[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5398]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

 

Wild and Scenic Rivers Study Report and Legislative Environmental 
Impact Statement; Lolo National Forest; Lewis and Clark, Mineral, 
Missoula, Powell, Ravalli and Sanders Counties, MT

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is gathering information to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on the suitability of eight 
previously identified river segments for inclusion in the National Wild 
and Scenic Rivers System. The eight rivers were found eligible for 
consideration as Wild and Scenic Rivers in the 1991 Amendment 12 to the 
Lolo National Forest Plan. All river segments are within the boundaries 
of the Lolo National Forest except for the Clark Fork, which meanders 
in and out of the boundary several times. The Forest Service will 
evaluate all eight rivers under one process and will develop 
alternatives within a range of ``no rivers suitable'' to ``all rivers 
suitable and recommended for designation.''
    The agency invites written comments and suggestions on the issues 
and management opportunities for the area being analyzed. The proposed 
study will occur during fiscal years 1993 and 1994. The final EIS and 
preferred alternative will be forwarded to the United States Congress 
for a decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by April 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Forest Supervisor, Lolo National 
Forest, Building 24, Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT 59801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Meuchel, Program Officer for Planning, (406) 329-3804.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Amendmnet 12 to the Lolo Forest Plan 
identifies nine rivers within the Forest that are eligible for 
inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This study and 
EIS will determine the suitability of eight of these rivers and will 
contain the Agency's recommendation to Congress. The rivers included in 
this study are stretches of Cache Creek, the Clark Fork, Clearwater 
River, Morrell Creek, North Fork Blackfoot River, Rattlesnake Creek, 
South Fork Lolo Creek and West Fork Fish Creek. The ninth river, Rock 
Creek, will be studied for suitability in a joint effort with the 
Deerlodge National Forest.

Scoping

    The public will have opportunities to learn more about and comment 
on the rivers analysis through periodic information sheets and other 
scoping methods arranged between May 1993 and March 1994. Scoping will 
be focused in the communities of Missoula, Ninemile, Plains, Seeley 
Lake and Superior, Montana. The first scoping notice was sent in a May 
1993 information package to people on the rivers planning mailing list 
and to media serving the host communities.
    The lead agency is the Forest Service. Cooperation with State 
agencies will be sought and this may add length to the study river 
stretches.
    The responsible official is the Secretary of Agriculture, 
Administration Building, 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    The draft EIS will be completed in June 1994. The comment period on 
the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date the Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal 
Register.
    The Forest Service believes it is important to give reviewers 
notice at this early stage of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may 
be waived or dismissed by the courts. Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. 
Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these 
court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this 
proposed action participate by the close of the 45-day comment period 
so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the 
Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and 
respond to them in the final environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters in the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. (Reviewers may wish to refer 
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points).
    After the comment period ends on the draft EIS, the comments will 
be analyzed and considered by the Forest Service in preparing the final 
EIS. The final EIS is scheduled to be complete by December 1994. The 
Secretary will consider the comments, responses, and environmental 
consequences discussed in the final EIS and applicable laws, 
regulations, and policies in making his recommendation to the President 
regarding the suitability of these rivers for inclusion in the National 
Wild and Scenic River System. The President forwards his 
recommendations for inclusion to Congress. The decision on inclusion of 
a river in the National Wild and Scenic River System rests with the 
United States Congress.

    Dated: March 3, 1994.
Orville L. Daniels,
Lolo Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-5398 Filed 3-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M