[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 94 (Monday, May 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26736-26737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12335]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revised Land and Resource Management Plans, Boise National 
Forest, Payette National Forest, and Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact 
statement in conjunction with revision of the Land and Resource 
Management Plans for the Boise and Payette National Forests, and 
significant amendment to the Land and Resource Management Plan for the 
Sawtooth National Forest.

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SUMMARY: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
in conjunction with revision of the Land and Resource Management Plans 
for the Boise and Payette National Forests, and significant amendment 
to the Land and Resource Management Plans for the Sawtooth National 
Forest was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 1998 in 
Volume 63 Number 79 (pages 20369-20375). This Notice described portions 
of the Boise and Payette National Forest Plans that would be revised, 
and portions of the Sawtooth National Forest Plan that would be 
amended.
    In accordance with section 321 of the Appropriations Act of 1999, 
H.R. 4328 and 36 CFR 219.10(g), the Sawtooth National Forest will 
initiate revision, rather than significant amendment, of the Sawtooth 
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan in conjunction with the Boise 
and Payette National Forests.
    This notice also includes a change in address to send comments 
concerning the planning process for the Southwest Idaho Ecogroup.

DATES: The agency expects to file a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement in the Fall of 1999 and a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement in the Fall of 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Joey Pearson, Administrative 
Assistant, SW Idaho Ecogroup Planning Team,

[[Page 26737]]

Boise National Forest, 1249 South Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, ID 
83709.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pattie Soucek, Planning Team Leader--
Payette National Forest (208) 634-0700; Jeff Foss, Planning Team 
Leader--Boise National Forest (208) 373-4100; or Sharon LaBrecque, 
Planning Team Leader--Sawtooth National Forest (208) 737-3200.
    Responsible Official: Jack Blackwell, Intermountain Regional 
Forester at 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As described in the Notice of Intent 
published on April 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 79, pages 20369-20375), 
the Payette and Boise National Forests would proceed with preparation 
of an environmental impact statement for revision of their Land and 
Resources Management Plans (forest plans) and the Sawtooth National 
Forest would prepare a significant amendment to its forest plan. 
Through the analysis of the management situation, the Sawtooth Forest 
did identify several areas where current management direction needs to 
change. Therefore, analysis efforts on the Sawtooth will continue to 
parallel analysis efforts on the Boise and Payette, with the intent to 
revise the Sawtooth Forest Plan in accordance with 36 CFR 219.10(g).
    The Appropriations Act of 1999, H.R. 4328, signed into law October 
21, 1998, states that national forests within the Interior Columbia 
Basin Ecosystem study areas may proceed to complete revision in 
accordance with the current planning regulations. The Sawtooth, Boise 
and Payette National Forests are all within the Interior Columbia Basin 
Ecosystem. Notice is hereby given that the Sawtooth National Forest, in 
conjunction with the Boise and Payette National Forests, has begun an 
environmental analysis and decision-making process and will prepare an 
environmental impact statement for the proposed action to revise, 
rather than amend, the Sawtooth Forest Plan.

    Dated: May 5, 1999.
Jack A. Blackwell,
Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 99-12335 Filed 5-14-99; 8:45 am]
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