83 FR 8963 - Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Nevada; Humboldt-Toiyabe Integrated Invasive Plant Treatment Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 42 (March 2, 2018)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 42 (March 2, 2018)
| Page Range | 8963-8965 | |
| FR Document | 2018-04306 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 8963-8965] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-04306] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Nevada; Humboldt-Toiyabe Integrated Invasive Plant Treatment Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of controlling and eradicating non-native invasive plants and restoring native vegetation on national forest lands in Nevada. The EIS will analyze actions to be implemented on known infested areas, as well as on infested areas that may be discovered over the next 15 years using a variety of tools, methods, and products. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received in writing by April 16, 2018. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected in September 2018, and the Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected in May 2019. ADDRESSES: Electronic comments are encouraged. Electronic comments should be submitted through the comment section at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53031. Mail comments to Humboldt- Toiyabe National Forest: Attn: Integrated Invasive Plant Treatment EIS, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information concerning this project, please contact James Winfrey, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at 775-355-5308 or [email protected]. Information about [[Page 8964]] this EIS will be posted on the internet at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53031. This website will be used to post all public documents during the environmental review process and announce opportunities for public participation and comment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Invasive plants have been identified as a major threat to the biological diversity and ecological integrity in and near the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF). Invasive plants displace native plants; reduce habitat and forage for wildlife and livestock; diminish populations of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species; alter soil properties and productivity; change the intensity and frequency of wildfires; and impact recreation opportunities. The HTNF encompasses approximately 5.6 million acres across the state of Nevada, with land in Carson, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Washoe, and White Pine counties. There are approximately 28,500 acres identified as being infested with invasive, non-native, and/or State-listed noxious weeds. These invasive plant infestations have a high potential to expand on lands within and adjacent to the HTNF, degrading desired plant communities and the values provided by those communities. Forestlands are also threatened by ``potential invaders,'' invasive plants that have not been found on the HTNF but are known to occur in adjacent lands, counties, or states. Infestations can be controlled and eradicated, and native vegetation can be restored, through the use of specific management practices. A clear and comprehensive integrated invasive plan management strategy would allow for the implementation of timely and effective invasive plant management and prevention for projects and programs on the HTNF. In the absence of an aggressive invasive plant management program, the number, density, and distribution of invasive plants on the forest will continue to increase. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this analysis is to update current management to provide for integrated and timely management of invasive species, now and in the future, with the goal of promoting healthy and thriving native plant communities across the HTNF. The proposal is in response to an underlying need to implement management direction as described in the Regulatory Framework section below. The need for comprehensive and aggressive management of invasive plant species is multifaceted: Invasive plants are diminishing the natural resource values of the forest: Forest resources are negatively impacted by existing and expanding invasive plant infestations. Invasive species are known to out-compete native plants, which can reduce productivity and biodiversity, cause habitat loss, and have economic impacts. There must be a timely response to new infestations, new invasive plant species, and landscape-scale disturbances: On the HTNF, invasive plants are spread by use of transportation systems, livestock grazing, and off-road fire suppression activities. They are also spread by wild animals, wind, and water. Wildland fires are frequent on HTNF lands, and afterwards the burned areas typically become more densely infested with invasive plants such as cheatgrass and non-native thistles. The forest needs the flexibility to treat expanded and/or newly identified infestations in a timely manner, based on local site conditions and identified Forest priorities. Existing and future invasive plant populations in the HTNF require active and adaptive management: Invasive plant infestations already exist throughout the HTNF, and without management they will increase in density and distribution. Active and adaptive integrated pest management is necessary to contain invasive plants within existing boundaries, reduce infestation densities, and retard the establishment of new infestations. Control efforts should be focused on infestations that can realize the greatest resource benefits: those with the highest risk of spread, those that have not become established, and those with the best likelihood of control success. Rehabilitation and restoration of infested areas can inhibit the spread and establishment of invasive plants: Appropriate rehabilitation efforts are a critical component of a fully functional invasive plant management program. The goals of rehabilitating degraded areas may include preventing new infestations, preventing the reoccurrence of eradicated infestations, and/or reducing the density and spread of existing infestations. Post-fire rehabilitation efforts may incorporate one or more of the established control techniques outlined in the proposed action. Federal, State, and Forest Service laws, regulation, policy and direction relating to invasive plant management must be implemented and followed: Implementing invasive species laws and policies requires aggressive invasive plant management. This analysis would identify the strategies that the HTNF would