[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24866]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 11, 1994]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

 

Opportunity to Comment on Development of Long-Term Strategy for 
Management of Anadromous Fish-Producing Watersheds in California

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; opportunity for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service (FS) (lead agency) and the USDI Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM) (cooperating agency) will develop and 
implement a long-term strategy for management of anadromous fish-
producing watersheds in California. The objective of the strategy is to 
maintain and restore ecological functions and processes that create 
good habitat for Pacific salmon and steelhead trout. The area to be 
addressed includes portions of Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creek 
watersheds managed by the Lassen National Forest; portions of nine 
watersheds managed by the Los Padres National Forest; portions of the 
Redding Resource Area, Ukiah District, of the BLM; and portions of the 
Carmel River Watershed in the Hollister Resource Area, Bakersfield 
District, of the BLM. Areas managed by the FS and BLM already 
implementing direction from the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific 
Northwest are not included because long-term management direction for 
anadromous fish-producing watersheds is already provided. The 
Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Six Rivers National Forests and 
other areas managed by the FS and BLM within the range of the northern 
spotted owl are therefore excluded. The geographic area to be addressed 
is that covered by PACFISH interim management direction for anadromous 
fish-producing watersheds in California. (PACFISH refers to the 
proposed interim management strategy analyzed in the Environmental 
Assessment for the Implementation of Interim Strategies for Managing 
Anadromous Fish-producing Watersheds in Eastern Oregon and Washington, 
Idaho, and portions of California (PACFISH EA)).
    Preliminary review indicates that implementation of FS land and 
resource management plans and BLM resource management plans for the 
affected areas already provides protection of anadromous fish habitat. 
However, the adequacy of those plans and consistency among plans and 
between the FS and BLM is being reviewed in light of information 
developed for the PACFISH EA. The analysis conducted for the PACFISH EA 
indicates that implementation of PACFISH will have minor environmental 
effects in California because of the relatively small size, 
discontiguous, and geographically dispersed ownership pattern of the 
affected FS and BLM administered lands, and because of the protection 
already afforded by the implementation of existing management plans.
    The PACFISH interim management strategy is intended to arrest 
degradation of riparian and aquatic habitat and initiate ecosystem 
recovery across four western States while long term strategies are 
prepared. In addition to the relatively small area in California, the 
interim strategy also covers an extensive area of FS and BLM 
administered lands in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Long-term 
strategies for the management of anadromous fish-producing watersheds 
will be developed for those areas within the context of the Eastside 
Ecosystem Management Project and the Upper Columbia River Basin 
Project.
    For the development of a long-term management strategy in 
California, this comment process will be used by the FS and BLM to help 
determine whether existing management plans (with or without the 
addition of PACFISH interim direction) adequately protect anadromous 
fish habitat; what, if any, additional issues need to be addressed; the 
appropriate level of National Environmental Policy Act analysis for the 
development of such a strategy; and the level of interagency 
coordination necessary to insure a consistent approach to management on 
FS and BLM administered lands in California.

DATES: Comments concerning the analysis should be received in writing 
by January 9, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Katherine Clement, Director, Land 
Management Planning, 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katherine Clement, Director, Land Management Planning, (415) 705-1834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pacific salmon and steelhead trout occur 
naturally from southern California northward to the Arctic Ocean. These 
fish populations comprise a large number of stocks, or populations that 
originate from specific watersheds during specific times of year as 
juveniles, migrate to the ocean, and generally return to reproduce in 
their natal watersheds. Of the more than 400 stocks from California, 
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington recently evaluated in a report published 
by the American Fisheries Society, 106 were found to be extinct, 214 
were considered to be at ``moderate'' or ``high'' risk of extinction or 
of ``special concern,'' and about 120 were considered ``secure.''.
    The analysis conducted for the PACFISH EA indicates that 
implementation of the interim management will have minor environmental 
effects in California because of the relatively small size, 
discontinuous, and geographically dispersed ownership pattern of the 
affected BLM and FS administered lands, and because of the protection 
already afforded by the implementation of existing management plans. 
Details follow.

