[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53639-53640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26709]


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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, CO

September 28, 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 
Upper Elk River Access--Supplement to the North Fork Salvage Decision 
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 North Fork Salvage 
Analysis decision in a manner that meets the Land and Resource 
Management Plan for the Routt National Forest, minimizes environmental 
effects and is cost effective. The action proposed by the Forest 
Service is to gain permanent access to the Upper Elk River for forest 
management and recreational purposes and for private landowner access.
    Preliminary issues identified concerning this proposal are: (1) 
Effects relating to building a bridge over the North Fork of the Elk 
River. (2) Maintaining scenic river character. (3) Status of Diamond 
Park Road (FDR 431) if a bridge should be built over the North Fork of 
the Elk Rier. (4) Cost of implementing the decision to rebuild Diamond 
Park Road (FDR 431). (5) Effects of reconstructing Diamond Park Road 
(FDR 431).

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 South Fork 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 South Fork Analysis.

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

October 15, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the Steamboat Springs USDA Forest Service 
Office;
October 21, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the Saratoga, Wyoming USDA Forest Service 
Office;
October 27, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the Clark, Colorado Moon Hill School 
House;
October 28, 1998, 5:00 pm, at the USDA Forest Service Office in Walden, 
Colorado.

Responsible Official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine 
Bow--

[[Page 53640]]

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 
24 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in portions of the 
following sections:

T9N,R83W; Sections 3-5, 8-10. T9N,R84W; Sections 1,2,11
T10N,R83W; Sections 17, 20, 21, 27-29, 32-34
T10N,R84W; sections 1-4, 10-15, 22-27, 34-36. T11N,R84W; Sections 
33-36

    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 
public input and responding to 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. 98-26709 Filed 10-5-98; 8:45 am]
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