82 FR 25764 - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache and San Miguel Counties; Colorado; Assessment Report of Ecological, Social and Economic Conditions, Trends and Sustainability for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 106 (June 5, 2017)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 106 (June 5, 2017)
| Page Range | 25764-25765 | |
| FR Document | 2017-11482 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 106 (Monday, June 5, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 25764-25765] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-11482] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache and San Miguel Counties; Colorado; Assessment Report of Ecological, Social and Economic Conditions, Trends and Sustainability for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of initiating the assessment phase of the land management plan revision for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG), located on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies, are initiating the forest planning process pursuant to the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning rule. This process will result in a revised and updated Natural Resource Land Management Plan, often referred to as the Forest Plan, which will guide all management activities on the GMUG for the next fifteen years. The current GMUG Forest Plan was completed in 1983, and was subsequently amended in 1991, 1993, 2005, 2007, and 2009. Previous efforts to revise the Forest Plan, including an eight-year effort involving extensive public participation and the development of comprehensive assessments, a need for change report, and a proposed plan were shelved due to the overturning of the 2008 planning rule. Now that the national 2012 Planning Rule has been established, the GMUG will reinitiate the plan revision process. The plan revision process encompasses three stages: Assessment, plan revision, and monitoring. This notice announces the initiation of the assessment phase, the first stage of the plan revision process, which involves assessing ecological, social and economic conditions and trends in the planning area and documenting the findings in an Assessment report. For the first phase, the GMUG has posted helpful resources, including the current Forest Plan and subsequent amendments, information from the 2006 and 2007 revision efforts, and the Citizen's Guide to National Forest Planning, on the GMUG Forest Plan Web site listed below. During this assessment phase, the GMUG invites other government agencies, non-governmental parties, and the public to share material about existing and changed conditions, trends, and perceptions of social, economic and ecological systems. The GMUG will host a variety of public outreach forums in summer and fall of 2017 to facilitate this effort, and the public is encouraged to participate and provide meaningful contributions. The GMUG is seeking local knowledge of social values, available data resources, areas of use and activities, goods and services produced by lands within the GMUG, and relevant material that will help inform desired conditions, standards and guidelines, land suitability determinations, and other plan components. This information will help identify gaps in the current management plan and inform the need for change, highlighting priority issues that should be addressed in this revision. Public participation and collaboration are essential steps to understanding current conditions, available data, and feedback needed to support a strategic, efficient and effective revision process. Several guiding principles, developed to overcome stakeholder- identified challenges, will drive public engagement throughout the plan revision process. These guiding principles include providing direct and transparent communication through a variety of methods, maintaining focused public involvement, building relationships, and promoting sharing, learning and understanding between the agency and the public. These guiding principles will help the GMUG ensure [[Page 25765]] that public engagement in the current assessment phase and throughout the plan revision process will be functional, accessible, and representative. DATES: In summer and fall of 2017, the public is invited to engage in the assessment phase of the revision process, for which public engagement opportunities will be posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Web site located at: www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/landmanagement/planning. Information will also be sent out to the Forests' mailing list. If anyone is interested in being included in these notifications, please send an email to [email protected]. The assessment report for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests is expected to be completed by January 2018 and will be posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Web site listed above. The GMUG will then initiate procedures pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and prepare and evaluate a revised Forest Plan. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Attn: Plan Revision, 2250 HWY 50, Delta CO, 81416. Written comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 970-874-6698. All correspondence, including names and addresses when provided, will be placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and copying. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clay Speas, Acting Renewable Resources Planning Staff Officer, 970-874-6677, [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: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires that every National Forest System (NFS) unit develop a land management plan, often called a Forest Plan. On April 9th, 2012, the Forest Service finalized its land management planning rule, referred to as the 2012 Planning Rule, which describes requirements for the planning process and provides programmatic direction to National Forests and National Grasslands for developing and implementing their forest plans. Forest plans describe the strategic direction for management of forest resources, and are adaptive and amendable as conditions change over time, in order to remain relevant for their intended application period of 10-15 years. Similar to the 2008 Planning Rule, the 2012 Planning Rule requires the forests to outline desired conditions for each management area, specify objectives to achieve those conditions, and engage the public extensively throughout the plan revision process. However, the 2012 Planning Rule diverges from previous iterations in several guiding