[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49894-49895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25001]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Rio Sabana Day Use Picnic Area, Caribbean National Forest, 
Naguabo, Puerto Rico

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, USDA will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposed action to develop the Rio Sabana Day Use 
Picnic Area in the municipality of Naguabo, reconstruct 2.5 miles of 
the Rio Sabana Trail and trailhead, reconstruct 0.8 miles of entrance 
road, and construct a cable trail bridge over Rio Sabana.
    The Forest Service invites comments and suggestions that are within 
the scope of the proposed action and analysis. In addition, the agency 
gives notice of the environmental analysis and decision making 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.

DATES: Following are the dead lines established for pubic comments: (a) 
Comments to be incorporated into the draft environmental impact 
statement should be received by September 30th, 1998; (b) Comments to 
be incorporated into the final environmental impact statement should be 
received within 45 days following publication of the Notice of 
Availability of the draft environmental impact statement.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Abigail Rivera, Team Leader; 
Caribbean National Forest, P.O. Box 490, Palmer, Puerto Rico, 00721.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Abigail Rivera, Rio Sabana Picnic Area EIS Team Leader, 787 888-5643.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Caribbean National Forest is proposing: 
(a) To develop a day use picnic area located in the vicinity of the Rio 
Sabana Bridge, on the southern end of Highway #191, at Km. 21.1, in the 
Cubuy Sector of the Municipality of Naguabo; (b) the rehabilitation of 
2.5 miles of the Rio Sabana Trail #6 and trailhead; (c) repair and 
reconstruction of 0.8 miles of entrance road, on Hwy. #191, Km. 22.3, 
to project site, Km. 21.1; (d) and construction of a cable bridge over 
the Rio Sabana. Currently, the area has not been developed for 
recreation but receives heavy use. This use, coupled with a sensitive 
ecosystem in which it is located, gives rise to a potential conflict 
between the need to protect and conserve natural resources and the need 
to provide a well managed natural setting where our customers can enjoy 
a satisfying recreational experience.
    Access to the proposed site is via Hwy #191, at Km. 22.3. On April 
13, 1992, U.S. District Judge Guierbolini permanently enjoined and 
restrained the U.S. Forest Service and the Federal Highway 
Administration from proceeding with construction activities on the 
closed portion of Highway P.R. #191, from Km. 13.5 to Km. 20, until 
completion of an environmental impact statement. The proposed project 
is located on a segment of Hwy. #191 that is outside of the area under 
court order.
    The proposed action would meet the objectives of: (a) Correcting 
the current managerial situation and social settings in relation to the 
physical setting and actual use; (b) protect the natural resources in 
the vicinity; (c) increase Forest Service presence on the southern end 
of the Forest, which currently is minimal.
    The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Forest Management Act 
(NFMA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Forest Service 
will be the lead agency and the Puerto Rico Department of Public 
Transportation (DTOP) will be a cooperating agency.
    Public participation will be especially important at several points 
during analysis. The first point is when scoping officially begins (40 
CFR 1501.7). The Forest Service will be seeking information, comments, 
and assistance from Federal, State and local agencies, and other 
individuals or organizations who may be interested in or affected by 
the proposed action.Comments must be received by September 30, 1998. 
This input will be used in preparation of the draft environmental 
impact statement (DEIS). The scoping process will include: (1) 
Identifying potential issues; (2) Identifying issues to be analyzed in 
depth; (3) Eliminating insignificant issues or those which have been 
covered by a relevant previous environmental process; (4) Exploring 
additional alternatives; (5) Identifying potential environmental 
effects of the proposed action and alternatives (i.e. direct, indirect, 
and cumulative effects and connected actions). Public participation 
will include notifying interested and affected publics of the proposed 
action in person and/or by mail. News releases will be used to provide 
general notice to the public.
    The following preliminary issues have been identified through 
internal scoping: (1) Possible effects of development of picnic area 
and reconstruction of Rd. #191 on the threatened and endangered species 
identified in the project area; (2) Possible effects on natural 
resources due to an increase in visitors to picnic area and trail; (3) 
Reconstruction of the historic CCC Rio Sabana Trail, which connects 
with the Tradewinds/El Toro Trail, may generate greater use than is 
allowed in the proposed Wilderness Management Area; (4) Security issues 
in the area in relation to 24-hour presence of Forest Service hosts of 
volunteers; (5) Potential hazards to Forest users caused by a nearby 
water impoundment and transmission facility, located on private land.
    A draft environmental impact statement is expected to be available 
for public review, for 45 days, in October 1998.
    It is very important that those interested in this proposed action 
participate at that time. Upon release of the draft environmental 
impact statement, projected for October 1998, reviewers should 
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.C. 519, (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 Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin 
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). It 
is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages of 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 on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing

[[Page 49895]]

the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.)
    After the comment period on the draft environmental impact 
statement ends, the 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 1999. The Responsible Official will 
consider the comments, responses, environmental consequences discussed 
in the final environmental impact statement, and applicable laws, 
regulations, and policies in making a decision. The Responsible 
Official will document the decision and rationale for the decision in a 
Record of Decision. The decision will be subject to appeal in 
accordance with 36 CFR 215.
    The Responsible Official is: Pablo Cruz, Forest Supervisor, 
Caribbean National Forest, P.O. Box 490, Palmer, Puerto Rico, 00721.


    Dated: August 25, 1998.
Pablo Curz,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-25001 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
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