83 FR 14243 - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Colorado; Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 64 (April 3, 2018)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 64 (April 3, 2018)
| Page Range | 14243-14245 | |
| FR Document | 2018-06686 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 14243-14245] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-06686] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Colorado; Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Intent to revise the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison Land and Resource Management Plan and to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is revising the existing Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests' Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its revised Forest Plan. This notice briefly describes the preliminary needs for change that will be used to develop a revised Forest Plan, the nature of the decision to be made, and information concerning public participation. This notice also describes estimated dates for filing the EIS, the name and address of the responsible agency officials, and the individuals who can provide additional information. Finally, this notice identifies the applicable planning rule that will be used for completing the plan revision. DATES: Comments concerning the preliminary need for change provided in this notice must be received by May 3, 2018. The Draft EIS is expected in the spring of 2019, and the Final EIS is expected in the spring of 2020. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan_comments. Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed to GMUG National Forests, Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Comments may also be sent via email to gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us with the subject line: ``Scoping Comment,'' or via facsimile to 970-874- 6698. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received by visiting the public reading room online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan_readingroom. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Forest Plan Revision Team Leader Samantha Staley o (970-874-6666) or Assistant Forest Planner Brittany Duffy (970-874-6649) via email at gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us or mail at GMUG National Forests, Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Additional information concerning the planning process can be found online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 [[Page 14244]] between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The revised GMUG Forest Plan will replace the existing 1983 GMUG Forest Plan, as amended. The existing Forest Plan will remain in effect until the revised Forest Plan takes effect. In response to this notice we are asking for comments on the preliminary need for change, distinctive role and contribution of the Forests, and proposed management area framework. The full text of the preliminary need for change and additional materials and information on public engagement opportunities can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan by clicking on the link of interest. Input gathered during this scoping period, as well as other information, will be used to prepare the Draft Forest Plan and the Draft EIS. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for revising the current Forest Plan is (1) the 1983 Forest Plan, as amended, needs revision per the National Forest Management Act, which requires Forest Plans to be revised on a 10 to 15 year cycle, and (2) to address the preliminary needs for change to the existing plan, which are summarized below. Preliminary needs for change are identified to respond to new requirements per the Forest Service's 2012 Land Management Planning Rule (36 CFR 219); to address changes in economic, social, and ecological conditions; and to use the best available scientific information. An assessment of the conditions and trends of the Forests' ecological, social, and economic resources, informed by public input, has helped to identify these preliminary needs for changing the existing Forest Plan. A summary of the preliminary needs for change follows. Three overarching needs for change, or principles, emerged throughout the assessment process: (1) Provide direction that reflects the best available science and management approaches, and yet remains durable and relevant through time in our rapidly changing environment; (2) Provide more strategic, adaptive direction than the often prescriptive, tactical direction in the current Forest Plan. Adaptive direction should provide for greater durability; and (3) Create a plan that is more purposeful, accessible and useful to the public and agency personnel. The current Forest Plan is unwieldy and overly complicated. These principles will be used to implement the requirements of the 2012 planning rule, which requires that the revised Forest Plan:Contribute to social and economic sustainability by providing people and communities with a range of social and economic benefits for present and future generations. These benefits include water, timber production, grazing, recreation, energy resources, and additional multiple uses. Provide for ecological sustainability by maintaining or restoring ecological integrity; air, soil and water; and riparian areas, taking into account stressors such as wildland fire, insect and disease, and changes in climate. Provide for ecological conditions to maintain the diversity of plant and animal communities, including additional consideration for threatened and endangered species, species of conservation concern, and species of public interest. Designate areas suitable for timber production and provide for sustainable recreation. Furthermore, the 2012 planning rule requires the GMUG, during the Forest Plan revision process, to: Identify and evaluate lands that may be suitable for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Identify eligible rivers for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Proposed Action The proposed action is to revise the Forest Plan in order to address these identified needs for