83_FR_41205 83 FR 41045 - Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Clark Counties, Nevada; Lee Canyon Notice of Availability

83 FR 41045 - Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Clark Counties, Nevada; Lee Canyon Notice of Availability

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 160 (August 17, 2018)

Page Range41045-41046
FR Document2018-17730

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is issuing this notice to advise the public of the 45-day public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Lee Canyon Ski Area Master Development Plan Phase I (Lee Canyon Project) and the addition of a proposed project-specific amendment to the Toiyabe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the Proposed Action and alternatives other than the No Action alternative. The Notice of Intent for the Lee Canyon Project was published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2017 (82 FR 14865). Today's notice has been published to ensure all persons and entities interested in the Lee Canyon Project are aware of the addition of the proposed amendment and to identify the Forest Service planning rule provisions likely to be directly related and, therefore, applicable to the Forest Plan amendment. The public is advised that during the 45 day comment period for the Lee Canyon Project Draft EIS, comments may also be submitted regarding the substantive requirements that are likely to be directly related to the amendment and the scope and scale to which the substantive requirements would apply. Comments will be considered in the preparation of the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision for the Lee Canyon Project.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41045-41046]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17730]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Clark Counties, Nevada; Lee 
Canyon Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Lee Canyon Ski Area Master Development Plan Phase I 
and Public Comment Period for the Associated Forest Plan Amendment.

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SUMMARY: The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is issuing this notice to 
advise the public of the 45-day public comment period for the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Lee Canyon Ski Area Master 
Development Plan Phase I (Lee Canyon Project) and the addition of a 
proposed project-specific amendment to the Toiyabe National Forest Land 
and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the Proposed Action and 
alternatives other than the No Action alternative. The Notice of Intent 
for the Lee Canyon Project was published in the Federal Register on 
March 23, 2017 (82 FR 14865). Today's notice has been published to 
ensure all persons and entities interested in the Lee Canyon Project 
are aware of the addition of the proposed amendment and to identify the 
Forest Service planning rule provisions likely to be directly related 
and, therefore, applicable to the Forest Plan amendment. The public is 
advised that during the 45 day comment period for the Lee Canyon 
Project Draft EIS, comments may also be submitted regarding the 
substantive requirements that are likely to be directly related to the 
amendment and the scope and scale to which the substantive requirements 
would apply. Comments will be considered in the preparation of the 
Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision for the Lee Canyon Project.

DATES: The comment period ends 45 days after today's Notice of 
Availability or 45 days after the Environmental Protection Agency's 
Notice of Availability is published in the Federal Register, whichever 
is later. All relevant comments received during the public comment 
period related to the substantive requirements that would likely be 
directly related to the proposed Forest Plan amendment and the scope 
and scale of the proposed Forest Plan amendment will be considered in 
the preparation of the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision (ROD).

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any one of the following 
methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Comments can be filed 
electronically at: [email protected]. Electronic comments must be 
submitted as part of the email message or as an attachment in plain 
text (.txt), Microsoft Word (.doc), rich text format (.rtf), or 
portable document format (.pdf). Emails submitted to addresses other 
than the one listed above, or in formats other than those listed or 
containing viruses, will be rejected.
     Mail: Written, specific comments must be submitted to Donn 
Christiansen, Area Manager, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, 
701 Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89130.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period 
may not be considered by the Forest. All comments received are part of 
the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing 
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise 
sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be 
publicly accessible.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Linehan, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader, at (702) 515-5401, or via email at [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. 
Information about the Lee Canyon Project may be found on the Forest 
Service website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50649.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose and need for the proposed Lee 
Canyon Project, as described in the Notice of Intent, is to address the 
length of time since the resort's facilities have been upgraded and 
emerging trends in winter recreation. Specific details of these needs 
are described in Draft EIS. The purpose and need for the proposed plan 
amendment is to ensure consistency between the Forest Plan and the 
proposed Lee Canyon Project. As described in the Draft EIS, the need 
was identified for exempting the Lee Canyon Project from the following 
Standards of the 1996 Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) 
General

[[Page 41046]]

