[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 8038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03250]
[[Page 8038]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Winschell Dugway Motorized Trail Project; Caribou-Targhee
National Forest, Idaho
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service intends to prepare an environmental impact
statement to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of
constructing a motorized trail from Morgan Meadows to Caribou City on
the Soda Springs Ranger District of the Caribou-Targhee National
Forest.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by March 18, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
June, 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
October, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Garth Smelser, Forest Supervisor,
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID
83402. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 208-557-5827.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Taylor, Forest NEPA
Coordinator at 208-557-5837.
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.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose for this project is to respond to outside public
interest to provide a motorized trail opportunity from Morgan Meadows
to Caribou City allowing forest visitors to experience the historic
mining history of the area.
Proposed Action
The proposed action would establish a motorized ATV trail from
Morgan Meadows to Caribou City. The proposed action comes from planning
efforts that have occurred since 2007. This alternative includes
constructing approximately 2.2 miles of new trail and managing the new
trail as a motorized ATV trail. Further, the proposed action calls for
reconstructing approximately 4.85 miles of existing trails, exploratory
mining roads and abandoned roads (see Alternative 2 Map) to implement
the Winschell Dugway Motorized Trail project.
The proposed action addresses the trail corridor in the following
specific segments:
1. Use .75 mile of ATV Trail #449, from Morgan Meadows to Tincup
Creek.
2. Reconstruction of 1.5 miles of trail from Tincup Creek to the
saddle west of Jackknife Basin.
3. Construct 1.5 miles along the ridgeline west of Jackknife Basin
to an old reclaimed gold exploratory road.
4. Use of old reclaimed gold exploratory road for approximately .6
mile.
5. Construction of .1 mile down into the Bilk Creek drainage.
6. Use of abandoned mining road that crosses Bilk Creek and
continues to ridgeline between Anderson and Bilk Creeks.
7. Construction of .5 mile on ridgeline in the Anderson Creek
drainage back into Bilk Creek.
8. Use of old roadbed for .2 mile in Bilk Creek.
9. Construction of .1 mile of route that would tie into a well-used
road that takes the trail to Caribou City.
The route would require the installation of ATV bridges at four
stream crossings; on Bilk Creek (2), Tincup Creek (1) and on an unnamed
tributary to Tincup Creek (1). A cooperative agreement with Bonneville
County Parks and Recreation and Idaho Department of Parks and
Recreation would be created, specifying management and maintenance
responsibilities of all parties.
Possible Alternatives
Alternatives currently being considered for the Winschell Dugway
Motorized Trail project include: (a) No action, and (b) proposed action
as outlined above.
Responsible Official
Forest Supervisor, Garth Smelser, is the responsible official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed action
as described above, or to meet the purpose and need for action through
some other combination of activities as a result of the scoping
process, or to take no action at this time.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement.
The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for
the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed
action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. Per
36 CFR 218, only those who provide specific, written comments regarding
the proposed project or activity will be eligible to file an objection.
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.
Dated: February 10, 2016.
Garth Smelser,
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2016-03250 Filed 2-16-16; 8:45 am]
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