83_FR_26362 83 FR 26253 - Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; Notice of Availability of the Draft Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project, Oregon

83 FR 26253 - Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; Notice of Availability of the Draft Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project, Oregon

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 109 (June 6, 2018)

Page Range26253-26254
FR Document2018-12156

The USDA Forest Service (USFS), Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, announces the availability of the Draft Record of Decision (ROD) for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project (B2H Project) for public review. The proposed actions and activities described in the Draft ROD are subject to project-level predecisional administrative review (known as an ``objection'' process) and a 45-day objection filing period began with publication of a legal notice in the Baker City Herald. The USFS previously notified the public that the agency would waive its administrative review procedures and adopt the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) protest procedures for its decisions to issue a special use authorization and to amend the Forest Plan. Following further review of the scope of the decisions that the USFS will make and the applicable regulations, the USFS determined it must instead follow their own agency's project-level predecisional administrative review process.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 109 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26253-26254]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12156]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; Notice of Availability of the 
Draft Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project, Oregon

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service (USFS), Wallowa-Whitman National 
Forest, announces the availability of the Draft Record of Decision 
(ROD) for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project (B2H 
Project) for public review. The proposed actions and activities 
described in the Draft ROD are subject to project-level predecisional 
administrative review (known as an ``objection'' process) and a 45-day 
objection filing period began with publication of a legal notice in the 
Baker City Herald. The USFS previously notified the public that the 
agency would waive its administrative review procedures and adopt the 
Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) protest procedures for its decisions 
to issue a special use authorization and to amend the Forest Plan. 
Following further review of the scope of the decisions that the USFS 
will make and the applicable regulations, the USFS determined it must 
instead follow their own agency's project-level predecisional 
administrative review process.

DATES: An individual or entity who meets eligibility for objecting to a 
draft decision outlined in 36 CFR 218.5 and wishes to file an objection 
must do so within 45 days of the date that the Wallowa-Whitman National 
Forest published the Legal Notice in the newspaper of record, the Baker 
City Herald. The publication date of the Legal Notice is the exclusive 
means for calculating the time to file an objection.

ADDRESSES: The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was 
circulated by the BLM. The USFS adopted the FEIS. As a cooperating 
agency for the B2H Project, the USFS need not recirculate the FEIS. 
However, the document remains available for review on the Applicant's 
project website at https://www.boardmantohemingway.com/documents.aspx 
and copies are available upon request. Copies of the Draft ROD were 
sent to Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments potentially 
affected by the proposed USFS decision, to public libraries in the 
area, and to interested parties that previously requested a DVD copy. 
Interested persons may also review the FEIS and Draft ROD, along with 
the legal notice announcing the objection period, on the internet at 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=26709.
    The reviewing officer for this project is James Pe[ntilde]a, 
Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest Region. Written objections, 
including any attachments, must be filed with the reviewing officer and 
may be sent as follows:
    Postal delivery (via USPS): Reviewing Officer, Pacific Northwest 
Region, USDA Forest Service, Attn. 1570 Appeals and Objections, P.O. 
Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208-3623.
    Email: [email protected] with OBJECTION and 
``B2H Project'' in the subject line.
    Hand delivered (including courier delivery): Pacific Northwest 
Regional Office, Edith Green Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, 1220 SW 
3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Hand deliveries can occur between 8:00 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, except legal holidays;
    Faxed: 503-808-2339, with OBJECTION and ``B2H Project'' noted on 
the cover sheet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Blumton, Forest Service Project 
Lead; by telephone at 541-962-8522; or email to 
[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.
    For information about the BLM's involvement, contact: Renee Straub, 
Assistant Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Vale District 
Office; 100 Oregon St., Vale, Oregon 97918; by telephone 541-473-6289. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at (800) 877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM), together with cooperating agencies including 
the USFS, prepared a FEIS and proposed Land Use Plan Amendments for the 
B2H Project. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a 
Notice of Availability (NOA) for the FEIS in the Federal Register on 
November 25, 2016 (81 FR 85222). BLM published a NOA for the FEIS in 
the Federal Register on November 28, 2016 (81 FR 85632). The USFS 
adopted the FEIS and related documents prepared by the lead agency 
(BLM) following 40 CFR 1506.3. A NOA announcing USFS's adoption of the 
FEIS was published by the EPA in the Federal Register on June 30, 2017 
(82 FR 29589).
    The FEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of BLM 
granting a right-of-way to Idaho Power Company (Applicant) to use BLM-
managed lands to construct and operate an approximately 300 mile long 
overhead, single-circuit, 500-kilovolt (kV) alternating-current 
electric transmission line with ancillary facilities. The FEIS also 
analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the USFS issuing a 
special use authorization for the construction, operation, and 
maintainenance of those portions of the transmission line and ancillary 
facilities located on lands administered by the USFS. In addition, the 
FEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of an amendment to 
the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest's 1990 Land and Resource Management 
Plan (Forest Plan) that are necessary to make the Forest Plan 
consistent with the B2H Project.
    The USFS Responsible Official, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest 
Supervisor, must respond to the Applicant's request for use of National 
Forest System lands and determine whether to issue a special-use 
authorization for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the 
Proposed Action and, if issued, determine what terms and conditions 
should apply. The USFS Responsible Official must also approve any 
amendment to the Forest Plan necessary

