83 FR 34539 - Malheur National Forest, Prairie City Ranger District; Oregon; Cliff Knox Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 140 (July 20, 2018)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 140 (July 20, 2018)
| Page Range | 34539-34542 | |
| FR Document | 2018-15491 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 140 (Friday, July 20, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 34539-34542] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-15491] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Malheur National Forest, Prairie City Ranger District; Oregon; Cliff Knox Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Malheur National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of proposed vegetation and fuels treatments, wildlife habitat designations, and road activities in the Cliff Knox project area located on the Prairie City and Emigrant Creek Ranger Districts. Proposed actions include timber harvest, small diameter thinning, aspen and mountain mahogany restoration, landscape underburning, road activities to support vegetation and fuels treatments, and road system changes. The intent of the project is to restore forest health, reduce fuels, increase the forest's resilience to wildfires and other disturbance, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats. DATES: Comments concerning the proposed action in this notice must be received by August 20, 2018. The draft EIS is expected in December 2018 and the final EIS is expected in June 2019. ADDRESSES: The preferred method to submit comments is via email to: comments-pacificnorthwest-malheur-prairiecity@fs.fed.us. You may also submit comments via mail to Ed Guzman, District Ranger, Prairie City Ranger District, P.O. Box 337, Prairie City, OR 97869; via facsimile to 541-820-4844; or by hand delivery to the Prairie City Ranger District, 327 SW Front St., Prairie City, Oregon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Schnider, District NEPA Planner, 327 SW Front St., P.O. Box 337, Prairie City, OR 97869. Phone: 541-820- 3821. Email: kschnider@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cliff Knox Project encompasses approximately 40,000 acres across the Bluebucket Creek subwatershed (10,976 acres) and the Cliff Creek-Malheur River subwatershed (29,342 acres), and includes the Malheur River Inventoried Roadless Area and part of the Malheur River Wild and Scenic River corridor. The legal description for the planning area includes Townships 17 and 18 South and Ranges 33, 34, and 35 East, Willamette Meridian, Grant County, Oregon. The full scoping package is available on the Malheur National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50433. Purpose and Need for Action The project's purpose and need is represented by differences between existing and desired conditions based on forest plan management direction, other forest service policies, and best available science. The purpose of the Cliff Knox Project is to improve forest health and increase resilience to drought, fire, insects and diseases, and other disturbances by moving the project area toward its historical (natural) range of variability in forest structure, tree density, species composition, and associated wildlife habitat. Additionally, there is an opportunity to contribute to the economic stability of local communities that depend on timber resources for their livelihood and move the forest transportation system toward a more environmentally and fiscally sustainable state. Specifically, there is a need in the project area to: (1) Increase forest resilience to insect and disease outbreaks and uncharacteristic wildfires by moving the landscape toward a more historical range of variability for structure, density, and species composition. This includes special consideration for the Malheur River Wild and Scenic River, the Malheur Inventoried Roadless Area, riparian habitat conservation areas, dedicated and replacement old growth stands, aspen and mountain mahogany stands, and connectivity corridors. (2) Enhance landscape resilience to wildfire by restoring fuel profiles to types primarily conducive to surface fire, with special attention to lands adjacent to strategic roads and areas identified as wildland-urban interface. (3) Increase public and firefighter safety in the event of a wildfire in the project area. (4) Restore and promote open stands dominated by large trees and fire-tolerant tree species, which were historically dominant across the project area. (5) Maintain existing old forest stands and promote old trees (greater than 150 years old) to increase their abundance over the long term. (6) Restore and promote regeneration of hardwoods, including quaking aspen, mountain mahogany, and riparian hardwoods. (7) Treat vegetation to improve characteristics of the Malheur River Inventoried Roadless Area as defined by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (36 CFR 294.11). (8) Increase water availability for native vegetation by reestablishing historical openings and grasslands, thinning overstocked stands, and removing encroaching juniper and other conifers where they did not historically occur. (9) Improve quantity and quality of forage for large ungulates, especially in big-game winter range management areas. [[Page 34540]] (10) Reduce road related impacts to the watershed (aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and water quality). (11) Improve existing road networks to provide access to the forest while meeting forest plan standards and guidelines as well as regulatory direction. (12) Capture the economic value of forest products and other resources to support local economies and provide employment opportunities. (13) Provide safe access to the forest for public health, enjoyment, and stewardship. Proposed Action To meet the purpose and need for the Cliff Knox Project and to move the project area toward