concepts and substantive components, particularly in relying on the concept of ecological integrity to frame plan assessment, develop plan components, and fulfill monitoring requirements. Based on current estimates, it is expected to take four years to produce a revised Forest Plan. Pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule (CFR part 219), the revision process encompasses three stages: Assessment, plan revision and monitoring. Assessment--This notice announces the start of the first stage of the process, during which updated information from the public, other federal agencies, and non-governmental parties, as well as still applicable data from the previous revision effort will be compiled in an assessment report. Information relevant to the assessment report may include the current, changed, and changing status of ecological, social and economic conditions within the planning area and their interconnected relationships within the context of the broader landscape. The development of the assessment includes opportunities for the public to contribute information and engage in the planning process and build a common understanding prior to entering formal plan revision. Information gathered will be documented in assessment reports that form the basis for the need for change document, which identifies changes to be included in the new plan to provide management direction adaptable enough to address changing environmental, social and economic conditions. Plan Revision--Using the need for change as a foundation, the GMUG, in coordination with partners and the public, will then begin the plan revision phase of the process. During this phase, a vision statement will be developed that will lead the forests into the future, specifying desired conditions and objectives to help achieve these goals. In compliance with the NEPA, this phase will include the development of alternatives, a proposed action, an environmental impact statement (EIS), and eventually a revised Forest Plan, with announced opportunities for public review and comment. Once the Forest Plan is finalized, all projects and actions that will be implemented on the ground must be in compliance with the Forest Plan. Monitoring--As part of the plan revision, the public will assist the Forest Service in developing a monitoring program, which will be carried out after the revised plan is approved and will continue throughout the life of the plan. The monitoring program should be designed to help evaluate progress towards meeting the desired conditions and objectives established by the Forest Plan, and may include monitoring questions that address the status of watershed conditions, visitor use and satisfaction, effects of management activities, and more. Monitoring efforts should be within the financial and technical capability of the agency and will help the Forest Service and the public evaluate the effectiveness of the Forest Plan by providing feedback and helping determine whether a change in the plan is necessary. To identify as much relevant information as possible, the GMUG is encouraging contributors to share their concerns and perceptions of the conditions and trends in social, economic and environmental systems within the GMUG planning area. Meetings, review and comment periods, and other opportunities for public engagement throughout the plan revision process will be publicized, with announcements posted on the Forests' planning Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/landmanagement/planning. Information will also be sent out to the Forests' mailing list. If anyone is interested in being included in these notifications, please send an email to [email protected]. Responsible Official The responsible official for the revision of the land management plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests is Scott Armentrout, Forest Supervisor, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, 2250 HWY 50, Delta, CO 81416. Dated: April 13, 2017. Glenn P. Casamassa, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2017-11482 Filed 6-2-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![25764 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 106 / Monday, June 5, 2017 / Notices
The Draft EIS for the MVP and the decision for the project-specific and the development of comprehensive
October 14, 2016 Federal Register amendment to the JNF LRMP that assessments, a need for change report,
Notice of Availability had also would be subject to the administrative and a proposed plan were shelved due
identified that Management Prescription review procedures under the 36 CFR to the overturning of the 2008 planning
Area Standard 4A–020 may need to be 218 regulations (per 36 CFR 219.59(b)). rule. Now that the national 2012
amended. However, a further review of The Reviewing Official for any Planning Rule has been established, the
this standard has determined that the objection filed on amending the JNF GMUG will reinitiate the plan revision
proposed pipeline project can be made LRMP to allow for the MVP Project will process.
consistent with this standard and an be the Regional Forester for the The plan revision process
amendment to this standard will not be Southern Region, or if delegated, the encompasses three stages: Assessment,
needed. This standard is: Deputy Regional Forester (36 CFR plan revision, and monitoring. This
Standard 4A–020: All management 218.3(a)). notice announces the initiation of the
activities will meet or exceed a Scenic assessment phase, the first stage of the
Responsible Official for Forest Service plan revision process, which involves
Integrity Objective of High.
LRMP Amendments assessing ecological, social and
Potential Amendment, Part 5: After
The Forest Supervisor for the George economic conditions and trends in the
the Draft EIS was released, it has been
Washington and Jefferson National planning area and documenting the
identified that the JNF may also need to
Forests, Joby P. Timm, is the findings in an Assessment report. For
amend Forestwide Standard FW–184 to
Responsible Official for amending the the first phase, the GMUG has posted
allow for the construction of the
Jefferson National Forest LRMP. helpful resources, including the current
Mountain Valley Pipeline to deviate
Dated: May 10, 2017. Forest Plan and subsequent
from the Scenic Integrity Objectives
amendments, information from the 2006
(SIOs) established in the LRMP. This Robert M. Harper,
and 2007 revision efforts, and the
standard is: Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
Citizen’s Guide to National Forest
Standard FW–184: The Forest Scenic Forest System.
