[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49433-49434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24142]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service


Paradise Project, Boise National Forest, Idaho

AGENCY: Forest Services, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Mountain Home Ranger District of the Boise National Forest 
will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for an integrated 
resource management project in the Paradise project area, located 
immediately west of the South Fork Boise River and approximately 2 
miles south of Featherville, Idaho. Access is via Forest Development 
Road (FDR) 183. The project area encompasses approximately 2,800 acres 
of National Forest System land and is located 60 road miles northeast 
of Mountain Home and about 100 road miles east of Boise, Idaho.
    The agency invites written comments and suggestions on the scope of 
the

[[Page 49434]]

analysis. The agency also hereby gives notice of the environmental 
analysis and decisionmaking 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.
    Proposed Action: The proposed action would commercial thin, salvage 
harvest, and use prescribed fire throughout most of the project area. 
Helicopter, skyline, and tractor/off-road jammer (excavator) yarding 
would be done. Approximately 4 miles of road would be constructed and 1 
mile of existing road would be reconstructed. New and existing 
helicopter landings would be used. Bald eagle habitat would be 
protected and enhanced with buffer zones and thinning. The activities 
would occur from 1997 to 1998.
    Preliminary Issues: One significant issue with the proposed action 
has been identified so far. The issue is that timber harvest and 
associated road construction could impact the undeveloped 
characteristics and wilderness attributes of the Rainbow Inventoried 
Roadless Area (IRA).
    Possible Alternatives to the Proposed Action: One alternative to 
the proposed action has been identified. It is the no action 
alternative. Other alternatives may be developed as issues are raised 
and information is received.
    Decisions to be Made: The Boise National Forest Supervisor will 
decide whether to implement the project. If the project is to be 
implemented, the Forest Supervisor will decide which activities to 
include in the project, when the project should occur, and what 
mitigation and monitoring is needed to ensure the project is 
environmentally acceptable.
    Schedule: Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), November 
1996. Final, January 1997.
    Public Involvement: Scoping was initiated in October 1995. A legal 
notice appeared in the Idaho Statesman on October 2, 1995. A scoping 
letter was sent out to over 80 individuals, groups, organizations, and 
agencies. Comments receive from these public involvement efforts will 
be incorporated into the analysis process.
    Comments: Written comments concerning the proposed project and 
analysis are encouraged and should be postmarked within 30 days 
following publication of this announcement in the Federal Register. 
Mail comments to Frank Marsh, Mountain Home Ranger District, 2180 
American Legion Boulevard, Mountain Home, ID 83647; telephone 208-587-
7961 or 208-364-4310. Further information can be obtained at the same 
location.
    The comment period on the DEIS will be 45 days from the date the 
Environmental Protection Agency 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, reviewers of 
DEIS's 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 DEIS stage but 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, 
1002 (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 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 DEIS 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 DEIS 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.
    Responsible Official: David D. Rittenhouse, Forest Supervisor, 
Boise National Forest, 1750 Front Street, Boise, ID 83702.

    Dated: September 16, 1996.
Cathy Barbouletos,
Deputy Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-24142 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
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