desired conditions, the Malheur National Forest is proposing activities including timber harvest, small diameter thinning, aspen and mountain mahogany restoration, landscape underburning, road activities to support vegetation and fuels treatments, and road system changes. Approximately 27,000 acres of vegetation and fuel treatments are proposed to increase forest resilience to insect and disease outbreaks and uncharacteristic wildfires; restore fuel profiles, promote development of old stands and trees; and restore quaking aspen, mountain mahogany, and riparian hardwoods (related to the need). Treatments include stand improvement commercial thinning, biomass removal (biomass material may be removed during logging operations, by hand, or with small equipment such as all-terrain vehicles or small excavators or forwarders), and small diameter thinning where stands are above the appropriate management zone for stand density. In areas of high tree mortality due to insect infestations, dead lodgepole and ponderosa pine trees in excess of wildlife standards for downed and dead trees may be salvaged. Additionally, 3 units are identified as potential tree tipping units, where large wood could be placed in streams. Proposed vegetation and fuel treatments are located across the project area to address the purpose and need, including within the Malheur Wild and Scenic River, Malheur River Inventoried Roadless Area, the wildland-urban interface and adjacent to strategic roads, and riparian habitat conservation areas. These treatments would help move forest structure, composition, and density toward more resilient vegetative conditions. Landscape underburning on approximately 40,000 acres is proposed to reduce surface fuel loading, reduce ladder fuels, and raise canopy base height. Treated stands would see a combination of piled material burning and underburning. Those stands not mechanically treated would be managed exclusively with the use of underburning. The proposed action includes wildlife habitat designations that include additions to replacement old growth (108 acres) and pileated woodpecker feeding areas (205 acres), establishment of connectivity corridors (4,950 acres) and wildlife habitat enhancement openings (1,020 acres). Preliminary connectivity corridors have been identified between late and old structure stands to allow for movement of old- growth dependent species. The goal of creating ``connectivity'' is to manage stands in corridors at higher canopy densities when compared to more intensively managed stands located outside of corridors. Habitat enhancement openings are proposed in areas where soil types point to a more open canopy in the past to create openings in coniferous forest to move areas that would have historically been more open towards desired vegetation communities. Most of these units are located in big-game winter range and are adjacent to or include existing openings. Road activities to support vegetation and fuels treatments are also proposed to provide safe access and to reduce road-related impacts. Road maintenance and reconstruction for haul would occur on open or temporarily opened roads to provide safe access and adequate drainage. About 15 miles of temporary roads would be constructed to access some timber harvest units; these areas would be rehabilitated following use. Multiple changes to the road system are proposed. This includes decommissioning about 9.5 miles of road that are not needed for future management actions and are either already in an overgrown state or are contributing to resource related impacts, such as delivering sediment to streams or disturbing wildlife. Also proposed is closing about 14 miles of currently open roads that may be needed for future management actions but are either currently in an overgrown state or contributing to resource related impacts, such as delivering sediment to streams or disturbing wildlife. Closed roads are to be left in a stable hydrologic state and are to be periodically maintained. The proposed action also includes confirming the previous administrative closure of 28 miles of road and opening about 2.5 miles of currently closed roads that show signs of moderate to high use, have little potential for resource impacts, and some of which provide access to dispersed camping sites, State and Bureau of Land Management lands, and permittee allotments. Additionally, the proposed action includes decomissioning and relocating about 2 miles of road that are causing unacceptable resource damage in their current locations but provide access to essential management activities and dispersed campsites. The Cliff Knox Project will also include a variety of project design criteria that serve to mitigate impacts of activities to forest resources, including wildlife, soils, watershed condition, aquatic species, riparian habitat conservation areas, heritage resources, visuals, rangeland, botanical resources, and invasive plants. Possible Alternatives A full range of alternatives to the proposed action, including a no action alternative, will be considered. The no action alternative represents no change and serves as the baseline for the comparison of the action alternatives. Alternatives may be developed in response to issues raised by the public during the scoping process or due to additional concerns for resource values identified by the interdisciplinary team. Forest Plan Amendments The proposed action may also include the following amendments to the 1990 Malheur National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), as amended: (1) Designating management area 13 (old growth): Old growth changes are needed to maintain consistency with forest plan standards for dedicated and replacement old growth. (2) Reducing cover below forest plan standards in big-game summer range and winter range: Reduction in satisfactory and/or total cover in big-game summer range and/or