[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71441-71442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34247]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Rio Sabana Day Use Picnic Area, Caribbean National Forest, 
Naguabo, Puerto Rico; Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised Notice; extension of time for submitting scoping 
comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Due to the passing of Hurricane Georges over the island of 
Puerto Rico, on September 21st, 1998, the Forest Service is extending 
the time for submitting scoping comments concerning the environmental 
analysis for the Rio Sabana Day Use Picnic Area, on the Carribean 
National Forest. Additionally, this notice corrects the location of the 
proposed project site, as published in the Federal Register on Friday, 
September 18th, 1998, Vol. 63, No. 181. The location of project site 
should read as follows: from entrance gate at Highway #191, Km. 21.3 to 
project site, Km. 20.0, in the Cubuy sector of the Municipality of 
Naguabo.

DATES: (a) Comments to be incorporated into the draft environmental 
impact statement should be received by January 8th 1999 to ensure 
timely consideration. (b) Comments to be incorporated into the final 
environmental impact statement should be received 45 days following the 
publication of Notice of Availability of the draft environmental impact 
statement, approximately the first week of March 31, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comment 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. 20.0, 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, located on Hwy. #191, Km. 
21.3, to project site, Km. 20.0; 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 rises 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.
    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 January 8th 1999. 
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)

[[Page 71442]]

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 Trial, 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 February 1999.
    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 February 1999 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. 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 or 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 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.)
    After the comments 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 May 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: December 18, 1998.
Pablo Cruz,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-34247 Filed 12-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M