[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 21, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9658-9661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4084]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

China Basin Fire Recovery and Associated Activities Kootenai 
National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The China Basin and Quartz 3 Wildfires burned over 7,400 acres 
of Kootenai National Forest system lands in the late summer of 1994. 
The Forest Service intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) to assess and disclose the environmental effects of opportunities 
designed to recover economic value of burned timber, reduce future 
fuels accumulations, improve bighorn sheep winter range, rehabilitate 
existing sediment sources, improve hydrologic conditions in affected 
watersheds, and protect long-term soil productivity. These objectives 
would be accomplished through salvage harvest of fire-killed timber; 
harvest of fire-killed and green timber in bighorn sheep winter range; 
reforestation of harvested and severely burned areas; fuels reduction 
in harvested areas; restoration of roads, revegatation of road cuts and 
fill slopes, and drainage improvement on existing roads; and providing 
for immediate and long-term recruitment of instream large woody 
material within the China Basin decision area. The China Basin decision 
area is located approximately 5 air miles northwest of Libby, Montana.
    The proposal's actions to salvage fire-killed trees and reforest 
burned areas, harvest green and fire-killed trees in bighorn sheep 
habitat, restore roads, reduce fuels, and implement watershed recovery 
projects are being considered together because they represent either 
connected or cumulative actions as defined by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.25). The EIS will tier to the 
Kootenai National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and Final 
EIS of September 1987, which provides overall guidance for achieving 
the desired forest condition of the area.

DATES: Written comments and suggestions should be received within 30 
days following publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: The Responsible Official is Robert L. Schrenk, Forest 
Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest. Written comments and suggestions 
concerning the scope of the analysis should be sent to Lawrence A. 
Froberg, District Ranger, Libby Ranger District, 12557 HWY 37, Libby, 
Montana, 59923.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michele Holman, Planning Forester, Libby Ranger Station. Phone: (406) 
293-8861.

[[Page 9659]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the night of August 14-
15, 1994, a lightning storm started 207 fires on the Kootenai National 
Forest in northwest Montana. Several fires ranging in size from less 
than one acre to over 7,000 acres occurred on the Libby Ranger 
District. The china Basin Fire Recovery EIS is being prepared in 
response to conditions resulting from two fires which burned within the 
boundary of the 12,000+ acre Libby Fire Complex. An interdisciplinary 
landscape analysis team used an ecosystem based approach to assess the 
fires affects and identify management opportunities that could be 
implemented to move the postfire landscapes toward a desired ecological 
condition.
    The tree mortality levels which resulted from the China Basin and 
Quartz 3 wildfires varied considerably. Within the fire perimeters, 
approximately 1,518 acres average 90% tree mortality, approximately 
2,315 acres average 70% tree mortality and approximately 3,643 acres 
average 30% tree mortality. The China Basin fire burned within and 
adjacent to a portion of the Kootenai River corridor currently under 
study for designation as a Recreation River as provided for under the 
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The China basin Fire also burned within and 
adjacent to the Flagstaff Mountain Roadless Area (X-690).
    The China Basin decision area contains approximately 10,300 acres 
within the Kootenai National Forest in Lincoln County, Montana. A 
portion of the proposed projects are located in the Quartz Creek 
drainage, primarily within the Lamoka and West Fork Quartz 
subdrainages. The remainder of the proposed projects are located within 
Hunter Gulch, Dad Creek, Burrel Creek and China Creek, which flow 
directly into the Kootenai River. The legal location of the decision 
area is as follows: Sections 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30 
Township 32 North, Range 32 West; Section 36, Township 32 North, Range 
33 West; Sections 1, 12, 13, Township 31 North, Range 33 West; Sections 
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Township 31 
North, Range 32 West; Principle Montana Meridian. The decision area 
includes land owned by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and 
lands owned by private individuals.

