[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51054-51055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25541]
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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
Buffalo Pass 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
Buffalo Pass Analysis Area, considering the effects, both short and
expected long term, resulting from the Routt Divide Blowdown. Actions
proposed by the Forest Service include Silvicutural 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 will be road construction and
reconstruction.
Salvage and/or other treatments to kill or remove beetles in the
blowdown in Management Area 4.2. Treatments in this management area
would be accomplished without new road construction.
Additionally, the level of beetle infestation and tree mortality
that threatens wild river, recreational, water quality or winter range
values in Management Areas 1.32, 4.2, 4.3, 5.41, 3.23, 8.22 must be
determined; once determined, appropriate management actions will be
implemented to protect those values.
There is a need to contribute toward meeting the needs of the
nation for timber products in management areas 5.11 and 5.13. Within
Management Area 4.2, along the Buffalo Pass Road (FDR 60) and State
Highway 40, there is a need to protect the scenic qualities of these
corridors. 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 an infestation of spruce bark beetles. Within
Management Area 7.1 there is a need to reduce the risk of spruce beetle
from spreading into the management area. Within Management Area 8.22
there is a need to protect the site vegetation and facilities. There is
a need to test silvicultural treatments in spruce stands and monitor
the response of these stands to spruce beetle populations.
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.
On October 7th and 19th, 1998 Forest Service specialists will host
open houses for the public to discuss the Buffalo Pass Analysis at the
Steamboat Springs, Colorado Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Dr. from
2:00 pm until 6:00 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 Buffalo Pass Analysis.
ADDRESSES: Public meetings on Buffalo Pass 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.
[[Page 51055]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Buffalo Pass Analysis Area in northwest
Colorado is that portion of the Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest
lying adjacent to Steamboat Springs, Colorado on the north, northeast
and southeast. The analysis area includes all or portions of the
following sections:
T4NR83W, Sections 7-11, 15-22
T4NR84W, Sections 10-15, 23-24
T5NR84W, Sections 1-2, 11-14, 23-26, 35-36
T5NR83W, Sections 1-5, 8-17, 20-29, 32-36
T5NR82W, Sections 6-7, 18-19, 30
T6NR82W, Section 31
T6NR83W, Sections 1-5, 8-17, 20-29, 32-36
T6NR84W, Sections 11-12, 13-14, 23-26, 35-36
T7NR83W, Sections 1-5, 8-17, 20-29, 32-25
T7NR84W, Sections 1-28, 34-36
T7NR85W, Sections 12-13
There are a number of management area prescriptions within the
Buffalo Pass Analysis Area. These Include 1.12 Wilderness, Primitive,
1.13 Wilderness, Semi-Primitive, 1.32 Backcountry Non-Motorized
Recreation With Winter Limited Motorized, 3.23 Municipal Watersheds--
Water Quality Emphasis, 3.31 Backcountry Recreation--Year-round
Motorized, 4.2 Scenery, 4.3 Dispersed Recreation, 5.11 General Forest
and Rangelands--Forest Vegetation Emphasis, 5.13 Forest Products, 5.41
Deer and Elk Winter Range, 7.1 Residential/Forest Interface, and 8.22
Ski Based Resorts: Existing/Potential.
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. 98-25541 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]
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