change to the existing Forest Plan. The revised Forest Plan will include forest-wide and geographic/ management area-specific desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, guidelines, and the designation of lands suitable for timber production. Development of alternatives will be guided by the scoping process. Responsible Official The responsible official who will approve the Record of Decision for the GMUG National Forests' revised Forest Plan is Scott Armentrout, Forest Supervisor for the GMUG National Forests, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Nature of Decision To Be Made The responsible official will decide whether the required plan components (desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, guidelines, and suitability) are sufficient to promote the ecological integrity and sustainability of the GMUG National Forests' ecosystems, watersheds, and diverse plant and animal communities. In addition, the responsible official will decide whether the required plan components for the GMUG National Forests' multiple uses and ecosystem services are sufficient to contribute to social and economic sustainability for people and communities. This proposed action is programmatic in nature and guides future implementation of site-specific projects. Additional National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance may be required for site- specific projects as part of a two-stage decision making process (40 CFR 1508.23, 42 U.S.C. 4322(2)(C)), 36 CFR 219.7(f)). Scoping Process This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the Draft Forest Plan and Draft EIS. We are seeking your input to continue to develop the GMUG National Forests' revised Forest Plan. Public webinars will be held to provide additional information and address questions related to this scoping notice. Dates and locations will be posted on the GMUG Forest Plan Revision website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan and can be accessed by clicking on ``Get Involved.'' Any changes to the webinar schedule will be communicated on the same website. 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 EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns as well as proposed solutions. Decision Will be Subject to Objection Only those individuals and entities who have submitted substantive formal comments related to the GMUG National Forests' plan revision during the formal opportunities provided for public comment (beginning with this Notice of Intent) throughout the planning process will be eligible to file an objection (36 CFR 219.53(a)). The decision to approve the revised Forest Plan for the GMUG National Forests will be subject to the objection process identified in 36 CFR 219 Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). 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. [[Page 14245]] Documents Available for Review The GMUG National Forest plan revision website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan provides the full text of the preliminary need for change; distinctive role and contribution of the Forests; proposed management area framework; the 2018 assessments; public meeting materials from the assessment phase, including open house materials and recorded webinars; in public comments. The material available on these sites may be updated or revised at any time as part of the planning process. The 2012 planning rule is explained in more detail on the Forest Service website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/planningrule/home/?cid=stelprdb5359471. Dated: March 28, 2018. Glenn Casamassa, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018-06686 Filed 4-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices 14243
included for the convenience of the Individuals who use Management Plan and to prepare an
State agencies because the poverty telecommunication devices for the deaf Environmental Impact Statement.
guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii are (TDD) may call the Federal Information
higher than for the 48 contiguous States. Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Agriculture, Forest Service, is revising
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1786. the existing Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre,
Eastern Standard Time, Monday
Dated: March 8, 2018. through Friday. and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests’
Brandon Lipps, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Land and Resource Management Plan
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, purpose of the meeting is to: (Forest Plan). The Forest Service will
USDA. 1. Review projects previously prepare an Environmental Impact
[FR Doc. 2018–06178 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am] authorized under Title II of the Act; and Statement (EIS) for its revised Forest
BILLING CODE 3410–30–C 2. Review and make proposed fee Plan.
changes for fee sites on the Rogue River- This notice briefly describes the
Siskiyou National Forest. preliminary needs for change that will
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The meeting is open to the public. be used to develop a revised Forest
The agenda will include time for people Plan, the nature of the decision to be
Forest Service to make oral statements of three minutes made, and information concerning
or less. Individuals wishing to make an public participation. This notice also
Siskiyou Resource Advisory describes estimated dates for filing the
oral statement should request in writing
Committee EIS, the name and address of the
by April 11, 2018, to be scheduled on
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. the agenda. responsible agency officials, and the
Anyone who would like to bring individuals who can provide additional
ACTION: Notice of meeting. information. Finally, this notice
related matters to the attention of the
committee may file written statements identifies the applicable planning rule
SUMMARY: The Siskiyou (OR) Resource
with the committee staff before the that will be used for completing the
Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in
meeting. Written comments and plan revision.
