[Federal Register: February 23, 2010 (Volume 75, Number = 35)] [Notices] =20 [Page 8036-8037] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23fe10-39] =20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service =20 Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, Humboldt-Toiyabe National=20 Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a=20 proposal to authorize continued livestock grazing [[Page 8037]] within the Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area. The analysis will=20 determine if a change in management direction for livestock grazing is=20 needed to move existing resource conditions within the Monitor-Hot=20 Creek Rangeland Project area towards desired conditions. The project=20 area comprises approximately 952,234 acres and is located on the=20 Monitor and Hot Creek Mountain Ranges in Eureka, Nye and Lander=20 Counties, Nevada. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received=20 by March 25, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected=20 November, 2010 and the final environnental impact statement is expected=20 April, 2011. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah=20 Ranger Districts, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310. Comments may also be=20 sent via e-mail to comments-intermtn-humboldt-toiyabe-austin- tonopah@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (775) 964-1451. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, mail=20 correspondence to or contact Vernon Keller, Project Coordinator, at=20 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. The telephone number is 775- 355-5356. E-mail address is vkeller@fs.fed.us. 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: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for the proposed Federal action is to provide=20 livestock grazing opportunities to perinittees in a way that sustains=20 the health of the land and protects essential ecosystem functions and=20 values. Proposed Action The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts propose to authorize continued=20 domestic livestock grazing on approximately 816,433 acres within the=20 Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area under a specific management=20 regimen designed to sustain and improve the overall ecological=20 condition of the project area. Under this proposal, we would=20 incorporate updated direction in new grazing permits and allotment=20 management plans to guide grazing management within the project area=20 during the coming decade, or until amendments are warranted, based on=20 changed condition or monitoring. The Kelly Creek/North Monitor, White Rock, South Monitor, Table=20 Mountain and Monitor Valley East allotments are currently vacant.=20 Livestock grazing would be authorized in these allotments and they=20 would be used to reduce conflicts on allotments that are currently=20 grazed or as forage reserve allotments. These allotments comprise=20 approximately 259,232 acres. Monitor Winter, Horse Heaven, North Monitor Winter, Hicks Station,=20 Wagon Johnnie, Little Fish Lake, Monitor Complex, Saulsbury and Stone=20 Cabin allotments have active term grazing permits and would continue to=20 have authorized grazing. These allotments comprise approximately=20 557,201 acres. Morey, Hot Creek and McKinney allotments are currently vacant and=20 would be closed. These allotments comprise approximately 135,801 acres. Possible Alternatives In addition to the proposed action, we have tentatively identified=20 two additional alternatives that will be analyzed in the EIS. (1) Current Management Alternative: This alternative would be a=20 continuation of the current grazing management. (2) No Livestock Grazing (No Action) Alternative: This alternative=20 would eliminate grazing on all allotments in the project area. All=20 livestock would be removed from the project area and existing permits=20 would be cancelled. Responsible Official Steven Williams, District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts,=20 Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310. Nature of Decision to be Made Based on the environmental analysis on the EIS, the Austin/Tonopah=20 District Ranger will decide whether or not to authorize grazing on the=20 allotments within the Monitor-Hot Creek Project area in accordance with=20 the standards in the proposed action or as modified by additional=20 mitigation measures and monitoring requirements. Preliminary Issues The following are some potential issues identified through internal=20 Forest Service scoping based on our experience with similar projects.=20 The list is not considered all inclusive, but should be viewed as a=20 starting point. We are asking you to help us further refine the issues=20 and identify other issues or concerns relevant to the proposed project.Continued livestock grazing has to potential to affect=20 soil quality within the project area. Continued livestock grazing has the potential to adversely=20 affect water quality within the project area. Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect=20 fisheries habitat within the project area. Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect=20 vegetation, which may result in a decline in the long-term productivity=20 of the land base. Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect=20 wildlife habitat, particularly for elk and sage grouse, within the=20 project area. Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect=20 heritage resources within the project area. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guide=20 the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest=20 Service will use a mailing of information to interested parties. Public=20 involvement will be ongoing throughout the analysis process and at=20 certain times public input will be specifically requested. There are=20 currently no scoping meetings planned. 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. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook=20 1909.15, Section 21. Dated: February 5, 2010. Steven Williams, District Ranger. [FR Doc. 2010-3327 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M