[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 199 (Monday, October 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53580-53581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25497]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Seed Orchard Pest Management Program in the Oconto River Seed 
Orchard, Nicolet National Forest, Oconto County, WI

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare a 
draft and final environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposed 
action to develop an integrated pest management program at the Oconto 
River Seed Orchard near White Lake, Wisconsin. The Forest Service 
invites written comments on the scope of the analysis. In addition, the 
Forest Service gives notice of the environmental analysis and 
decisionmaking process that will occur on the proposed action so that 
interested and affected people are aware of how they may participate 
and contribute to the final decision.

DATE: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing, on or before November 15, 1995, to ensure timely 
consideration.

ADDRESS: Send written comments to: Seed Orchard EIS Project, Oconto 
River Seed Orchard, 18100 Saul's Spring Road, White Lake, WI 54491.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Sery, Oconto River Seed Orchard 
Manager, (715) 276-7400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Oconto River Seed Orchard is managed for 
the production of Jack pine, white pine, red pine, white spruce, black 
spruce, and tamarack seed. The seed is used to produce seedlings for 
the National Forests in the Lake States region. The primary objective 
of the orchard is to produce seed of high quality and sufficient 
quantity to meet Forest Service needs. A portion of the seed orchard is 
under management of a special use permit for the production of 
agricultural crops and seed. Use of current pest management technology 
and products is necessary in order to achieve these goals.
    The Forest Service will conduct an environmental analysis to 
determine what type of integrated pest management program will be used 
at the Oconto River Seed Orchard near White Lake, Wisconsin, to produce 
seed for the National Forests in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, 
and to protect agricultural investments. The pest management practices 
that will be analyzed include, but are not limited to, control of 
unwanted vegetation by mechanical and chemical methods; control of 
diseases using sanitation and biological control organisms; control of 

[[Page 53581]]
insect pests with biological and chemical insecticides, and use of 
sanitation; and control of animal pests through mechanical and 
preventative measures.
    In preparing the environmental impact statement, the Forest Service 
will identify and consider a range of alternative pest management 
programs. One alternative will be no action. Another alternative will 
be a pest management program without the use of chemical pesticides. 
Other alternatives will be pest management programs comprised of 
various combinations of control methods.
    Public participation will be especially important at several points 
during the analysis. The first point is during the scoping process (40 
CFR 1501.7), which includes:

    1. Defining the scope of the analysis and nature of the decision 
to be made.
    2. Identifying the issues and determining the significant issues 
for consideration and analysis within the environmental impact 
statement.
    3. Defining the proper make-up of the interdisciplinary team.
    4. Exploring possible alternatives.
    5. Identifying potential environmental effects.
    6. Determining potential cooperating agencies.
    7. Identifying groups or individuals interested or affected by 
the decision.

    The Forest Service will be seeking information, comments, and 
assistance from Federal, State, and local agencies and other 
individuals or organizations interested in or affected by the proposed 
action.
    Public participation will be solicited by notifying in person and/
or by mail known interested and affected publics and key contacts of 
the scope of the analysis. In addition, news releases will be used to 
give the public general notice. One public meeting was already held at 
the Oconto River Seed Orchard on September 21 and others can be held as 
needed. Input from interested people and organizations will be used in 
preparation of the draft environmental impact statement.
    The preliminary issues identified are: (1) The effect of seed 
orchard pesticides on human health and the environment; (2) the impact 
of pest management activities on threatened and endangered species and 
non-target organisms; (3) the effect of pest management activities on 
the surrounding community's lifestyle; and (4) the effectiveness of 
pest control methods.
    The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be filed 
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for 
public review by August of 1996. At that time, EPA will publish a 
notice of availability of the draft environmental impact statement in 
the Federal Register.
    The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will 
be 45 days from the date the EPA's notice of availability appears 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, 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 Circuit, 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 comment period so that 
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest 
Service at the 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 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 of Environmental Regulations for implementing the 
procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 
CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
    Following the comment period on the draft environmental impact 
statement, comments will be analyzed, considered, and responded to by 
the Forest Service in preparing the final environmental impact 
statement. The final environmental impact statement is scheduled to be 
completed by February of 1997.
    The responsible official will consider the comments and responses; 
environmental consequences discussed in the environmental impact 
statement; and applicable laws, regulations, and policies in making a 
decision regarding this proposal. The decision and reasons for the 
decision will be documented in the Record of Decision. That decision 
will be subject to appeal in accordance with 36 CFR part 217.
    Jack G. Troyer, Forest Supervisor, Nicolet National Forest, in 
Wisconsin, is the responsible official.

    Dated: October 2, 1995.
Jack G. Troyer,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-25497 Filed 10-13-95; 8:45 am]
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