82 FR 45797 - Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District; California; Elk Creek Watershed Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 189 (October 2, 2017)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 189 (October 2, 2017)
| Page Range | 45797-45798 | |
| FR Document | 2017-21005 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 45797-45798] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-21005] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District; California; Elk Creek Watershed Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The purpose of the Elk Creek Watershed Project is to address the need to manage forest stands to be more resilient to future disturbances, improve water quality to maintain and restore riparian and aquatic habitat, improve terrestrial habitat for northern spotted owl and Roosevelt elk, reduce fuel accumulations, and improve the vigor and prevalence of Karuk cultural resources. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by November 16, 2017. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected June 2018 and the Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected February 2019. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to P.O. Box 377, Happy Camp, CA 96039. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to (530) 493-1796. Submit electronic comments at the Klamath National Forest's project Web page: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=46553. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dock Chastain, (530) 493-1742, [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: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for this project is to:Reduce fuel accumulations and create ridgetop fuel breaks to increase options for managing planned and unplanned ignitions; Improve water quality to maintain and restore riparian and aquatic habitat; Maximize efficiency of system roads and trails that provide public access to the Forest while minimizing resource impacts; Manage forest stands to be more resilient to future disturbances and improve terrestrial habitat for northern spotted owl and Roosevelt elk; Contribute to local and regional economies by providing forest products and enhancing recreational opportunities; and Improve the vigor and prevalence of Karuk cultural resources that were historically present in the planning area. Proposed Action The proposed action was designed to meet the purpose and need of the project. The proposed action would treat about 10,550 acres within the 45,992-acre project boundary. Acres by treatment type are described below and do not account for overlap in treatment types (acres receiving multiple treatments may be double counted). Treatment acreages are approximate at this point and may be adjusted and refined following scoping. The proposed action also addresses the existing condition of the National Forest Transportation System (Forest System) by treating legacy sites, changing road maintenance levels, and decommissioning roads. All treatments would manage for improving the health and vigor of hardwood species according to the Klamath National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). Riparian Reserves within and adjacent to treatment units would be evaluated on a site-by-site basis for treatment, and would include equipment and treatment exclusion zones. This project would include the following eight types of vegetation treatments: (1) Commercial thinning; (2) noncommercial thinning; (3) hardwood enhancement; (4) meadow enhancement; (5) fuels reduction adjacent to private property; (6) defensible fuel profile zones; (7) roadside fuels reduction; and (8) underburning. This project would use a travel analysis for recommending management levels of existing Forest System roads and would develop new opportunities for recreation through the addition of new trails. (1) Commercial Thinning (1,782 acres): Commercial thinning is an intermediate harvest with the objective of reducing stand density primarily to improve growth, enhance forest health, and other resources objectives. Treatment can recover potential mortality while producing merchantable material. (2) Noncommercial Thinning (1,256 acres): Noncommercial thinning is an intermediate harvest which removes the less desirable trees of any species in a stand of poles or larger trees primarily to improve the composition and quality of the stand. (3) Hardwood Enhancement (76 acres): Hardwood enhancement would focus on stimulating the growth and available resources for preferred hardwood species according to the Forest Plan. (4) Meadow Enhancement (18 acres): Meadow enhancement treatments would focus on reducing conifer encroachment by removing conifer seedlings and saplings growing within the meadow footprint. (5) Fuels reduction Adjacent to Private Property (153 acres): Fuel breaks created to protect private property would extend up to 500 feet adjacent to private property. The fuel treatments would involve cutting and pile burning of ladder fuels: Brush, hardwoods, and conifer trees up to ten inches diameter at breast height. (6) Defensible Fuel Profile Zone (823 acres): The width of the defensible fuel profile zone would be up to 250 feet on either side of proposed ridge lines. The fuel treatments would involve cutting and pile burning of ladder fuels: Brush, hardwoods, and conifer trees up to ten inches diameter at breast height. (7) Roadside Fuels Reduction (1,896 acres): The roadside fuel breaks would extend up to 300 feet above and 50 feet below either side of identified Forest System and county roads adjacent to Forest Service lands. The fuel treatments would involve cutting and pile burning of ladder fuels: Brush, hardwoods, and conifer trees up to ten inches diameter at breast height. (8) Underburning (4,552 acres): Underburn units are intended to be burned at low to moderate intensities to reduce fuel loadings and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire. Travel Analysis--A risk and benefit analysis was conducted for Forest System roads within the East