project area is also be 
considered.

Possible Alternatives

    The Forest Service would develop alternatives to the proposed 
action based on internal and public scoping comments and analyze any 
viable alternatives in a draft environmental impact statement.

Responsible Official

    Soda Springs District Ranger, Bryan K. Fuell, is the responsible 
official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decisions to be made include whether to implement the proposed 
action, as designed; whether there are other alternatives capable of 
satisfying the purpose and need; and whether any mitigation measures or 
monitoring is required to implement the proposed action or 
alternatives. These decisions would be made in the record of decision, 
which would be issued following the publication of a final 
environmental impact statement and completion of the Forest Service 
objection process (36 CFR part 218, subparts A and B).

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. At this time, no 
public meeting will be held. This decision may be reconsidered 
depending on the outcome of scoping. In addition to this notice of 
intent, a legal notice will be published in the Idaho State Journal, 
newspaper of

[[Page 15687]]

record, to ensure wide distribution of this notice.
    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. Per 36 CFR 218, 
only those who provide specific written comments regarding the proposed 
project or activity will be eligible to file an objection. 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, anonymous comments will not provide the Agency 
with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent 
environmental documents.
    An additional opportunity for public participation will occur 
during the public comment period on the draft environmental impact 
statement, which will be initiated by the publication of a notice of 
availability in the Federal Register.

    Dated: March 22, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-06273 Filed 3-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