Planning, on the GMUG Forest Plan
Integrity Objectives (SIOs) Maps govern all [FR Doc. 2017–11488 Filed 6–2–17; 8:45 am]
Web site listed below.
new projects (including special uses). BILLING CODE 3411–15–P During this assessment phase, the
Assigned SIOS are consistent with Recreation
Opportunity Spectrum management GMUG invites other government
direction. Existing conditions may not agencies, non-governmental parties, and
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE the public to share material about
currently meet the assigned SIO.
existing and changed conditions, trends,
The 36 CFR 219 planning rule Forest Service
and perceptions of social, economic and
requirement likely to be directly related
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and ecological systems. The GMUG will host
to this part of the amendment is:
Gunnison National Forests; Delta, a variety of public outreach forums in
§ 219.10(b)(i)—‘‘[The plan must include summer and fall of 2017 to facilitate this
plan components to provide for] ‘‘Sustainable Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa,
Montrose, Ouray, Saguache and San effort, and the public is encouraged to
recreation; . . . and scenic character.’’
Miguel Counties; Colorado; participate and provide meaningful
If any of the five parts of the proposed Assessment Report of Ecological, contributions. The GMUG is seeking
amendment to the JNF LRMP described Social and Economic Conditions, local knowledge of social values,
above are determined to be ‘‘directly Trends and Sustainability for the available data resources, areas of use
related’’ to a substantive rule Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and and activities, goods and services
requirement, the Responsible Official Gunnison National Forests produced by lands within the GMUG,
must apply that requirement within the and relevant material that will help
scope and scale of the proposed AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. inform desired conditions, standards
amendment and, if necessary, make ACTION:Notice of initiating the and guidelines, land suitability
adjustments to the proposed assessment phase of the land determinations, and other plan
amendment to meet the rule management plan revision for the Grand components. This information will help
requirement (36 CFR 219.13 (b)(5) and Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison identify gaps in the current management
(6)). National Forests. plan and inform the need for change,
highlighting priority issues that should
Administrative Review of Plan SUMMARY: The Grand Mesa, be addressed in this revision. Public
Amendment Decisions Uncompahgre and Gunnison National participation and collaboration are
The decision for a right-of-way grant Forests (GMUG), located on the western essential steps to understanding current
across Federal lands will be slope of the Colorado Rockies, are conditions, available data, and feedback
documented in a record of decision initiating the forest planning process needed to support a strategic, efficient
issued by the BLM. The BLM’s decision pursuant to the 2012 National Forest and effective revision process.
to issue, condition, or deny a right-of- System Land Management Planning Several guiding principles, developed
way will be subject to BLM rule. This process will result in a to overcome stakeholder-identified
administrative review procedures revised and updated Natural Resource challenges, will drive public
established in 43 CFR 2881.10 and the Land Management Plan, often referred engagement throughout the plan
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
procedures established in section 313(b) to as the Forest Plan, which will guide revision process. These guiding
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The all management activities on the GMUG principles include providing direct and
Forest Service concurrence to BLM to for the next fifteen years. The current transparent communication through a
issue the right-of-way grant would not GMUG Forest Plan was completed in variety of methods, maintaining focused
be a decision subject to the NEPA and 1983, and was subsequently amended in public involvement, building
therefore, would not be subject to the 1991, 1993, 2005, 2007, and 2009. relationships, and promoting sharing,
Forest Service administrative review Previous efforts to revise the Forest learning and understanding between the
procedures. The Forest Service would, Plan, including an eight-year effort agency and the public. These guiding
however, issue its own draft record of involving extensive public participation principles will help the GMUG ensure
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 106 / Monday, June 5, 2017 / Notices 25765
that public engagement in the current Similar to the 2008 Planning Rule, the Monitoring—As part of the plan
assessment phase and throughout the 2012 Planning Rule requires the forests revision, the public will assist the Forest
plan revision process will be functional, to outline desired conditions for each Service in developing a monitoring
accessible, and representative. management area, specify objectives to program, which will be carried out after
DATES: In summer and fall of 2017, the achieve those conditions, and engage the revised plan is approved and will
public is invited to engage in the the public extensively throughout the continue throughout the life of the plan.