Fork Elk Creek and Lower Elk Creek 6th field watersheds. Road treatments include 22 miles of decommissioning, 15 miles of downgrading maintenance levels, 10 miles of upgrading maintenance levels, and treating associated legacy sites. In addition to Forest System road actions, four miles of non-system roads would be rehabilitated. This project would also include recreation improvements, including the construction of 4.3 miles of new multi-use trails and up to 13 miles of mountain bike trail. [[Page 45798]] Connected Actions Access: Access for this project would be mainly accomplished by use of roads on the National Forest Transportation System. About three miles of temporary roads would be needed to facilitate commercial thinning operations. Most of these temporary roads would occur on existing roadbeds. However, several short new temporary spur roads would also be constructed. Both new and existing temporary roads would be hydrologically stabilized at the end of the project. Landings: Existing landings would be used where possible. Landing size would be appropriately sized for operational safety. Cable landings would use roads where possible. Cable landings off the road system and ground-based landings would average one acre in size but would not exceed 1.5 acres in size. Both new and existing landings would be hydrologically stabilized at the end of the project. Responsible Official Patricia A. Grantham, Klamath National Forest, Forest Supervisor. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Forest Service is the lead agency for the project. Based on the result of the NEPA analysis, the Klamath National Forest, Forest Supervisor's Record of Decision regarding the Elk Creek Watershed Project will recommend implementation of one of the following: (1) The proposed action and mitigations necessary to minimize or avoid adverse impacts; (2) An alternative to the proposed action and mitigations necessary to minimize or avoid adverse impacts; or (3) The no-action alternative. The Record of Decision will also document the consistency of the proposed action or one of the alternatives with the Klamath National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. 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. Dated: September 12, 2017. Jeanne M. Higgins, Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2017-21005 Filed 9-29-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices 45797
Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of • Maximize efficiency of system (2) Noncommercial Thinning (1,256
September 2017. roads and trails that provide public acres): Noncommercial thinning is an
Michael C. Gregoire, access to the Forest while minimizing intermediate harvest which removes the
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant resource impacts; less desirable trees of any species in a
Health Inspection Service. • Manage forest stands to be more stand of poles or larger trees primarily
[FR Doc. 2017–21105 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am] resilient to future disturbances and to improve the composition and quality
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P improve terrestrial habitat for northern of the stand.
spotted owl and Roosevelt elk; (3) Hardwood Enhancement (76
• Contribute to local and regional acres): Hardwood enhancement would
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE economies by providing forest products focus on stimulating the growth and
and enhancing recreational available resources for preferred
Forest Service opportunities; and hardwood species according to the
• Improve the vigor and prevalence of Forest Plan.
Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger Karuk cultural resources that were (4) Meadow Enhancement (18 acres):
District; California; Elk Creek historically present in the planning area. Meadow enhancement treatments
Watershed Project
Proposed Action would focus on reducing conifer
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. The proposed action was designed to encroachment by removing conifer
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an meet the purpose and need of the seedlings and saplings growing within
Environmental Impact Statement. project. The proposed action would the meadow footprint.
treat about 10,550 acres within the (5) Fuels reduction Adjacent to
SUMMARY: The purpose of the Elk Creek 45,992-acre project boundary. Acres by Private Property (153 acres): Fuel breaks
Watershed Project is to address the need treatment type are described below and created to protect private property
to manage forest stands to be more do not account for overlap in treatment would extend up to 500 feet adjacent to
resilient to future disturbances, improve types (acres receiving multiple private property. The fuel treatments
water quality to maintain and restore treatments may be double counted). would involve cutting and pile burning
riparian and aquatic habitat, improve Treatment acreages are approximate at of ladder fuels: Brush, hardwoods, and
terrestrial habitat for northern spotted this point and may be adjusted and conifer trees up to ten inches diameter
owl and Roosevelt elk, reduce fuel refined following scoping. The proposed at breast height.
accumulations, and improve the vigor action also addresses the existing (6) Defensible Fuel Profile Zone (823
and prevalence of Karuk cultural condition of the National Forest acres): The width of the defensible fuel
resources. Transportation System (Forest System) profile zone would be up to 250 feet on
DATES: Comments concerning the scope by treating legacy sites, changing road either side of proposed ridge lines. The
of the analysis must be received by maintenance levels, and fuel treatments would involve cutting
November 16, 2017. The Draft decommissioning roads. All treatments and pile burning of ladder fuels: Brush,
Environmental Impact Statement is would manage for improving the health hardwoods, and conifer trees up to ten
expected June 2018 and the Final and vigor of hardwood species inches diameter at breast height.