big-game winter range. Vegetation management treatments may initially reduce cover levels in some areas; however, these treatments would make it possible to achieve desired vegetative health conditions that may result in more abundant, higher quality cover with reduced insect activity in the future. (3) Removal of trees greater than or equal to 21 inches diameter at breast height and harvest within late and old structure: Removal of trees greater than or equal to 21 inches diameter at breast height within specific stands with existing aspen and mountain mahogany is proposed to improve the growth of existing aspen and mountain mahogany by reducing competition for sunlight and water from large, young nearby trees, and to move stands with old forest multi-strata structure toward the old [[Page 34541]] forest single-stratum structure that is deficient in the project area. (4) Not maintaining the current level of connectivity between late and old structure and old growth stands: Reduction in connectivity is proposed because the southern portion of the project area contains pockets of late and old structure stands within areas that developed over mollic soils, an indicator that these areas were grasslands and meadows within their historical range of variability, but are now experiencing encroachment from conifers. Connectivity does not exist in these areas, and therefore cannot be maintained. When proposing a forest plan amendment, the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219), as amended, requires the Responsible Official to provide in the initial notice ``which substantive requirements of Sec. Sec. 219. 8 through 219.11 are likely to be directly related to the amendment (Sec. 219.13(b)(5)).'' Whether a rule provision is likely to be directly related to an amendment is determined by the purpose for the amendment, the beneficial effects or adverse effects of the amendment, and informed by the best available scientific information, scoping, effects analysis, monitoring data or other rationale. The following substantive requirements would likely be directly related to the proposed amendments. Substantive provisions that relate to all proposed amendments include: 219.8(a)(1)(ii) Contributions of the plan area to ecological conditions within the broader landscape influenced by the plan area; 219.8(a)(1)(iv) System drivers, including dominant ecological processes, disturbance regimes, and stressors, such as natural succession, wildland fire, invasive species, and climate change; and the ability of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on the plan area to adapt to change; 219.9(a)(1) Ecosystem integrity; 219.9(a)(2) Ecosystem diversity; 219.10(a)(1) Aesthetic values, air quality, cultural and heritage resources, ecosystem services, fish and wildlife species, forage, geologic features, grazing and rangelands, habitat and habitat connectivity, recreation settings and opportunities, riparian areas, scenery, soil, surface and subsurface water quality, timber, trails, vegetation, viewsheds, wilderness, and other relevant resources and uses; 219.10(a)(5) Habitat conditions, subject to the requirements of 219.9, for wildlife, fish, and plants commonly enjoyed and used by the public; for hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, observing, subsistence, and other activities (in collaboration with federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, other Federal agencies, and State and local governments); and 219.10(a)(8) System drivers, including dominant ecological processes, disturbance regimes, and stressors, such as natural succession, wildland fire, invasive species, and climate change; and the ability of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on the plan area to adapt to change (219.8). Substantive provisions that relate to the proposed amendments for reducing cover below forest plan standards in big-game summer range and winter range, removal of trees greater than or equal to 21 inches diameter at breast height and harvest within late and old structure, and not maintaining the current level of connectivity between late and old structure and old growth stands include: 219.8(a)(1)(iii) Conditions in the broader landscape that may influence the sustainability of resources and ecosystems within the plan area; 219.8(a)(1)(v) Wildland fire and opportunities to restore fire adapted ecosystems; 219.8(a)(1)(vi) Opportunities for landscape scale restoration; and 219.10(a)(7) Reasonably foreseeable risks to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. Substantive provisions that relate to the proposed amendments for designating management area 13 (old growth), removal of trees greater than or equal to 21 inches diameter at breast height and harvest within late and old structure, and not maintaining the current level of connectivity between late and old structure and old growth stands include: 219.9(a)(2)(i) Key characteristics associated with terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem types. Responsible Official The Forest Supervisor of the Malheur National Forest, 431 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day, OR 97845, is the Responsible Official. The Responsible Official decides if the proposed action will be implemented and documents the decision and rationale for the decision in the record of decision. Responsibility for preparation of the draft EIS and final EIS has been delegated to the District Ranger, Prairie City Ranger District. Nature of Decision To Be Made Given the purpose and need of the project, the Responsible Official will review the proposed action, other alternatives, and the environmental effects analysis in order to determine: (1) Which alternative, or combination of alternatives, should be implemented; (2) the location and treatment methods for all proposed activities; (3) the design features, mitigation measures and monitoring requirements; and, (4) consistency with the forest plan and the need for amendments. Decisions by the Forest Supervisor to approve project-specific plan amendments are subject to the Project-level Predecisional Administrative Review Process of 36 CFR 218 Subpart A, in accordance with 36 CFR 219.59(b). The term ``project specific'' refers to amendments that would only apply to the proposed project and would not apply to any future management actions. Per 36 CFR 218.7(a)(2), this is a project proposing to implement a land management plan and is not authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA). Therefore, it is subject to both subparts A and B of 36 CFR 218. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the EIS for the Cliff Knox Project. The interdisciplinary team will continute to seek information and comments from Federal, State, and local agencies, in addition to Tribal governments and other individuals or organizations that may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed action. There is a collaborative group in the area that the interdisciplinary team will interact with during the analysis process. Public meetings will occur in Prairie City and Burns, Oregon, during the scoping period for the purposes of discussing and gathering comments on the proposed action. Times and locations of scheduled meetings will be advertised through local media outlets and posted on the Malheur National Forest website. The intent of this comment period is to provide those interested in or affected by this proposed action with an opportunity to make their concerns known. Written, hand- delivered, electronic, and facsimile comments concerning this proposed action will be accepted. We invite you to provide any substantive comments you might have regarding the proposed action for the Cliff Knox Project; substantive comments are within the scope of the project and the decision to be made, are specific to the proposed activities and the project area, and have a direct relationship to the project. Please provide supporting reasons for us to consider. If you cite or include references with your comments, you need to state specifically how those references relate to the proposed action. Please include a copy of or an internet link for any references you cite. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in [[Page 34542]] 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 and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record for this proposed action, and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act. However, comments submitted anonymously will also be accepted and considered. Dated: June 6, 2018. Chris French, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018-15491 Filed 7-19-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 140 / Friday, July 20, 2018 / Notices 34539
automatic and customized access to environmental effects of proposed resilience to drought, fire, insects and
selected food safety news and vegetation and fuels treatments, wildlife diseases, and other disturbances by
information. This service is available at: habitat designations, and road activities moving the project area toward its
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. in the Cliff Knox project area located on historical (natural) range of variability
Options range from recalls to export the Prairie City and Emigrant Creek in forest structure, tree density, species
information, regulations, directives, and Ranger Districts. Proposed actions composition, and associated wildlife
notices. Customers can add or delete include timber harvest, small diameter habitat. Additionally, there is an
subscriptions themselves, and have the thinning, aspen and mountain opportunity to contribute to the
option to password protect their mahogany restoration, landscape economic stability of local communities
accounts. underburning, road activities to support that depend on timber resources for
vegetation and fuels treatments, and their livelihood and move the forest
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
road system changes. The intent of the transportation system toward a more
No agency, officer, or employee of the project is to restore forest health, reduce environmentally and fiscally sustainable
USDA shall, on the grounds of race, fuels, increase the forest’s resilience to state.
color, national origin, religion, sex, wildfires and other disturbance, and Specifically, there is a need in the
gender identity, sexual orientation, enhance fish and wildlife habitats. project area to:
disability, age, marital status, family/ DATES: Comments concerning the (1) Increase forest resilience to insect
parental status, income derived from a proposed action in this notice must be and disease outbreaks and
public assistance program, or political received by August 20, 2018. The draft uncharacteristic wildfires by moving the
beliefs, exclude from participation in, EIS is expected in December 2018 and landscape toward a more historical
deny the benefits of, or subject to the final EIS is expected in June 2019. range of variability for structure,
discrimination, any person in the ADDRESSES: The preferred method to density, and species composition. This
United States under any program or submit comments is via email to: includes special consideration for the
activity conducted by the USDA. comments-pacificnorthwest-malheur- Malheur River Wild and Scenic River,
How To File a Complaint of prairiecity@fs.fed.us. You may also the Malheur Inventoried Roadless Area,
Discrimination submit comments via mail to Ed riparian habitat conservation areas,
Guzman, District Ranger, Prairie City dedicated and replacement old growth
To file a complaint of discrimination,
Ranger District, P.O. Box 337, Prairie stands, aspen and mountain mahogany
complete the USDA Program
City, OR 97869; via facsimile to 541– stands, and connectivity corridors.