[[Page 26254]]

to make the Forest Plan consistent with the Project. The USFS 
Responsible Official's decisions will be separate from the decisions 
that BLM made in their November 17, 2017 Record of Decision.
    The FEIS and the USFS's Draft Record of Decision (ROD) are 
available for public review. As required by 36 CFR 218.7(c), the 
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest published a Legal Notice of the 
opportunity to object in the newspaper of record, the Baker City 
Herald. Eligible individuals and entities may file objections pursuant 
to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. The USFS previously notified the public 
that, pursuant to 36CFR 219.59(a), the agency would waive its 
administrative review procedures and adopt the BLM's protest procedures 
for its decisions to issue a special use authorization and to amend the 
Forest Plan (NOA for the Draft EIS, 79 FR 75834). Following further 
review of the scope of the decisions that the USFS will make and the 
applicable regulations, the USFS determined it must instead follow the 
project-level predecisional administrative review process described at 
36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

    Dated: May 9, 2018.
Chris French,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-12156 Filed 6-5-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2018 / Notices 26253 Meeting Accommodations: If you are Herald. The publication date of the (FRS) at (800) 877–8339 to contact the a person requiring reasonable Legal Notice is the exclusive means for above individual during normal accommodation, please make requests calculating the time to file an objection. business hours. The FRS is available 24 in advance for sign language ADDRESSES: The Final Environmental hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a interpreting, assistive listening devices Impact Statement (FEIS) was circulated message or question with the above or other reasonable accommodation. For by the BLM. The USFS adopted the individual. You will receive a reply access to the facility or proceedings, FEIS. As a cooperating agency for the during normal business hours. please contact the person listed in the B2H Project, the USFS need not SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION recirculate the FEIS. However, the accordance with the National CONTACT. All reasonable document remains available for review Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as accommodation requests are managed on the Applicant’s project amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land on a case by case basis. website at https://www.boardmanto Policy and Management Act of 1976, as Dated: May 24, 2018. hemingway.com/documents.aspx and amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Christopher French, copies are available upon request. Management (BLM), together with Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest Copies of the Draft ROD were sent to cooperating agencies including the System. Federal, Tribal, State, and local USFS, prepared a FEIS and proposed [FR Doc. 2018–12172 Filed 6–5–18; 8:45 am] governments potentially affected by the Land Use Plan Amendments for the B2H BILLING CODE 3411–15–P proposed USFS decision, to public Project. The Environmental Protection libraries in the area, and to interested Agency (EPA) published a Notice of parties that previously requested a DVD Availability (NOA) for the FEIS in the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE copy. Interested persons may also Federal Register on November 25, 2016 review the FEIS and Draft ROD, along (81 FR 85222). BLM published a NOA Forest Service with the legal notice announcing the for the FEIS in the Federal Register on objection period, on the internet at November 28, 2016 (81 FR 85632). The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/ USFS adopted the FEIS and related Notice of Availability of the Draft ?project=26709. documents prepared by the lead agency Record of Decision and Final The reviewing officer for this project (BLM) following 40 CFR 1506.3. A NOA Environmental Impact Statement for is James Peña, Regional Forester, Pacific announcing USFS’s adoption of the the Boardman to Hemingway Northwest Region. Written objections, FEIS was published by the EPA in the Transmission Line Project, Oregon including any