82 FR 16022 - Shoshone National Forest; Wyoming; Shoshone National Forest Land Management Plan
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 61 (March 31, 2017)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 61 (March 31, 2017)
| Page Range | 16022-16024 | |
| FR Document | 2017-06391 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 61 (Friday, March 31, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 16022-16024] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-06391] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Shoshone National Forest; Wyoming; Shoshone National Forest Land Management Plan AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rocky Mountain Regional Forester intends to prepare a Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Shoshone National Forest Revised Land Management Plan. This notice briefly describes the background, purpose and need for action, what is being proposed, and the nature of the decision to be made. Also, the direction restricting pack goat use contained in the May 6, 2015 Revised Forest Plan is hereby retracted along with any references to the 2009 Payette RADT and the 2012 and 2013 Shoshone RADTs. DATES: The draft SEIS is expected in April 2017 and the final SEIS is expected in August 2017. ADDRESSES: For further information, mail correspondence to Casey McQuiston, Resources Staff Officer, Shoshone National Forest, 808 Meadow Lane Ave., Cody, WY 82414. Or email [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Casey McQuiston, Resources Staff Officer, Shoshone National Forest, 808 Meadow Lane Ave., Cody, WY 82414. (307) 578-5134 or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 6, 2015, the Rocky Mountain Regional Forester signed the Record of Decision (ROD) revising the Shoshone National Forest Land Management Plan (LMP). The May 6, 2015 Revised LMP included standards and guidelines restricting the use of recreational pack goats, and domestic sheep and goat grazing, where it was determined that there was unacceptable risk of disease transmission from the pack goats or domestic sheep to bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep are a sensitive species on the Shoshone National Forest. In June 2015, the North American Packgoat Association joined the Idaho Wool Growers Association and filed a Motion for Contempt with the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. The plaintiffs alleged that the Forest Service improperly relied on a report that the Court had previously found to be in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) when the Shoshone National Forest prepared its 2012 and 2013 Risk Assessment of Disease Transmission (RADT) reports, which the Shoshone relied upon for the bighorn sheep analysis in the forest plan revision effort. The Idaho District Court's 2009 decision prohibited the Forest Service from relying on the findings and conclusions of two Payette reports that pertained to disease transmission between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep on the Payette National Forest. In February 2016, the District Court granted plaintiff's motion for contempt finding that the Shoshone RADT reports had relied on the findings and conclusions in the Payette reports. On July 9, 2016, the parties agreed to a stipulated settlement. [[Page 16023]] In accordance with the July 2016 Stipulated Settlement Agreement, the direction restricting pack goat use contained in the May 6, 2015 Revised Forest Plan is hereby retracted along with any references to the 2009 Payette RADT and the 2012 and 2013 Shoshone RADT reports. The Regional Forester must now consider whether the revised Forest Plan should include direction regarding management of domestic sheep and goats to limit the potential for disease transmission to bighorn sheep, and, if so, whether there are differences in the potential for disease transmission from domestic sheep, domestic goats, or packgoats, to wild bighorn sheep that warrant different management approaches. The Regional Forester will prepare a Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and a new RADT report consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act and all applicable laws and regulations pertinent to the revision of the Shoshone LMP. The SEIS will document analysis of the potential for disease transmission between domestic sheep, domestic goats, and packgoats; and wild bighorn sheep on the Shoshone National Forest. The analysis shall consider whether there are differences in the potential for disease transmission by domestic sheep, domestic goats, and packgoats to wild bighorn sheep. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the federal action being considered here is to determine what, if any, use by domestic sheep, domestic goats, or pack goats is appropriate within the Shoshone National Forest and what direction, if any, should be included in the revised LMP. The need for this action was driven by the 2016 Stipulated Settlement Agreement and will be accomplished by analyzing the risk of disease transmission from domestic sheep and goats and pack goats to bighorn sheep. Proposed Action The Shoshone National Forest proposes to limit areas where domestic sheep allotments are stocked and restrict the use of domestic goats and packgoats on the Shoshone National Forest in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission to bighorn sheep. These restrictions would be incorporated into the LMP through the following plan components: Desired Condition--Low risk of disease transmission from domestic sheep and/or goats within the Shoshone national Forest. SENS-Goal-03--Maintain low risk of disease transmission from domestic sheep and domestic goats to wild bighorn sheep within core bighorn sheep ranges. SENS-Standard-05--Domestic sheep and goat allotments shall not overlap with core native bighorn sheep ranges. SENS-Standard-06--Do not allow recreational pack goat use in core native bighorn sheep ranges. SENS-Guideline-03--On bighorn sheep crucial winter range, management activities that disturb bighorn sheep should be conducted outside the season of use (December 1 through April 30), or designed to reduce disturbance to bighorn sheep when the activity is necessary to sustain or improve bighorn sheep crucial winter range conditions. SENS-Guideline-06--Restrict disturbances near concentrated bighorn sheep lambing areas between April 1 and June 30 with a minimum distance of 1 mile from the lambing site. Short-term projects designed to improve bighorn sheep habitat such as prescribed burning may be exempt. SENS-Guideline-12--Outfitter and guide authorizations for recreational goat packing in core bighorn sheep ranges will not be issued. Management Approach--A wildlife program emphasis for bighorn sheep is to reduce the risk of disease transmission from domestic sheep and goats to bighorn sheep. There is a concern about the risk of disease transmission to bighorn sheep from domestic goats used for packing. To minimize that risk, guidelines are applied for domestic pack goats within the Shoshone National Forest; domestic sheep and goat grazing has been removed from core native bighorn sheep ranges. Authorizations for pack goat use in core bighorn sheep ranges will not be issued. Possible Alternatives Alternative 1, No Action: There would be no change in domestic sheep management and packgoat use would be allowed on the Shoshone National Forest. Alternative 2, Proposed Action: Domestic sheep and domestic goat grazing would be allowed on the current allotment allocated for sheep and goats. Packgoat use would be prohibited from core native bighorn sheep ranges. Alternative 3: Domestic sheep and domestic goat grazing would be allowed on the current allotment allocated for sheep and goats. Packgoat use would be prohibited from core native bighorn sheep ranges and approved through a permit process once a scientifically proven and viable mitigation is developed and approved. Lead and Cooperating Agencies Cooperating Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Responsible Official Brian Ferebee, Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region, 740 Simms Street, Golden, Colorado 80491. Nature of Decision To Be Made Based upon the effects of the alternatives, the responsible official will decide how to address the potential risk of disease transmission from domestic sheep and goats, and packgoats to bighorn sheep. Scoping Process The Regional Forester will rely on the previous scoping efforts conducted in preparation for the Environmental Impact Statement for the Shoshone National Forest Plan Revision. Preliminary Issues There is potential for disease transmission from domestic sheep, domestic goats, and pack goats, to wild bighorn sheep. There are differences in the potential for disease transmission by domestic sheep, domestic goats or pack goats to bighorn sheep. There are minimal options for reducing potential for contact and disease transmission. Contact between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep, domestic goats, and pack goats increases the risk of disease transmission to bighorn sheep. Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review: A draft supplemental environmental impact statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 90 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register. The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be [[Page 16024]] raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 90-day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement. To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal and will be available for public inspection. (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) Dated: March 24, 2017. Glenn P. Casamassa, Associate Deptuy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2017-06391 Filed 3-30-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![16022 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 61 / Friday, March 31, 2017 / Notices
SUMMARY: John Richard ‘‘Rick’’ Lint, the information and the consideration of need for action, what is being proposed,
Forest Supervisor for the Francis Marion fiscal capability. and the nature of the decision to be
National Forest, Southern Region, A draft record of decision, revised made. Also, the direction restricting
signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for land management plan and final pack goat use contained in the May 6,
the Revised Land Management Plan environmental impact statement were 2015 Revised Forest Plan is hereby
(Forest Plan) for the Francis Marion released in August 2016, which was retracted along with any references to
National Forest. The Final ROD subject to a pre-decisional objection the 2009 Payette RADT and the 2012
documents the rationale for approving period. One objection was received and and 2013 Shoshone RADTs.
the Forest Plan and is consistent with the two Reviewing Officers responses to DATES: The draft SEIS is expected in
the Reviewing Officers’ responses to the objection issues were signed by the April 2017 and the final SEIS is
objections and instructions. Associate Deputy Chief (as Reviewing expected in August 2017.
DATES: The Revised Land Managmenent Officer for the Chief) and the Regional ADDRESSES: For further information,
Plan for the Francis Marion National Forester in December 2016. The mail correspondence to Casey
Forest will become effective 30 days instructions from the Reviewing Officers McQuiston, Resources Staff Officer,
after the publication of this notice of were incorporated into an updated Shoshone National Forest, 808 Meadow
approval in the Federal Register (36 revised land management plan and final Lane Ave., Cody, WY 82414. Or email
CFR 219.17(a)(1)). To view the final environmental impact statement, and cmcquiston@fs.fed.us.
ROD, final environmental impact these documents were released to the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
statement (FEIS), the revised land public in January 2017. The changes Casey McQuiston, Resources Staff
management plan, and other related that were made as a result of the Officer, Shoshone National Forest, 808
documents, please visit the Francis objection resolution include providing Meadow Lane Ave., Cody, WY 82414.
