[Federal Register: September 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number = 175)] [Notices] =20 [Page 46738-46739] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr11se09-13] =20 =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service =20 Six Rivers National Forest, Mad River Ranger District, Ruth, CA;=20 Kelsey Peak Timber Sale and Fuelbreak Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Forest Service is proposing the Kelsey Peak Timber Sale=20 and Fuelbreak Project to provide timber products to local economies,=20 reduce tree densities, improve watershed conditions and provide=20 defensible space to improve fire protection and human safety. The=20 Kelsey Peak planning area encompasses approximately 19,245 acres;=20 18,858 acres are National Forest System (NFS) lands and 398 acres are=20 in private ownership. The project would treat approximately 4,789 acres=20 of NFS lands by harvesting timber through thinning on approximately=20 2,249 acres and create 2,540 acres of fuel corridors. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received=20 by October 13, 2009. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is=20 expected March 2010 and the Final Environmental Impact Statement is=20 expected June 2010. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Thomas Hudson, Mad River Ranger=20 District, 741 State Highway 36, Bridgeville, CA 95526. Comments may=20 also be sent via e-mail to = comments-pacificsouthwest-six-rivers-mad- river@fs.fed.us, attention to the Kelsey Peak Project, or via = facsimile=20 to (707) 574-6273. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times=20 and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of=20 the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of=20 the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's=20 concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names=20 and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record=20 for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be=20 accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide=20 the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent=20 administrative or judicial reviews. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Hudson; Mad River Ranger=20 District, 741 State Highway 36, Bridgeville, CA 95526 or by telephone=20 at (707) 574-6233. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)=20 may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339=20 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed project would take place within=20 the Upper Mad River watershed on NFS lands administered by the Mad=20 River Ranger District in Trinity County, California. The legal location=20 includes portions of the following areas: T. 20 S., R. 8 E.; T. 30 S.,=20 R. 8 E.; and T. 28 N., R. 12 W.; and T. 27 N., R. 12 W. The Kelsey Peak Project is designed to contribute timber commodity=20 outputs in support of the Six Rivers Forest National Forest Land and=20 Resource Management Plan (LRMP). One of the goals of the LRMP is to=20 provide a stable supply of outputs and services that contribute to=20 local, regional, and national social and economic needs. The Six Rivers=20 National Forest seeks to provide a sustainable, predictable, long-term=20 timber supply for local economies. Tree densities within many stands greatly exceed desired stocking=20 levels. Overstocked stands can be unhealthy with low resistance to=20 insect and disease outbreaks. Overstocked small young stands will take=20 much longer to grow into larger mature trees, increasing the amount of=20 time needed to balance size classes across the landscape. The project area lies within the Mad River Watershed, which has=20 been listed as water quality impaired. The primary sources of sediment=20 are thought to be the current road conditions. The project planning area occurs within portions of the wildland- urban interface for the communities of Ruth and Three Forks, CA.=20 Numerous homes and several businesses contribute to the high economic=20 value ranking in the area. Fuel hazards here are moderate, but fire=20 risk is high due to the number of people in the area. Sensitive wildlife and plant species and survey and manage=20 botanical species are known to occur within the planning area. Purpose and Need for Action Given Forest goals, and environmental conditions within the=20 planning area, the purpose and need for the proposed action is:Provide timber commodities that contribute towards the=20 Forest's Allowable Sale Quantity as part of the Forest's obligation to=20 sustain the local rural economy. Where stands are overstocked, reduce tree densities to=20 increase stand vigor and resilience to fire and disease and increase=20 growth rates that would lead to a more balanced age/size class=20 distribution. Improve water quality within the watershed. Provide defensible space along strategic road corridors to=20 improve fire protection and human safety for both the Forest and=20 adjacent communities. Within the context of meeting the purpose and need, there would be=20 opportunities for fuelwood or biomass utilization associated with=20 proposed activities. Proposed Action The proposed action is designed to meet the project's purpose and=20 need while meeting the standards and guidelines of the LRMP. The Kelsey=20 Peak Timber Sale and Fuelbreak Project would treat vegetation to meet=20 the purpose and need. 1. Approximately 20 million board feet (MMBF) of timber would be=20 harvested from approximately 2,249 [[Page 46739]] acres within 98 treatment units. Harvesting would be accomplished by=20 utilizing ground-based, skyline, and helicopter logging systems.=20 Actions connected with commercial timber harvest include: a. Treating harvest activity generated fuel; b. Constructing approximately 1.9 miles of new temporary road, and=20 re-opening/re-utilizing approximately 5.1 miles of existing non-system=20 roads; c. Constructing new landings and reutilization of existing=20 landings; d. Hauling of commercial timber products on County Road 501 and=20 Forest Service System roads within the planning area; e. Felling and removal, where appropriate, of hazard trees along=20 haul routes; and f. Decommissioning, maintaining, and reconstructing roads as=20 needed. 2. Fuelbreaks or corridors would be strategically placed along 39=20 miles of road. Responsible Official The responsible official is the Forest Supervisor, Six Rivers=20 National Forest. Nature of Decision To Be Made The responsible official will decide whether to implement the=20 proposed action, no action or other alternatives considered under=20 analysis. He will consider the comments, responses, disclosure of=20 environmental consequences, and applicable laws, regulations, and=20 policies in making the decision and stating the rationale in the Record=20 of Decision. Scoping Process This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides=20 the development of the Environmental Impact Statement. Public scoping=20 will include notices in the newspaper of record and mailings of the=20 scoping package to interested and affected parties and posting of the=20 project on the Six Rivers National Forest project planning web page and=20 notice in the Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times=20 and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of=20 the Environmental Impact Statement. Therefore, comments should be=20 provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly=20 articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The submission of=20 timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to=20 participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review. Dated: September 2, 2009. Nancy J. Gibson, Acting Forest Supervisor, Six Rivers National Forest. [FR Doc. E9-21808 Filed 9-10-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P