[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58462-58464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24644]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 /
Notices
[[Page 58462]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest; California; Plumas National Forest Over-
Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture will
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to
designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on National Forest System roads,
National Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System
lands within the Plumas National Forest; and to identify snow trails
for grooming within the Plumas National Forest. In addition, the Forest
Service proposes to:
1. Formally adopt California State Parks' OSV snow grooming
standards requiring a minimum of 12 inches of snow depth before
grooming can occur;
2. Implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use that
would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource
protection by allowing OSV use, both on-trail and off-trail in
designated Areas, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 inches.
Exceptions would be allowed in order for OSVs to access higher terrain
and deeper snow when snow depths are less than 12 inches, as long as
this use does not cause visible damage to the underlying surface. Most
groomed snow trails are co-located on underlying paved, dirt, and
gravel National Forest System roads and trails;
3. Identify snow trails for grooming on the Plumas National Forest
for OSV use;
4. Restrict OSV use to designated snow trails in specified areas;
5. Enact OSV prohibitions in certain areas.
This proposal would be implemented on all of the Plumas National
Forest.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by October 29, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is
expected in February 2017 and the final environmental impact statement
is expected in August 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to David C. Wood, on behalf of Daniel
A. Lovato, Acting Forest Supervisor, Plumas National Forest, 159
Lawrence Street, Quincy, CA 95971. Comments may also be sent via
facsimile to (530) 283-7746. Comments may also be submitted on the
Plumas National Forest OSV Designation Web page: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47124.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TTY)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339
TTY, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David C. Wood, Acting Public Services
and Engineering Staff Officer, Plumas National Forest, 159 Lawrence
Street, Quincy, CA 95971, (530) 283-2050; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The following summarizes how the Forest Service currently manages
OSV use on the approximately 1,197,900-acre Plumas National Forest:
1. Approximately 160 miles of National Forest System OSV trails
exist on the Plumas National Forest;
2. Of the 160 miles of National Forest System OSV trails,
approximately 136 are groomed for OSV use;
3. Approximately 85 miles of National Forest System trails are
closed to OSV use, but accessible from Areas otherwise open to off-
trail, cross-country OSV use;
4. Approximately 1,163,550 acres of National Forest System land are
open to off-trail, cross-country OSV use; and
5. Approximately 34,850 acres of National Forest System land are
closed to OSV use.
Travel Management Rule Subpart C: The Forest Service issued a final
rule governing OSV management (Subpart C of the Travel Management Rule,
36 CFR part 212) in the Federal Register on January 28, 2015, and this
rule went into effect on February 27, 2015 (80 FR 4500, Jan. 28, 2015).
Subpart C of the Travel Management Rule states,
``Over-snow vehicle use on National Forest System roads, on
National Forest System trails, and in areas on National Forest System
lands shall be designated by the Responsible Official on administrative
units or Ranger Districts, or parts of administrative units or Ranger
Districts, of the National Forest System where snowfall is adequate for
that use to occur, and, if appropriate, shall be designated by class of
vehicle and time of year, provided that the following uses are exempted
from these decisions:
1. Limited administrative use by the Forest Service;
2. Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle
for emergency purposes;
3. Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for
national defense purposes;
4. Law enforcement response to violations of law, including
pursuit; and
5. Over-snow vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a
written authorization issued under Federal law or regulations'' (36 CFR
212.81(a)).
The designations resulting from this analysis would only apply to
the use of OSVs. An OSV is defined in the Forest Service's Travel
Management Rule as ``a motor vehicle that is designed for use over snow
and that runs on a track or tracks and/or a ski or skis, while in use
over snow'' (36 CFR 212.1). OSV use designations made as a result of
the analysis in this environmental impact statement would conform to
subpart C of the Travel Management Rule. OSV use that is inconsistent
with the OSV use designations made under this decision would be
prohibited under 36 CFR 261.14.
These designations would not affect valid existing rights held by
federally recognized tribes, counties, or private individuals,
including treaty rights, other statutory rights, or private rights-of-
way.
