[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 197 (Thursday, October 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 63073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25748]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Ponderosa Pine Restoration Project, Coeur d'Alene River Ranger 
District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Kootenai and Shoshone 
Counties, ID

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Cancellation notice.

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SUMMARY: On March 12, 2002, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an 
environmental impact statement for the Ponderosa Pine Restoration Area 
Project was published in the Federal Register (Volume 67, Number 48, 
pages 11089-11090). The initial proposal encompassed two analysis 
areas; however, proposed activities in one of the areas have been 
deferred. Subsequent reviews have determined there will not likely be 
significant effects as a result of implementing proposed activities in 
the remaining analysis area, therefore preparation of an environmental 
impact statement is not warranted. Since an environmental assessment 
will be prepared instead of an environmental impact statement, the NOI 
is hereby rescinded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Jerome, Project Team Leader, 
Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, (208) 664-2318.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public was first notified of this 
proposal and the intention to prepare an environmental impact statement 
in February 2002. On March 12, 2002, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to 
prepare an environmental impact statement for the Ponderosa Pine 
Restoration Area Project was published in the Federal Register (Volume 
67, Number 48, pages 11089-11090). Initially, two areas were under 
consideration. The Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District of the Panhandle 
National Forest proposed vegetation rehabilitation in the Deerfoot 
Ridge and Two Mile watersheds, identified as the Ponderosa Pine 
Restoration Area. The Deerfoot Ridge watershed area is located east of 
Hayden Lake, Idaho in Kootenai County, and Two-Mile watershed area is 
located north of Silverton, Idaho in Shoshone County. Based on 
additional information gathered, it was determined that these areas are 
sufficiently different to warrant separate analyses. The Deerfoot Ridge 
area was selected as the first priority; opportunities to restore 
ponderosa pine stands in the Two-Mile area will be evaluated under a 
separate assessment later in the year. The original NOI was rescinded 
on April 5, 2002 (FR Volume 67, Number 66, page 16365), and on May 31, 
2002, a new NOI was published in the Federal Register (Volume 67, 
Number 105, pages 38063-38064).
    Further review of the Deerfoot Ridge area and the proposed 
activities has led the project team to the conclusion that there will 
not likely be significant effects associated with the proposal, and 
therefore preparation of an environmental impact statement is not 
warranted. An environmental assessment will be prepared to document the 
proposed action, alternatives to the proposed action, and environmental 
consequences of implementing each of the alternatives.
    Since an environmental assessment will be prepared instead of an 
environmental impact statement, the NOI is hereby rescinded.

    Dated: October 4, 2002.
Ranotta K. McNair,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 02-25748 Filed 10-9-02; 8:45 am]
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