Discrimination Complaint Form, which
820–4844; or by hand delivery to the (2) Enhance landscape resilience to
may be accessed online at: http://
Prairie City Ranger District, 327 SW wildfire by restoring fuel profiles to
www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
Front St., Prairie City, Oregon. types primarily conducive to surface
docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: fire, with special attention to lands
12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you
or your authorized representative. Kathy Schnider, District NEPA Planner, adjacent to strategic roads and areas
Send your completed complaint form 327 SW Front St., P.O. Box 337, Prairie identified as wildland-urban interface.
or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email: City, OR 97869. Phone: 541–820–3821. (3) Increase public and firefighter
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Email: kschnider@fs.fed.us. Individuals safety in the event of a wildfire in the
Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 who use telecommunication devices for project area.
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal (4) Restore and promote open stands
DC 20250–9410. Information Relay Service at 1–800– dominated by large trees and fire-
Fax: (202) 690–7442. 877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., tolerant tree species, which were
Email: program.intake@usda.gov. eastern time, Monday through Friday. historically dominant across the project
Persons with disabilities who require SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cliff area.
alternative means for communication Knox Project encompasses (5) Maintain existing old forest stands
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), approximately 40,000 acres across the and promote old trees (greater than 150
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center Bluebucket Creek subwatershed (10,976 years old) to increase their abundance
at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). acres) and the Cliff Creek-Malheur River over the long term.
subwatershed (29,342 acres), and (6) Restore and promote regeneration
Paul Kiecker,
includes the Malheur River Inventoried of hardwoods, including quaking aspen,
Acting Administrator. Roadless Area and part of the Malheur
[FR Doc. 2018–15594 Filed 7–19–18; 8:45 am]
mountain mahogany, and riparian
River Wild and Scenic River corridor. hardwoods.
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P The legal description for the planning
(7) Treat vegetation to improve
area includes Townships 17 and 18
characteristics of the Malheur River
South and Ranges 33, 34, and 35 East,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Inventoried Roadless Area as defined by
Willamette Meridian, Grant County,
the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation
Oregon. The full scoping package is
Forest Service Rule (36 CFR 294.11).
available on the Malheur National
Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ (8) Increase water availability for
Malheur National Forest, Prairie City native vegetation by reestablishing
Ranger District; Oregon; Cliff Knox project/?project=50433.
Purpose and Need for Action historical openings and grasslands,
Project thinning overstocked stands, and
The project’s purpose and need is
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. represented by differences between removing encroaching juniper and other
ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an existing and desired conditions based conifers where they did not historically
environmental impact statement. on forest plan management direction, occur.
other forest service policies, and best (9) Improve quantity and quality of
SUMMARY: The Malheur National Forest available science. forage for large ungulates, especially in
will prepare an environmental impact The purpose of the Cliff Knox Project big-game winter range management
statement (EIS) to disclose the is to improve forest health and increase areas.
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![34542 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 140 / Friday, July 20, 2018 / Notices
such manner that they are useful to the cells, whether or not assembled into a p/n junction formed by any means,
agency’s preparation of the EIS. modules, from China.1 On April 17, whether or not the cell has undergone
Therefore, comments should be 2018, Goal Zero, an importer of the other processing, including, but not
provided prior to the close of the subject merchandise, requested, through limited to, cleaning, etching, coating,
comment period and should clearly a changed circumstances review, and/or addition of materials (including,
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and revocation, in part, of the Orders but not limited to, metallization and
contentions. pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the conductor patterns) to collect and
Comments received in response to Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act) forward the electricity that is generated
this solicitation, including names and and 19 CFR 351.216(b),2 with respect to by the cell.
addresses of those who comment, will certain off-grid solar panels. On May 4, Merchandise under consideration
become part of the public record for this 2018, SolarWorld Americas, Inc. (the may be described at the time of
proposed action, and may be released petitioner) submitted a letter stating that importation as parts for final finished
under the Freedom of Information Act. it did not oppose the partial revocation products that are assembled after
However, comments submitted proposed by Goal Zero.3 On May 14, importation, including, but not limited
anonymously will also be accepted and 2018, we issued a supplemental to, modules, laminates, panels,
considered. questionnaire to Goal Zero,4 to which it building-integrated modules, building-
Dated: June 6, 2018. responded on May 23, 2018.5 On May integrated panels, or other finished
Chris French,
30, 2018,6 and again on June 29, 2018, goods kits. Such parts that otherwise
we extended the deadline for meet the definition of merchandise
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
System.
determining whether to initiate the under consideration are included in the
requested changed circumstances.7 The scope of the Orders.
[FR Doc. 2018–15491 Filed 7–19–18; 8:45 am]
current deadline is July 16, 2018.8 On Excluded from the scope of the Orders
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
July 9, 2018, we received revised are thin film photovoltaic products
proposed partial revocation language produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si),
from Goal Zero.9 cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE indium gallium selenide (CIGS).
