[Federal Register: March 2, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 39)]
[Notices]
[Page 9076]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02mr09-11]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 9076]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Divide Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest; Colorado; Big
Moose Vegetation Management Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, Rio Grande National Forest, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to harvest and
regenerate timber stands killed by or infested with spruce beetle on
the Divide Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest, and treat
portions of the analysis area to promote aspen regeneration and healthy
stands of young aspen. The proposed treatments would ensure moving
towards or maintaining Forest Plan Desired Conditions and would
contribute to societies need for wood fiber.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by April 1, 2009. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
November 2009 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
March 2010.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Paul Hancock, Team Leader, Rio
Grande National Forest, Divide Ranger District, 13308 W. Highway 160,
Del Norte, CO 81132. Comments may also be sent via e-mail (with
subject, Big Moose Vegetation Management Project Public Comment) to
comments-rocky-mountain-rio-grande-divide@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to
(719) 657-6035.
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: Paul Hancock at (719) 657-3321.
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
The purpose of the Big Moose Vegetation Management Project proposal
is to meet the desired conditions and objectives of the Forest Plan.
Action is needed to maintain or move existing forest conditions toward
desired conditions. The proposed treatments would ensure moving towards
or maintaining Forest Plan Desired Conditions and would contribute to
societies need for wood fiber.
Proposed Action
The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to harvest and regenerate
timber stands killed by or infested with spruce beetle on the Divide
Ranger District southwest of Creede, Colorado, and treat portions of
the analysis area to promote aspen regeneration and healthy stands of
young aspen.
In order to promote aspen regeneration and healthy stands of young
aspen, we propose to use prescribed fire. In some areas, prescribed
fire would be used in conjunction with timber harvest methods to
promote aspen regeneration. Other areas not treated with timber
harvesting would be treated with prescribed fire to create a mosaic
landscape where fuel loads would be reduced and openings would be
created to promote additional areas for aspen regeneration.
Most of the proposed treatment areas would use the existing
transportation system. New temporary road construction would occur.
This work would be needed for access, improved safety, and additional
resource protection. Non-system and new temporary roads would also be
closed following their use.
Responsible Official
Thomas Malecek, District Ranger, Divide Ranger District, 13308 W.
Highway 160, Del Norte, CO 81132.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
An environmental impact statement (EIS) that discloses the
environmental consequences of implementing the proposed action and
alternatives to that action will be prepared. A separate Record of
Decision (ROD) will explain the responsible official's decision of
whether or not to implement some level of timber sale harvest and other
proposed activities on all, part, or none of the Analysis Area given
considerations of multiple-use goals and objectives.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. The Rio Grande
National Forest invites public comment and participation regarding this
project and subsequent EIS through scoping efforts in the form of this
notice in the Federal Register; the Schedule of Proposed Actions
(SOPA); public notice in the Valley Courier--the newspaper of record;
and letters sent to potentially concerned public, tribal governments,
and State and other Federal agencies. Scoping meetings will be
announced in the Valley Courier. Information will also be posted on the
Rio Grande National Forest Web site as the project progresses. Comments
received during these scoping efforts will be considered in this 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 environmental impact statement. Therefore, substantive comments
should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should
clearly articulate the reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent
administrative appeal or judicial review.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22, 36 CFR 220.5(b) and Forest
Service Handbook 1909.15, section 21.
Dated: February 19, 2009.
Thomas Malecek,
District Ranger/Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. E9-4267 Filed 2-27-09; 8:45 am]
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