[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]


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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.

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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