[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 147 (Monday, August 2, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 41910-41911] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-19631] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of additional public meetings related to the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Statement each month, September through December 1999. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Regions 4 and 5 announce additional public meetings at the Sacramento, California office of the Sierra Nevada Framework Project on the first Wednesday of each month, September through December, [[Page 41911]] 1999. Previously scheduled meetings included those held each month from May through July, 1999 and the upcoming meeting scheduled for August 4, 1999, 1:00-3:00 p.m. The Forest Service scheduled these public meetings to inform interested people about its progress in the development of the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Statement and to provide information about other Sierra Nevada Framework activities. In response to continued public interest in the Sierra Nevada Framework Project activities, additional meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month, September through December 1999. Public meetings will be held at the Sierra Nevada Framework Project Office, 801 I Street, Sacramento, California, 95814, Room 484 as follows: Wednesday, September 1, 1999, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 6, 1999, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 1999, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 1, 1999, 1:00-4:00 p.m. In response to public interest, the September public meeting will conclude with a discussion of the modeling design of fire behavior, fuel loading and fire effects. In addition to the public meetings, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region and Research Station are convening ``science workshops'' in which the public is invited to hear diverse science perspectives on the condition and management of Sierra Nevada ecosystems. Along with hearing from scientists, the public will be provided an opportunity to dialogue with scientists about concerns and possible approaches to management practices in Sierra Nevada ecosystems. The first science workshop to discuss Sierra Nevada old-forest ecosystems is scheduled for August 24 and 25, 1999, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. each day, in Freeborn Hall, University of California, Davis. Additional science workshops are tentatively planned for aquatic, riparian and meadow ecosystems, September, 1999, Fresno, California; and assessment of environmental consequences of proposed management activities, October, 1999, Reno, Nevada. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please see the USDA Forest Service Region 5 World Wide Web site www.r5.fs.fed.us or contact USDA Forest Service, Sierra Nevada Framework Project, Room 419, 801 ``I'' Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; phone number 916-492-7554; TTY via PacBell relay (800) 735-2929. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region and the Pacific Southwest Research Station are integrating new science into management of the national forests of California. The effort is called the Sierra Nevada Framework Project. One objective of the Framework Project is to amend forest plans in conformance with the National Forest Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will amend national forest plans for the Humboldt- Toiyabe, Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Tahoe, Eldorado, Stanislaus, Sierra, Sequoia, and Inyo National Forest, and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Other activities of the Framework Project involve improving long- term cooperation and coordination among the Forest Service, tribes, local governments, state and federal agencies. On November 20, 1998, the Region published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register identifying five problem areas to address in an Environmental Impact Statement: old forest ecosystems; aquatic, riparian and meadow ecosystems; fire and fuels management; noxious weeds; and, lower westside hardwood ecosystems. Prior to drafting the Notice of Intent, the Pacific Southwest Region and Pacific Southwest Research Station reviewed recent science and gathered public comment and related information during a series of 37 community workshops throughout the Sierra and other locations in California and Nevada. Publication of the Notice of Intent initiated a 60-day opportunity for public comment, including 27 additional community workshops. To date, the Forest Service has received nearly 3500 comments via letters, postcards, and e-mail. Response to these comments is integrated into the alternatives being developed to address the five problem areas. In response to the significant public interest in the development of alternatives, the Forest Service is making available summary descriptions of alternatives that may appear in the draft EIS. The Forest Service is not soliciting public comment on these preliminary drafts, but is making them available so people may be better prepared to comment on the draft EIS when it is published. At present, several alternatives are being developed by the Forest Service. These alternatives reflect extensive public comment and suggestions, as well as recent scientific information. To view summaries of these draft alternatives, please see the USDA Forest Service Region 5 World Wide Web site www.r5.fs.fed.us or contact USDA Forest Service, Sierra Nevada Framework Project, 801 I Street, Room 419, Sacramento, CA 95814 to receive a copy by mail. Dated: July 26, 1999. Kent P. Connaughton, Deputy Regional Forester. [FR Doc. 99-19631 Filed 7-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M