Snow Trail Grooming Program: For over 30 years, the Forest Service,
Pacific Southwest Region, in cooperation with the California Department
of Parks and Recreation (California State Parks) Off-highway Motor
Vehicle Division (OHMVR), has enhanced winter recreation, and more
specifically, snowmobiling recreation, by maintaining National Forest
System trails (snow trails) by grooming snow for snowmobile use. Most
groomed snow
[[Page 58463]]
trails are co-located on underlying National Forest System roads and
trails. Some grooming occurs on County roads and closed snow-covered
highways, and some routes proceed cross-country over snow. Grooming
activities are funded by the state off-highway vehicle trust fund.
In 2013, the Forest Service entered into a Settlement Agreement
with Snowlands Network et al., to ``complete appropriate NEPA [National
Environmental Policy Act] analysis(es) to identify snow trails for
grooming'' on the Plumas National Forest and four other national
forests in California. The Forest Service will comply with the terms of
the Settlement Agreement for the Plumas National Forest by completing
this analysis. Other requirements of the Settlement Agreement are
listed in the ``Need for Analysis'' section, below.
Purpose and Need for Action
One purpose of this project is to effectively manage OSV use on the
Plumas National Forest to provide access, ensure that OSV use occurs
when there is adequate snow, promote the safety of all users, enhance
public enjoyment, minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources,
and minimize conflicts among the various uses.
There is a need to provide a manageable, designated OSV system of
trails and Areas within the Plumas National Forest, that is consistent
with and achieves the purposes of the Forest Service Travel Management
Rule at 36 CFR part 212. This action responds to direction provided by
the Forest Service's Travel Management Rule.
The existing system of available OSV trails and Areas on the Plumas
National Forest is the culmination of multiple agency decisions over
recent decades. Public OSV use of the majority of this available system
continues to be manageable and consistent with current travel
management regulations. Exceptions have been identified, based on
internal and public input and the criteria listed at 36 CFR 212.55.
These include needs to provide improved access for OSV users and
formalize prohibitions required by Forest Plan and other management
direction. These exceptions represent additional needs for change, and
in these cases, changes are proposed to meet the overall objectives.
A second purpose of this project is to identify OSV trails where
the Forest Service or its contractors would conduct grooming for OSV
use. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement between the Forest
Service and Snowlands Network et al., the Forest Service is required to
complete the appropriate NEPA analysis to identify snow trails for
grooming on the Plumas National Forest.
The snow trail grooming analysis would also address the need to
provide a high-quality snowmobile trail system on the Plumas National
Forest that is smooth and stable for the rider. Groomed trails are
designed so that the novice rider can use them without difficulty.
Need for Analysis
Subpart C of the Forest Service Travel Management Regulation
requires the Forest Service to designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on
National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and Areas
on National Forest System lands. Both decisions will be informed by an
analysis as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Subpart C of the Travel Management Regulation specifies that all
requirements of subpart B of the Travel Management Regulations will
continue to apply to the designation decision, including:
1. Public involvement as required by the National Environmental
Policy Act (36 CFR 212.52);
2. Coordination with Federal, State, county, and other local
governmental entities and tribal governments (36 CFR 212.53);
3. Revision of designations (36 CFR 212.54);
4. Consideration of the criteria for designation of roads, trails,
and Areas (36 CFR 212.55);
