[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 51054-51055] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-25541] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Routt Divide Blowdown Analysis; Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt County, Colorado September 16, 1998.
Action
Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
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Summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess and disclose the environmental effects the Buffalo Pass Analysis of a portion of the Routt Divide Blowdown outside the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area on the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District. The purpose of this action is to implement the Land and Resource Management Plan 1997 Revision for the Routt National Forest in the Buffalo Pass Analysis Area, considering the effects, both short and expected long term, resulting from the Routt Divide Blowdown. Actions proposed by the Forest Service include Silvicutural treatments of timber stands in Management Areas 5.11, 5.13, and 7.1 designed to increase the resistance of these stands to attack by spruce bark beetle. Associated with this will be road construction and reconstruction. Salvage and/or other treatments to kill or remove beetles in the blowdown in Management Area 4.2. Treatments in this management area would be accomplished without new road construction. Additionally, the level of beetle infestation and tree mortality that threatens wild river, recreational, water quality or winter range values in Management Areas 1.32, 4.2, 4.3, 5.41, 3.23, 8.22 must be determined; once determined, appropriate management actions will be implemented to protect those values. There is a need to contribute toward meeting the needs of the nation for timber products in management areas 5.11 and 5.13. Within Management Area 4.2, along the Buffalo Pass Road (FDR 60) and State Highway 40, there is a need to protect the scenic qualities of these corridors. Within Management Area 4.3 there is a need to protect recreational opportunities. Within Management Areas 5.11 and 5.13 there is a need to restrict an infestation of spruce bark beetles. Within Management Area 7.1 there is a need to reduce the risk of spruce beetle from spreading into the management area. Within Management Area 8.22 there is a need to protect the site vegetation and facilities. There is a need to test silvicultural treatments in spruce stands and monitor the response of these stands to spruce beetle populations.
Dates
Public Scoping will begin with a mailing to people who expressed an interest in the North Fork Salvage Analysis, land owners within the Forest Service boundaries adjacent to the analysis area, and State, County, and local officials. On October 7th and 19th, 1998 Forest Service specialists will host open houses for the public to discuss the Buffalo Pass Analysis at the Steamboat Springs, Colorado Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Dr. from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be completed by December, 1998. After a 45 day comment period, a Final Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for Buffalo Pass Analysis.
Addresses
Public meetings on Buffalo Pass Analysis are scheduled for:
October 15, 1998, 5 pm, at the Steamboat Springs USDA Forest Service Office; October 21, 1998, 5 pm at the Saratoga, Wyoming USDA Forest Service Office; October 27, 1998, 5 pm at the Clark, Colorado Moon Hill School House; October 28, 1998, 5 pm at the USDA Forest Service Office in Walden, Colorado.
Responsible Official
Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070.
For Further Information Contact
Andy Cadenhead, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest, 925 Weiss Dr, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, (970) 870-2220.
Supplementary Information
The Buffalo Pass Analysis Area in northwest Colorado is that portion of the Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest lying adjacent to Steamboat Springs, Colorado on the north, northeast and southeast. The analysis area includes all or portions of the following sections:
T4NR83W, Sections 7-11, 15-22 T4NR84W, Sections 10-15, 23-24 T5NR84W, Sections 1-2, 11-14, 23-26, 35-36 T5NR83W, Sections 1-5, 8-17, 20-29, 32-36 T5NR82W, Sections 6-7, 18-19, 30 T6NR82W, Section 31 T6NR83W, Sections 1-5, 8-17, 20-29, 32-36 T6NR84W, Sections 11-12, 13-14, 23-26, 35-36 T7NR83W, Sections 1-5, 8-17, 20-29, 32-25 T7NR84W, Sections 1-28, 34-36 T7NR85W, Sections 12-13
There are a number of management area prescriptions within the Buffalo Pass Analysis Area. These Include 1.12 Wilderness, Primitive, 1.13 Wilderness, Semi-Primitive, 1.32 Backcountry Non-Motorized Recreation With Winter Limited Motorized, 3.23 Municipal Watersheds-- Water Quality Emphasis, 3.31 Backcountry Recreation--Year-round Motorized, 4.2 Scenery, 4.3 Dispersed Recreation, 5.11 General Forest and Rangelands--Forest Vegetation Emphasis, 5.13 Forest Products, 5.41 Deer and Elk Winter Range, 7.1 Residential/Forest Interface, and 8.22 Ski Based Resorts: Existing/Potential. Forest Service Mission: As set forth in law, the mission of the Forest Service is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple use management concept. This concept is to meet the diverse needs of people. It includes advocating a conservation ethic in promoting the health, productivity, diversity and beauty of forests. It also includes listening to people and responding to their diverse needs in resource decisions. Another part of our job is to help communities and states wisely use the forests to promote rural economic development and a quality rural environment. Also included in the mission is developing and providing scientific and technical knowledge aimed at improving our capability to protect, manage, and use forests and rangelands. Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest. [FR Doc. 98-25541 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M