[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 247 (Monday, December 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 67530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32453]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Canal Hoya Timber Sale; Stikine Area Tongass National Forest 
Petersburg, Alaska; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement

    The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Canal Hoya Timber 
Sale on the Wrangell Ranger District.
    The proposed action would harvest approximately 20 MMBF of timber 
on about 1000 acres in both the Canal and Hoya Creek drainages using a 
variety of harvest methods that leave various densities of trees in 
harvested areas. Two log transfer sites would be constructed, one near 
Canal Creek and another east of Hoya Creek. The log transfer sites 
could utilize a floating, removable structure. Both helicopter and 
cable log yarding systems would be utilized and depend on approximately 
12 miles of road to be constructed in both drainages.
    The purpose and need for this project is to provide approximately 
20 MMBF of timber from suitable timber lands to assist in providing a 
continuous wood supply to meet society's needs. Based on Forest Plan 
direction, a preliminary analysis suggests that timber could be 
harvested in the project area on up to 1000 acres to provide 
approximately 20 million board feet using a variety of harvest methods 
and silvicultural techniques across the landscape that promote 
industrial wood production and minimize the visibility of harvest 
units.
    The desired landscape condition for this area is a multi-aged, 
multi-structured forest landscape which meets some of the requirements 
of wildlife and provides for long-term timber production and scenery. 
This is consistent with the Tongass Land Management Plan direction for 
lands within the project area. Since it is anticipated that a new 
revision of the Tongass Land Management Plan will be signed during this 
planning process, we will strive to be consistent with the goals and 
objectives for the existing plan and the revised plan in the 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Canal Hoya timber sale.
    A range of alternatives to the proposed action will be considered, 
which will respond in various ways to environmental issues. One of 
these alternatives will not harvest the area. Other alternatives will 
consider various levels of harvest in Hoya Creek, Canal Creek or both, 
along with alternative road locations and mitigation measures.
    The decision required to be made is: (1) if, where and how much 
timber harvest should occur in the Canal Hoya area, and if so, (2) 
where should road and log transfer facility development occur to 
facilitate harvest and, (3) what mitigation measures and monitoring 
will be implemented.
    Federal, State, and local agencies, potential contractors, and 
other individuals or organizations who may be interested in, or 
affected by, the decision are invited to participate in the scoping 
process. This process will include:
    1. Identification of potential issues.
    2. Identification of issues to be analyzed in depth.
    3. Determination of potential cooperating agencies and assignment 
of responsibility.
    4. Examination of various alternatives.
    The Forest Supervisor will hold public meetings during the planning 
process but these meetings have not been scheduled at this time. There 
will be frequent correspondence with individual persons who indicate an 
interest in this project by responding to initial scoping letters and/
or the Stikine Area Project Schedule which is published quarterly.
    The analysis is expected to take approximately 5 months. The Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement should be available for public review by 
April of 1997. The Final Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to 
be completed by September 1997.
    Abigail R. Kimbell, Forest Supervisor, Stikine Area, Tongass 
National Forest, is the responsible official.
    Written comments, suggestions or questions concerning the analysis 
and Environmental Impact Statement should be sent to Scott Posner/John 
Stevens, ID Team Leaders, Wrangell Ranger District, Stikine Area, 
Tongass National Forest, P.O. Box 51 Wrangell, Alaska, 99929, phone 
(907) 874-2323.

    Dated: December 9, 1996.
Abigail R. Kimbell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-32453 Filed 12-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M