Management Plan (GMP) (Amendment five of the Forest Plan):
    SMNRA-wide Standards and Guidelines: (GMP Standard 0.31) New roads, 
administrative facilities, and developed recreation sites other than 
low-impact facilities (trails, trailhead parking, signs, restrooms, 
etc.) will be outside a 100-yard buffer zone around known Clokey's 
eggvetch and rough angelica populations or potential habitat, and 
outside biodiversity hotspots (defined as areas of particular diversity 
or sensitivity).
    The need for this Forest Plan amendment is that in the Lee Canyon 
Proposed Action new service roads, and ski area facilities would occur 
within the 100-yard buffer zone established around known Clokey's 
eggvetch and rough angelica populations or potential habitat. These 
areas have been thoroughly inventoried for these species and none were 
found within the project foot print. This project-specific Forest Plan 
amendment will allow development within the 100-yard buffer zones for 
these two-species established in the Standard GMP 0.31 (p. 18) to allow 
for construction of service roads and ski area facilities.
    Under the Proposed Action and other action alternatives, Standard 
GMP 0.31 would be amended to allow new service roads and developed 
recreation sites to be placed within the 100-yard buffer zone around 
known Clokey's eggvetch and rough angelica populations or potential 
habitat, and within biodiversity hotspots in the Lee Canyon Special Use 
Permit Boundary.
    Management Area 11: (11.57) Allow limited expansion of ski area in 
Lee Canyon and enhancement of skiing opportunities and facilities 
within the scope of an approved master development plan and under the 
following constraints:
    1. Expansion occurs within the existing sub-basin.
    2. Does not impact any threatened, endangered, or sensitive species 
or species of concern or its habitat.
    3. Expansion is commensurate with development of additional parking 
in the lower Lee Canyon area and shuttle services.
    4. Expansion incorporates defensible space design and fire safe 
facilities.
    5. Where consistent with other standards and guidelines.
    The need for this Forest Plan amendment is that the Proposed Action 
and other action alternatives include development of ski runs, mountain 
coasters, zip lines, mountain bike trails, parking areas, and access 
roads within the Lee Canyon Ski Area permitted boundary. As the Mount 
Charleston Blue Butterfly was listed as a endangered species in 2015 
and the designated critical habitat for the butterfly includes portions 
of the Lee Canyon Ski Area, Constraint #2 from the standard cannot be 
met. The Proposed Action and other action alternatives also include the 
addition of a 500 vehicle parking lot at the ski area to accommodate 
increased visitor use without the development of additional parking in 
lower Lee Canyon or shuttle services. The project-specifc Forest Plan 
Amendment would exempt the project from the requirements under 
Constraint #2 and Constraint #3.
    The substantive requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR part 
219) likely to be directly related and, therefore, applicable to the 
Forest Plan amendment for the Lee Canyon Project are in 36 CFR 219.9(b) 
regarding threatened and endangered species and 36 CFR 219.10(a)(1), 
(3), and (7) regarding integrated resource management for multiple use. 
The scope and scale to which these substantive requirements would apply 
are the scope and scale of the Lee Canyon Project. The amendment would 
not apply to any other projects or activities.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official for the Lee Canyon Project and the Forest 
Plan amendment is William A. Dunkelberger, Forest Supervisor, Humboldt-
Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, 
Nevada 89431, phone (775) 355-5310.

Decision To Be Made

    In consideration of the stated purpose and need and the analysis of 
environmental effects documented in this EIS, the Responsible Official 
will review the proposed action and alternatives in order to make the 
following decisions:
     Whether to authorize the proposed action or an 
alternative, including the required no-action alternative, all or in 
part;
     What design criteria and mitigation measures to require as 
a condition of the authorization;
     What evaluation methods and documentation to require for 
monitoring project implementation and mitigation effectiveness; and
     Whether to amend the Forest Plan to exempt the project 
from Standard GMP 0.31 and from Constraints #2 and #3 of Standard GMP 
Management Area 11.57.

Administrative Review

    The Lee Canyon Project and the Forest Plan amendment will be 
subject to objection under 36 CFR part 218.

