[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6339]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 18, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

 

Santiam Forest Health Project, Willamette National Forest, Linn 
County, OR

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to thin and/or regenerate forest stands, 
construct roads, and use prescribed fire in Santiam Pass. The need for 
the forest health project is threefold: (1) To change forest stand 
structure and composition, in order to reduce forest health problems; 
(2) create sustainable stand structure and wildlife habitat conditions; 
(3) to salvage dead and dying trees and provide timber for local mills. 
Project is proposed for fiscal year 1995. The Willamette National 
Forest invites written comments on the scope of the analysis. The 
agency will give full notice of the full environmental analysis and 
decision making process for the proposal so interested and affected 
people may participate and contribute to the final decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by April 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Eugene Skrine, District 
Silviculturist, McKenzie Ranger District, McKenzie Bridge, Oregon 
97413.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene Skrine, District 
Silviculturist, McKenzie Ranger District, McKenzie Bridge, Oregon 
97413, Phone (503) 822-3381.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USDA, Forest Service proposal includes: 
re-introduction of natural fire, through the prescribe burning of 
understory layers in selected stands; harvest trees through thinning, 
understory removal, selection harvest and/or regeneration harvest on 
about 1,000 acres; construct permanent roads and temporary roads to 
access treatment units; regenerate new stands after harvest; continue 
to learn and interact with the public on forest health; develop 
opportunities for post/pole/chip/firewood products from small sized 
trees; develop habitat improvement projects for a variety of wildlife, 
fish, and sensitive plant species; implement Scenic Byway strategy for 
enhancement opportunities along the Santiam Pass highway.
    Preliminary issues have been identified and include: Roadless 
areas; forest health, long-term productivity, and biodiversity; spotted 
owls; recreation experience; fire hazard and air quality; old growth 
and fragmentation; socio-economic; threatened, endangered, and 
sensitive species (plants land animals); and cultural resources. A 
range of alternatives will be developed including a no action 
alternative.
    This draft EIS will tier to the 1990 Final EIS for the Willamette 
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and will not be 
inconsistent with any of the Alternatives in the President's Forest 
Plan. The Forest Service is the lead agency.
    Initial scoping began in October 1993. Extensive scoping has 
already been done on the project through field trips, newsletters, and 
public meetings. The public is invited to offer suggestions and 
comments in writing.
    The draft EIS is expected to be completed in May 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 process. First, reviewers of 
a draft EIS must structure their 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 EIS stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final EIS may be waived or dismissed by 
the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 f. 2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir, 
1986) and 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 EIS.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft EIS should 
be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to 
specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also 
address the adequacy of the draft EIS 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.)
    The final EIS is scheduled to be completed in August 1994. In the 
final EIS, the Forest Service is required to respond to comments and 
responses received during the comment period that pertain to the 
environmental consequences discussed in the draft EIS and applicable 
laws, regulations, and policies considered in making the decision 
regarding the Santiam Forest Health Project. Darrel L. Kenops, Forest 
Supervisor, is the Responsible Official. As the Responsible Official, 
he will decide whether to implement the project. The Responsible 
Official will document the decision and reasons for the decision in the 
Record of Decision. That decision will be subject to Forest Service 
Appeal Regulations (36 CFR part 215).

    Dated: March 10, 1994.
Darrel L. Kenops,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-6339 Filed 3-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M