[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64909-64910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25708]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Southwestern Region: Invasive Plant Control Project, Carson and
Santa Fe National Forests, New Mexico
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; correction.
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SUMMARY: On December 15, 2000, the USDA Forest Service published a
notice of intent (NOI) in the Federal Register (65 FR 78464) to prepare
an environmental impact statement (EIS) for controlling invasive plants
in the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests. The agency published a
notice of availability (NOA) for the Draft EIS in the Federal Register
(69 FR 42722) on July 16, 2004. A record of decision was signed on
September 12, 2005 and an NOA was subsequently published in the Federal
Register (70 FR 69967) on November 18, 2005. Members of the public
appealed the decision before the Regional Forester of the Southwestern
Region, who reviewed the decision in accordance with 36 CFR 215.7. The
Regional Forester's decision, issued on February 23, 2006, reversed the
Responsible Officials' decision on the project, with the following
instructions:
(1) Complete the analysis of effects on the Management Indicator
Species population trend for ptarmigan.
(2) Strengthen the disclosure of cumulative effects to wildlife
species.
(3) Address the concern about the use of picloram in municipal
watersheds.
On September 10, 2009, the USDA Forest Service published a
corrected NOI in the Federal Register (74 FR 46562). The NOI listed the
date of completion and distribution for the draft supplemental
environmental impact statement (DSEIS) as being December 2009.
DATES: Revised dates: It is estimated the DSEIS will be completed and
available for review no later than March 31, 2014. A 45-day comment
period will follow. The Forest Service estimates the final supplemental
environmental impact statement (FSEIS) and draft records of decision
(each forest is preparing its own record of decision) will be released
in July 2014. Pursuant to 36 CFR 218, a 45-day objection period will
follow. The final records of decision are expected to be released no
later than December 2014.
ADDRESSES: The DSEIS will be posted on these Web sites:
Carson National Forest: http://www.fs.usda.gov/land/carson/landmanagement
Santa Fe National Forest: http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/santafe/landmanagement
A limited number of paper copies will be available upon request
from either forest: Carson Forest Supervisor's Office, 208 Cruz Alta
Road, Taos, NM 87571, Attn: Planning; or Santa Fe National Forest
Supervisor's Office, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508, Attn: Julie
Bain. The address to which to send comments will be published with the
DSEIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Bain, Forest Environmental
Coordinator, Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor's Office, 11 Forest
Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508, (505) 438-5443, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An SEIS is needed to update certain elements
of the analysis and correct deficiencies identified in the 2005
Invasive Plant Control Project Final Environmental Impact Statement and
records of decision. The DSEIS will document the analysis of effects
for the same range of alternatives as the 2005 final EIS. The proposed
action, which includes the use of herbicides to control invasive
species, remains the preferred alternative. The Forest Supervisors of
the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests are the responsible officials.
Each responsible
[[Page 64910]]
official will decide whether the project will be implemented on their
respective national forest and each will prepare a separate record of
decision.
Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental
Review: The comment period for the DSEIS will be 45 days in duration
and commence the day after the NOA is published in the Federal
Register. Legal notices announcing the availability of the DSEIS will
also be published in the newspapers of record, the Albuquerque Journal
and The Taos News, and posted on the Forests' Web sites. This project
implements the land management plans and is not authorized under the
Healthy Forest Restoration Act, and is therefore subject to subparts A
and B of 36 CFR part 218. Objections to the draft records of decision
will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific
written comments regarding the proposed project during the designated
opportunity for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a).
Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted
timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project.
Issues raised based on new information arising after the opportunity to
comment will be considered as well.
Dated: October 21, 2013.
Joseph Norrell,
Deputy Forest Supervisor, Santa Fe National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2013-25708 Filed 10-29-13; 8:45 am]
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