[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 169 (Thursday, August 31, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45396-45397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21640]



 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 169 / Thursday, August 31, 1995 / 
Notices  


[[Page 45396]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Cleghorn to Cactus Off-Highway Vehicle Trail San Bernardino 
National Forest, San Bernardino County, California; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report

SUMMARY: The San Bernardino National Forest will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) 
in conjunction with California Department of Parks and Recreation on a 
proposal to complete sections of the off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail 
system and address issues related to OHV use which have come forward 
since the Forest's Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) was 
approved on January 27, 1989. The LRMP Record of Decision (ROD) calls 
for construction of twelve miles of OHV trail per year with a goal of 
387 miles of designated OHV trail.
    This proposal will continue to implement the direction from the 
LRMP to develop an integrated OHV trail system of long distance travel 
opportunities and loop trails along with associated recreational 
facilities. It will evaluate a range of alternatives, including no 
action. This EIS and ROD will amend the LRMP and establish additional 
direction for the Forest's OHV program. This analysis will tier to the 
LRMP Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by October 6, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct questions about the proposed action and preparation of the EIS 
to John Wambaugh, Off-Highway Vehicle Program Manager, San Bernardino 
National Forest, 1824 S. Commercenter Circle, San Bernardino, CA 92408-
3430 or call (909) 884-6634, ext 3146.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest has been assessing the affects of 
constructing two separate OHV trails since March 1994. These proposals 
were known as; the Cleghorn Ridge-Hwy 138 Tunnel and Cactus-Rattlesnake 
OHV Trails. The Forest has previously conducted public meetings and 
field trips to discuss the nature and scope of the projects when they 
were being analyzed as separate environmental assessments (EA's). The 
previous scoping process showed that it would be best to combine the 
two proposals to better evaluate the cumulative effects. An EIS was 
determined to be necessary because of the potential of not being able 
to mitigate all effects to a level of non-significance. In response to 
public interest in the overall scope of the Forest's OHV program, this 
proposal will include additional areas of analysis for trail linkages 
and trail loops on the Arrowhead, Big Bear, and Cajon Ranger Districts. 
In addition to these proposed trails, development of one staging area 
is proposed on the Cajon Ranger District.
    The completion of these trail segments and staging area will 
provide the opportunity for longer trail riding by connecting isolated 
segments of the Forest's OHV trail system. The development of a well 
planned and designed trail system will improve the Forest's ability to 
manage OHV use, protect resources, minimize conflicts with other Forest 
uses, and enhance the recreational opportunity for OHV enthusiasts.

DECISION TO BE MADE: To determine if and where additional trail 
segments should be constructed and additional roads designated for the 
purpose of providing an integrated OHV trail system for vehicles 50'' 
and under in width. A determination will also be made as to whether and 
where to construct a staging area and associated recreation facilities.

SCOPING PROCESS: Public scoping will be initiated with the publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register. Letters inviting suggestions or 
comments will be sent to individuals and groups on the Forest's mailing 
list that are interested in OHV activities and its relation to Forest 
management. Additional scoping will be conducted by providing written 
notice to local newspapers. Open houses are scheduled for September 8, 
9, 15, and 16, 1995, to provide more detailed information about the 
proposal and to allow the public to ask questions.

PRELIMINARY ISSUES AND ALTERNATIVES: Preliminary issues that have been 
identified are:

--effects of OHV use on threatened and endangered animal species, 
specifically the California spotted owl and the southern bald eagle
--cumulative effects of linking OHV trails together
--effects of OHV use adjacent to the Pacific Crest National Scenic 
Trail
--effects of OHV use on other recreational uses of the Forest
--potential impacts to threatened, endangered, and sensitive, plant 
species
--impacts to archeological resources
--effects of motorized use in riparian areas

    Preliminary alternatives that have been developed are:
    1. No Action. All OHV trail designations would be retained in their 
current status. New OHV trails would not be constructed. Opportunities 
to designate roads for OHV use or to close roads that present resource 
concerns would not be implemented. Temporary designations would remain 
temporary. Resource protection measures associated with the designated 
OHV trail system and closure of unauthorized trails adjacent to the 
designated system would continue at its present level. There are 
currently 284 miles of Forest roads and trails designated of OHV use.
    2. Establish Designated Routes Without New Construction. This 
alternative would designate 37 miles of Maintenance Level (ML) II 
roads, 16 miles of ML III roads, and 10 miles of State Highway or 
County roads, in addition to the 284 miles currently designated for a 
total of 347 miles.
    3. Establish Designated Routes Within ``Potential Tie'' Planning 
Areas as identified in the LRMP. This alternative proposes utilizing 
the current system mileage of 284 miles, plus construction of 11 miles 
of new 50'' wide trail, designation of 14 miles of ML II roads, 
designation of 10 miles of ML III roads, designate one-half mile of 
State Highway or County road, designate 14 miles of roads that are not 
recognized as part of the Forest's road inventory, and designate 7 
miles of trails that are currently not recognized as part of the 
Forest's trail inventory for a total of 340.5 miles. An OHV staging 
area site 

[[Page 45397]]
will be analyzed for development on the Cajon Ranger District.
    4. Establish Designated Routes outside of the ``Potential Tie'' 
planning areas identified in the LRMP. Linkages are within areas 
designated for motorized use in the LRMP. Use of lands other than 
Federal ownership is considered to complete trail linkages. This 
alternative proposes utilizing the current system mileage of 284 miles, 
plus construction of 2 miles of new 50'' wide trail, designation of 11 
miles of ML II roads, designation of 12 miles of ML III roads, 
designate 18 miles of roads that are not recognized as part of the 
Forest's road inventory, designate 7 miles of trails that are currently 
not recognized as part of the Forest's trail inventory, incorporates 3 
miles of trail that are under other ownership, and remove 13 miles of 
OHV road from the designated trail system. This alternative proposes a 
total of 324 miles. An OHV staging area site will be analyzed for 
development on the Cajon Ranger District.
    5. Establish Designated Routes by using areas within and outside of 
the ``Potential Tie'' planning areas identified in the LRMP to form 
trail loops. Linkages are within areas designated for motorized use in 
LRMP. Use of lands other than Federal ownership is considered to 
complete trail linkages. This alternative proposes utilizing the 
current system mileage of 284 miles, plus construction of 12 miles of 
new 50'' wide trail, designation of 28 miles of ML II roads, 
designation of 10 miles of ML III roads, designate 18 miles of roads 
that are not recognized as part of the Forest's road inventory, 
designate 7 miles of trails that are currently not recognized as part 
of the Forest's trail inventory, and incorporate 3 miles of trail that 
are on non-Federal ownership for a total of 362 miles. An OHV staging 
area site will be analyzed for development on the Cajon Ranger 
District.

LEAD AGENCY: The lead agency for this proposal is the United States 
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

PERMITS OR LICENSES REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTATION: Encroachment permits 
from the California Department of Transportation will need to be 
obtained to cross State Highway 18 near Cactus Flats and to construct 
two tunnel underpasses on State Highway 138 if these proposals are 
implemented.
    If an alternative with trail linkage across state or private lands 
in or adjacent to the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is 
selected, additional agreements, easements, and right-of-ways will be 
needed from these agencies.
    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 but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement 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 important 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 of the draft supplemental environmental 
impact 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.
    The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review by 
January 1996. The comment period on the draft environmental impact 
statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes the notice of its availability in the Federal 
Register. The final environmental impact statement is expected to be 
available about March 1996.

COMMENT PERIOD CONCERNING THIS NOTICE: Comments concerning the scope of 
analysis of the draft EIS/EIR must be received by October 6, 1995. 
Submit written comments and suggestions concerning the scope of the 
analysis for the Cleghorn to Cactus OHV Trail proposal to Gene 
Zimmerman, Forest Supervisor, San Bernardino National Forest, 1824 S. 
Commercenter Circle, San Bernardino, CA 92408-3430.

    Dated: August 23, 1995.

Gene Zimmerman,

Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 95-21640 Filed 8-30-95; 8:45 am]

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