[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38177-38178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18013]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Proposed Mann Creek Timber Sale and Other Activities Within the 
Mann Creek Subwatersheds, Payette National Forest, Washington County, 
ID

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service is proposing the following for the 
Mann Creek Subwatersheds: harvest and regeneration of timber; road 
decommissioning or obliteration to protect watershed conditions; and 
prescribed fire to reduce fuels and enhance plant growth and mountain 
quail habitat.
    The agency gives notice of the environmental analysis and decision-
making process so that interested and affected people know how they may 
participate and contribute to the final decision. The agency invites 
written comments and suggestions on the scope of the analysis and the 
issues it should address.

DATES: Comments on the scope of the analysis must be received by August 
13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: David Alexander, Forest 
Supervisor, Payette National Forest, P.O. Box 1026, McCall, Idaho 
83638.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
should be directed to Dautis Pearson, NEPA Coordinator, phone (208) 
253-0134; or John Baglien, District Ranger, phone (208) 549-4201.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USDA Forest Service is proposing 
projects within the 26,438 acre Mann Creek Subwatersheds. Approximately 
6-8 MMBF of timber from about 2,000 acres will be harvested by thinning 
and regeneration methods, using tractor, skyline, and helicopter 
logging systems. Approximately 800 acres will be regenerated.
    This proposal follows direction in the Payette National Forest Land 
and Resource Management Plan. About 2-4 miles of road construction or 
reconstruction are planned. About 10-30 miles of road decommissioning 
or obliteration are planned.
    Prescribed fire activities would occur on a total of about 4,000 
acres of open ponderosa pine stands, dry Douglas-fir stands, aspen 
communities, and grass/shrublands to enhance plant growth and 
diversity.
    Preliminary issues identified are forest health in stringer 
habitat, and the economic and resource effects of longer return 
intervals into the subwatershed.
    Initial scoping began in June, 1999. Preliminary analysis is 
currently being conducted. The Forest Service will be seeking 
additional information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State, 
and local agencies and other individuals or organizations who may

[[Page 38178]]

be interested or affected by the proposed projects. Additional input 
will be used to help identify key issues and develop alternatives. This 
input will be used in preparation of the draft EIS.
    The Forest Service expects to file the draft EIS with the 
Environmental Protection Agency and have it available for public review 
by August 20, 1999. The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days 
from the date the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of 
availability appears in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
DEISs must structure their participation in the environmental review of 
the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to the 
reviewers' positions and contentions. Vermont Yankee Power Corp. v. 
NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, courts may waive or dismiss 
environmental objections that could be raised at the DEIS stage, but 
that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental 
impact statement (FEIS). City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 
(9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritagees, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very 
important that those interested in this proposed action participate by 
the close of the 45 day comment period so that substantive comments and 
objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it 
can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the FEIS.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments should be as specific as 
possible. 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.
    The Responsible Official is David F. Alexander, Forest Supervisor, 
Payette National Forest, McCall, ID 83638.

    Dated: July 2, 1999.
David F. Alexander,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 99-18013 Filed 7-14-99; 8:45 am]
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