Harbor, Oregon. The committee is
authorized under the Secure Rural requests for time to make oral comments DATES: Comments concerning the
Schools and Community Self- must be sent to Virginia Gibbons, Public preliminary need for change provided in
Determination Act (the Act) and Affairs Officer, Rogue River-Siskiyou this notice must be received by May 3,
operates in compliance with the Federal National Forest, 3040 Biddle Road, 2018. The Draft EIS is expected in the
Advisory Committee Act. The purpose Medford, Oregon 97504; by phone at spring of 2019, and the Final EIS is
of the committee is to improve (541) 618–2113, by email at Rogue_ expected in the spring of 2020.
collaborative relationships and to River-Siskiyou_RecFee@fs.fed.us, or via ADDRESSES: Comments may be
provide advice and recommendations to facsimile at (541) 618–2400. submitted electronically online at
the Forest Service concerning projects Meeting Accommodations: If you are http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/
and funding consistent with the Title II a person requiring reasonable forestplan_comments. Written
of the Act. RAC information can be accommodation, please make requests comments concerning this notice should
found at the following website: https:// in advance for sign language be addressed to GMUG National Forests,
cloudapps-usda-gov.secure.force.com/ interpreting, assistive listening devices, Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250
FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002 or other reasonable accommodation. For S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Comments
Jcv6AAC. access to the facility or proceedings, may also be sent via email to
please contact the person listed in the gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us with the
DATES: The meeting will be held on section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION subject line: ‘‘Scoping Comment,’’ or via
April 25, 2018, 9:30 a.m. CONTACT. All reasonable facsimile to 970–874–6698. All
All RAC meetings are subject to accommodation requests are managed comments, including names and
cancellation. For status of the meeting on a case by case basis. addresses when provided, are placed in
prior to attendance, please contact the Dated: March 14, 2018. the record and are available for public
person listed under FOR FURTHER Chris French, inspection and copying. The public may
INFORMATION CONTACT. inspect comments received by visiting
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at System. the public reading room online at http://
the Harbor Water Public Utilities [FR Doc. 2018–06682 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am] www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan_
District, 98069 West Benham Lane, BILLING CODE 3415–11–P readingroom.
Harbor, Oregon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Written comments may be submitted Forest Plan Revision Team Leader
as described under SUPPLEMENTARY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Samantha Staley o (970–874–6666) or
INFORMATION. All comments, including Assistant Forest Planner Brittany Duffy
names and addresses when provided, Forest Service
(970–874–6649) via email at
are placed in the record and are gmugforestplan@fs.fed.us or mail at
available for public inspection and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and
Gunnison National Forests; Colorado; GMUG National Forests, Attn: Forest
copying. The public may inspect Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main St.,
comments received at 3040 Biddle Revision of the Land and Resource
Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, Delta, CO 81416. Additional
Road, Medford, Oregon. Please call
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
Uncompahgre and Gunnison National information concerning the planning
ahead to (541) 618–2200 to facilitate process can be found online at http://
entry into the building. Forests
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AGENCY:Forest Service, USDA. Individuals who use
Virginia Gibbons, Public Affairs Officer, ACTION:Notice of Intent to revise the telecommunication devices for the deaf
by phone at (541) 618–2113 or via email Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and (TDD) may call the Federal Information
at vgibbons@fs.fed.us. Gunnison Land and Resource Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices 14245
Documents Available for Review names and addresses, when provided, Dated: March 14, 2018.
The GMUG National Forest plan are placed in the record and available Christopher French,
revision website at http:// for public inspection and copying. The Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
public may inspect comments received System.
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan
provides the full text of the preliminary at the Black Hills National Forest [FR Doc. 2018–06683 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am]
need for change; distinctive role and Supervisor’s Office. Please call ahead to BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
contribution of the Forests; proposed facilitate entry into the building.
management area framework; the 2018 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
assessments; public meeting materials DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Scott Jacobson, Committee Coordinator,
from the assessment phase, including by phone at 605–440–1409 or by email Rural Utilities Service
open house materials and recorded at sjjacobson@fs.fed.us.
webinars; in public comments. The Announcement of Grant Application
material available on these sites may be Individuals who use
Deadlines and Funding Levels
updated or revised at any time as part telecommunication devices for the deaf
of the planning process. (TDD) may call the Federal Information AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
The 2012 planning rule is explained Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 ACTION: Notice of solicitation of
in more detail on the Forest Service between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., applications (NOSA).
website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/ Eastern Standard Time, Monday
through Friday. SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service
detail/planningrule/home/ (RUS), an agency of the United States
?cid=stelprdb5359471. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Agriculture (USDA),
Dated: March 28, 2018. purpose of the meeting is to provide: herein referred to as RUS or the Agency,
Glenn Casamassa, (1) Ethics Training; announces its Distance Learning and
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program
(2) Information Topic: Forest Staffing
System. application window for Fiscal Year (FY)
and Seasonal Hiring; 2018. The Agency is publishing the
[FR Doc. 2018–06686 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
(3) Black Hills Resilient Landscape amount of funding received in the
Project update; appropriations act on its website at
(4) 2018 Fire Season Preparedness; https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE and notices-solicitation-applications-nosas.