    Dated: May 7, 2018.
Chris French,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-17730 Filed 8-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Notices 41045 TABLE A—REPORTING ESTIMATE OF HOUR BURDEN—Continued [Summary of burden—#0584–0008] (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) Affected public Respondent type Description of Form No. Number of Number of Total Hours per Total collection activity respondents responses annual response burden per responses (exf) respondent (cxd) Sub-Total For Farm & Business ........................................................................................ 143,351 1 143,351 0.1534873 22,002.56 Federal .................... Military Com- Applications Re- 252–E ...................... 3 1 3 0.3167 0.95 missaries. ceived. Reauthorization ....... 252–R ...................... 0 1 0 0.25 0 Sub-Total For Federal Respondents ................................................................................. 3 1 3 0.3167 0.95 Grand Total Reporting Burden ................................................................................... 143,354 1 143,354 0.1534907 22,003.51 SUMMARY OF BURDEN FOR THIS COLLECTION ............................................................... 143,354 1 143,354 0.1534941 22,004 * Note: The respondents for the 252–E and the 252–FE are the same respondents for e-Authentication and therefore not double counted in the total number of respondents. Attachment A: Draft FNS–252. Plan amendment. The public is advised 701 Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV Dated: August 8, 2018. that during the 45 day comment period 89130. Brandon Lipps, for the Lee Canyon Project Draft EIS, Instructions: Comments sent by any comments may also be submitted other method, to any other address or Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. regarding the substantive requirements individual, or received after the end of [FR Doc. 2018–17722 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] that are likely to be directly related to the comment period may not be BILLING CODE 3410–30–P the amendment and the scope and scale considered by the Forest. All comments to which the substantive requirements received are part of the public record would apply. Comments will be and will generally be posted for public DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE considered in the preparation of the viewing without change. All personal Forest Service Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision identifying information (e.g., name, for the Lee Canyon Project. address, etc.), confidential business Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; DATES: The comment period ends 45 information, or otherwise sensitive Clark Counties, Nevada; Lee Canyon days after today’s Notice of Availability information submitted voluntarily by Notice of Availability or 45 days after the Environmental the sender will be publicly accessible. AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Protection Agency’s Notice of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Availability is published in the Federal Chris Linehan, Interdisciplinary Team Draft Environmental Impact Statement Register, whichever is later. All relevant Leader, at (702) 515–5401, or via email for the Lee Canyon Ski Area Master comments received during the public at clinehan@fs.fed.us. Individuals who Development Plan Phase I and Public comment period related to the use telecommunication devices for the Comment Period for the Associated substantive requirements that would deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Forest Plan Amendment. likely be directly related to the proposed Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– Forest Plan amendment and the scope 800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 SUMMARY: The Humboldt-Toiyabe and scale of the proposed Forest Plan p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through National Forest is issuing this notice to amendment will be considered in the Friday. Information about the Lee advise the public of the 45-day public preparation of the Final EIS and Draft Canyon Project may be found on the comment period for the Draft Record of Decision (ROD). Forest Service website at http:// Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) ADDRESSES: Comments may be www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project for the Lee Canyon Ski Area Master submitted by any one of the following =50649. Development Plan Phase I (Lee Canyon methods: Project) and the addition of a proposed SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project-specific amendment to the • Electronic Submissions: Comments purpose and need for the proposed Lee Toiyabe National Forest Land and can be filed electronically at: Canyon Project, as described in the Resource Management Plan (Forest leecanyoneis@fs.fed.us. Electronic Notice of Intent, is to address the length Plan) for the Proposed Action and comments must be submitted as part of of time since the resort’s facilities have alternatives other than the No Action the email message or as an attachment been upgraded and emerging trends in alternative. The Notice of Intent for the in plain text (.txt), Microsoft Word winter recreation. Specific details of Lee Canyon Project was published in (.doc), rich text format (.rtf), or portable these needs are described in Draft EIS. the Federal Register on March 23, 2017 document format (.pdf). Emails The purpose and need for the proposed (82 FR 14865). Today’s notice has been submitted to addresses other than the plan amendment is to ensure amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 published to ensure all persons and one listed above, or in formats other consistency between the Forest Plan and entities interested in the Lee Canyon than those listed or containing viruses, the proposed Lee Canyon Project. As Project are aware of the addition of the will be rejected. described in the Draft EIS, the need was proposed amendment and to identify • Mail: Written, specific comments identified for exempting the Lee Canyon the Forest Service planning rule must be submitted to Donn Project from the following Standards of provisions likely to be directly related Christiansen, Area Manager, Spring the 1996 Spring Mountains National and, therefore, applicable to the Forest Mountains National Recreation Area, Recreation Area (SMNRA) General VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Aug 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1

