[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 58 (Friday, March 26, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 14747-14748] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-6836] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [OR-931-6320-05; GP9-0099] Seed Orchard Pest Management Programs at the Walter H. Horning, Charles A. Sprague, Travis Tyrrell, and Provolt Seed Orchards, on Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Clackamas, Josephine, Lane, and Jackson Counties, OR AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, (BLM) will prepare a draft and final environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposed action to develop a pest management program at all four of its Oregon Seed Orchards: the Horning Seed Orchard near Colton, the Sprague Seed Orchard near Merlin, the Tyrrell Seed Orchard near Lorane, and the Provolt Seed Orchard near Grants Pass. The BLM invites written comments on the scope of the analysis. In addition, the BLM gives notice of the environmental analysis and decision making process that will occur on the proposed action so that interested and affected people are aware of how they may participate and contribute to the final decision. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received in writing by May 10, 1999, to ensure timely consideration. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Dennis Weber, Project Leader, Horning Seed Orchard, 27004 S. Sheckly Road, Colton, OR 97017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harvey Koester, Orchard Manager, Sprague and Provolt Seed Orchards (541) 770-2401; Glenn Miller, Orchard Manager, Tyrrell Seed Orchard, (541) 683-6445; or Jim Hallberg, Orchard Manager, Horning Seed Orchard, (503) 824-2151. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Seed Orchards are managed primarily for the production of Douglas-fir, and sugar pine seed. Minor species managed for seed production include western hemlock, noble fir, western red cedar, western white pine, ponderosa pine, incense cedar, and Port- Orford cedar. The seed is used to produce seedlings for reforestation on BLM lands in Oregon and for use in cooperative orchard efforts. Some of the seed is used in the tree improvement program to produce genetically superior trees. The primary objective of the orchards is to produce seed of high quality and sufficient quantity to meet the needs of the BLM and of their cooperative partnerships. Use of pest management technology and products is necessary to achieve this goal. The BLM will conduct an environmental analysis to determine what type of pest management program will be used at the Horning, Sprague, Tyrrell, and Provolt Seed Orchards in western Oregon to produce seed and seedlings for the BLM in Oregon. The pest management practices that will be analyzed include, but are not limited to, control of unwanted vegetation by mechanical and chemical methods; control of diseases using sanitation, biological control organisms, and fungicides; control of insect pests with biological and chemical insecticides and use of sanitation; and control of animal pests through mechanical and preventative measures. Fertilization practices will also be considered in this analysis. In preparing the environmental impact statement, the BLM will identify and consider a range of alternative pest management programs. One alternative will be a no action (continuation of the present pest management program) alternative. Another alternative will be a pest management program without the use of chemical pesticides. Other alternatives will be pest management programs comprised of various combinations of control methods. Public participation will be especially important at several points during the analysis. The first point is during the scoping process (40 CFR 1501.7), which includes: 1. Defining the scope of the analysis and nature of the decision to be made. 2. Identifying the issues and determining the significant issues for consideration and analysis within the environmental impact statement. 3. Defining the proper make up of the interdisciplinary team. 4. Exploring possible alternatives. 5. Identifying potential environmental effects. 6. Determining potential cooperating agencies. 7. Identifying groups or individuals interested or affected by the decision. The BLM will be seeking information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State, and local agencies and other individuals or organizations interested in or affected by the proposed action. Public participation will be solicited by person-to-person contact and/or by mail to known interested and affected publics and key contacts regarding scope of the analysis. In addition, news releases will be used to give the public general notice. Input from interested people and organizations will be used in preparation of the draft environmental impact statement. The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public review by October 1999. At that time, EPA will publish a notice of availability of the draft environmental impact statement in the Federal Register. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 60 days from the date the EPA's notice of availability appears in the Federal Register. It is very important that those interested in the proposed action participate at that time. To be most helpful, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or the merits of the alternatives discussed (see Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 40 CFR 1503.3). Following the comment period on the draft environmental impact statement, substantive comments will be analyzed, considered, and responded to by the BLM in preparing the final [[Page 14748]] environmental impact statement. The final environmental impact statement is scheduled to be completed by September 2000. The responsible official will consider the comments and responses; environmental consequences discussed in the environmental impact statement; and applicable laws, regulations, and policies in making a decision regarding this proposal. The decision and rationale for the decision will be documented in the Record of Decision. A separate Record of Decision will be prepared for each orchard considered in the analysis. The responsible officials for each of these projects are as follows: Van Manning, Salem District Manager, (Horning Seed Orchard), Denis Williamson, Eugene District Manager, (Tyrrell Seed Orchard), and Ronald Wenker, Medford District Manager, (Sprague and Provolt Seed Orchards). Dated: March 15, 1999. Mark Lawrence, Acting District Manager, Salem District. [FR Doc. 99-6836 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-P