5. Identification of designated uses on a publicly available use
map of roads, trails, and Areas (36 CFR 212.56); and
6. Monitoring of effects (36 CFR 212.57).
Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Forest Service is
required to complete an appropriate NEPA analysis to identify snow
trails for grooming. Furthermore, additional terms of the Settlement
Agreement require the Forest Service to:
1. Analyze ancillary activities such as the plowing of related
parking lots and trailheads as part of the effects analysis;
2. Consider a range of alternative actions that would result in
varying levels of snowmobile use; and
3. Consider an alternative submitted by Plaintiffs and/or
Intervenors during the scoping period in the NEPA analysis so long as
the alternative meets the purpose and need, and is feasible and within
the scope of the NEPA analysis.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposes several actions on the Plumas National
Forest to be analyzed as required by the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA). The actions proposed are as follows:
1. To designate OSV use on National Forest System roads, National
Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System lands within
the Plumas National Forest where snowfall depth is adequate for that
use to occur. All existing OSV prohibitions applying to areas or trails
would continue. OSV use that is inconsistent with the designations made
under this project would be prohibited under 36 CFR 261.14. This
proposal would designate approximately 215 miles of snow trail for OSV
use. It would designate approximately 1,155,460 acres for cross-country
OSV use. Existing ungroomed snow trails for OSV use under National
Forest System jurisdiction that are located within Areas that would be
designated for cross-country OSV use would not be designated separately
as snow trails for OSV use, since OSV use here would be permitted under
the ``Area'' designation.
2. To identify approximately 208 miles of snow trails for grooming
on the Plumas National Forest for OSV use. This includes 72 miles which
are not currently groomed. Grooming these additional miles would
require increased funding from the California OHMVR Division, which is
not currently available, but these trails would be eligible for
grooming should funding become available. Trail mileages are estimates
only and we are currently reviewing the status of trails where there is
uncertainty regarding Forest Service jurisdiction or grooming
authorization, such as trails located on private property, or county
roads that groomed trails have historically passed through.
3. To allow grooming of snow trails, consistent with historical
grooming practices, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12
inches, and formally adopt California State Parks' OSV snow grooming
standards requiring a minimum of 12 inches of snow depth before
grooming can occur.
4. To implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use
that would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource
protection by allowing OSV use, both on-trail and off-trail in
designated Areas, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 inches.
Exceptions would be allowed in order for OSVs to access higher terrain
and deeper snow when snow depths are less than 12 inches, as long as
this use does not cause visible damage to the underlying surface. Most
groomed snow trails are co-located on
[[Page 58464]]
underlying paved, dirt, and gravel National Forest System roads and
trails.
5. To restrict OSV use on approximately 2,015 acres, limiting OHV
travel to existing routes, to improve consistency with national
guidelines for bald eagle management. Within these restricted Areas,
existing route segments totaling approximately 7 miles would be
designated for OSV use.
6. To enact new OSV prohibitions on approximately 5,940 acres in a
portion of the Lakes Basin Management Area and a portion of the Black
Gulch/Clear Creek Area.
7. To designate 21 locations where OSVs would be allowed to cross
the Pacific Crest Trail.
These actions would begin immediately upon the issuance of the
record of decision, which is expected in December of 2017. The Forest
Service would produce an OSV use map (OSVUM) that would look like the
existing motor vehicle use map (MVUM) for the Plumas National Forest.
Such a map would allow OSV enthusiasts to identify the routes and Areas
where OSV use would be allowed on the Plumas National Forest.
Responsible Official
The Plumas National Forest Supervisor will issue the decision.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
This decision will designate OSV use on National Forest System
roads, on National Forest System trails, and in Areas on National
Forest System lands on the Plumas National Forest where snowfall is
adequate for that use to occur. It will also identify the snow trails
where grooming for OSV use would occur. The decision would only apply
to the use of over-snow vehicles as defined in the Forest Service's
Travel Management Regulations (36 CFR 212.1). The Forest Supervisor
will consider all reasonable alternatives and decide whether to
continue current management of OSV uses on the Plumas National Forest,
implement the proposed action, or select an alternative for the
management of OSV uses.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement.
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 environmental impact statement. Written comments should be within
the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the
proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the
responsible official to consider. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The preferred
format for attachments to electronically submitted comments would be as
an MS Word document. Attachments in portable document format (pdf) are
not preferred, but are acceptable.
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. Comments submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered, however.
The Plumas National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation
is an activity implementing a land management plan. It is not an
activity authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
(Pub. L. 108-148). Therefore, this activity is subject to pre-
decisional administrative review consistent with the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74) as implemented by subparts
A and B of 36 CFR part 218.
Dated: September 23, 2015.
Daniel A. Lovato,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-24644 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
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