Environmental Impact Statement is according to the Klamath National (7) Roadside Fuels Reduction (1,896
expected February 2019. Forest Land and Resource Management acres): The roadside fuel breaks would
Plan (Forest Plan). Riparian Reserves extend up to 300 feet above and 50 feet
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
within and adjacent to treatment units below either side of identified Forest
P.O. Box 377, Happy Camp, CA 96039. System and county roads adjacent to
Comments may also be sent via email to would be evaluated on a site-by-site
basis for treatment, and would include Forest Service lands. The fuel
jchastain@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to treatments would involve cutting and
(530) 493–1796. Submit electronic equipment and treatment exclusion
zones. pile burning of ladder fuels: Brush,
comments at the Klamath National hardwoods, and conifer trees up to ten
Forest’s project Web page: http:// This project would include the
following eight types of vegetation inches diameter at breast height.
www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/
treatments: (1) Commercial thinning; (2) (8) Underburning (4,552 acres):
?project=46553.
noncommercial thinning; (3) hardwood Underburn units are intended to be
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: enhancement; (4) meadow burned at low to moderate intensities to
Dock Chastain, (530) 493–1742, enhancement; (5) fuels reduction reduce fuel loadings and reduce the risk
jchastain@fs.fed.us. adjacent to private property; (6) of catastrophic fire. Travel Analysis—A
Individuals who use defensible fuel profile zones; (7) risk and benefit analysis was conducted
telecommunication devices for the deaf roadside fuels reduction; and (8) for Forest System roads within the East
(TDD) may call the Federal Information underburning. This project would use a Fork Elk Creek and Lower Elk Creek 6th
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 travel analysis for recommending field watersheds. Road treatments
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern management levels of existing Forest include 22 miles of decommissioning,
Time, Monday through Friday. System roads and would develop new 15 miles of downgrading maintenance
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: opportunities for recreation through the levels, 10 miles of upgrading
addition of new trails. maintenance levels, and treating
Purpose and Need for Action (1) Commercial Thinning (1,782 associated legacy sites. In addition to
The purpose and need for this project acres): Commercial thinning is an Forest System road actions, four miles
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
is to: intermediate harvest with the objective of non-system roads would be
• Reduce fuel accumulations and of reducing stand density primarily to rehabilitated.
create ridgetop fuel breaks to increase improve growth, enhance forest health, This project would also include
options for managing planned and and other resources objectives. recreation improvements, including the
unplanned ignitions; Treatment can recover potential construction of 4.3 miles of new multi-
• Improve water quality to maintain mortality while producing merchantable use trails and up to 13 miles of
and restore riparian and aquatic habitat; material. mountain bike trail.
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![45798 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices
Connected Actions addresses of those who comment, will FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Access: Access for this project would be part of the public record for this more information please contact Sara
be mainly accomplished by use of roads proposed action. Comments submitted Daugherty at 208–926–6404 or
on the National Forest Transportation anonymously will be accepted and sddaugherty@fs.fed.us.
System. About three miles of temporary considered, however. Individuals who use
roads would be needed to facilitate Dated: September 12, 2017.
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
commercial thinning operations. Most Jeanne M. Higgins,
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
of these temporary roads would occur Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
on existing roadbeds. However, several Forest System.