Lassen National Forest--Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creek Watersheds

    The existing Lassen National Forest Plan includes direction for 
protection and improvement of anadromous fish habitat. Three anadromous 
fish-producing watersheds exist on the Forest: Mill, Deer, and Antelope 
Creeks. Along most of their lengths, these creeks are managed as 
proposed Wild and Scenic Rivers under the existing forest plan Outside 
the Wild and Scenic River corridors established by the plan, watershed 
disturbance is limited by other standards and guidelines established by 
the plan. All lands in and adjacent to lakes, streams, ephemeral and 
perennial wetlands, bogs, seeps, and pothole lakes are assigned the 
riparian/fish prescription. Activities within riparian zones are 
limited to those that enhance riparian objectives. Final widths of 
reiparian zones are set following site-specific evaluation. The forest 
plans directs preparation of detailed anadromous fish and Wild and 
Scenic River management plans following site-specific analyses. Other 
prescriptions that limit watershed disturbance include primitive 
recreation, late-successional, research natural area, and existing and 
proposed Wilderness.
    In addition, the Lassen National Forest Plan will be amended by the 
California Spotted Owl EIS that is under preparation for the ten 
national forests in the Sierran province. Alternatives considered in 
that EIS include enhanced riparian standards and guidelines, with 
special provisions for the anadromous fish-producing watersheds on the 
Lassen. The standards and guidelines are based on the Aquatic 
Conservation Strategy in the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific 
Northwest, and on the proposed PACFISH interim management direction. A 
decision on this EIS is expected in 1995. The alternative selected may 
further limit disturbance in anadromous fish-producing watersheds.

Los Padres National Forest--Mine Coastal Watershed Areas

    The existing Los Padres National Forest Plan includes direction for 
protection and improvement of anadromous fish habitat. The forest has 
developed a Riparian Conservation Strategy to aid in implementation of 
the forest plan direction. Standards and guidelines for watershed 
protection and programs for in-stream habitat improvements and 
prescribed fire for chaparral management are included in the plan. 
Wildfires in chaparral and riparian woodlands are identified in the 
plan as having the greatest effect on anadromous fish habitat. 
Scheduled timber harvest is not permitted under the plan (the allowable 
sale quantity is zero).

BLM--Redding and Hollister Resources Areas

    In California, BLM manages two areas with anadromous fish-producing 
watersheds outside the area implementing the President's Forest Plan 
for the Pacific Northwest. BLM has reviewed the current resource 
management plans (RMPs) for the Redding Resource Area, Ukiah District, 
and the Hollister Resource Area, Bakersfield District, and has 
determined that PACFIAH interim management direction is in conformance 
with the existing plans.
    The Redding Resource Area includes about 24 miles in scattered 
parcels along the Upper Sacramento River and tributaries, including 
Battle, Clear, Deer, and Paynes Creeks. The enhancement of anadromous 
fisheries is identified as an objective in the Redding RMP.
    The Hollister Resource Area includes a parcel of approximately 1300 
acres of upland area within an andromous fish-producing watershed in 
the upper Carmel River drainage. The Hollister RMP identifies watershed 
enhancement as a major land use objective.
    Elements of the PACFISH interim management, including interim 
Riparian Management Objectives and Riparian Habitat Conservation Area 
widths, may need to be refined for long-term management, in light of 
specific conditions in California.
    Written comments from the public on this analysis should be 
submitted as indicated at the beginning of this notice. Comments would 
be most useful if sent by the date specified and if they address 
clearly the proposed action: development and implementation of a long-
term strategy for the management of anadromous fish-producing 
watersheds on FS and BLM administered lands in California, outside 
areas implementing the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific 
Northwest. Alternatives that may be considered include continuation of 
existing management direction for the affected national forests and BLM 
resource areas; integration of PACFISH interim management with features 
of existing plans that provide equal or greater long-term protection of 
anadromous fish habitat; and application of the Aquatic Conservation 
Strategy from the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific Northwest in 
all anadromous fish-producing watersheds of the Lassen National Forest 
and Redding Resource Area. The analysis of public comments and review 
of existing management plans could reaffirm the adequacy of existing 
plan direction, or it could lead to amendment of those plans, 
documented with one or more environmental analyses. If more than one 
analysis is conducted, they may be structured by unit, by agency, or by 
geography. For example, two joint FS/BLM analyses might be conducted--
one for portions of the Lassen National Forest and Redding Resources 
Area, and another for portions of the Los Padres National Forest and 
Hollister Resource Area. A decision on the nature, scope, and structure 
of the analysis necessary for long-term management is expected by April 
1995.
    The responsible official for the FS is G. Lynn Sprague, Regional 
Forester, 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94111, The responsible 
official for the BLM is ED Hastey, State Director, 2800 Cottage Way, 
Sacramento, CA 95825.

    Dated: September 15, 1994.
G. Lynn Sprague,
Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 94-24866 Filed 10-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M