[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 35585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16713]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[UT-050-1430-01-24-1A]


Quitchupah Creek Road, UTU-57907, Fishlake National Forest and 
Bureau of Land Management, Richfield District, Sevier and Emery 
Counties, Utah

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a third-party environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will jointly 
direct preparation of a Third-Party Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental and human 
effects of proposed actions to upgrade and realign an existing road/
trail through Quitchupah Canyon, Sevier and Emery Counties, Utah. The 
road crosses public land parcels administered by the Forest Service, 
the Bureau of Land Management, and the State of Utah, as well as land 
that is privately owned.
    The 9.2-mile Quitchupah Creek Road would connect State Road 10 in T 
22 S, R 6 E, Section 30 of Emery County, with an existing Sevier County 
road in T 22 S, R 4 E, Section 11. This Sevier County road in 
Convulsion Canyon is utilized predominantly for hauling coal from the 
SUFCO Mine.
    Currently, the Quitchupah Creek Road is unpaved, and is only 
maintained over the lower 3 to 4 miles.
    Within the Quitchupah Creek canyon area, steep cut slopes, the 
incised stream channel, and erodible soils have recently rendered the 
road impassable by vehicles. Livestock are trailed through the canyon 
seasonally; other users are primarily local recreationists and/or 
hunters.

Agency Decisions

    Separate Records of Decision would be issued by the Forest Service 
and Bureau of Land Management on whether or not to grant right-of-way 
to Sevier County and under what terms and conditions.

DATES: Written comments concerning the scope of the analysis described 
in this Notice should be received on or before July 31, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to JBR Environmental Consultants, 
Inc., 8160 South Highland Drive, Suite A-4, Sandy, Utah 84093.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kay Erickson, Bureau of Land 
Management, Richfield District, (435) 896-1500; or Linda Jackson, 
Fishlake National Forest, Richfield, (435) 896-9233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sevier County has proposed to upgrade the 
Quitchupah Creek Road as an additional, shorter haul road for trucks 
entering Emery County from Canyon Fuels' SUFCO Mine. The Mine would be 
the primary user of the upgraded road. The road would also provide 
access to the Accord Lakes area, and a shorter route for those in the 
Emery area traveling west toward Salina and I-15.
    The proposed project would generally follow the existing Quitchupah 
Creek Road alignment. However, where needed to avoid archeological 
sites or other constraints to widening, short reaches of the road are 
proposed to be realigned. Given the proximity of the existing road with 
Quitchupah Creek in the narrow canyon bottom, it is anticipated that 
stream crossings would be required.
    When completed, the road would have a 26-foot wide paved surface. 
The corridor width to be disturbed during construction would be 
expected to average about 100 feet. In addition, several construction 
equipment staging areas would be required, and would be located along 
the road corridor. Borrow sites to obtain fill material would also be 
needed and they may be located adjacent to the project area. The 
disturbed area associated with this project is expected to be less than 
200 acres.

Preliminary Issues

    Initially identified issues of concern include: archaeological 
resources, wildlife, livestock, land use, sensitive species, wetlands 
and riparian habitat, stream quality, and socioeconomics.

Possible Alternatives

    The EIS will analyze the Proposed Action and No Action 
Alternatives. Other alternatives may include altering portions of the 
route, or designing parameters to provide mitigation for resources of 
concern.

Tentative Project Schedule

    The tentative project schedule is as follows:
     Begin Public Comment Period--July, 1999.
     Hold Public Scoping Meetings--July, 1999.
     File Draft EIS--March, 2000.
     File Final EIS--June, 2000.
     Record of Decision--July, 2000.

Public Scoping Meetings

    Two public scoping meetings will be held in Utah, each an open 
house type meeting from 7:00 p.m.--9:00 p.m. The open house will 
include displays explaining the project and a forum for commenting on 
the project. The meetings will be held as follows:
     July 21, 1999--Museum of the San Rafael, Castle Dale, 
Utah.
     July 22, 1999--Quality Inn, Richfield, Utah.

Public Input Requested

    Comments concerning the Proposed Action and EIS should address 
issues to be considered, feasible alternatives to examine, possible 
mitigation, and information relevant to or having bearing on the 
Proposed Action.

    Dated: June 23, 1999.
Ron Sanden,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Fishlake National Forest.
Dave Henderson,
Acting Field Manager, Richfield Bureau of Land Management Field Office.
[FR Doc. 99-16713 Filed 6-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P