Marion National Forest Web site at: additional standards and direction to (307) 578–5134 or cmcquiston@
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/scnfs/ the revised plan concerning the fs.fed.us.
landmanagement/planning/ management of at-risk species, and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 6,
?cid=stelprdb5393142. clarifications on the evaluation of
2015, the Rocky Mountain Regional
ecological sustainability were added to
A legal notice of approval is also Forester signed the Record of Decision
the final environmental impact
being published in the Francis Marion (ROD) revising the Shoshone National
statement. The Final Record of Decision
and Sumter National Forests newspaper Forest Land Management Plan (LMP).
to approve the revised land management The May 6, 2015 Revised LMP
of record, The State. A copy of this legal plan for the Francis Marion National
notice will be posted on the Web site included standards and guidelines
Forest has now been signed, and is restricting the use of recreational pack
described above. available at the Web site described goats, and domestic sheep and goat
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: above. grazing, where it was determined that
Further information about the revised
Responsible Official there was unacceptable risk of disease
land management plan for the Francis
The responsible official for the transmission from the pack goats or
Marion Nation Forest can obtained by
revision of the land management plan domestic sheep to bighorn sheep.
contacting Mary Morrison, Forest
for the Francis Marion National Forest Bighorn sheep are a sensitive species on
Planner, Francis Marion National Forest
is John Richard ‘‘Rick’’ Lint, Forest the Shoshone National Forest.
at 803–561–4000. Individuals who use In June 2015, the North American
telecommunication devices for the deaf Supervisor, Francis Marion and Sumter
Packgoat Association joined the Idaho
(TDD) may call the Federal Information National Forests, 4931 Broad River
Wool Growers Association and filed a
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 Road, Columbia, SC 29212.
Motion for Contempt with the U.S.
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Dated: March 15, 2017. District Court for the District of Idaho.
(Eastern time), Monday through Friday. Jeanne M. Higgins, The plaintiffs alleged that the Forest
Written requests for information may be Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest Service improperly relied on a report
sent to Francis Marion and Sumter System. that the Court had previously found to
National Forests, Attn: FM Plan [FR Doc. 2017–06387 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am] be in violation of the Federal Advisory
Revision, 4931 Broad River Road, Committee Act (FACA) when the
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
Columbia, SC 29212. Shoshone National Forest prepared its
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2012 and 2013 Risk Assessment of
Francis Marion National Forest covers DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Disease Transmission (RADT) reports,
nearly 260,000 acres in Berkeley and which the Shoshone relied upon for the
Charleston Counties, South Carolina. Forest Service bighorn sheep analysis in the forest plan
The revised land management plan, revision effort. The Idaho District
which was developed pursuant to the Shoshone National Forest; Wyoming;
Court’s 2009 decision prohibited the
2012 Forest Planning Rule (36 CFR 219), Shoshone National Forest Land
Forest Service from relying on the
will replace the land management plan Management Plan
findings and conclusions of two Payette
approved in 1996. This 2017 land AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. reports that pertained to disease
management plan establishes a strong ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an transmission between domestic sheep
commitment to an all-lands approach environmental impact statement. and bighorn sheep on the Payette
and emphasizes the restoration of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
National Forest.
longleaf pine, maintaining habitats for SUMMARY: The Rocky Mountain In February 2016, the District Court
at-risk plants and animals, and Regional Forester intends to prepare a granted plaintiff’s motion for contempt
providing social opportunities and Supplement to the Environmental finding that the Shoshone RADT reports
economic benefits to both forest visitors Impact Statement (SEIS) for the had relied on the findings and
and local communities in coastal South Shoshone National Forest Revised Land conclusions in the Payette reports. On
Carolina. The plan components were Management Plan. This notice briefly July 9, 2016, the parties agreed to a
developed using best available scientific describes the background, purpose and stipulated settlement.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:31 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_16083/page/1.svg)
![16024 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 61 / Friday, March 31, 2017 / Notices
raised at the draft environmental impact information collection in support of the methodology and assumptions used; (c)
statement stage but that are not raised program. ways to enhance the quality, utility and
until after completion of the final DATES: Comments on this notice must be clarity of the information to be
environmental impact statement may be received by May 30, 2017 to be assured collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
waived or dismissed by the courts. City of consideration. burden of the collection of information
of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
on those who are to respond, including
1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Karla Peiffer, Asset Risk Management through the use of appropriate
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. Specialist, Rural Housing Service, STOP automated, electronic, mechanical, or
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of 0787, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., other technological collection
these court rulings, it is very important Washington, DC 20250–0788 (515) 284– techniques or other forms of information
that those interested in this proposed 4729, or by email: karla.peiffer@ technology. Comments may be sent to
action participate by the close of the 90- Jeanne Jacobs, Regulations and
wdc.usda.gov.