attachments, must be Federal Register on June 30, 2017 (82 AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. filed with the reviewing officer and may FR 29589). ACTION: Notice. be sent as follows: The FEIS analyzes the potential Postal delivery (via USPS): Reviewing environmental impacts of BLM granting SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service Officer, Pacific Northwest Region, a right-of-way to Idaho Power Company (USFS), Wallowa-Whitman National USDA Forest Service, Attn. 1570 (Applicant) to use BLM-managed lands Forest, announces the availability of the Appeals and Objections, P.O. Box 3623, to construct and operate an Draft Record of Decision (ROD) for the Portland, OR 97208–3623. approximately 300 mile long overhead, Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Email: objections-pnw-regional- single-circuit, 500-kilovolt (kV) Line Project (B2H Project) for public office@fs.fed.us with OBJECTION and alternating-current electric transmission review. The proposed actions and ‘‘B2H Project’’ in the subject line. line with ancillary facilities. The FEIS activities described in the Draft ROD are Hand delivered (including courier also analyzes the potential subject to project-level predecisional delivery): Pacific Northwest Regional environmental impacts of the USFS administrative review (known as an Office, Edith Green Wendell Wyatt issuing a special use authorization for ‘‘objection’’ process) and a 45-day Federal Building, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, the construction, operation, and objection filing period began with Portland, Oregon. Hand deliveries can maintainenance of those portions of the publication of a legal notice in the Baker occur between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., transmission line and ancillary facilities City Herald. The USFS previously Monday–Friday, except legal holidays; located on lands administered by the notified the public that the agency Faxed: 503–808–2339, with USFS. In addition, the FEIS analyzes the would waive its administrative review OBJECTION and ‘‘B2H Project’’ noted potential environmental impacts of an procedures and adopt the Bureau of on the cover sheet. amendment to the Wallowa-Whitman Land Management’s (BLM) protest FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Forest’s 1990 Land and procedures for its decisions to issue a Arlene Blumton, Forest Service Project Resource Management Plan (Forest special use authorization and to amend Lead; by telephone at 541–962–8522; or Plan) that are necessary to make the the Forest Plan. Following further email to boardmantohemingway@ Forest Plan consistent with the B2H review of the scope of the decisions that fs.fed.us. Individuals who use Project. the USFS will make and the applicable telecommunication devices for the deaf The USFS Responsible Official, the regulations, the USFS determined it (TDD) may call the Federal Information Wallowa-Whitman National Forest must instead follow their own agency’s Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 Supervisor, must respond to the project-level predecisional between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Applicant’s request for use of National administrative review process. Time, Monday through Friday. Forest System lands and determine DATES: An individual or entity who For information about the BLM’s whether to issue a special-use daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES meets eligibility for objecting to a draft involvement, contact: Renee Straub, authorization for the construction, decision outlined in 36 CFR 218.5 and Assistant Field Manager, Bureau of operation, and maintenance of the wishes to file an objection must do so Land Management, Vale District Office; Proposed Action and, if issued, within 45 days of the date that the 100 Oregon St., Vale, Oregon 97918; by determine what terms and conditions Wallowa-Whitman National Forest telephone 541–473–6289. Persons who should apply. The USFS Responsible published the Legal Notice in the use a telecommunications device for the Official must also approve any newspaper of record, the Baker City deaf may call the Federal Relay Service amendment to the Forest Plan necessary VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:35 Jun 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06JNN1.SGM 06JNN1