Scope of the Orders
Also excluded from the scope of the
International Trade Administration The merchandise covered by the Orders are crystalline silicon
[A–570–979, C–570–980] Orders is crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding
photovoltaic cells, and modules, 10,000mm2 in surface area, that are
Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, laminates, and panels, consisting of permanently integrated into a consumer
Whether or Not Assembled Into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, good whose function is other than
Modules, From the People’s Republic whether or not partially or fully power generation and that consumes the
of China: Notice of Initiation of assembled into other products, electricity generated by the integrated
Changed Circumstances Reviews, and including, but not limited to, modules, crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell.
Consideration of Revocation of the laminates, panels and building Where more than one cell is
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty integrated materials. permanently integrated into a consumer
Orders in Part The Orders cover crystalline silicon good, the surface area for purposes of
photovoltaic cells of thickness equal to this exclusion shall be the total
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, or greater than 20 micrometers, having
International Trade Administration, combined surface area of all cells that
Department of Commerce. are integrated into the consumer good.
1 See Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells,
Additionally, excluded from the
SUMMARY: Based on a request from Goal Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, from the
People’s Republic of China: Amended Final scope of the Orders are panels with
Zero LLC (Goal Zero), the Department of surface area from 3,450 mm2 to 33,782
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value,
Commerce (Commerce) is initiating and Antidumping Duty Order, 77 FR 73018 mm2 with one black wire and one red
changed circumstances reviews to (December 7, 2012) and Crystalline Silicon wire (each of type 22 AWG or 24 AWG
consider the possible revocation, in Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into
not more than 206 mm in length when
part, of the antidumping duty (AD) and Modules, from the People’s Republic of China:
Countervailing Duty Order, 77 FR 73017 (December measured from panel extrusion), and
countervailing duty (CVD) orders on 7, 2012) (collectively, Orders). not exceeding 2.9 volts, 1.1 amps, and
crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, 2 See Goal Zero’s Letter, ‘‘Goal Zero LLC’s
3.19 watts. For the purposes of this
whether or not assembled into modules, Request for a Changed Circumstances Review,’’
exclusion, no panel shall contain an
from the People’s Republic of China dated April 17, 2018.
3 See SolarWorld’s Letter, ‘‘Support for Goal Zero internal battery or external computer
(China) with respect to certain solar peripheral ports.
LLC’s Request for a Changed Circumstances
panels, as described below. Review,’’ dated May 4, 2018. Modules, laminates, and panels
DATES: Applicable July 20, 2018. 4 See Commerce’s Letter, dated May 14, 2018.
produced in a third-country from cells
5 See ‘‘Goal Zero LLC’s Response to Additional
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eli produced in the PRC are covered by the
Questions Regarding the Changed Circumstances
Lovely, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Reviews,’’ dated May 23, 2018. Orders; however, modules, laminates,
Enforcement and Compliance, 6 See Commerce’s Letter, dated May 30, 2018. and panels produced in the PRC from
International Trade Administration, 7 See Commerce’s Letter, dated June 29, 2018. cells produced in a third-country are not
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 8 Id.
covered by the Orders.
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, 9 See Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells,
Merchandise covered by the Orders is
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–1593. Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, from the
People’s Republic of China: Comments on Goal
currently classified in the Harmonized
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Zero LLC’ s Request for a Changed Circumstances Tariff System of the United States
Review, dated July 9, 2018; see also Crystalline (HTSUS) under subheadings
Background Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not 8501.61.0000, 8507.20.80, 8541.40.6020,
Assembled into Modules from The People’s
On December 7, 2012, Commerce Republic of China; Goal Zero LLC’s Comments
8541.40.6030, and 8501.31.8000. These
published AD and CVD orders on Regarding the Proposed Scope of the Changed HTSUS subheadings are provided for
certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic Circumstances Reviews, dated July 9, 2018. convenience and customs purposes; the
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Document Created: 2018-07-20 01:19:26
Document Modified: 2018-07-20 01:19:26
| 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 proposed action in this notice must be received by August 20, 2018. The draft EIS is expected in December 2018 and the final EIS is expected in June 2019. | |
| Contact | Kathy Schnider, District NEPA Planner, 327 SW Front St., P.O. Box 337, Prairie City, OR 97869. Phone: 541-820- 3821. Email: [email protected] Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 34539 |
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