82 FR 19350 - Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Palouse Ranger District; Idaho; Moose Creek Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 80 (April 27, 2017)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 80 (April 27, 2017)
| Page Range | 19350-19351 | |
| FR Document | 2017-08496 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 80 (Thursday, April 27, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 19350-19351] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-08496] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 80 / Thursday, April 27, 2017 / Notices [[Page 19350]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Palouse Ranger District; Idaho; Moose Creek Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement and initiate scoping process; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Palouse Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (NCF) is gathering information to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to identify and assess potential impacts on the environment as a result of the Moose Creek Project in Latah County, Idaho. The proposed action would use timber harvest and fuels treatment in the West Fork Potlatch River subwatershed in an overarching effort to improve forest health, reduce the risk of potential catastrophic wildfires, and provide for long-term social, ecological, and economic sustainability. DATES: The scoping comment period will be 30 days. To ensure consideration, comments must be received no later than May 30, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected October 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected May 2018. Those who wish to establish standing to object under 36 CFR part 218 should submit scoping comments no later than 30 days after publication of this Notice of Intent or during 45-day comment period following distribution of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted at the addresses indicated below. (a) Via mail or hand delivery: Stephanie Israel, Moose Creek IDT Leader, Palouse Ranger District, 1700 Highway 6, Potlatch, Idaho 83855. (b) Via email: [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Israel, NEPA Planner (North Zone), Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, (208) 476-8344 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: This process is being conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and Forest Service NEPA guidelines. Additionally, pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the public scoping process will allow members of the general public to provide NCF comments on potential impacts to historic and cultural resources for the proposed action. An objection period for the Draft Record of Decision will be provided, consistent with 36 CFR part 218. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the Moose Creek project is to treat areas originally analyzed in the late 1990s and early 2000s as part of the West Fork Potlatch EIS. When the previous analysis was performed, silvicultural prescriptions identified certain stands that would require follow-up treatment by 2022 in order to continue efforts of restoring western white pine and other early seral tree species to the landscape. Restoring the landscape to conditions where white pine and early seral tree species are present is desired because these stands are more resilient to disturbance such as fire, harmful insects and disease pathogens. Current stands are primarily composed of grand fir and Douglas-fir which are much less resilient to disturbance. If left untreated, these current conditions would likely lead to a decline in forest health and put future ecological, societal, and economical values at risk. There is a need to decrease the risk of potential catastrophic wildfire which could threaten private residences within the wildland urban interface near the town of Bovill. The current presence of dead and dying trees combined with the high probability of increased mortality associated with the existing stands is resulting in hazardous fuel loading within the watershed. Treating these affected areas by reducing hazardous ladder fuels would reduce nutrient competition for desired species and decrease the risk of high intensity, high severity, and rapidly moving wildfire. There is also a need to begin trending toward long-term recovery of existing soil conditions within the watershed. Regional soil standards require actions be designed to keep detrimental soil disturbance (DSD) from exceeding 15%. Current soil conditions already exceed that level in some units, and although the proposed action would cause additional DSD and impaired productivity initially, initiating restoration efforts toward a long-term trend of recovery for overall soil productivity must be identified and implemented. It is estimated that long-term recovery would occur within 30-50 years. Proposed Action The proposed action would include regeneration timber harvest of approximately 1,600 acres. Hazardous fuels reduction and site- preparation activities (underburning activity, slash and burning of machine piles) would be applied following harvest activities. An additional 300 acres of hand, mechanical, or prescription fire fuels reduction would be conducted in non-harvest areas. Proposed harvest activities would require construction of approximately 10 miles of new system road to be gated after use to restrict public access and construction of approximately 4.4 miles of temporary roads to be decommissioned after use. Approximately 2 miles of existing roads will be reconstructed and reconditioned. Compaction of existing skid trails and/or landings will be implemented to improve soil conditions, at a minimum in units currently exceeding the 15% DSD threshold. Relocate and decommission a 0.8 mile section of Road 377 and construct 1.1 miles of new road and a 40-foot precast bridge across Feather Creek. The section of road proposed for relocation is in a meadow that floods every spring which poses a threat to fish habitat and creates annual access and maintenance issues. The proposed re-route and bridge [[Page 19351]] crossing would provide safe, consistent access to the land, reduce maintenance costs and protect the stream from unnecessary contamination. The Forest Service will work with the Latah County Highway District to acquire the legal access rights needed for the proposed realignment. Restore Cougar Meadow area to improve range functions by removing or re-contouring portions of an existing railroad berm in Cougar Meadows. Reconnecting the floodplain and Cougar Creek channel where they are currently separated would improve the meadow's ability to hold water into the summer. Construction of two additional stockponds is proposed to reduce animal pressure from stream channels and help draw cattle away from the riparian meadows. Possible Alternatives Alternatives will be developed based on comments received during scoping period. At this time the agency is anticipating a minimum of two alternatives: 1. No-action and 2. Proposed Action Responsible Official Forest Supervisor, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Responsible Official will determine whether to adopt the proposed action or another alternative, in whole or in part, and what mitigation measurements and management requirements will be implemented. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this 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. Dated: April 13, 2017. Glenn P. Casamassa, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2017-08496 Filed 4-26-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 80 / Thursday, April 27, 2017 / Notices 19351
crossing would provide safe, consistent Dated: April 13, 2017. Avenue, Suite 1150, Washington, DC
access to the land, reduce maintenance Glenn P. Casamassa, 20425 or emailed to Evelyn Bohor at
costs and protect the stream from Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest ero@usccr.gov. Persons who desire
unnecessary contamination. The Forest System. additional information may contact the
Service will work with the Latah County [FR Doc. 2017–08496 Filed 4–26–17; 8:45 am] Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376–
Highway District to acquire the legal BILLING CODE 3411–15–P 7533.
