[Federal Register: January 13, 2010 (Volume 75, Number =
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[Page 1748]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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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,=20
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and =
agency=20
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents=20
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 1748]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
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Helena National Forest, Montana, Stonewall Vegetation Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Helena National Forest is going to prepare an=20
environmental impact statement for vegetation management actions north=20
and west of the community of Lincoln, MT. Fire suppression and moist=20
growing conditions through much of this century resulted in a loss of=20
open forest conditions and seral species (aspen, ponderosa pine and=20
western larch). This has created a more uniform landscape comprised of=20
dense forests susceptible to insect and wildfire mortality (Douglas-fir=20
and lodgepole pine). In addition, a large-scale mountain pine beetle=20
epidemic has killed most of the mature lodgepole pine and ponderosa=20
pine. These conditions are elevating fuel levels which pose a wildfire=20
threat to nearby homes and communities in the wildland urban interface=20
(WUI).
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received=20
by February 12, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is=20
expected August 2010 and the final environmental impact statement is=20
expected January 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Amber Kamps, Helena National=20
Forest, 1569 Hwy. 200, Lincoln, MT 59639. Comments may also be sent via=20
e-mail to comments-northern-Hele=
na@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 406-
449-5436.
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: Amber Kamps at 406-362-7000.
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 landscape in this project area has become a more uniform dense=20
forest susceptible to insect and wildfire mortality. The mountain pine=20
beetle has caused widespread tree mortality. These conditions have=20
elevated the fuel levels, which in turn pose a threat to nearby homes=20
and communities in the wildland urban interface. The purpose and need=20
for this project includes: improving the mix of vegetation and=20
structure across the landscape so that it is diverse, resilient, and=20
sustainable to wildfire and insects; modifying fire behavior to enhance=20
community protection while creating conditions that allow the=20
reestablishment of fire as a natural process on the landscape;=20
enhancing and restoring aspen, western larch and ponderosa pine species=20
and habitats; utilizing the economic value of trees through removal;=20
and integrating restoration with socioeconomic considerations.
Proposed Action
Approximately 8,600 acres are proposed for treatment. The proposed=20
action includes using both commercial and noncommercial treatments to=20
achieve the desired condition. These actions would include:=20
Regeneration harvests, intermediate harvests, precommercial thinnings,=20
and prescribed burning. Implementing the proposed action could include=20
the use of chainsaws, feller bunchers, and cable logging equipment.
The proposed action also includes using prescribed fire and tree=20
slashing in two roadless areas (Bear Marshall Scapegoat Swan and=20
Lincoln Gulch).
Approximately five miles of road would be built then obliterated=20
immediately following timber removal. Commercial harvest and road=20
construction would not occur in the two roadless areas.
Post treatment activities would include underburning, site=20
preparation burning, jackpot burning, hand piling/burning, tree=20
planting, and monitoring of natural regeneration.
In all the areas proposed, the opening size may exceed 40 acres due=20
to the amount of mortality created by the bark beetles and the=20
resulting need for regeneration.
Responsible Official
Helena National Forest Supervisor.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decisions to be made include: Whether to implement the proposed=20
action or an alternative to the proposed action, what monitoring=20
requirements would be appropriate to evaluate the implementation of=20
this project, and whether a forest plan amendment would be necessary as=20
a result of the decision for this project.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides=20
the development of the environmental impact statement. In January 2010,=20
a scoping package will be mailed, an open house will be scheduled, and=20
Web site information will be posted.
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: January 6, 2010.
Kevin T. Riordan,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-452 Filed 1-12-10; 8:45 am]
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