assessment phase of the revision plan revision process. However, the The monitoring program should be
process, for which public engagement 2012 Planning Rule diverges from designed to help evaluate progress
opportunities will be posted on the previous iterations in several guiding towards meeting the desired conditions
GMUG Forest Plan Web site located at: concepts and substantive components,
and objectives established by the Forest
www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/ particularly in relying on the concept of
Plan, and may include monitoring
landmanagement/planning. Information ecological integrity to frame plan
assessment, develop plan components, questions that address the status of
will also be sent out to the Forests’
and fulfill monitoring requirements. watershed conditions, visitor use and
mailing list. If anyone is interested in
Based on current estimates, it is satisfaction, effects of management
being included in these notifications,
please send an email to expected to take four years to produce activities, and more. Monitoring efforts
gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us. The a revised Forest Plan. should be within the financial and
assessment report for the Grand Mesa, Pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule technical capability of the agency and
Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) (CFR part 219), the revision process will help the Forest Service and the
National Forests is expected to be encompasses three stages: Assessment, public evaluate the effectiveness of the
completed by January 2018 and will be plan revision and monitoring. Forest Plan by providing feedback and
posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Web Assessment—This notice announces helping determine whether a change in
site listed above. The GMUG will then the start of the first stage of the process, the plan is necessary.
initiate procedures pursuant to the during which updated information from
To identify as much relevant
National Environmental Policy Act the public, other federal agencies, and
non-governmental parties, as well as information as possible, the GMUG is
(NEPA) and prepare and evaluate a encouraging contributors to share their
revised Forest Plan. still applicable data from the previous
revision effort will be compiled in an concerns and perceptions of the
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to conditions and trends in social,
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and assessment report. Information relevant
to the assessment report may include economic and environmental systems
Gunnison National Forests, Attn: Plan within the GMUG planning area.
Revision, 2250 HWY 50, Delta CO, the current, changed, and changing
status of ecological, social and economic Meetings, review and comment periods,
81416. Written comments may also be
conditions within the planning area and and other opportunities for public
sent via email to gmugforestplan@
fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 970–874– their interconnected relationships engagement throughout the plan
6698. All correspondence, including within the context of the broader revision process will be publicized,
names and addresses when provided, landscape. The development of the with announcements posted on the
will be placed in the record and will be assessment includes opportunities for Forests’ planning Web site at
available for public inspection and the public to contribute information and www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/
copying. engage in the planning process and landmanagement/planning. Information
build a common understanding prior to will also be sent out to the Forests’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clay entering formal plan revision.
Speas, Acting Renewable Resources mailing list. If anyone is interested in
Information gathered will be being included in these notifications,
Planning Staff Officer, 970–874–6677, documented in assessment reports that
cspeas@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use please send an email to
form the basis for the need for change
telecommunication devices for the deaf gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us.
document, which identifies changes to
(TDD) may call the Federal Information be included in the new plan to provide Responsible Official
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 management direction adaptable enough
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern to address changing environmental, The responsible official for the
Time, Monday through Friday. social and economic conditions. revision of the land management plan
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Plan Revision—Using the need for for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and
National Forest Management Act change as a foundation, the GMUG, in Gunnison National Forests is Scott
(NFMA) of 1976 requires that every coordination with partners and the Armentrout, Forest Supervisor, Grand
National Forest System (NFS) unit public, will then begin the plan revision Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison
develop a land management plan, often phase of the process. During this phase, National Forests, 2250 HWY 50, Delta,
called a Forest Plan. On April 9th, 2012, a vision statement will be developed CO 81416.
the Forest Service finalized its land that will lead the forests into the future,
management planning rule, referred to specifying desired conditions and Dated: April 13, 2017.
as the 2012 Planning Rule, which objectives to help achieve these goals. In Glenn P. Casamassa,
describes requirements for the planning compliance with the NEPA, this phase Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
process and provides programmatic will include the development of System.
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
direction to National Forests and alternatives, a proposed action, an [FR Doc. 2017–11482 Filed 6–2–17; 8:45 am]
National Grasslands for developing and environmental impact statement (EIS), BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
implementing their forest plans. Forest and eventually a revised Forest Plan,
plans describe the strategic direction for with announced opportunities for
management of forest resources, and are public review and comment. Once the
adaptive and amendable as conditions Forest Plan is finalized, all projects and
change over time, in order to remain actions that will be implemented on the
relevant for their intended application ground must be in compliance with the
period of 10–15 years. Forest Plan.
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Document Created: 2018-11-14 10:01:03
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 10:01:03
| 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 initiating the assessment phase of the land management plan revision for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. | |
| Dates | In summer and fall of 2017, the public is invited to engage in the assessment phase of the revision process, for which public engagement opportunities will be posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Web site located at: www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/landmanagement/planning. Information will also be sent out to the Forests' mailing list. If anyone is interested in being included in these notifications, please send an email to [email protected] The assessment report for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests is expected to be completed by January 2018 and will be posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Web site listed above. The GMUG will then initiate procedures pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and prepare and evaluate a revised Forest Plan. | |
| Contact | Clay Speas, Acting Renewable Resources Planning Staff Officer, 970-874-6677, [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. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 25764 |
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