[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7042]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 25, 1994]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part VII

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
_______________________________________________________________________




Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous Fish-Producing Watersheds on 
Federal Lands in Eastern Oregon, et al.; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service
[4310-84]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

 
Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous Fish-Producing 
Watersheds on Federal Lands in Eastern Oregon, et al.

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA; Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of environmental assessment and proposed 
finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
announce the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and 
proposed finding of no significant impact (FONSI) on a proposal to 
establish interim management direction for anadromous fish habitat 
protection and restoration on all or part of 15 National Forests in 
four Forest Service regions in four States, and seven BLM districts in 
four States. For the Forest Service, this includes all or parts of the 
following National Forests: Lassen and Los Padres in California (Region 
5); Bitterroot, Clearwater, and Nez Perce (Region 1) and Boise, 
Challis, Payette, Salmon, and Sawtooth (Region 4) in Idaho; Malheur, 
Ochoco, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman in Oregon (Region 6); Okanogan in 
Washington (Region 6). For the BLM, this includes all or parts of: 
Bakersfield and Ukiah Districts in California; Coeur d'Alene and Salmon 
Districts in Idaho; Prineville and Vale Districts in Oregon; and 
Spokane District in Washington. Public comments on the EA and proposed 
FONSI are invited.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing, postmarked by May 9, 1994. 
Send written comments to ``PACFISH EA,'' Forest Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090.

ADDRESSES: The public may obtain copies of the EA and proposed FONSI 
from Forest Service regional offices and national forests or the BLM 
State offices in the project area, and the Washington, DC offices of 
the Forest Service and the BLM. To request a copy by phone call (202) 
205-0957.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Deacon Williams (Forest Service) 
at (202) 205-1208, or Rick Swanson (Bureau of Land Management) at (202) 
452-7770.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service and Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) are developing an ecosystem-based management strategy 
for Pacific anadromous fish (i.e., salmon, steelhead, and sea-run 
cutthroat trout) habitat on lands they administer in eastern Oregon and 
Washington, and portions of Idaho and California. This anadromous fish 
habitat and watershed conservation strategy (commonly referred to as 
``PACFISH'') is being developed to respond to large declines in 
anadromous fish populations and widespread degradation of habitat 
condition.
    The Agencies are considering adopting interim management direction 
to halt degradation and to ensure that actions taken during the 18 
month period needed to complete geographically-specific environmental 
impact statements (EISs) do not have adverse environmental effects that 
could limit options for protection and management of anadromous fish 
habitat. The EA is intended to guide the Agencies to decide: (1) 
Whether to continue current management practices or to institute 
interim direction while longer-term management options are evaluated in 
the EISs; (2) what management direction should be applied during the 
interim period; (3) which watersheds interim direction would apply to; 
and (4) which categories of projects and activities might be affected.
    The EA describes five interim management alternatives and evaluates 
their effects on the physical, biological, and human environment. The 
preferred alternative is intended to provide a consistent approach for 
halting the degradation of aquatic and riparian ecosystems, and 
maintaining and beginning restoration of aquatic and riparian habitat 
conditions while the EISs are being completed. The preferred 
alternative would apply to proposed activities and to ongoing projects 
that are determined on a case-by-case basis to pose an unacceptable 
risk to riparian and aquatic ecosystems or at risk stocks. The interim 
management direction does not authorize, fund, or carry-out any project 
decisions, nor does it compel any changes in the physical environment. 
This interim direction includes management measures and standards and 
guidelines to be incorporated into separate project decisions while the 
Agencies evaluate a longer term strategy for anadromous fish 
protection. The analysis shows that the environmental effects of the 
interim management direction will be minimal for all alternatives 
considered, but adoption of some alternatives would begin important 
changes in management of habitat crucial to the survival of the 
remaining anadromous fish populations.
    For the Forest Service, the interim management direction is 
expected to result in non-significant amendments to the forest plans of 
the affected forests. The BLM would issue an instructional memorandum 
to affected districts. Prior to a decision on the interim management 
direction, the Agencies will complete Endangered Species Act (ESA) 
consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service. Project decisions will be preceded by the 
appropriate level of environmental analysis in compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act and other Federal environmental laws. 
Modifications of some ongoing projects or activities may be necessary 
depending upon the final decision reached regarding the interim 
management direction.
    To assist the Agencies in considering comments on the proposed 
action and the alternatives, comments should be as specific as 
possible. It also is helpful if comments refer to specific pages in the 
document. It is important that those interested in this proposed action 
participate by the close of the comment period so that substantive 
comments and objections are made available to the Agencies at a time 
when they can meaningfully consider and respond to them. The officials 
responsible for making the final decision on the interim management 
direction will be the Secretaries or their designees.

    Dated: March 17, 1994.

    For the Forest Service.
Jack Ward Thomas,
Chief.

    Dated: March 18, 1994.

    For the Bureau of Land Management.
Mike Dombeck,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 94-7042 Filed 3-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M, 4310-84-M