[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 153 (Friday, August 8, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 42742] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-20931] [[Page 42742]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Supplement for Hamm-Hasloe Reforestation; Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District; Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplement to an Environmental Impact Statement The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare a supplement to the Hamm-Hasloe environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposal to reforest the Hamm-Hasloe Fire Area which was burned in the Stanislaus Complex Fires of 1987. An estimated 45 units, approximately 1,500 acres, (the original project area totals 15,045 acres) will be analyzed due to changing conditions on the ground since the original decision was made. The project area is located in both Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties in the following townships, ranges and sections (Mount Diablo Meridian): Portions of sections 25, 26, T.1S., R.16E.. Portions of sections 7, 16, 17, 21, 26-28, 34-36, T.1S., R.17E.. Portions of sections 1, 3-5, 10-12, 14, 22-26, 32, 34, 35, T.2S., R.17E.. Portions of sections 5-8, 17, 18, 30, T.2S., R.18E.. Portions of sections 1, 5, T.3S., R.17E.. This analysis and referenced document will follow the direction contained in the Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Vegetation Management for Reforestation in Region Five, California which was signed February 13, 1989 by Regional Forester Paul Barker. The selected alternative in this Record of Decision calls for local management flexibility in selecting the appropriate vegetation management methods for reforestation. The actions proposed in the Hamm- Hasloe Reforestation EIS Supplement will also be consistent with the Stanislaus National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Units will be evaluated for site preparation prior to tree planting. Only these treatments will be modified under this supplement, subsequent tree planting and release treatments are already covered in the existing EIS and will still be implemented as analyzed under that document. Treatments analyzed will include; mechanical and hand treatments, aerial and ground application of herbicides, and control burning. Alternatives developed could include combinations of treatments as well as no action. Most of the new treatment prescriptions will involve removal of brush which is now too tall to spray by hand. Federal, State, and local agencies, and interested individuals or groups are invited to participate in the scoping process. Letters will be sent to all individuals and groups who received a copy of the original EIS and expressed interest and concerns during the original project scoping. No scoping meetings are planned for this project. This process will include: 1. Identification of potential issues or concerns. 2. Identification of issues to be analyzed in depth. 3. Elimination of issues which have been covered by a previous environmental review. 4. Determination of potential cooperating agencies and assignment of responsibilities. Following the environmental analysis the Supplement is expected to be made available for public review by October 1997. The Supplement and Record of Decision is estimated to be completed by November 1997. The comment period on the draft supplement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of availability appears in the Federal Register. It is very important that those interested in the management of the Hamm-Hasloe area participate at that time. To be the most helpful, comments should be as specific as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or the merits of the alternatives discussed (see The Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3). In addition, Federal court decisions have established that reviewers must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewers' position and contentions, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978), and that environmental objections that could have been raised at the draft stage may be waived if not raised until after completion of the final document. Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). The reason for this is to ensure that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when they can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final document. Glenn Gottschall, Acting Forest Supervisor, Stanislaus National Forest, Sonora, California is the responsible official. Written comments and suggestions concerning this project or analysis should be addressed to Calvin Bird, Groveland District Ranger, 24545 Highway 120, Groveland, CA, 95321. Additional information can be obtained through John Schmechel, District Silviculturist, at the above address. Dated: July 30, 1997. David M. Freeland, Acting Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 97-20931 Filed 8-7-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M