[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 56 (Friday, March 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17632-17633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06616]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Caribou-Targhee National Forest; Idaho and Wyoming; Amendment to
the Targhee Revised Forest Plan--Canada Lynx Habitat
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Caribou-Targhee National Forest proposes to amend the
Targhee Revised Forest Plan (1997) to include a map identifying
specific areas where the Northern Rockies Lynx Management Direction
(NRLMD, 2007) applies.
Pre-Decisional Administrative Review Process: The decision on this
proposed plan amendment will be subject to the objection process for
the planning process (36 CFR part 219, subpart B). Only those
individuals and entities who submit substantive formal comments related
to this proposed plan amendment during the opportunities for public
comment as provided in 36 CFR part 219, Subpart A may file an
objection. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with
requirements for objection (36 CFR 219.53).
[[Page 17633]]
Public Participation: The Agency invites interested parties to
participate and collaborate on this proposal and analysis. Publication
of this Notice initiates the 30-day scoping process. Comments received
concerning this proposed plan amendment will be used to develop the
proposal and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Once the Draft EIS is prepared, publication of its Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register will begin a formal 90-day
opportunity to provide written comments. Comments on the Draft EIS will
be used to prepare the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision. Notice
of Availability of the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision will be
made in the Federal Register. Public notice to begin the 60-day
opportunity to file an objection will be published in the newspaper of
record. Public notice of all objections will be published in the
newspaper of record and begin the 10 day period for an interested
person to request participation in meetings between the reviewing
officer and objector(s) to discuss issues raised in the objection and
potential resolution. All meetings are open to observation by the
public. After the reviewing officer responds in writing to objections,
the responsible official will issue the Final Record of Decision,
consistent with responses to objections, and issue a public notice of
the decision and, if applicable, the approved amendment.
The newspaper of record is the Post Register. The Draft EIS, Final
EIS, Draft Record of Decision, responses to objections, Final Record of
Decision, approved amendment, and all public notices and Federal
Register notices will be made available online. Additional
opportunities for public involvement will be offered prior to the Final
EIS if determined necessary by the responsible official.
DATES: The Draft EIS for the Amendment is expected in July 2013. The
Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision are expected in December 2013.
The Final Record of Decision is expected in 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments in response to this Notice to: Targhee
Lynx Analysis, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive,
Idaho Falls, ID 83401. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected] or via facsimile to 208/557-5826.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan Bogle, Forest Planner (208)354-
6613 or [email protected]. Additional information about this analysis
will be posted at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=40275. 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Canada lynx was listed as a Threatened
species under the Endangered Species Act in 2000. The 1997 Targhee
Revised Forest Plan did not identify lynx habitat. The NRLMD ROD
established programmatic management direction for lynx habitat on the
Targhee but did not make a decision about what lynx habitat is, where
linkage area boundaries are, or how they are identified.
This analysis has been initiated in response to a June 6, 2012,
District of Idaho Court Order. In that order, the Court determined that
the Agency may not rely upon its 2005 Lynx Analysis Unit Map which
delineates the areas subject to the NRLMD until it is analyzed in an
EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
The project area is located in the Idaho counties of Bonneville,
Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Teton; and the
Wyoming counties of Lincoln and Teton.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to amend the 1997 Targhee Revised Forest
Plan to incorporate a map that will identify lynx habitat, lynx
analysis units, and linkage areas. The map will incorporate the finest-
scale vegetation information and best data available. The analysis will
be completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act,
the NRLMD and other applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.
The effects of such an amendment will be analyzed and disclosed in the
EIS. Consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service will occur to
ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
Responsible Official
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest Supervisor is the responsible
official and will make the decision.
Nature of Decision to Be Made
In the decision, the responsible official will decide whether or
not to amend the 1997 Targhee Revised Forest Plan.
Preliminary Issues
1. Disagreement regarding the extent and distribution of lynx
habitat across the Targhee portion of the Caribou-Targhee National
Forest.
Possible Alternatives
At a minimum, the proposed action and a no action alternative will
be analyzed. The no action alternative would not incorporate the lynx
habitat, LAU, and linkage area map as an amendment to the 1997 Targhee
Revised Forest Plan.
Scoping Process
This Notice initiates the public involvement process, which guides
the development of the alternatives and the analysis. 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 Draft EIS.
Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns.
Comments received in response to this scoping notice, including
names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the
public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously
will be accepted and considered.
Dated: March 15, 2013.
Brent Larson,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2013-06616 Filed 3-21-13; 8:45 am]
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