[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 14066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7519]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 56 / Tuesday, March 24, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14066]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Open Road and Open Motorized Trail Analysis, Targhee National 
Forest, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison 
and Teton Counties, Idaho; Lincoln and Teton Counties, Wyoming

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Targhee National Forest will prepare a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to document the Analysis and 
disclose the environmental impacts of a open motorized road and trail 
network for the Targhee National Forest.
    In this decision, the Targhee National Forest would designate which 
roads and trails are open for motorized use.

COMMENTS: Written scoping comments concerning the proposed project and 
analysis are encouraged and should be postmarked on or before April 23, 
1998. Mail comments to Alan Silker, Targhee National Forest, 420 N. 
Bridge Street, St. Anthony, ID 83445; telephone, (208) 624-3151. 
Further information can be obtained at the same location. No scoping 
meetings are planned at this time.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Revised Targhee National Forest Land 
Management and Resource Plan (Revised Plan) was approved in April, 
1997. The management prescriptions adopted in the Revised Plan include 
standards for the miles of open roads and motorized trails allowed per 
square mile. Standards are also established for cross country motorized 
use by prescription area.
    In August of 1997, the Targhee National Forest issued a Record of 
Decision for the Open Road and Open Motorized Trail Travel Plan. Over 
1200 appeals were filed on this decision. On January 14, 1998, the 
Appeal Deciding Officer from the Intermountain Regional Office reversed 
the Responsible Official's August 1997 decision. In order to assure 
compliance with the Biological Opinion and the Revised Forest Plan, 
interim direction was issued.
    The Forest Service is seeking information and scoping comments from 
Federal. State and local agencies as well as individuals and 
organizations who may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed 
action. The Forest Service invites written comments and suggestions 
related to the proposal. Information received will be used in 
preparation of the draft Supplemental EIS and final Supplemental EIS. 
For the most effective use, comments should be submitted to the Forest 
Service within 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice in 
the Federal Register.
    The comment period on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protecting 
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 
Draft Supplemental 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 Supplemental 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, 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 Draft Supplemental 
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 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 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: Jerry Reese, Forest Supervisor, Targhee 
National Forest, 420 N. Bridge Street, St. Anthony, ID 83445.
Jerry B. Reese,
Targhee Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-7519 Filed 3-23-98; 8:45 am]
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