26254 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2018 / Notices to make the Forest Plan consistent with copies of the information collection may Respondents: Universities, non-profit the Project. The USFS Responsible be submitted by any of the following institutions, State, local, or Tribal Official’s decisions will be separate methods: Email: rmartin@nifa.usda.gov; government, and a limited number of from the decisions that BLM made in Fax: 202–720–0857; Mail: Office of for-profit institutions and individuals. their November 17, 2017 Record of Information Technology (OIT), NIFA, Estimated Number of Responses by Decision. USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence Form: The FEIS and the USFS’s Draft Record Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– of Decision (ROD) are available for 2216. Letter of Intent: 2.739. public review. As required by 36 CFR Form NIFA–2008 Assurance FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 218.7(c), the Wallowa-Whitman Statement(s): 2,000. Robert Martin; Email: rmartin@ National Forest published a Legal Supplemental Information: 5,377. nifa.usda.gov. Notice of the opportunity to object in the newspaper of record, the Baker City SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Application Type: 2,200. Herald. Eligible individuals and entities Title: NIFA Application Kit. Proposal Type Form: 2,687. may file objections pursuant to 36 CFR OMB Number: 0524–0039. Expiration Date of Current Approval: NIFA–2010 Fellowships/Scholarships 218 Subparts A and B. The USFS Entry/Exit: 150. previously notified the public that, October 31, 2018. pursuant to 36CFR 219.59(a), the agency Type of Request: Intent to extend a The individual form burden is as would waive its administrative review currently approved information follows (calculated based on a survey of procedures and adopt the BLM’s protest collection for three years. grant applicants conducted by NIFA): Abstract: The National Institute of procedures for its decisions to issue a Letter of Intent: 2 hours. Food and Agriculture (NIFA) sponsors special use authorization and to amend Form NIFA–2008 Assurance ongoing agricultural research, extension, the Forest Plan (NOA for the Draft EIS, Statement(s): 30 minutes. and education programs under which 79 FR 75834). Following further review competitive, formula, and special Supplemental Information: 2 hours. of the scope of the decisions that the awards of a high-priority nature are USFS will make and the applicable Proposal Type Form: 15 minutes. made. Because competitive applications regulations, the USFS determined it NIFA–2010 Fellowships/Scholarships are submitted, many of which must instead follow the project-level Entry/Annual Update/Exit: 3 hours. necessitate review by peer panelists, it predecisional administrative review is particularly important that applicants Estimated Total Annual Burden on process described at 36 CFR 218 provide the information in a Respondents: The annual total burden Subparts A and B. standardized fashion to ensure equitable on the public for all forms is estimated Dated: May 9, 2018. treatment for all. Standardization is also to be 18,354 hours. Chris French, important to applicants to other Frequency of Respondents: Annually. Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest programs as it lends itself to a more System. efficient process and minimizes Comments: Comments are invited on: [FR Doc. 2018–12156 Filed 6–5–18; 8:45 am] administrative burden. For this reason, (a) Whether the proposed collection of BILLING CODE 3411–15–P NIFA uses standard forms in the SF–424 information is necessary for the proper Research and Related (R&R) form family performance of the functions of the which includes agency-specific forms agency, including whether the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE for the application process. NIFA issues information will have practical utility; Requests for Applications (RFA) that (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate National Institute of Food and includes the instructions for the of the burden of the proposed collection Agriculture preparation and submission of of information, including the validity of applications. These instructions the methodology and assumptions used; Notice of Intent To Revise Currently (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, Approved Information Collection provide, where appropriate, the necessary format for information in and clarity of the information to be AGENCY: National Institute of Food and order to expedite, to the extent possible, collected; and (d) ways to minimize the Agriculture, USDA. the application review process. NIFA burden of the collection of information ACTION: Notice and request for requires submission of applications on those who are to respond, including comments. electronically through Grants.gov. through the use of appropriate The forms and narrative information automated, electronic, mechanical, or SUMMARY: In accordance with the Office are mainly used for application other technological collection of Management and Budget (OMB) evaluation and administration purposes. techniques or other forms of information Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this While some of the information is used technology. notice announces the National Institute to respond to inquiries from Congress Comments should be sent to the of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) and other government agencies, the address stated in the preamble. intention to revise a currently approved forms are not designed to be statistical information collection, 0524–0039 All responses to this notice will be surveys. summarized and included in the request entitled, ‘‘NIFA Application Kit’’. NIFA Also included in this information does not plan to make any language for OMB approval. All comments also collection is one form which only changes to this information collection. will become a matter of public record. applies to recipients of a NIFA daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES DATES: Written comments on this notice fellowship/scholarship. The form is Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of must be received by August 6, 2018 to only used to document pertinent May 2018. be assured of consideration. Comments demographic data on the fellows/ Thomas G. Shanower, received after that date will be scholars, documentation of the progress Acting Director, National Institute of Food considered to the extent practicable. of the fellows/scholars under the and Agriculture. ADDRESSES: Written comments program, and performance outcomes of [FR Doc. 2018–12151 Filed 6–5–18; 8:45 am] concerning this notice and requests for the student beneficiaries. BILLING CODE P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:35 Jun 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\06JNN1.SGM 06JNN1


Document Created: 2018-06-06 00:54:06
Document Modified: 2018-06-06 00:54:06
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.
DatesAn individual or entity who meets eligibility for objecting to a draft decision outlined in 36 CFR 218.5 and wishes to file an objection must do so within 45 days of the date that the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest published the Legal Notice in the newspaper of record, the Baker City Herald. The publication date of the Legal Notice is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection.
ContactArlene Blumton, Forest Service Project Lead; by telephone at 541-962-8522; or email to [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 Citation83 FR 26253 
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