[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19307-19308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10197]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revision of the Land and Resources Management Plan for the 
Chugach National Forest, Alaska

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
and a revised land and resource management plan for the Chugach 
National Forest.

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SUMMARY: The Chugach National Forest will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) for revising the Land and Resource Management 
Plan (Forest Plan), and a revised Forest Plan document, pursuant to 16 
U.S.C. 1604(f)(5) and 36 CFR 219.12. The revised plan will supersede 
the current Forest Plan, which was approved on July 27, 1984 and which 
has been amended six times.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments pertaining to the revision of the 
Forest Plan to: Forest Plan Revision, Chugach National Forest, 3301 C 
St., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503-3998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Lehnhausen, Forest Planning Team Leader; (907) 271-2560 or FAX 
(907) 271-3992.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Forest Plans are ordinarily revised on a 10-
year cycle, or at least every 15 years (U.S.C. 1604(f)(5) and 36 CFR 
219.10(g)). Forest Plans guide the overall management of the National 
Forests through the following six management direction elements:
    (1) Forest multiple-use goals and objectives, 36 CFR 219.11(b);
    (2) Forest-wide management requirements (standards and guidelines) 
16 U.S.C. 1604 and 36 CFR 219.13 to 219.27;
    (3) Management areas and management area direction (management area 
prescriptions) 36 CFR 219.11(c);
    (4) Designated suitable timber land (16 U.S.C. 1604(k) and 36 CFR 
219.14) and an allowable timber sale quantity (16 U.S.C. 1611 and 36 
CFR 219.16):
    (5) Nonwilderness allocations or wilderness recommendations where 
36 CFR 219.17 applies; and
    (6) Monitoring and evaluation requirements (36 CFR 219.11(d)).
    The Forest Service has determined there is a need to make some 
changes to the 1984 Forest Plan, as amended. The revised Plan will be 
developed to address management of the Chugach National Forest. The 
following preliminary issues have been identified through monitoring 
and evaluation, project planning and implementation activities, and 
public comments received during the life of the existing Plan.

Preliminary Issues

Roadless Area Management and Wilderness Recommendations

    There is interest in the management of existing roadless areas. 
Some people feel that more of the Chugach National Forest should be 
allocated to protective designations, or recommend for wilderness, in 
order to conserve biological diversity, provide primitive recreational 
opportunities, provide opportunities for scientific research or 
baseline monitoring, protect unique features and resources, and provide 
for other non-commodity values and uses. Others are concerned that 
protective designations could limit or constrain recreation uses, fish 
and wildlife enhancement opportunities, increased access, commodity 
uses, and economic returns to local communities. Currently, about 98 
percent of the 5.4 million acre Forest is roadless and potentially 
eligible for wilderness designation.

Recreation and Tourism

    There is a concern about changes to tourism and recreation on the 
Forest. The recent decision by the State of Alaska to build a road to 
Whittier is expected to greatly increase recreation and tourism use of 
the Prince William

[[Page 19308]]

Sound area. The amount of use of the Forest by outfitters and guides 
for commercial recreation uses is also an emerging issue due to rising 
use levels on some popular trails and recreation areas.

Vegetation Management

    There is public interest in how the Forest's vegetation should be 
managed and used. Proposed timber harvest activities within inventoried 
roadless areas have raised public concerns about the potential effect 
on the availability of those areas for wilderness or other protective 
designations. Proposed salvage sales, related road building, and the 
use of roads after harvest operations, have also been raised as issues 
by the public. In the 13 years of operation under the current Forest 
Plan, the Chugach has sold an average 3.38 million board feet per year 
and an average 2.26 million board feet of timber per year have been 
harvested. Most of this timer harvest has been concentrated on the 
Kenai Peninsula portion of the Forest.

Wild and Scenic Rivers

    The existing Forest Plan did not consider any rivers or streams for 
designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. During the 
past two years, a comprehensive review of more than 760 named and 
unnamed rivers and glaciers on the Forest was conducted. Twenty rivers 
and three glaciers have been tentatively identified as containing one 
or more ``outstandingly remarkable'' values.
    During the revision process rivers may be added or dropped from 
those found eligible and public involvement will be considered in 
determining potential classification of the rivers as wild, scenic or 
recreational. A suitability determination for each river/glacier will 
be made in the revision process. If a river is found suitable, the 
Regional Forester may recommend the river for inclusion in the National 
Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
    Subject to valid existing rights, all rivers/glaciers found 
eligible will be given interim protection to preserve their potentially 
``outstandingly remarkable'' characteristics and maintain the highest 
level of classification until a final suitability determination and 
recommendation is made in the revised Forest Plan.

Travel Management and Access

    Many people value the recreation experience afforded by the lack of 
road access to most of the Forest. Others point out a need for 
additional public access either by road or trail for recreation use. 
Some people object to roads planned into roadless areas for resource 
development and are concerned with increased motorized use on new 
roads. Competition between ``muscle powered'' recreationists and 
motorized recreationists for areas to pursue their activities is 
increasing.

Additional Issues

    Public comments received on this Notice of Intent and through 
further public participation activities will be used to create a list 
of significant issues for the EIS and the revised Forest Plan. The EIS 
and revised Forest Plan will also address other subjects in response to 
existing planning direction. These will include (among others):

--Biological diversity;
--Minerals management;
--Fish and wildlife habitat management;
--Scenic resource management;
--Research Natural Areas; and
--Electronic and communication sites.

    Comments on the preliminary, or potential additional issues, and 
possible solutions to these issues are welcomed. Additional information 
concerning the scope of the revision will be provided through future 
mailings, news releases, and public meetings.
    The Chugach National Forest will hold a series of open house and 
focus group meetings in communities in and near the Forest and host a 
revision forum in Anchorage, Alaska, to provide information about the 
process of revising the Forest Plan, and to gather public input on 
formulation of alternatives and the scope and nature of the decisions 
to be made. Meeting dates and locations will be announced in the media.
    In preparing the EIS for revising the Plan, the Forest Service will 
estimate the potential impacts of various management alternatives on 
the Forest's physical and biological resources, as well as the 
potential economic and social impacts on local communities and the 
broader regional economy.
    The draft EIS and proposed revised Forest Plan are tentatively 
scheduled for release and public review in September 1998. A 90-day 
public comment period will be provided for these documents. The final 
EIS, revised Forest Plan, and a record of decision are currently 
scheduled for completion in June 1999.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings relating to public 
participation in the environmental review process. Reviewers of draft 
EIS's must structure their participation in the environmental review of 
the proposal so that it is meaningful and clearly informs an agency of 
the reviewer's position and contentions, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power 
Corp. v. NRDC U.S. 519, 533 (1978). Also environmental concerns 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 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 very important for 
those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of 
the 90-day comment period on the draft EIS, so that substantive 
comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a 
time when they can be meaningfully considered and responded to in the 
final EIS.
    The responsible official for the EIS and the revised Forest Plan is 
the Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, 
Alaska 99802-1628.

    Dated: April 8, 1997.
Kimberly Bown,
Acting Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 97-10197 Filed 4-18-97; 8:45 am]
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