[Federal Register: February 25, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 36)]
[Notices]
[Page 8499-8500]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25fe09-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin; Honey Creek-Padus
Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental
impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding
alternatives within the Honey Creek-Padus Project. The purpose of the
Honey Creek-Padus Project is to implement land management activities
that are consistent with direction in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National
Forest 2004 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan and respond to
the specific needs identified in the project area.
Honey Creek-Padus Project is located on National Forest System
lands, administered by the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, north of
Wabeno, WI. The legal description of the project is Township 35 North,
Range 14 and 15 East.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by March 13, 2009. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
in September 2009 and the final environmental impact statement is
expected February 2010.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning this project to Marilee
Houtler, Attn: Honey Creek-Padus, Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, 15085
State Road 32, Lakewood, WI 54138. Comments may also be sent via e-mail
to comments-eastern-chequamegon-nicolet-lakewood@fs.fed.us, or via
facsimile to 715-276-3594.
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. Comments submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide
the respondent with standing to appeal the subsequent decision.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilee Houtler, NEPA Coordinator (see
address above), phone 715-276-6333.
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: The information presented in this notice is
included to help the reviewer determine if they are interested in or
potentially affected by the proposed land management activities. The
information presented in this notice is summarized. Those who wish to
provide comments, or are otherwise interested in or affected by the
project, are encouraged to obtain additional information from the
contact listed above.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose and need for action by the agency is to address notable
gaps between the existing vegetation and access conditions in the Honey
Creek-Padus landscape and the desired conditions to be provided under
the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 2004 Land and Resource
Management Plan. Of primary importance are needs for change in: (1)
Uneven-aged northern hardwood age structure and density; (2)
composition of aspen and hardwoods; and (3) species age class
distribution. These are the dominant habitats in the Honey Creek-Padus
Project area. Preliminary analysis of the project area indicates that
there are certain conditions that warrant action to accomplish the
direction and desired conditions identified in the forest plan.
Proposed Action
Based on the opportunities and needs outlined in the Purpose and
Need section, the Forest Service proposes the following actions in the
Honey Creek-Padus Project area: 6,703 acres of timber harvest to manage
species age diversity, species composition, improve growing conditions,
stand tending and reforestation, and access management. Implementation
is planned for 2010.
[[Page 8500]]
Responsible Official
The responsible official for this project is Jeff Seefeldt,
Lakewood-Laona District Ranger, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Decision making will be limited to specific activities relating to
the proposed actions. The primary decision to be made will be whether
or not to implement the proposed action, another action alternative, or
parts of alternatives that respond to the project's purpose and need.
This decision would be documented in a record of decision.
Preliminary Issues
Comments from American Indian tribes, the public, and other
agencies will be considered in identifying preliminary issues.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. The 45 day comment period will start after
the publication in the Federal Register of the Notice of Availability
for the Honey Creek-Padus Project Draft EIS.
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 EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's
concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific
comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent
administrative appeal or judicial review.
Dated: February 19, 2009.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-3992 Filed 2-24-09; 8:45 am]
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