use to comply with laws and policies pertaining to invasive plant management. Proposed Action The HTNF proposes to implement adaptive and integrated invasive plant treatments on current and future infested areas using tools and products currently available, and those that may become available in the next 15 years. Activities would be implemented with partners at the federal, state, and local level where opportunities exist. To provide for ``Early Detection Rapid Response'' (EDRR), the Forest would design a plan that allows treatment of invasive plant infestations located outside of currently identified infested areas. Infestations outside of currently identified areas may include new sites that arise in the future, or sites that currently exist, but have not been identified in Forest inventories to date. The intent of EDRR is to allow timely control, so that new infestations can be treated when they are small, preventing establishment and spread, while reducing the costs and potential side effects of treatment. Proposed control methods would be based on integrated pest management principles and methods known to be effective for each target species. They include, but are not limited to, manual mechanical techniques, such as mowing and pulling; biological control agents, such as pathogens, insects, and controlled grazing; prescribed fire; and herbicides (including aerial and ground-based application methods) that target specific invasive plant species. Restoration actions include planting, seeding, and fertilizing using a variety of equipment and methods. Control, eradication, and restoration methods could be employed alone or in combination to achieve the most effective results. Treatments over a number of years may be necessary to achieve control, eradication, and restoration goals. Treatment methods would be based on the extent, location, type, and character of an infestation and would be implemented using project design features developed to reduce or eliminate potential adverse effects. Restoration activities would be designed and implemented based on the conditions found in and around infested areas. Both active and passive (allowing plants on site to fill in a treated area) revegetation would be considered. Restoration techniques would be assessed and implemented in order to [[Page 8965]] promote native plant communities that are resistant to infestation by invasive plants. Lead and Cooperating Agencies The Forest Service will be the lead federal agency in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1501.5(b) and is responsible for the preparation of the EIS. The Forest Service is in the process of inviting other federal, state, and local agencies to participate as cooperating agencies. At this time, these include the Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Departments of Wildlife, Nevada Department of Agriculture and local Conservation Districts. Scoping will determine if any other cooperating agencies are needed. Responsible Official The responsible official for this EIS is William A. Dunkelberger, Forest Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. Decision To Be Made The Forest Supervisor will decide whether to treat invasive plants and conduct restoration activities on the Nevada portion of the HTNF, and if so, what methods and strategies (including adaptive management and EDRR) will be used to contain, control, or eradicate invasive plants. Permits or Licenses Required A permit from the State of Nevada would be required prior to use of prescribed fire. Pesticide applicators would be certified as required by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, and all other permits required by regulatory agencies would be obtained prior to implementation. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the EIS. The Forest Service will be seeking information, comments, and assistance from federal, state, and local agencies, American Indian Tribes, as well as other individuals and organizations that may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed project. Comments on the proposed project should be in writing and should be specific to the proposed action, describing as clearly and completely as possible any issues or concerns the commenter has with the proposal. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record for this EIS, and will be available on request for public inspection (see 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21). For full consideration, scientific articles or other items cited in support of comments should be submitted in their entirety by the commenter. 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. Comments that would be most useful are those concerning developing or refining the proposed action, site specific concerns, and those concerns that can help us develop treatments that would be responsive to our goal to control, contain, or eradicate invasive plants. 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 and contentions. Public meetings are anticipated to be held following publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Dated: January 9, 2018. Chris French, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018-04306 Filed 3-1-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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Notices Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 42
Friday, March 2, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER An agency may not conduct or Description of Respondents: Farms
contains documents other than rules or sponsor a collection of information and businesses or other for-profit
proposed rules that are applicable to the unless the collection of information operations.
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, displays a currently valid OMB control Number of Respondents: 15,850.
committee meetings, agency decisions and number and the agency informs Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
potential persons who are to respond to Monthly during growing season or
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are the collection of information that such annually.
examples of documents appearing in this persons are not required to respond to Total Burden Hours: 5,456.
section. the collection of information unless it Ruth Brown,
displays a currently valid OMB control
Departmental Information Collection
number. Clearance Officer.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service [FR Doc. 2018–04292 Filed 3–1–18; 8:45 am]
Submission for OMB Review; Title: Field Crops Objective Yield.
BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
Comment Request
OMB Control Number: 0535–0088.