41046 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Notices Management Plan (GMP) (Amendment Blue Butterfly was listed as a Administrative Review five of the Forest Plan): endangered species in 2015 and the The Lee Canyon Project and the SMNRA-wide Standards and designated critical habitat for the Forest Plan amendment will be subject Guidelines: (GMP Standard 0.31) New butterfly includes portions of the Lee to objection under 36 CFR part 218. roads, administrative facilities, and Canyon Ski Area, Constraint #2 from the developed recreation sites other than Dated: May 7, 2018. standard cannot be met. The Proposed low-impact facilities (trails, trailhead Chris French, Action and other action alternatives also parking, signs, restrooms, etc.) will be include the addition of a 500 vehicle Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest outside a 100-yard buffer zone around System. parking lot at the ski area to known Clokey’s eggvetch and rough [FR Doc. 2018–17730 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] accommodate increased visitor use angelica populations or potential without the development of additional BILLING CODE 3411–15–P habitat, and outside biodiversity parking in lower Lee Canyon or shuttle hotspots (defined as areas of particular services. The project-specifc Forest Plan diversity or sensitivity). DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Amendment would exempt the project The need for this Forest Plan from the requirements under Constraint amendment is that in the Lee Canyon Rural Business-Cooperative Service #2 and Constraint #3. Proposed Action new service roads, and The substantive requirements of the Rural Housing Service ski area facilities would occur within the 100-yard buffer zone established 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR part 219) likely to be directly related and, Rural Utilities Service around known Clokey’s eggvetch and rough angelica populations or potential therefore, applicable to the Forest Plan Rural Development Cooperative habitat. These areas have been amendment for the Lee Canyon Project Agreement Program thoroughly inventoried for these species are in 36 CFR 219.9(b) regarding and none were found within the project threatened and endangered species and AGENCY: Rural Development USDA. foot print. This project-specific Forest 36 CFR 219.10(a)(1), (3), and (7) ACTION: Notice. Plan amendment will allow regarding integrated resource development within the 100-yard buffer management for multiple use. The scope SUMMARY: The Assistant to the Secretary zones for these two-species established and scale to which these substantive for Rural Development (Agency) is requirements would apply are the scope seeking applications to support regional in the Standard GMP 0.31 (p. 18) to economic development planning efforts allow for construction of service roads and scale of the Lee Canyon Project. The in rural communities under the Rural and ski area facilities. amendment would not apply to any Under the Proposed Action and other Economic Development Innovation other projects or activities. action alternatives, Standard GMP 0.31 (REDI) initiative. This funding would be amended to allow new service Responsible Official opportunity will be administered by the roads and developed recreation sites to Rural Development Innovation Center, The Responsible Official for the Lee in partnership with the Rural Business- be placed within the 100-yard buffer Canyon Project and the Forest Plan Cooperative Service. The Agency is zone around known Clokey’s eggvetch amendment is William A. Dunkelberger, announcing up to $750,000 in and rough angelica populations or Forest Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe competitive cooperative agreement potential habitat, and within National Forest Supervisor’s Office, funds in fiscal year (FY) 2018. Rural biodiversity hotspots in the Lee Canyon 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada Development Agency may select one, Special Use Permit Boundary. Management Area 11: (11.57) Allow 89431, phone (775) 355–5310. multiple, or no award recipients. The limited expansion of ski area in Lee Agency reserves the right to withhold Decision To Be Made the awarding of any funds if no Canyon and enhancement of skiing In consideration of the stated purpose application receives a score of at least opportunities and facilities within the and need and the analysis of 60 points. scope of an approved master This Notice lists the information development plan and under the environmental effects documented in needed to submit an application for following constraints: this EIS, the Responsible Official will these funds. This Notice announces that 1. Expansion occurs within the review the proposed action and the Agency is accepting FY 2018 existing sub-basin. alternatives in order to make the 2. Does not impact any threatened, applications to support REDI. following decisions: endangered, or sensitive species or DATES: The deadline for receipt of a • Whether to authorize the proposed complete application is midnight species of concern or its habitat. 3. Expansion is commensurate with action or an alternative, including the Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, development of additional parking in required no-action alternative, all or in September 5, via www.grants.gov. The the lower Lee Canyon area and shuttle part; Agency will not consider any services. • What design criteria and mitigation application received after the deadline. 4. Expansion incorporates defensible measures to require as a condition of the After an applicant submits an space design and fire safe facilities. authorization; application via grants.gov, all applicants 5. Where consistent with other must email RD.Innovation@ • What evaluation methods and osec.usda.gov to confirm application standards and guidelines. The need for this Forest Plan documentation to require for monitoring and receipt of the application package. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 amendment is that the Proposed Action project implementation and mitigation Applicants who have been selected for and other action alternatives include effectiveness; and funding will receive a letter of official development of ski runs, mountain • Whether to amend the Forest Plan notification and will be awarded a coasters, zip lines, mountain bike trails, to exempt the project from Standard cooperative agreement authorized under parking areas, and access roads within GMP 0.31 and from Constraints #2 and 7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4). Pending funding the Lee Canyon Ski Area permitted #3 of Standard GMP Management Area availability, all awards will be made no boundary. As the Mount Charleston 11.57. later than September 30, 2018. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Aug 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1


Document Created: 2018-08-17 03:24:26
Document Modified: 2018-08-17 03:24:26
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Lee Canyon Ski Area Master Development Plan Phase I and Public Comment Period for the Associated Forest Plan Amendment.
DatesThe comment period ends 45 days after today's Notice of Availability or 45 days after the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Availability is published in the Federal Register, whichever is later. All relevant comments received during the public comment period related to the substantive requirements that would likely be directly related to the proposed Forest Plan amendment and the scope and scale of the proposed Forest Plan amendment will be considered in the preparation of the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision (ROD).
ContactChris Linehan, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at (702) 515-5401, or via email at [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. Information about the Lee Canyon Project may be found on the Forest Service website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50649.
FR Citation83 FR 41045 
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