Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for Sierra Pacific Industries Forest Practices in the Klamath, Cascade, and Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA; Environmental Impact Statement

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are advising the public that we intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposed Endangered Species Act incidental take permit (ITP) application from Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) for the federally threatened Northern spotted owl and the California spotted owl. The California spotted owl was recently petitioned for listing under the ESA. The activities to be covered would include timber harvest and timber management SPI conducts on its lands in the State of California. We are also announcing the initiation of a 30-day public scoping process to engage Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments; special interest groups; and the public in the identification of issues and concerns, potential impacts, and possible alternatives to the Service's Proposed Action.