[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 5983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02107]
[[Page 5983]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Madison Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest;
Montana; South Gravelly Allotment Management Plan
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The nature of the South Gravelly Allotment Management Plan
project proposes updating of four domestic livestock grazing management
plans located on the southern end of the Gravelly Mountains, Beaverhead
and Madison Counties, Montana.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by March 7, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
June of 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
January of 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Dale Olson, District Ranger,
Madison Ranger District, 5 Forest Service Road, Ennis, MT 59729.
Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected] or via facsimile to 406-682-4233. For all forms of
comment, make sure to include your name, physical address, phone
number, and a subject title of South Gravelly AMP.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Olson, District Ranger, Madison
Ranger District, 5 Forest Service Road, Ennis, MT 59729. Phone: 406-
682-4253.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
This action is being undertaken to review grazing practices and
infrastructure on four domestic livestock grazing allotments (Eureka
Basin, Pole Creek, Southwest Corner, Robb Creek) to ensure compliance
with the applicable Beaverhead-Deerlodge Land and Resource Management
Plan (Forest Plan) direction. This action is needed because there is
new direction in the Forest Plan for livestock grazing, site specific
suitability, and site specific Allowable Use Levels (AUL's) need to be
validated. Additionally this action is needed to meet the Rescissions
Act schedule for updating allotment plans.
Proposed Action
The authorizing official proposes to: Maintain current authorized
livestock type and numbers, season of use and infrastructure on the
allotments. Cattle grazing is authorized between July 1 and October 15
for a total of 9363 AUMs. Domestic livestock grazing would continue
following current allowable use levels. Specifically, for upland forage
no more than 55 percent use; for riparian areas no more than 30 percent
streambank disturbance or maintain no less than four inches of
greenline stubble height measured by stream reach. Reaching any one
allowable use parameter requires movement of livestock from the area,
pasture or the allotment. There would be no changes or additions in
grazing management or infrastructure. Monitoring of compliance with
AULs and long term vegetation monitoring would continue. Allotment
management plans for the four allotments would be updated to
incorporate the AULs and management prescriptions.
Possible Alternatives
No Grazing Alternative. Under this alternative domestic livestock
grazing permits on the four allotments would be discontinued with a
minimum of two years notice (36 CFR 222.4(a)(1)) to permittees. No new
term grazing permits for domestic livestock grazing would be issued.
All internal fences and water developments would be removed.
Responsible Official
The Madison District Ranger will be the responsible official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed
action, another alternative, or a combination of the alternatives.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. A scoping letter
and maps will be mailed to interested publics, Tribes, and federal,
state, and local governments.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action.
Dated: January 29, 2016.
Dale Olson,
Madison District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2016-02107 Filed 2-3-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P