[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 60 (Thursday, March 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15686-15687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06273]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho; John Wood Forest
Management Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Soda Springs Ranger District proposes to conduct forest
vegetation management activities and road work in a 5,590-acre project
area within the Wood Canyon and Johnson Creek drainages located in the
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, approximately six miles east of Soda
Springs, Idaho. The project area has a forest vegetation management
emphasis designated in the Caribou Revised Forest Plan (RFP) (2003).
Overall, the landscape in which the project area is located has been
identified as being outside of desired conditions outlined in the RFP
with respect to forest structure and species composition.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by May 1, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
August 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
October 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Soda Springs Ranger District, 410
East Hooper Avenue, Soda Springs, ID 83276. Comments may also be sent
via email to [email protected]
or via facsimile to (208) 547-2235.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Beck, Project Leader, (208) 847-
8941. A public scoping letter with more details is posted on the forest
Web site (https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/landmanagement/
projects). In addition, a copy of the Caribou RFP is available on the
forest Web site (https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ctnf/landmanagement/planning).
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:
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of the project proposal is to improve the overall
composition, health and resilience of the forest within the project
area, utilize and improve timber resources, and improve the Forest
transportation system.
The project proposal is needed because a fire regime condition
class assessment of the forested landscape indicated that the landscape
qualifies as Condition Class 2. This means that the vegetation
composition, structure and fuels have moderate departure from the
natural regime and predispose the system to risk of loss of key
ecosystem components. Also, the project area is within a Caribou RFP
5.2 prescription area. The emphasis in this prescription area is on
scheduled wood-fiber production, timber growth and yield, while
maintaining or restoring forested ecosystems (RFP at 4-71). This
prescription area also sets the following guidelines: [p]ractices to
prevent or control natural disturbances, such as insects and disease
losses and wildfire, are emphasized. (RFP at 4-72) and where aspen
exists, it should be maintained or enhanced as a component through
restoration treatments (RFP at 4-72). Many of the stands in the project
area that were previously harvested are becoming overly dense, which
impacts growth and yield and increases risk to forest pests such as the
western spruce budworm. Finally, there is a need to address the poor
condition and resource concerns of the existing transportation system
within the project area.
Proposed Action
A combination of vegetation management activities would occur on
approximately 760 acres. More specifically, approximately 395 acres are
proposed for selection harvest, which would require approximately 1.6
miles of temporary road construction to facilitate the harvest.
Additionally, approximately 365 acres are proposed for non-harvest
stand-tending treatments (pre-commercial thinning, piling, pile
burning, jackpot burning and chopping).
Several different types of road work are also proposed. The road
work is proposed to meet transportation system needs for timber
removal, resource needs, and public safety. It is proposed to
reconstruct and improve the condition of approximately 5.1 miles of
roads within the project area. This would include activities such as
blading and shaping the road bed, spot graveling, culvert replacements,
and other minor repairs. Approximately, 2.3 miles of road has been
identified as needing to be relocated to address resource concerns.
These roads will be located in the same general area, but large
portions will be moved to a new foot print. Additionally, it is
proposed to construct Road 574 in a more sustainable location (1.6
miles new construction), obliterate the previous location along with
several other short segments of road (2.1 miles), and close 0.3 miles.
Development of a gravel pit within the project area is also be
considered.
Possible Alternatives
The Forest Service would develop alternatives to the proposed
action based on internal and public scoping comments and analyze any
viable alternatives in a draft environmental impact statement.
Responsible Official
Soda Springs District Ranger, Bryan K. Fuell, is the responsible
official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decisions to be made include whether to implement the proposed
action, as designed; whether there are other alternatives capable of
satisfying the purpose and need; and whether any mitigation measures or
monitoring is required to implement the proposed action or
alternatives. These decisions would be made in the record of decision,
which would be issued following the publication of a final
environmental impact statement and completion of the Forest Service
objection process (36 CFR part 218, subparts A and B).
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. At this time, no
public meeting will be held. This decision may be reconsidered
depending on the outcome of scoping. In addition to this notice of
intent, a legal notice will be published in the Idaho State Journal,
newspaper of
[[Page 15687]]
record, to ensure wide distribution of this notice.
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. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. 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, anonymous comments will not provide the Agency
with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent
environmental documents.
An additional opportunity for public participation will occur
during the public comment period on the draft environmental impact
statement, which will be initiated by the publication of a notice of
availability in the Federal Register.
Dated: March 22, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-06273 Filed 3-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P