[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51053-51054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25540]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Routt Divide Blowdown Analysis; Medicine Bow-Routt National 
Forest, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt County, Colorado

September 16, 1998.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Medicine 
Bow-Routt National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) to assess and disclose the environmental effects the 
South Fork Salvage Analysis of a portion of the Routt Divide Blowdown 
outside the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area on the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears 
Ranger District.
    The purpose of this action is to implement the Land and Resource 
Management Plan 1997 Revision for the Routt National Forest in the 
South Fork Analysis Area, considering the effects, both short and 
expected long term, resulting from the Routt Divide Blowdown. Actions 
proposed by the Forest Service include (1) commercial salvage of the 
windthrown trees in Management Areas 5.11 and 5.13. Associated with 
this action will be road construction and reconstruction. (2) 
Silvicultural treatments of timber stands in Management Areas 5.11, 
5.13, and 7.1 designed to increase the resistance of these stands to 
attack by spruce bark beetle. Associated with this action will be road 
construction and reconstruction.
    Additionally, we are attempting to determine the levels of spruce 
bark beetle infestation and tree mortality that would threaten the wild 
river, recreational or winter range values in Management areas 1.5, 
4.3, 5.41, and whether or not management actions might be effective in 
protecting those values. If potential spruce beetle attack would 
threaten those values, then we will determine the actions that would be 
appropriate to prevent or respond to a beetle epidemic.
    There is a need to contribute toward meeting the needs of the 
nation for timber products in Management Areas 5.11 General Forest and 
Rangelands--Forest Vegetation Emphasis and 5.13 Forest Products. Within 
Management Area 1.5 there is a need to protect the Wild River 
characteristics. Within Management Area 4.3 there is a need to protect 
recreational opportunities. Within Management Areas 5.11 and 5.13 there 
is a need to restrict the outbreak of spruce bark beetles. Within 
Management Area 7.1 there is a need to reduce the risk of spruce bark 
beetle from spreading into the management area.

DATES: Public Scoping will begin with a mailing to people who expressed 
an interest in the North Fork Salvage Analysis, land owners within the 
Forest Service boundaries adjacent to the analysis area, and State, 
County, and local officials.

[[Page 51054]]

    On October 7th and 19th, 1998 Forest Service specialists will host 
open houses for the public to discuss the South Fork Analysis at the 
Steamboat Springs, Colorado Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Dr. from 2 
pm until 6 pm.
    A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be completed 
by December, 1998. After a 45 day comment period, a Final Environmental 
Impact Statement will be prepared for South Fork Analysis.

ADDRESSES: Public meetings on South Fork Analysis are scheduled for:

October 15, 1998, 5 pm at the Steamboat Springs USDA Forest Service 
Office;
October 21, 1998, 5 pm at the Saratoga, Wyoming USDA Forest Service 
Office;
October 27, 1998, 5 pm at the Clark, Colorado Moon Hill School House;
October 28, 1998, 5 pm at the USDA Forest Service Office in Walden, 
Colorado.
Responsible Official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine 
Bow--Routt National Forest, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Cadenhead, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest, 925 Weiss Dr, Steamboat 
Springs, CO 80487, (970) 870-2220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The analysis area location is approximately 
12 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in portions of the 
following sections:

T9N,R83W; Sections 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
T8N,R85W; Sections 1, 2, 3
T9N,R84W; Sections 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 
18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

    There are several management area prescriptions within the South 
Fork Analysis Area. These include: 1.32 Backcountry Non-Motorized 
Recreation With Winter Limited Motorized; 1.5 National River System--
Wild Rivers, Designated and Eligible; 4.3 Dispersed Recreation; 5.11 
General Forest and Rangelands--Forest Vegetation Emphasis; 5.13 Forest 
Products; 5.41 Deer and Elk Winter Range; and 7.1 Residential/Forest 
Interface.
    Forest Service Mission; As set forth in law, the mission of the 
Forest Service is to achieve quality land management under the 
sustainable multiple use management concept. This concept is to meet 
the diverse needs of people. It includes advocating a conservation 
ethic in promoting the health, productivity, diversity and beauty of 
forests. It also includes listening to people and responding to their 
diverse needs in resource decisions. Another part of our job is to help 
communities and states wisely use the forests to promote rural economic 
development and a quality rural environment. Also included in the 
mission is developing and providing scientific and technical knowledge 
aimed at improving our capability to protect, manage, and use forests 
and rangelands.
Jerry E. Schmidt,
Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest.
[FR Doc. 98-25540 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]
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