[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 24769-24770] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-11883] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Goose Creek Watershed Projects, Payette National Forest, Adams County, Idaho AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service is proposing to harvest and regenerate timber, improve watershed conditions, restore flammulated owl habitat, and expand the Grouse Campground in the Goose Creek watershed. The projects will be administered jointly by the New Meadows and McCall Ranger Districts of the Payette National Forest. The Goose Creek watershed is located on both the New Meadows and McCall Ranger Districts, roughly halfway between New Meadows and McCall, Idaho. The Payette Forest completed scoping on the Goose Creek Watershed Projects in April 1997, with the intent of analyzing effects on issues and resources in an environmental assessment. However, the Forest has since decided to complete the analysis in an environmental impact statement due to the high intensity of public use [[Page 24770]] and interest in this watershed, and the potential for the proposed action to produce significant effects. DATES: The Forest Service expects to release a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Goose Creek Watershed Projects in July 1998. A Final EIS and Record of Decision are expected in October 1998. ADDRESSES: Written comments or requests for the above documents can be sent to David Alexander, Forest Supervisor, Payette National Forest, P.O. Box 1026, McCall, Idaho 83638. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed projects should be directed to Sue Dixon, Team Leader, phone no. (208) 347-0331; or Kimberly Brandel, New Meadows District Ranger, phone no. (208) 347-0300. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action (Alternative B) would manage forest vegetation to improve growth, health, and species composition on an estimated 3,940 acres using tractor, skyline, and helicopter logging systems. Silvicultural prescriptions would include 1,910 acres of commercial thinning, 730 acres of free selection thinning, 620 acres of sanitation salvage, 580 acres of clearcuts with reserve trees, 50 acres of seed tree cuts, and 50 acres of overstory removal. Thinning treatments in lower-elevation stands would be designed to mimic historic stand conditions and restore habitat for flammulated owl, a Region 4 sensitive species that is known to occur in the watershed. Treatment of harvest-generated fuels would include 560 acres of broadcast burning, 400 acres of tractor piling and burning, and 261 acres of excavator piling and burning. Reforestation of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, western larch, Engelmann spruce, and lodgepole pine seedlings would occur on 580 acres. An additional 50 acres would be monitored for natural regeneration. An estimated 6.6 miles of new road would be constructed to support vegetation management. Another 45 miles of existing roads would be improved. Improvements include graveling 14.3 miles of native-surfaced roads with gravel from two existing developed sources. All roads would have surfaces graded and shaped, and drainage structures improved or installed as needed. Road stream crossings would be designed to meet PACFISH standards and to minimize potential effects to stream channels and water quality. An estimated 7.9 miles of existing road would be obliterated to improve soil productivity and hydrologic function. Obliteration would include combinations of the following: partial recontouring, pulling of culverts, reshaping drainages at culvert sites, ripping and revegetating road surfaces, placing slash and coarse wood on disturbed areas, and restricting motorized access. Post-sale road management would include closing an additional 68.7 miles of existing road to public motorized access to improve elk habitat and water quality within the watershed. The Grouse Campground near Goose Lake would be relocated to reduce impacts to riparian areas, and expanded to accommodate increasing recreation use in the area. The Proposed Action would require three non-significant amendments to the Forest Plan; one for exceeding the forage opening size and distance to cover for big game; one for not meeting the Elk Habitat Effectiveness target level, and one for temporarily changing the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum setting in one harvest unit (162 acres) from non-motorized to motorized. The Draft EIS will include at least two other alternatives, including Alternative A, No Action (continue current management in the watershed), and Alternative C, which would differ mainly from the Proposed Action by treating less acres (1,600) with timber harvest, constructing less new road (3.1 miles), obliterating more existing roads (30.6 miles), and restoring dispersed camp sites near Goose Lake and Brundage Reservoir. The Responsible Official is David F. Alexander, Forest Supervisor, Payette National Forest. Dated: April 27, 1998. David F. Alexander, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 98-11883 Filed 5-4-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M