Proposed Action

    The primary purposes of the project are to recover valuable timber 
products from trees burned by wildfires that occurred in 1994; restore 
watershed conditions within the Quartz Creek and China Creek drainages; 
and to improve bighorn sheep winter habitat. The Forest Service 
proposes to harvest approximately 14-19 million board feet of timber by 
salvaging fire-killed timber and imminently dead trees on approximately 
1,955 acres of forest land outside riparian protection areas and to 
improve bighorn sheep habitat by harvesting approximately 4-5 million 
feet of fire-killed and green trees from approximately 1,141 acres in 
an area known locally as the Sheep Range. Only trees that were killed, 
or are expected to die as a result of the fires, would be harvested in 
the areas not designed to improve bighorn sheep winter range. The 
proposal includes prescribed burning of about 600 acres to improve 
bighorn sheep winter range and about 727 acres to reduce fuel loads in 
harvested areas. An estimated 1,500 acres of units proposed for harvest 
would be planted with conifer seedlings to help meet desired conditions 
for species diversity. An additional 650 acres of existing conifer 
plantation which burned would be replanted with conifer seedlings. All 
temporary roads constructed for this project, as well as an estimated 
17.5 miles of existing system and non-system road are proposed for 
restoration to reduce sediment and water yields, and improve grizzly 
bear and elk habitat security. Stabilization of two slumps and riparian 
planting of damaged stream banks are included under the proposal. In 
addition, projects to improve watershed recovery, repair damaged hiking 
trails, and damaged wildlife structures (guzzler) would be accomplished 
if adequate funds are available.
    Approximately 468 acres of existing old growth burned in the China 
Basin Fire. These stands no longer provide habitat for old growth 
dependent species and will be recommended for a change in management to 
big game summer range. These burned areas of pre-fire old growth have 
been proposed for salvage. Approximately 764 acres have been 
recommended for designation as old growth to replace the stands which 
burned.
    The decision area includes a portion of the Flagstaff Mountain 
Roadless Area (X-690). Most of the proposed units intended to improve 
bighorn sheep winter range are located within this roadless area. The 
activities would include harvest and prescribed burning. There is no 
proposed road construction within the roadless area. No proposed 
activities are located in areas considered for inclusion to the 
National Wilderness System as recommended by the Kootenai National 
Forest Plan or present legislative wilderness proposals.
    Due to the high level of tree mortality in proposed harvest units, 
most harvested areas would resemble clearcut, seedtree, or shelterwood 
silvicultural methods. Only those live trees which must be cut to 
facilitate logging fire-killed trees would be harvested, except in the 
units intended to improve bighorn sheep habitat where live trees would 
be designated for removal to enhance forage conditions. In addition to 
most live trees, clumps of snags and downed woody debris would remain 
on site for cavity habitat and for watershed purposes. Timber harvest 
is designed to have the minimal amount of ground disturbance. Proposed 
harvest would be completed by tractor, skyline, cable winching from 
existing roads and helicopter logging systems.
    The Kootenai National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 
provides overall management objectives in individual delineated 
management areas (MA's). The decision area contains nine MA's: 2, 10, 
12, 13, 15, 18, and 19. Briefly described, MA 2 is managed to protect 
and enhance roadless recreation use and provide wildlife values. MA 10 
is managed to maintain or enhance habitat effectiveness for winter use 
by big-game animals and protect scenic quality in areas visible from 
major travel routes. MA 12 is managed to maintain or enhance the summer 
range habitat effectiveness for big-game species and produce a 
programmed yield of timber. MA 13 is managed to provide the special 
habitat necessary for old growth dependent wildlife. MA 15 is managed 
primarily for timber production while providing for other resource 
values. MA 18 are areas which have regeneration difficulties and are 
managed by maintaining the vegetation in a healthy condition and 
maintaining populations of existing wildlife. MA 19 is managed to 
protect soil stability and water quality by maintaining the vegetation 
in a healthy condition and minimizing surface disturbance. Timber 
salvage and fuels reduction is proposed in MA 12 and MA 15. Harvest 
units and prescribed burns to improve bighorn sheep habitat are 
proposed within MA 10.
Preliminary Issues

    Several preliminary issues of concern have been identified by the 
Forest Service. These issues are briefly described below:
     Water Quality--Streams in the decision area have been 
impacted by past management and large wildfires. How would the proposed 
action affect water yield, sediment production, stream stability, and 
recovery from past impacts? [[Page 9660]] 
     Timber Supply--An estimated 24 million board feet of 
timber was killed in the China Basin and Quartz 3 fires. Much of this 
fire-killed timber will quickly lose its commercial value due to rapid 
deterioration. To what extent does the proposed action recover the 
commercial value of fire-killed timber to help meet local and national 
needs?
     Activity in Roadless Areas--What effect would the proposal 
have on the roadless character of the Flagstaff Mountain Roadless Area?
     Grizzly Bear--The decision area lies within the recovery 
area for the Cabinet/Yaak grizzly bear ecosystem. How would the 
proposal maintain and enhance grizzly bear habitat, and contribute to 
recovery efforts?
     Fisheries--Some streams contain fisheries habitat and 
resident fish populations, including torrent sculpin (a Region 1 
sensitive species), bull trout (currently being considered for listing 
as a threatened or endangered species), and westslope cutthroat trout 
(likely hybridized). How would the proposed action affect fisheries 
habitat and populations?
     Bighorn Sheep Habitat--The proposal contains approximately 
1141 acres of ``special cuts'' intended to improve bighorn sheep 
habitat. To what extent does the proposed action improve forage for 
wintering bighorn sheep?
     Visual Quality along Kootenai River--The units proposed to 
improve bighorn sheep habitat are located along the Kootenai River 
Corridor and can be viewed in places from HWY 2. To what extent will 
the viewshed be altered from along HWY 2?

Forest Plan Amendment

    The Kootenai National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan has 
specific management direction for the China Basin decision area. The 
China Basin proposed action is designed to maintain or improve resource 
conditions and move towards achieving desired ecological conditions, 
and is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Forest Plan. 
Prior to making a NEPA decision, a thorough examination of all 
standards and guidelines of the Forest Plan would be completed and, if 
necessary, plan exceptions or amendments would be addressed in the EIS.

Decisions To Be Made

    The Kootenai National Forest Supervisor will decide the following:
    Should dead and imminently dead trees within fire areas be 
harvested and if so how and where,
    What amount, type, and distribution of watershed restoration 
projects, including road restoration, would be implemented,
    What burned areas need to be replanted,
    Should dead and green trees be harvested to improve bighorn sheep 
habitat and it so, how and where, and
    If Forest Plan exception or amendments are necessary to proceed 
with the Proposed Action within the decision area.

Public Involvement and Scoping

    Some public participation efforts have already been initiated under 
the Sheep Range Environmental Assessment, prior to the fires. The 
design of the proposed units to improve bighorn sheep habitat have been 
altered in response to the Sheep Range project public involvement. 
Consultation with appropriate State and Federal agencies has been 
initiated. Preliminary effects analysis indicated that the wildfires 
may significantly affect the quality of the human environment, and fire 
recovery activities have the potential to both intensify and reduce 
effects. These potential effects prompted the decision to prepare an 
EIS for the China Basin Fire Recovery Project.
    This environmental analysis and decisionmaking process will enable 
additional interested and affected people to participate and contribute 
to the final decision. Public participation will be requested at 
several points during the analysis. The Forest Service will be seeking 
information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State, local 
agencies, and other individuals or organizations who may be interested 
in or affected by the proposed projects. This input will be used in 
preparation of the draft and final EIS. The scoping process will 
include:
     Identifying potential issues.
     Identifying major issues to be analyzed in depth.
     Exploring additional alternatives which will be derived 
from issues recognized during scoping activities.
     Identifying potential environmental effects of this 
project and alternatives (i.e. direct, indirect, and cumulative effects 
and connected actions).
    The analysis will consider a range of alternatives, including the 
proposed action, no action, and other reasonable action alternatives.

Estimated Dates for Filing

    The draft China Basin Fire Recovery EIS is expected to be filed 
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for 
public review by May, 1995. At that time EPA will publish a Notice of 
Availability of the draft EIS in the Federal Register. The comment 
period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date the EPA publishes 
the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
    The final EIS is scheduled to be completed in August, 1995. 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 a decision 
regarding the proposal.

Reviewer's Obligations

    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements 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 environmental impact statement stage 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 and respond to them in the final EIS.
    To be most helpful, comments on the draft EIS should be as specific 
as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or the merit 
of the alternatives discussed. 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.

Responsible Official

    Robert L. Schrenk, Forest Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest, 506 
US Highway 2 West, Libby, MT 59923 is the Responsible Official. I have 
delegated the responsibility to prepare the China Basin Fire Recovery 
Environmental Impact Statement to Lawrence A. Froberg, District Ranger, 
Libby Ranger District. As the Responsible Official I [[Page 9661]] will 
decide which, if any, of the proposed projects will be implemented. I 
will document the decision and reasons for the decision in the Record 
of Decision. That decision will be subject to Forest Service Appeal 
Regulations.

    Dated: February 10, 1995.
Robert L. Schrenk,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-4084 Filed 2-17-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M