Time, Monday through Friday.
short new temporary spur roads would [FR Doc. 2017–21005 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am]
also be constructed. Both new and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
existing temporary roads would be Service gives notice of its intent to
hydrologically stabilized at the end of prepare an EIS for the Lolo Insect &
the project. Disease project to analyze and disclose
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Landings: Existing landings would be the effects of proposed forest
used where possible. Landing size Forest Service management and watershed
would be appropriately sized for improvement activities within the Lolo
operational safety. Cable landings Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; Creek watershed, located approximately
would use roads where possible. Cable Idaho; Lolo Insect & Disease Project 16 miles northeast of Kamiah, Idaho.
landings off the road system and The proposed action would use a
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. combination of timber harvest and
ground-based landings would average
one acre in size but would not exceed ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent to reforestation to achieve the desired
1.5 acres in size. Both new and existing prepare an Environmental Impact range of age classes, size classes,
landings would be hydrologically Statement. vegetative species distributions, habitat
stabilized at the end of the project. complexity (diversity), and landscape
SUMMARY: This is a corrected Notice of patterns across the forested portions of
Responsible Official Intent (NOI). This notice updates the the project area. Road decommissioning,
Patricia A. Grantham, Klamath information about the purpose and culvert replacements, road and trail
National Forest, Forest Supervisor. need, proposed action, expected dates of improvements, and soils rehabilitation
the Draft Environmental Impact are also proposed to improve watershed
Nature of Decision To Be Made Statement (EIS) and Final EIS, health. The EIS will analyze the effects
The Forest Service is the lead agency addresses, contact information for the of the proposed action and alternatives.
for the project. Based on the result of the project, and the responsible official for The Nez Perce-Clearwater National
NEPA analysis, the Klamath National the Lolo Insect & Disease project. This Forests invites comments and
Forest, Forest Supervisor’s Record of notice also provides clarification for suggestions on the issues to be
Decision regarding the Elk Creek individuals or organizations that addressed. The agency gives notice of
Watershed Project will recommend provided comments in response to the National Environmental Policy Act
implementation of one of the following: scoping previously conducted as it (NEPA) analysis and decision making
(1) The proposed action and relates to having standing to object. process on the proposal so interested
mitigations necessary to minimize or Preliminary issues, alternatives, and and affected members of the public may
avoid adverse impacts; permits are also available and presented participate and contribute to the final
(2) An alternative to the proposed in this notice. decision. The original notice was
action and mitigations necessary to DATES: Comments concerning the scope published in the Federal Register on
minimize or avoid adverse impacts; or of the analysis must be received by April 25, 2013; 78 FR 24718. This
(3) The no-action alternative. October 17, 2017. The Draft EIS is process is being conducted pursuant to
The Record of Decision will also expected January of 2018 and the Final the National Environmental Policy Act
document the consistency of the EIS is expected August of 2018. This (NEPA), the Council on Environmental
proposed action or one of the project was originally scoped under the Quality Regulations for Implementing
alternatives with the Klamath National provisions of 36 CFR 215. For this the NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508),
Forest Land and Resource Management project, individuals or organizations and Forest Service NEPA guidelines.
Plan. who submitted written comments in Additionally, pursuant to Section 106 of
Scoping Process response to scoping conducted under 36 the National Historic Preservation Act,
This notice of intent initiates the CFR 215 will be considered to have the public scoping process will allow
scoping process, which guides the standing to object under 36 CFR 218, members of the general public to
development of the Environmental Subparts A and B. Those who also wish provide comments on potential impacts
Impact Statement. to establish standing to object under 36 to historic and cultural resources for the
It is important that reviewers provide CFR part 218 should submit scoping proposed action. An objection priod for
their comments at such times and in comments no later than 15 days after the Draft Record of Decision will be
such manner that they are useful to the publication of this Notice of Intent or provided, consistent with 36 CFR part
agency’s preparation of the during the 45-day comment period 218.
following distribution of the Draft EIS.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Environmental Impact Statement. Purpose and Need for Action
Therefore, comments should be ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
provided prior to the close of the Lochsa Ranger District, c/o Sara Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat
comment period and should clearly Daugherty, 502 Lowry Street, Kooskia, Improvement
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and Idaho 83539. Comments may also be Existing Condition: Most of the
contentions. sent via email to comments-northern- project area is in Forest Plan
Comments received in response to clearwater-lochsa@fs.fed.us, or via management area (MA) E1. MA E1 is
this solicitation, including names and facsimile to 208–926–6450. timber-producing land to be managed
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Sep 29, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_45986/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2017-09-30 04:41:34
Document Modified: 2017-09-30 04:41:34
| 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 | Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by November 16, 2017. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected June 2018 and the Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected February 2019. | |
| Contact | Dock Chastain, (530) 493-1742, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 45797 |
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