82_FR_26883 82 FR 26773 - Bitterroot National Forest, Stevensville Ranger District, Montana; Gold Butterfly Project

82 FR 26773 - Bitterroot National Forest, Stevensville Ranger District, Montana; Gold Butterfly Project

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 110 (June 9, 2017)

Page Range26773-26774
FR Document2017-11979

The USDA Forest Service, Bitterroot National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Gold Butterfly project under the authorities in the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014. The Gold Butterfly EIS will analyze and disclose the effects of treatments proposed on about 10,495 acres of national forest land in the Sapphire Mountains between the confluence of Gold Creek and Burnt Fork of the Bitterroot River to the north and Saint Clair Creek to the south. The Gold Butterfly project area is bounded on the west by the National Forest boundary with private land and on the east by the Stoney Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). The Gold Butterfly project area is located about 10 miles southeast of Stevensville and seven miles east of Corvallis, Montana, in Ravalli County.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 110 (Friday, June 9, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 110 (Friday, June 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26773-26774]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11979]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Bitterroot National Forest, Stevensville Ranger District, 
Montana; Gold Butterfly Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Bitterroot National Forest will 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Gold 
Butterfly project under the authorities in the Healthy Forest 
Restoration Act (HFRA) as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014. The 
Gold Butterfly EIS will analyze and disclose the effects of treatments 
proposed on about 10,495 acres of national forest land in the Sapphire 
Mountains between the confluence of Gold Creek and Burnt Fork of the 
Bitterroot River to the north and Saint Clair Creek to the south. The 
Gold Butterfly project area is bounded on the west by the National 
Forest boundary with private land and on the east by the Stoney 
Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). The Gold Butterfly project 
area is located about 10 miles southeast of Stevensville and seven 
miles east of Corvallis, Montana, in Ravalli County.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by July 10, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
March 2018 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
July 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Tami Sabol, Stevensville District 
Ranger, 88 Main St., Stevensville, MT 59870. Comments may also be sent 
via email to comments-northern-bitterroot-stevensville@fs.fed.us or via 
facsimile to 406-777-7423.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Grove, South Zone 
Interdisciplinary Team Leader, phone number 406-375-2608 or email: 
sgrove@fs.fed.us or Marilyn Wildey, Hydrology Technician, phone number 
406-363-7101 or email: mwildey@fs.fed.us. Their mailing address is: 
1801 North 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840-3114.
    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 Stevensville District Ranger proposes 
forest management on approximately 10,495 acres in the Gold Butterfly 
project area. The project is in the Sapphire Mountains on the 
Bitterroot National Forest (T.6N.R.18W. sec. 1-12, 16-20, 29, 30; 
T.6N.R.19W. sec. 1, 2, 10-15, 22-27; T.7N.R18W. sec. 2-36,T.7; N.R.19W. 
sec. 1, 2, 11-14, 22-27, 34-36; T.8N.R.18W. sec. 20, 21, 28-34) about 
seven miles east of Corvallis, Montana in Ravalli County.

Purpose and Need for Action

    Most of the project area considered for treatment is designated as 
part of the insect and disease treatment program (HFRA Title VI sec. 
602). Forests in the project area are at moderate to high hazard for 
insects and diseases, such as western spruce budworm, Douglas-fir bark 
beetle, mountain pine beetle, and dwarf mistletoe. Current forest 
conditions provide opportunities to regenerate forest stands, modify 
forest structures to reduce insect and disease hazard, and research 
management strategies that perpetuate whitebark pine. In addition to 
improving forest resilience to disturbances, these treatments would 
provide a sustainable supply of timber and provide related employment 
opportunities.
    Terrain and road development in parts of the project area have 
created areas that contribute sediment to adjacent streams. These road 
sections typically end at a trailhead. Moving the trailhead to 
locations further from the streams and converting the roads to walking 
trails would reduce sediment in the streams and improve bull trout 
habitat.
    The purpose and need for the Gold Butterfly project is to: (1) 
Improve landscape resilience to disturbances (such as insects, 
diseases, and fire) by modifying forest structure and composition, and 
fuels; (2) provide timber products and related jobs; (3) reduce erosion 
sources in Willow Creek and Burnt Fork of the Bitterroot River 
watersheds to improve water quality and bull trout habitat; (4) restore 
or improve key habitat areas such as, meadows, aspen, and whitebark 
pine.

Proposed Action

    Commercial timber harvest is proposed on about 7,711 acres, and 
non-commercial thinning on about 2,784 acres. In addition, most 
treatment units

[[Page 26774]]

would be followed by some form of prescribed fire (pile burning, 
underburn). Approximately seven miles of permanent, national forest 
system road (NFSR) and 27 miles of temporary road will be needed to 
support timber haul from the project area. The new system roads would 
be closed and the temporary roads would be rehabilitated after harvest.
    The Stoney Mountain IRA is adjacent to the project area. No road 
construction is proposed in the IRA, however, prescribed burning and 
some timber harvest may occur.
    A plan amendment to the Bitterroot National Forest Plan may be 
required to provide a project-specific variance for four standards. The 
2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) requires notice of which substantive 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  219.8 through 219.11 are likely to be 
related to the amendment. Suspension of the coarse woody debris 
amendment is likely related to the requirements for soils and soil 
productivity at Sec.  219.8(a)(2)(ii). Suspension of the old growth 
standard is likely related to the requirement to maintain or restore 
key ecosystem characteristics a Sec.  219.9(a)(2)(i). Suspension of the 
winter range thermal cover and elk habitat effectiveness standards are 
likely related to the consideration of habitat conditions for wildlife 
commonly used and enjoyed by the public at Sec.  219.10(a)(5).
    The Forest Service proposes the following actions in the Gold 
Butterfly project area: (1) Harvest, thin, and prescribe burn units 
with Douglas-fir beetle, mountain pine beetle, western spruce budworm, 
or dwarf mistletoe, (2) harvest, thin, and prescribe burn natural 
meadows that are being colonized by trees, (3) harvest or thin conifers 
from declining aspen clones, (4) harvest, thin, or prescribe burn areas 
to improve conditions for whitebark pine, (5) close Burnt Fork Rd. at 
the Gold Creek campground and move the Gold Creek trailhead to the Gold 
Creek campground, (6) close NFSR 969A at the junction with NFSR 969 
(Willow Creek Rd.), move the trailhead to the junction, and develop 
trailhead facilities, (7) construct specified and temporary roads to 
support timber removal from the forest, (8) upgrade road conditions on 
NFSR 364 and 969 with the application of best management practices, (9) 
build a crossing (temporary/permanent) where NFSR 13131 crosses North 
Fork of Willow Creek, (10) decommission NFSR 13111 from the junction 
with NFSR 364 where the road encroaches on Butterfly Creek and 
construct an alternative route away from the stream, and (11) 
decommission or store upland roads in the Willow Creek watershed as 
decided in the Travel Plan, especially those roads that encroach on 
streams.

Responsible Official

    Julie K. King, Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor, 1801 N. 
First, Hamilton, Montana 59840-3114 is the Forest Service official who 
will make the decision on the Gold Butterfly project.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will select the proposed action, an 
alternative to the proposed action (including the no action 
alternative), or modify the proposed action or alternatives to the 
proposed action. The decision may include an amendment to the 
Bitterroot National Forest Plan to provide a project-specific variance 
to four standards for coarse woody debris, winter range thermal cover, 
elk habitat effectiveness, and old growth.

Preliminary Issues

    The number of crossings over streams and road segments directly 
adjacent to streams are preliminary issues the Forest Service 
identified in the project area. Timber haul on roads in these 
situations have the potential to increase the sediment load in the 
adjacent streams that may negatively affect sediment levels and bull 
trout habitat.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Other 
opportunities for public comment will occur through the scoping process 
at public meetings and field trips that will be announced in local 
newspapers, radio stations, and social media. A comment period will 
also be available on the draft EIS. Scoping comments that are helpful 
to the project analysis focus on resource conditions or potential 
resource conflicts specific to the project area.
    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.

    Dated: April 25, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-11979 Filed 6-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 110 / Friday, June 9, 2017 / Notices 26773 would also provide the commenter with with the ability to provide the Individuals who use eligibility to object. respondent with subsequent telecommunication devices for the deaf environmental documents. (TDD) may call the Federal Information Responsible Official Dated: May 26, 2017. Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 Forest Supervisor, Superior National between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Glenn P. Casamassa, Forest. Time, Monday through Friday. Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest Nature of Decision To Be Made System. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The [FR Doc. 2017–11980 Filed 6–8–17; 8:45 am] Stevensville District Ranger proposes An Environmental Impact Statement forest management on approximately for the Hi Lo Project will evaluate site- BILLING CODE 3411–15–P 10,495 acres in the Gold Butterfly specific issues, consider management project area. The project is in the alternatives, and analyze potential Sapphire Mountains on the Bitterroot effects of the proposed action and DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Forest (T.6N.R.18W. sec. 1–12, alternatives. This analysis will include Forest Service 16–20, 29, 30; T.6N.R.19W. sec. 1, 2, the project specific Forest Plan 10–15, 22–27; T.7N.R18W. sec. 2– Amendment needed to conduct Bitterroot National Forest, Stevensville 36,T.7; N.R.19W. sec. 1, 2, 11–14, 22– prescribed burning in the Wilderness. Ranger District, Montana; Gold 27, 34–36; T.8N.R.18W. sec. 20, 21, 28– The scope of the project is limited to Butterfly Project 34) about seven miles east of Corvallis, decisions concerning activities within Montana in Ravalli County. the Hi Lo Project Area that meet the AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. purpose and need. An Environmental ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an Purpose and Need for Action Impact Statement will provide the environmental impact statement. Most of the project area considered for responsible official with the information SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, treatment is designated as part of the needed to decide which actions, if any, Bitterroot National Forest will prepare insect and disease treatment program to approve. an environmental impact statement (HFRA Title VI sec. 602). Forests in the (EIS) for the proposed Gold Butterfly project area are at moderate to high Preliminary Issues project under the authorities in the hazard for insects and diseases, such as Issues identified during the original western spruce budworm, Douglas-fir Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) scoping period (August 2016) included bark beetle, mountain pine beetle, and as amended by the Agricultural Act of prescribed burning in the Wilderness, dwarf mistletoe. Current forest 2014. The Gold Butterfly EIS will harvesting within Forest Plan IRAs, conditions provide opportunities to analyze and disclose the effects of blowdown, site-specific vegetation regenerate forest stands, modify forest treatments proposed on about 10,495 management, and associated temporary acres of national forest land in the structures to reduce insect and disease road construction. Sapphire Mountains between the hazard, and research management Permits or Licenses Required confluence of Gold Creek and Burnt strategies that perpetuate whitebark Fork of the Bitterroot River to the north pine. In addition to improving forest Easement or permission to cross resilience to disturbances, these and Saint Clair Creek to the south. The nonfederal property may be needed to treatments would provide a sustainable Gold Butterfly project area is bounded access some treatment units to supply of timber and provide related on the west by the National Forest implement Forest Service activities. employment opportunities. boundary with private land and on the Scoping Process east by the Stoney Mountain Terrain and road development in Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). The parts of the project area have created This notice of intent initiates the areas that contribute sediment to scoping process, which guides the Gold Butterfly project area is located about 10 miles southeast of Stevensville adjacent streams. These road sections development of the Environmental typically end at a trailhead. Moving the Impact Statement. This will be the and seven miles east of Corvallis, Montana, in Ravalli County. trailhead to locations further from the initial scoping to include a project-level streams and converting the roads to Forest Plan Amendment in the EIS. The DATES: Comments concerning the scope walking trails would reduce sediment in previously scoped proposed action of the analysis must be received by July the streams and improve bull trout (August 2016) guided us to initiate an 10, 2017. The draft environmental habitat. EIS and Forest Plan Amendment. impact statement is expected March The purpose and need for the Gold It is important that reviewers provide 2018 and the final environmental Butterfly project is to: (1) Improve their comments at such times and in impact statement is expected July 2018. landscape resilience to disturbances such manner that they are useful to the ADDRESSES: Send written comments to (such as insects, diseases, and fire) by agency’s preparation of the Tami Sabol, Stevensville District modifying forest structure and Environmental Impact Statement. Ranger, 88 Main St., Stevensville, MT composition, and fuels; (2) provide Therefore, comments should be 59870. Comments may also be sent via timber products and related jobs; (3) provided prior to the close of the email to comments-northern-bitterroot- reduce erosion sources in Willow Creek comment period and should clearly stevensville@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to and Burnt Fork of the Bitterroot River articulate the reviewer’s concerns and 406–777–7423. watersheds to improve water quality contentions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara and bull trout habitat; (4) restore or Comments received in response to Grove, South Zone Interdisciplinary improve key habitat areas such as, mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES this solicitation, including names and Team Leader, phone number 406–375– meadows, aspen, and whitebark pine. addresses of those who comment, will 2608 or email: sgrove@fs.fed.us or be part of the public record for this Marilyn Wildey, Hydrology Technician, Proposed Action proposed action. Comments submitted phone number 406–363–7101 or email: Commercial timber harvest is anonymously will be accepted and mwildey@fs.fed.us. Their mailing proposed on about 7,711 acres, and non- considered; however, anonymous address is: 1801 North 1st Street, commercial thinning on about 2,784 comments will not provide the Agency Hamilton, MT 59840–3114. acres. In addition, most treatment units VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Jun 08, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1

26774 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 110 / Friday, June 9, 2017 / Notices would be followed by some form of the Willow Creek watershed as decided Dated: April 25, 2017. prescribed fire (pile burning, in the Travel Plan, especially those Jeanne M. Higgins, underburn). Approximately seven miles roads that encroach on streams. Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National of permanent, national forest system Forest System. Responsible Official road (NFSR) and 27 miles of temporary [FR Doc. 2017–11979 Filed 6–8–17; 8:45 am] road will be needed to support timber Julie K. King, Bitterroot National BILLING CODE 3411–15–P haul from the project area. The new Forest Supervisor, 1801 N. First, system roads would be closed and the Hamilton, Montana 59840–3114 is the temporary roads would be rehabilitated Forest Service official who will make COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS after harvest. the decision on the Gold Butterfly The Stoney Mountain IRA is adjacent project. Sunshine Act Meeting Notice to the project area. No road construction Nature of Decision To Be Made AGENCY: United States Commission on is proposed in the IRA, however, prescribed burning and some timber The Responsible Official will select Civil Rights. harvest may occur. the proposed action, an alternative to ACTION: Notice of Commission briefing A plan amendment to the Bitterroot the proposed action (including the no and business meeting. National Forest Plan may be required to action alternative), or modify the provide a project-specific variance for proposed action or alternatives to the DATES: Friday, June 16, 2017, at 9:30 four standards. The 2012 Planning Rule proposed action. The decision may a.m. EST. (36 CFR 219) requires notice of which include an amendment to the Bitterroot ADDRESSES: Place: National Place substantive requirements of §§ 219.8 National Forest Plan to provide a Building, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., through 219.11 are likely to be related project-specific variance to four 11th Floor, Suite 1150, Washington, DC to the amendment. Suspension of the standards for coarse woody debris, 20245 (Entrance on F Street NW.). coarse woody debris amendment is winter range thermal cover, elk habitat FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: likely related to the requirements for effectiveness, and old growth. soils and soil productivity at Brian Walch, phone: (202) 376–8371; § 219.8(a)(2)(ii). Suspension of the old Preliminary Issues TTY: (202) 376–8116; email: growth standard is likely related to the The number of crossings over streams publicaffairs@usccr.gov. requirement to maintain or restore key and road segments directly adjacent to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This ecosystem characteristics a streams are preliminary issues the business meeting is open to the public. § 219.9(a)(2)(i). Suspension of the winter Forest Service identified in the project There will also be a call-in line for range thermal cover and elk habitat area. Timber haul on roads in these individuals who desire to listen to the effectiveness standards are likely related situations have the potential to increase presentations. Call-in (listen only) to the consideration of habitat the sediment load in the adjacent information will be published closer to conditions for wildlife commonly used streams that may negatively affect the meeting date, on the Commission’s and enjoyed by the public at sediment levels and bull trout habitat. Web site and social media pages. § 219.10(a)(5). Hearing-impaired persons who will The Forest Service proposes the Scoping Process attend the briefing and require the following actions in the Gold Butterfly This