day comment period so that substantive Paperwork Management Branch,
comments and objections are made SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Support Services Division, U.S.
available to the Forest Service at a time Title: 7 CFR 3575, subpart A, Department of Agriculture, Rural
when it can meaningfully consider them Community Programs Guaranteed Development, STOP 0742, 1400
and respond to them in the final Loans. Independence Ave. SW., Washington,
environmental impact statement. OMB Number: 0575–0137. DC 20250–0742. All responses to this
To assist the Forest Service in Expiration Date of Approval: August notice will be summarized and included
identifying and considering issues and 31, 2017. in the request for OMB approval. All
concerns on the proposed action, Type of Request: Extension of a comments will also become a matter of
comments on the draft environmental currently approved information public record.
impact statement should be as specific collection and recordkeeping
Dated: March 24, 2017.
as possible. It is also helpful if requirements.
Joyce Allen,
comments refer to specific pages or Abstract: Private lenders make the
loans to public bodies and nonprofit Acting Administrator Rural Housing Service.
chapters of the draft statement. [FR Doc. 2017–06338 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am]
Comments may also address the corporations for the purposes of
adequacy of the draft environmental improving rural living standards and for BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P
impact statement or the merits of the other purposes that create employment
alternatives formulated and discussed in opportunities in rural areas. Eligibility
the statement. Reviewers may wish to for this program includes community BROADCASTING BOARD OF
refer to the Council on Environmental facilities located in cities, towns, or GOVERNORS
Quality Regulations for implementing unincorporated areas with a population
of up to 20,000 inhabitants. Government in The Sunshine Act
the procedural provisions of the Meeting Notice
National Environmental Policy Act at 40 The information collected is used by
CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. the agency to manage, plan, evaluate, DATE AND TIME: Thursday, April 6, 2017,
Comments received, including the and account for government resources. 1:00 p.m. EDT.
names and addresses of those who The reports are required to ensure the
PLACE: Cohen Building, Room 3321,
comment, will be considered part of the proper and judicious use of public
330 Independence Ave. SW.,
public record on this proposal and will funds.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting Washington, DC 20237.
be available for public inspection. SUBJECT: Notice of Meeting of the
burden for this collection of information
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; is estimated to average 18 hours per Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section SUMMARY: The Broadcasting Board of
21)
response.
Respondents: Lending institutions. Governors (Board) will be meeting at the
Dated: March 24, 2017. Estimated Number of Respondents: time and location listed above. The
Glenn P. Casamassa, 680. Board will vote on a consent agenda
Associate Deptuy Chief, National Forest Estimated Number of Responses per consisting of the minutes of its
System. Respondent: 6. November 30, 2016 meeting, a
[FR Doc. 2017–06391 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am] Estimated Number of Responses: resolution honoring Voice of America’s
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P 2,797. (VOA) 75th anniversary, a resolution
Estimated Total Annual Burden on honoring VOA’s Russian Service 70th
Respondents: 12,401 hours. anniversary, a resolution honoring
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Copies of this information collection VOA’s Somali Service 10th anniversary,
can be obtained from Jeanne Jacobs, a resolution honoring Radio Free
Rural Housing Service Regulations and Paperwork Europe/Radio Liberty’s Afghan Service
Management Branch, Support Services 15th anniversary, and a resolution
Notice of Request for Extension of a Division at (202) 692–0040. honoring Middle East Broadcasting
Currently Approved Information Networks’ Radio Sawa 15th anniversary.
Collection Comments
The Board will receive a report from the
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether Chief Executive Officer and Director of
the proposed collection of information
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
ACTION: Proposed collection; comments BBG.
requested. is necessary for the proper performance This meeting will be available for
of the functions of RHS, including public observation via streamed
SUMMARY: In accordance with the whether the information will have webcast, both live and on-demand, on
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s public Web site at
notice announces the Rural Housing RHS’s estimate of the burden of the www.bbg.gov. Information regarding this
Service’s intention to request an proposed collection of information meeting, including any updates or
extension for a currently approved including the validity of the adjustments to its starting time, can also
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:31 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_16083/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-03-31 01:37:48
Document Modified: 2017-03-31 01:37:48
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. | |
| Dates | The draft SEIS is expected in April 2017 and the final SEIS is expected in August 2017. | |
| Contact | Casey McQuiston, Resources Staff Officer, Shoshone National Forest, 808 Meadow Lane Ave., Cody, WY 82414. (307) 578-5134 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 16022 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR