[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52147-52148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24751]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Jaybird EIS, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba and Sierra Counties, CA

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for proposed timber 
harvest, plantation thinning, fuels reduction, and wildlife habitat 
improvement projects for areas in the Brandy, Bridger, and Willow Creek 
watersheds in accordance with the requirements of 36 CFR 219.19. The 
projects areas are located within portions of T.18N, R.8 & 9E., and 
T.19N., R.8 & 9E., MDB&M.
    The agency invites comments and suggestions on the scope of the 
analysis. In addition, the agency gives notice of the full 
environmental analysis and decision-making process that will occur on 
the proposal so that interested and affected people are aware of how 
they may participate and contribute to the final decision.

DATES: Comments should be made in writing and received by November 20, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the project should be directed 
to Jean Masquelier, District Ranger, Downieville Ranger District, North 
Yuba Ranger Station, 15924 Hwy 49, Camptonville, CA 95922.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bob Willour, Resource Officer, Downieville Ranger District, 
Camptonville, CA 95922, telephone (916) 478-6253.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There are about 2,000 acres being analyzed 
for projects within the Jaybird analysis area. It incorporates the land 
within the Brandy, Bridger, and Willow Creek watersheds, which all 
drain into Bullards Bar Reservoir. It is located just north of 
Camptonville, California. The area is dominated by mixed conifer and 
hardwood forest.
    This project was chosen to derive needed wood fiber and to reduce 
fire risk. Watershed problems, fire hazards within a mixed land 
ownership landscape, forest health concerns, and wildlife habitat 
conditions represent some of the challenges and opportunities for 
improvements that will be looked at during this analysis. An EIS will 
be done because of the concern for water quality.
    In preparing the environmental impact statement, the Forest Service 
will identify and analyze a range of alternatives for treatment of the 
dense stands of young trees that address the issues developed for these 
sites. One of the alternatives will be no treatment. Other alternatives 
will consider differing levels of plantation thinning, timber harvest, 
new road construction and reconstruction, fuel hazard reduction, and 
fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects. The needs of people and 
environmental values will be blended in a such way that the Jaybird 
analysis area would represent a diverse, healthy, productive, and 
sustainable ecosystem.
    Public participation will be important during the analysis, 
especially during the review of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement. The Forest Service is seeking information, comments, and 
assistance from Federal, State, and local agencies and other 
individuals or organizations who may be interested in or affected by 
the proposed action. This input will be used in preparation of the 
draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The scoping process 
includes:

1. Identifying potential issues.
2. Identifying issues to be analyzed in depth.
3. Eliminating insignificant issues or those which have been covered by 
a relevant previous environmental analysis.
4. Exploring additional alternatives.
5. Identifying potential environmental effects of the proposed action 
and alternatives (i.e., direct, indirect, and cumulative effects and 
connected actions).
6. Determining potential cooperating agencies and task assignments.

    Comments from other Federal, State, and local agencies, 
organizations, and individuals who may be interested in, or affected by 
the decision, are encouraged to identify other significant issues. 
Public participation will be solicited through mailing letters to 
mining claim owners, private land owners, and special use permittees 
within the downieville Ranger District boundaries; posting information 
in local towns; and mailing letters to local timber industries, 
politicians, school boards, county supervisors, and environmental 
groups. Written comments that have already been received will still be 
considered when analyzing alternatives and impacts. Continued 
participation will be emphasized through individual contacts. No public 
meetings are scheduled.
    The draft EIS is expected to be filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public review 
approximately the middle of January, 1996. 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 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, reviews 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 EIS stage but that are not raised until after completion of the 
final EIS may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Agnoon 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 the 
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 

[[Page 52148]]
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 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 expected to be available by early May, 1996. The 
responsible official, who is the District Ranger for the Downieville 
Ranger District, will document the decision and reasons for the 
decision in the Record of Decision.

    Dated: September 19, 1995.
Jean M. Masquelier,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 95-24751 Filed 10-4-95; 8:45 am]
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