Expenses incurred in developing
Forest Service (5) 2018 Fire Season Outlook. applications will be at the applicant’s
The meeting is open to the public and risk.
Black Hills National Forest Advisory transcripts, documents and minutes will In addition to announcing the
Board be made available for public inspection. application window, RUS announces
The U.S. Forest Service will attempt to the minimum and maximum amounts
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
accommodate as many attendees as for DLT grants applicable for the fiscal
ACTION: Notice of meeting. possible; however, admittance will be year. The DLT Grant Program regulation
SUMMARY: The Black Hills National limited to seating availability. The can be found at 7 CFR part 1734,
Forest Advisory Board (Board) will meet Chairman may allow the public to make subpart B. This DLT Grant Program
in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board oral statements of three minutes or less. regulation replaced the previous DLT
is established consistent with the Individuals wishing to make an oral Grant Program regulation, 7 CFR part
Federal Advisory Committee Act of statement should submit a request in 1703, subpart E, on December 27, 2017.
1972, the Forest and Rangeland writing by April 9, 2018, to be DATES: Submit completed paper or
Renewable Resources Planning Act of scheduled on the agenda. Anyone who electronic applications for grants
1974, the National Forest Management would like to bring related matters to according to the following deadlines:
Act of 1976, and the Federal Public the attention of the Board may file • Paper submissions: Paper
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. written statements with the Board’s staff submissions must be postmarked and
Additional information concerning the before or after the meeting. Written mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no
Board, including the meeting summary/ comments and time requests for oral later than June 4, 2018 to be eligible for
minutes, can be found by visiting the comments must be sent to Scott FY 2018 grant funding. Late or
Board’s website at: http:// Jacobson, Black Hills National Forest incomplete applications will not be
Supervisor’s Office, 1019 North Fifth eligible for FY 2018 grant funding.
www.fs.usda.gov/main/blackhills/
Street, Custer, South Dakota 57730; by • Electronic submissions: Electronic
workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
email to sjjacobson@fs.fed.us, or via submissions must be received no later
DATES: The meeting will be held on than June 4, 2018 to be eligible for FY
Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. facsimile to 605–673–9208.
2018 grant funding. Late or incomplete
All meetings are subject to Meeting Accommodations: If you are applications will not be eligible for FY
cancellation. For updated status of a person requiring reasonable 2018 grant funding.
meeting prior to attendance, please accommodation, please make requests • If the submission deadline falls on
contact the person listed under FOR in advance for sign language Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday,
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. interpreting, assistive listening devices, the application is due the next business
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at or other reasonable accommodation for day.
the Forest Service Center, 8221 Mount access to the facility or proceedings by ADDRESSES: Copies of the FY 2018
Rushmore Road, Rapid City, South contacting the person listed in the Application Guide and materials for the
Dakota. section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION DLT Grant Program may be obtained
Written comments may be submitted CONTACT. All reasonable through:
as described under SUPPLEMENTARY accommodation requests are managed (1) The DLT website at https://
INFORMATION. All comments, including on a case by case basis. www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
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Document Created: 2018-04-03 00:49:54
Document Modified: 2018-04-03 00:49:54
| 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 revise the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison Land and Resource Management Plan and to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. | |
| Dates | Comments concerning the preliminary need for change provided in this notice must be received by May 3, 2018. The Draft EIS is expected in the spring of 2019, and the Final EIS is expected in the spring of 2020. | |
| Contact | Forest Plan Revision Team Leader Samantha Staley o (970-874-6666) or Assistant Forest Planner Brittany Duffy (970-874-6649) via email at [email protected] or mail at GMUG National Forests, Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team, 2250 S. Main St., Delta, CO 81416. Additional information concerning the planning process can be found online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/ forestplan. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 14243 |
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