February 27, 2018 Summary of Collection: The primary DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Department of Agriculture will function of the National Agricultural
Forest Service
submit the following information Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare
collection requirement(s) to OMB for and issue current official State and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest;
review and clearance under the national estimates of crop and livestock Nevada; Humboldt-Toiyabe Integrated
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, production. General authority for these Invasive Plant Treatment Project
Public Law 104–13 on or after the date data collection activities is granted
under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. AGENCY:Forest Service, USDA.
of publication of this notice. Comments
are requested regarding: (1) Whether the This statute specifies the ‘‘The Secretary ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an
collection of information is necessary of Agriculture shall procure and Environmental Impact Statement.
for the proper performance of the preserve all information concerning
agriculture which he can obtain . . . by SUMMARY: The Humboldt-Toiyabe
functions of the agency, including National Forest is preparing an
whether the information will have the collection of statistics . . . and shall
distribute them among agriculturists’’. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the to evaluate the effects of controlling and
agency’s estimate of burden including Data collected provides yield estimates
for corn, cotton, potatoes, soybeans and eradicating non-native invasive plants
the validity of the methodology and and restoring native vegetation on
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance winter wheat. In addition NASS has
been contacted by several state national forest lands in Nevada. The EIS
the quality, utility and clarity of the will analyze actions to be implemented
information to be collected; and (4) cooperators to conduct projected yield
studies for citrus, almonds, hazelnuts on known infested areas, as well as on
ways to minimize the burden of the infested areas that may be discovered
collection of information on those who and walnuts. These fruit and nut
surveys will be conducted through over the next 15 years using a variety of
are to respond, including through the tools, methods, and products.
use of appropriate automated, cooperative agreements with the states
and will be totally funded by the DATES: Comments concerning the scope
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or individual states. The yield estimates of the analysis must be received in
other forms of information technology for all of these crops are extremely writing by April 16, 2018. The Draft
should be addressed to: Desk Officer for important because they are used in Environmental Impact Statement is
Agriculture, Office of Information and conjunction with price data to estimate expected in September 2018, and the
Regulatory Affairs, Office of production and in making policy Final Environmental Impact Statement
Management and Budget (OMB), New decisions in agricultural sectors. is expected in May 2019.
Executive Office Building, Washington, Need and Use of the Information: ADDRESSES: Electronic comments are
DC; New Executive Office Building, NASS will collect information on encouraged. Electronic comments
725—17th Street NW, Washington, DC sample fields of, corn, cotton, potatoes, should be submitted through the
20503. Commenters are encouraged to soybeans, and winter wheat. The comment section at https://
submit their comments to OMB via information will be used by USDA to www.fs.usda.gov/project/
email to: OIRA_Submission@ anticipate loan receipts and pricing of ?project=53031. Mail comments to
omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395–5806 and loan stocks for grains. Farmers and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest:
to Departmental Clearance Office, businesses use the production estimates Attn: Integrated Invasive Plant
USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, in marketing decisions to evaluate Treatment EIS, 1200 Franklin Way,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Washington, DC 20250–7602. expected prices and to determine when Sparks, Nevada 89431.
Comments regarding these to sell. The fruit and nut data will be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information collections are best assured used by the State Departments of additional information concerning this
of having their full effect if received by Agriculture and commodity marketing project, please contact James Winfrey,
April 2, 2018. Copies of the boards to make informed decisions Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at 775–
submission(s) may be obtained by concerning the stocks and marketing of 355–5308 or ht_invasive_plant_
calling (202) 720–8681. these commodities. treatment@fs.fed.us. Information about
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2018 / Notices 8965
promote native plant communities that on request for public inspection (see 40 specific foreign-status materials/
are resistant to infestation by invasive CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service components and specific finished
plants. Handbook 1909.15, Section 21). For full products described in the submitted
consideration, scientific articles or other notification (as described below) and
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
items cited in support of comments subsequently authorized by the FTZ
The Forest Service will be the lead should be submitted in their entirety by Board.
federal agency in accordance with 40 the commenter. Comments submitted Production under FTZ procedures
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) anonymously will be accepted and could exempt IC from customs duty
1501.5(b) and is responsible for the considered; however, anonymous payments on the foreign-status
preparation of the EIS. The Forest comments will not provide the Agency materials/components used in export
Service is in the process of inviting with the ability to provide the production. For foreign-status
other federal, state, and local agencies to respondent with subsequent components subject to antidumping/
participate as cooperating agencies. At environmental documents. countervailing duty (AD/CVD)
this time, these include the Bureau of Comments that would be most useful investigations/orders, the applicant only
Land Management, Natural Resource are those concerning developing or requests authority to use such
Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and refining the proposed action, site components in the company’s export
Wildlife Service, Nevada Departments specific concerns, and those concerns production. On its domestic sales, for
of Wildlife, Nevada Department of that can help us develop treatments that the foreign-status materials/components
Agriculture and local Conservation would be responsive to our goal to noted below not subject to AD/CVD
Districts. Scoping will determine if any control, contain, or eradicate invasive orders/investigations, IC would be able
other cooperating agencies are needed. plants. to choose the duty rates during customs
It is important that reviewers provide entry procedures that apply to: Printed
Responsible Official duplex insulation facer consisting of
their comments at such times and in
The responsible official for this EIS is such manner that they are useful to the paper backed with aluminum foil; not
William A. Dunkelberger, Forest agency’s preparation of the EIS. printed duplex insulation facer
Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Therefore, comments should be consisting of paper backed with
Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1200 provided prior to the close of the aluminum foil; printed triplex
Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. comment period and should clearly insulation facer, consisting of paper
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and with aluminum foil on either side; not
Decision To Be Made
contentions. Public meetings are printed triplex insulation facer,
The Forest Supervisor will decide anticipated to be held following consisting of paper with aluminum foil
whether to treat invasive plants and publication of the Draft Environmental on either side; printed quadlaminate
conduct restoration activities on the Impact Statement. insulation facer, consisting of paper
Nevada portion of the HTNF, and if so, with aluminum foil on either side, and
what methods and strategies (including Dated: January 9, 2018. fabric scrim on one outer layer; and, not
adaptive management and EDRR) will Chris French, printed quadlaminate insulation facer,
be used to contain, control, or eradicate Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest consisting of paper with aluminum foil
invasive plants. System. on either side, and fabric scrim on one
[FR Doc. 2018–04306 Filed 3–1–18; 8:45 am] outer layer (duty rate ranges from duty-
Permits or Licenses Required
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P free to 3.7%). IC has indicated that all
A permit from the State of Nevada scrap/waste from the lamination process
would be required prior to use of would be exported. Customs duties also
prescribed fire. Pesticide applicators DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE could possibly be deferred or reduced
would be certified as required by the on foreign-status production equipment.
Nevada Department of Agriculture, and Foreign-Trade Zones Board The materials/components sourced
all other permits required by regulatory from abroad include: Aluminum foil in
[B–14–2018]
agencies would be obtained prior to rolls, 0.00025 inches thick; aluminum
implementation. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 158— foil in rolls, 0.00027 inches thick;
Vicksburg/Jackson, Mississippi, aluminum foil in rolls, 0.000285 inches
Scoping Process
Notification of Proposed Production thick; and, nonwoven polyethylene
This notice of intent initiates the terephthalate scrim fabric, in rolls, 33.84
Activity, International Converter,
scoping process, which guides the grams per square meter (duty rate ranges
(Insulation Facer), Iuka, Mississippi
development of the EIS. The Forest from duty-free to 5.8%). The request
Service will be seeking information, International Converter (IC) submitted indicates that the aluminum foil is
comments, and assistance from federal, a notification of proposed production subject to AD and CVD investigations if
state, and local agencies, American activity to the FTZ Board for its facility imported from a certain country. The
Indian Tribes, as well as other in Iuka, Mississippi. The notification FTZ Board’s regulations (15 CFR
individuals and organizations that may conforming to the requirements of the 400.14(e)) require that merchandise
be interested in, or affected by, the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR subject to AD/CVD orders, or items
proposed project. Comments on the 400.22) was received on February 23, which would be otherwise subject to
proposed project should be in writing 2018. suspension of liquidation under AD/
and should be specific to the proposed The applicant indicates that it will be CVD procedures if they entered U.S.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
action, describing as clearly and submitting a separate application for customs territory, be admitted to the
completely as possible any issues or FTZ designation at the IC facility under zone in privileged foreign status (19
concerns the commenter has with the FTZ 158. The facility is used for the CFR 146.41). As noted above, the
proposal. Comments received, including production of insulation facer using a request indicates that any aluminum foil
the names and addresses of those who wet-bond or dry-bond lamination subject to an AD/CVD investigation/
comment, will become part of the public process. Pursuant to 15 CFR 400.14(b), order would be used only in production
record for this EIS, and will be available FTZ activity would be limited to the for export.
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Document Created: 2018-03-01 23:56:42
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 23:56:42
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. | |
| Dates | Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received in writing by April 16, 2018. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected in September 2018, and the Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected in May 2019. | |
| Contact | For additional information concerning this project, please contact James Winfrey, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at 775-355-5308 or [email protected] Information about this EIS will be posted on the internet at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ project/?project=53031. This website will be used to post all public documents during the environmental review process and announce opportunities for public participation and comment. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 8963 |
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