15686 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 60 / Thursday, March 30, 2017 / Notices such manner that they are useful to the details is posted on the forest Web site piling, pile burning, jackpot burning agency’s preparation of the (https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/ and chopping). environmental impact statement. landmanagement/ projects). In addition, Several different types of road work Therefore, comments should be a copy of the Caribou RFP is available are also proposed. The road work is provided prior to the close of the on the forest Web site (https:// proposed to meet transportation system comment period and should clearly www.fs.usda.gov/main/ctnf/ needs for timber removal, resource articulate the reviewer’s concerns and landmanagement/planning). needs, and public safety. It is proposed contentions. Individuals who use to reconstruct and improve the Comments received in response to telecommunication devices for the deaf condition of approximately 5.1 miles of this solicitation, including names and (TDD) may call the Federal Information roads within the project area. This addresses of those who comment, will Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 would include activities such as blading be part of the public record for this between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern and shaping the road bed, spot proposed action. Comments submitted Time, Monday through Friday. graveling, culvert replacements, and anonymously will be accepted and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: other minor repairs. Approximately, 2.3 considered, however. miles of road has been identified as Purpose and Need for Action Dated: March 24, 2017. needing to be relocated to address The purpose of the project proposal is resource concerns. These roads will be Glenn P. Casamassa, to improve the overall composition, located in the same general area, but Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest health and resilience of the forest within large portions will be moved to a new System. the project area, utilize and improve foot print. Additionally, it is proposed [FR Doc. 2017–06310 Filed 3–29–17; 8:45 am] timber resources, and improve the to construct Road 574 in a more BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Forest transportation system. sustainable location (1.6 miles new The project proposal is needed construction), obliterate the previous because a fire regime condition class location along with several other short DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE assessment of the forested landscape segments of road (2.1 miles), and close indicated that the landscape qualifies as 0.3 miles. Development of a gravel pit Forest Service Condition Class 2. This means that the within the project area is also be Caribou-Targhee National Forest, vegetation composition, structure and considered. fuels have moderate departure from the Idaho; John Wood Forest Management Possible Alternatives natural regime and predispose the Project system to risk of loss of key ecosystem The Forest Service would develop AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. components. Also, the project area is alternatives to the proposed action ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an within a Caribou RFP 5.2 prescription based on internal and public scoping environmental impact statement. area. The emphasis in this prescription comments and analyze any viable area is on scheduled wood-fiber alternatives in a draft environmental SUMMARY: The Soda Springs Ranger production, timber growth and yield, impact statement. District proposes to conduct forest while maintaining or restoring forested vegetation management activities and ecosystems (RFP at 4–71). This Responsible Official road work in a 5,590-acre project area prescription area also sets the following Soda Springs District Ranger, Bryan within the Wood Canyon and Johnson guidelines: [p]ractices to prevent or K. Fuell, is the responsible official. Creek drainages located in the Caribou- control natural disturbances, such as Targhee National Forest, approximately insects and disease losses and wildfire, Nature of Decision To Be Made six miles east of Soda Springs, Idaho. are emphasized. (RFP at 4–72) and The decisions to be made include The project area has a forest vegetation where aspen exists, it should be whether to implement the proposed management emphasis designated in the maintained or enhanced as a action, as designed; whether there are Caribou Revised Forest Plan (RFP) component through restoration other alternatives capable of satisfying (2003). Overall, the landscape in which treatments (RFP at 4–72). Many of the the purpose and need; and whether any the project area is located has been stands in the project area that were mitigation measures or monitoring is identified as being outside of desired previously harvested are becoming required to implement the proposed conditions outlined in the RFP with overly dense, which impacts growth and action or alternatives. These decisions respect to forest structure and species yield and increases risk to forest pests would be made in the record of composition. such as the western spruce budworm. decision, which would be issued Finally, there is a need to address the following the publication of a final DATES: Comments concerning the scope poor condition and resource concerns of environmental impact statement and of the analysis must be received by May the existing transportation system completion of the Forest Service 1, 2017. The draft environmental impact within the project area. objection process (36 CFR part 218, statement is expected August 2017 and subparts A and B). the final environmental impact Proposed Action statement is expected October 2017. A combination of vegetation Scoping Process ADDRESSES: Send written comments to management activities would occur on This notice of intent initiates the Soda Springs Ranger District, 410 East approximately 760 acres. More scoping process, which guides the asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Hooper Avenue, Soda Springs, ID specifically, approximately 395 acres development of the environmental 83276. Comments may also be sent via are proposed for selection harvest, impact statement. At this time, no email to comments-intermtn-caribou- which would require approximately 1.6 public meeting will be held. This targhee-soda-springs@fs.fed.us or via miles of temporary road construction to decision may be reconsidered facsimile to (208) 547–2235. facilitate the harvest. Additionally, depending on the outcome of scoping. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: approximately 365 acres are proposed In addition to this notice of intent, a Wayne Beck, Project Leader, (208) 847– for non-harvest stand-tending legal notice will be published in the 8941. A public scoping letter with more treatments (pre-commercial thinning, Idaho State Journal, newspaper of VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 60 / Thursday, March 30, 2017 / Notices 15687 record, to ensure wide distribution of of FTZ 53. No authorization for Dated: March 24, 2017. this notice. production activity has been requested Andrew McGilvray, It is important that reviewers provide at this time. Executive Secretary. their comments at such times and in In accordance with the Board’s [FR Doc. 2017–06251 Filed 3–29–17; 8:45 am] such manner that they are useful to the regulations, Camille Evans of the FTZ BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P agency’s preparation of the Staff is designated examiner to review environmental impact statement. the application and make Therefore, comments should be recommendations to the Executive DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE provided prior to the close of the Secretary. comment period and should clearly Public comment is invited from Foreign-Trade Zones Board articulate the reviewer’s concerns and interested parties. Submissions shall be contentions. Per 36 CFR 218, only those addressed to the Board’s Executive [B–17–2017] who provide specific written comments Secretary at the address below. The regarding the proposed project or closing period for their receipt is May 9, Foreign-Trade Zone 87—Lake Charles, activity will be eligible to file an 2017. Rebuttal comments in response to Louisiana Application for Expansion of objection. Comments received in material submitted during the foregoing Subzone 87F; Westlake Chemical response to this solicitation, including period may be submitted during the Corporation, Sulphur, Louisiana names and addresses of those who subsequent 15-day period to May 24, An application has been submitted to comment, will be part of the public 2017. A copy of the application will be the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by record for this proposed action. the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal Comments submitted anonymously will available for public inspection at the Office of the Executive Secretary, District, grantee of FTZ 87, requesting be accepted and considered, however, an expansion of Subzone 87F on behalf anonymous comments will not provide Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room 21013, U.S. Department of Commerce, of Westlake Chemical Corporation. The the Agency with the ability to provide application was submitted pursuant to the respondent with subsequent 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230–0002, and in the the provisions of the Foreign-Trade environmental documents. Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a– An additional opportunity for public ‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s Web site, which is accessible via 81u), and the regulations of the FTZ participation will occur during the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally public comment period on the draft www.trade.gov/ftz. For further information, contact docketed on March 24, 2017. environmental impact statement, which Subzone 87F was approved on Camille Evans at Camille.Evans@ will be initiated by the publication of a October 25, 2016 (Board Order 2016, 81 trade.gov or (202) 482–2350. notice of availability in the Federal FR 76915, November 4, 2016). The Register. Dated: March 24, 2017. subzone currently consists of the Andrew McGilvray, Dated: March 22, 2017. following sites: Site 1 (583.88 acres)— Executive Secretary. Petro Operations, 900 Highway 108, Jeanne M. Higgins, [FR Doc. 2017–06253 Filed 3–29–17; 8:45 am] Sulphur; Site 2 (70.83 acres)—Poly Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Operations, 3525 Cities Services [FR Doc. 2017–06273 Filed 3–29–17; 8:45 am] Highway, Sulphur; and, Site 3 (691.78 BILLING CODE 3411–15–P acres)—Marine Terminal Operations, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 1820 PAK Tank Road, Sulphur. The Foreign-Trade Zones Board subzone also includes several pipelines. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The applicant is requesting authority [B–81–2016] to expand the subzone to include two Foreign-Trade Zones Board additional sites: Site 4 (39.52 acres)— Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 134— North Plant, 1600 VCM Plant Road, [S–48–2017] Chattanooga, Tennessee; Westlake; and, Site 5 (1,633 acres, 2 Authorization of Production Activity parcels)—South Plant, 1300 PPG Drive, Foreign-Trade Zone 53—Tulsa, (Passenger Motor Vehicle Production), Westlake. The proposed expansion Oklahoma; Application for Subzone; Chattanooga, Tennessee would also include several pipelines. A Premier Logistics, LLC, Tulsa, On November 25, 2016, Volkswagen notification of proposed production Oklahoma Group of America—Chattanooga activity has been submitted and is being An application has been submitted to Operations, LLC (VW) submitted a processed under 15 CFR 400.37 (Doc. B– the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the notification of proposed production 87–2016). Board) by the City of Tulsa-Rogers activity to the Foreign-Trade Zones In accordance with the FTZ Board’s County Port Authority, grantee of FTZ (FTZ) Board for its facility within FTZ regulations, Camille Evans of the FTZ 53, requesting subzone status for the 134—Site 3, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Staff is designated examiner to review facility of Premier Logistics, LLC, The notification was processed in the application and make located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The accordance with the regulations of the recommendations to the FTZ Board. application was submitted pursuant to FTZ Board (15 CFR part 400), including Public comment is invited from the provisions of the Foreign-Trade notice in the Federal Register inviting interested parties. Submissions shall be asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a– public comment (81 FR 88210–88211, addressed to the FTZ Board’s Executive 81u), and the regulations of the Board December 7, 2016). The FTZ Board has Secretary at the address below. The (15 CFR part 400). It was formally determined that no further review of the closing period for their receipt is May 9, docketed on March 24, 2017. activity is warranted at this time. The 2017. Rebuttal comments in response to The proposed subzone (10 acres) is production activity described in the material submitted during the foregoing located at 4937 South 45th West Avenue notification is authorized, subject to the period may be submitted during the in Tulsa. The proposed subzone would FTZ Act and the FTZ Board’s subsequent 15-day period to May 24, be subject to the existing activation limit regulations, including Section 400.14. 2017. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1


Document Created: 2017-03-30 01:35:50
Document Modified: 2017-03-30 01:35:50
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 May 1, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected August 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected October 2017.
ContactWayne Beck, Project Leader, (208) 847- 8941. A public scoping letter with more details is posted on the forest Web site (https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/landmanagement/ projects). In addition, a copy of the Caribou RFP is available on the forest Web site (https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ctnf/landmanagement/ planning).
FR Citation82 FR 15686 
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