notice of intent initiates the services of a sign language interpreter project area: (1) Harvest, thin, and scoping process, which guides the should contact Pamela Dunston at (202) prescribe burn units with Douglas-fir development of the environmental 376–8105 or at signlanguage@usccr.gov beetle, mountain pine beetle, western impact statement. Other opportunities at least three business days before the spruce budworm, or dwarf mistletoe, (2) for public comment will occur through scheduled date of the meeting. harvest, thin, and prescribe burn natural the scoping process at public meetings Meeting Agenda meadows that are being colonized by and field trips that will be announced trees, (3) harvest or thin conifers from in local newspapers, radio stations, and I. Approval of Agenda declining aspen clones, (4) harvest, thin, social media. A comment period will II. Business Meeting or prescribe burn areas to improve also be available on the draft EIS. A. Discussion and Vote on FY 2018 conditions for whitebark pine, (5) close Scoping comments that are helpful to Project Proposals Burnt Fork Rd. at the Gold Creek the project analysis focus on resource • FY 2018 Statutory Enforcement campground and move the Gold Creek conditions or potential resource Report trailhead to the Gold Creek conflicts specific to the project area. • Other project proposals campground, (6) close NFSR 969A at the It is important that reviewers provide B. Discussion and Vote on FY 2019 junction with NFSR 969 (Willow Creek their comments at such times and in Statutory Enforcement Report Rd.), move the trailhead to the junction, such manner that they are useful to the C. Discussion and Vote on Revised and develop trailhead facilities, (7) agency’s preparation of the Schedule regarding the FY 2017 construct specified and temporary roads environmental impact statement. Statutory Enforcement Report on to support timber removal from the Therefore, comments should be Municipal Fees forest, (8) upgrade road conditions on provided prior to the close of the D. Discussion and Vote on holding a NFSR 364 and 969 with the application comment period and should clearly telephonic business meeting on of best management practices, (9) build articulate the reviewer’s concerns and Friday June 23, 2017 on the a crossing (temporary/permanent) where contentions. following items: mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES NFSR 13131 crosses North Fork of Comments received in response to a. Discussion and Vote on the Willow Creek, (10) decommission NFSR this solicitation, including names and Municipal Fees report 13111 from the junction with NFSR 364 addresses of those who comment, will b. Discussion and Vote on the LGBT where the road encroaches on Butterfly be part of the public record for this Workplace Discrimination report Creek and construct an alternative route proposed action. Comments submitted E. Discussion and Vote on Changing away from the stream, and (11) anonymously will be accepted and the November and December decommission or store upland roads in considered, however. Commission Business Meeting VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Jun 08, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1


Document Created: 2017-06-09 01:11:34
Document Modified: 2017-06-09 01:11:34
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 July 10, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected March 2018 and the final environmental impact statement is expected July 2018.
ContactSara Grove, South Zone Interdisciplinary Team Leader, phone number 406-375-2608 or email: [email protected] or Marilyn Wildey, Hydrology Technician, phone number
FR Citation82 FR 26773 
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