access rights needed for the proposed Records and documents discussed
realignment. during the meeting will be available for
Restore Cougar Meadow area to COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS public viewing as they become available
improve range functions by removing or at http://facadatabase.gov/committee/
re-contouring portions of an existing Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting meetings.aspx?cid=279; click the
railroad berm in Cougar Meadows. of the Virginia Advisory Committee ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’
Reconnecting the floodplain and Cougar links. Records generated from this
Creek channel where they are currently AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights. meeting may also be inspected and
separated would improve the meadow’s ACTION: Announcement of meeting. reproduced at the Eastern Regional
ability to hold water into the summer. Office, as they become available, both
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, before and after the meetings. Persons
Construction of two additional
pursuant to the provisions of the rules interested in the work of this advisory
stockponds is proposed to reduce
and regulations of the U.S. Commission committee are advised to go to the
animal pressure from stream channels
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Commission’s Web site, www.usccr.gov,
and help draw cattle away from the
Federal Advisory Committee Act or to contact the Eastern Regional Office
riparian meadows.
(FACA) that a planning meeting of the at the above phone numbers, email or
Possible Alternatives Virginia Advisory Committee to the street address.
Commission (VA SAC) will convene by
Alternatives will be developed based Agenda
conference call at 12:00 p.m. (EDT) on
on comments received during scoping
Thursday, May 4, 2017. The purpose of I. Welcome and Introductions
period. At this time the agency is
the meeting is to approve the project —Rollcall
anticipating a minimum of two
proposal and to discuss project planning —Planning Meeting
alternatives: 1. No-action and 2.
for the committee’s hate crimes project. —Discuss and Approve Hate Crime
Proposed Action
DATES: Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 12:00 Project Proposal
Responsible Official p.m. (EDT). —Discuss Project Planning
Forest Supervisor, Nez Perce- ADDRESSES: Public call-in information: II. Other Business
Clearwater National Forests. Conference call-in number: 1–888–601– Adjournment
3861 and conference call ID: 417838#. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy
Nature of Decision To Be Made
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone
The Responsible Official will members of the public may listen to the at 202–376–7533.
determine whether to adopt the discussion by calling the following toll- Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant
proposed action or another alternative, free conference call-in number: 1–888– to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this
in whole or in part, and what mitigation 601–3861 and conference call ID: meeting is given less than 15 calendar
measurements and management 417838#. Please be advised that before days prior to the meeting because of the
requirements will be implemented. placing them into the conference call, exceptional circumstance of an
the conference call operator will ask administrative holdup on the notice.
Scoping Process
callers to provide their names, their Dated: April 24, 2017.
This notice of intent initiates the organizational affiliations (if any), and David Mussatt,
scoping process, which guides the email addresses (so that callers may be Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
development of the environmental notified of future meetings). Callers can
impact statement. [FR Doc. 2017–08541 Filed 4–26–17; 8:45 am]
expect to incur charges for calls they
BILLING CODE 6335–01–P
It is important that reviewers provide initiate over wireless lines, and the
their comments at such times and in Commission will not refund any
such manner that they are useful to the incurred charges. Callers will incur no
agency’s preparation of the charge for calls they initiate over land- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
environmental impact statement. line connections to the toll-free
Therefore, comments should be conference call-in number. International Trade Administration
provided prior to the close of the Persons with hearing impairments [A–570–055]
comment period and should clearly may also follow the discussion by first
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and calling the Federal Relay Service at 1– Carton-Closing Staples From the
contentions. 800–977–8339 and providing the People’s Republic of China: Initiation
Comments received in response to operator with the toll-free conference of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation
this solicitation, including names and call-in number: 1–888–601–3861 and
addresses of those who comment, will conference call ID: 417838#. AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance,
be part of the public record for this Members of the public are invited to International Trade Administration,
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
proposed action. Comments submitted submit written comments; the Department of Commerce.
anonymously will be accepted and comments must be received in the DATES: Effective April 20, 2017.
considered; however, anonymous regional office approximately 30 days FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
comments will not provide the Agency after each scheduled meeting. Written Irene Gorelik at (202) 482–6905, AD/
with the ability to provide the comments may be mailed to the Eastern CVD Operations, Office VIII,
respondent with subsequent Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Enforcement and Compliance,
environmental documents. Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania International Trade Administration,
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Document Created: 2017-04-27 01:39:57
Document Modified: 2017-04-27 01:39:57
| 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 and initiate scoping process; request for comments. | |
| Dates | The scoping comment period will be 30 days. To ensure consideration, comments must be received no later than May 30, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected October 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected May 2018. Those who wish to establish standing to object under 36 CFR part 218 should submit scoping comments no later than 30 days after publication of this Notice of Intent or during 45-day comment period following distribution of the Draft EIS. | |
| Contact | Stephanie Israel, NEPA Planner (North Zone), Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, (208) 476-8344 or sisra[email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 19350 |
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