[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30652-30653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13015]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin, Townsend Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental
impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding
alternatives within the Townsend Project. The purpose of the Townsend
Project is to implement land management activities that are consistent
with direction in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 2004 Land and
Resources Management Plan (forest plan) and respond to the specific
needs identified in the project area. The project-specific needs
include: species diversity, wildlife habitat, stream bank improvement,
forest age, forest composition, and stocking.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by June 29, 2015 in order to have standing for objection. The draft
environmental impact statement is expected on January 2016 and the
final environmental impact statement is expected on April 2016.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Marilee Houtler, ATTN: Townsend
Project, Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, 15085 State Road 32, Lakewood,
WI 54138. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 715-276-
3594.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for the proposed action. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilee Houtler, NEPA Coordinator at
the above address or by phone at 715-276-6333.
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 infromation presented in this notice is
included to help the reviewer determine if they are interested in or
potentially affected by the proposed land management activities. The
infromation presented in the notice is summarized. Those who wish to
provide comments or are otherwise interested in or affected by the
projects are encouraged to obtain additional infromation from the
contact listed above.
Purpose and Need for Action
The current conditions of many stands in the project area varies
from desired conditions in the forest plan. Our information shows some
of the more notable gaps between the existing and desired conditions by
management area. Of primary importance is the need for change in:
wildlife habitat, stream improvement, species age structure, species
composition, and stocking densities.
Proposed Action
Projected project implementation would be fall 2016. The Townsend
Project is located on National Forest System lands, administered by the
Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, west of Townsend. The legal description
of the project is Townships 32-34 North and Ranges 14 and 15 East. The
Forest Service proposes to improve wildlife habitat, remove short-lived
species along streams, and use timber harvest (selection, thin,
clearcut, and shelterwood) to move the area toward the desired
conditions.
Responsible Official
The responsible official for this project is Lakewood-Laona Distict
Ranger, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Decision making will be limited to specific activities relating to
the proposed actions. The primary decision to be made will be whether
or not to implement the proposed action, no action, another
alternative, or parts of alternatives that respond to the projects
purpose and need. This decision would be documented in a record of
decision.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. The 45 day comment period will start after
the publication in the Federal Register of the Notice of Availabilty
for the Townsend Project Draft EIS.
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
[[Page 30653]]
environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided
prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate
the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action. However, comments submitted anonymously will
be accepted and considered.
Dated: May 11, 2015.
Paul I. V. Strong,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-13015 Filed 5-28-15; 8:45 am]
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