[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 51728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24826]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 185 / Friday, September 24, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 51728]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


East Face Ecosystem Management Project, Beaverhead-Deerlodge 
National Forest, Beaverhead County, Montana

AGENCY: Forest Service, USD.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement to document the analysis and disclose the environmental 
impacts of a proposed action to manipulate forest, shrubland, and 
grassland vegetation on about 16,000 acres. This area lies in the 
southeast corner of the Pioneer Mountains, about 17 miles northwest of 
Dillon, Montana.
    The proposed action would commercially thin about 1,659 acres of 
Douglas-fir forest, thin another 6,602 acres of Douglas-fir forest 
using prescribed fire, release about 628 acres of aspen/shrub 
communities, release about 1,688 acres of mountain mahogany, restore 
about 5,200 acres of shrub/grass habitat that has been lost to conifer 
succession, and release riparian shrub communities form overstory 
conifers on about 448 acres.

DATES: Initial comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be 
received in writing no later than October 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The responsible official is the Forest Supervisor, 
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, 420 Barrett Street, Dillon, MT 
59725. Send written comments to the responsible official, Acting Forest 
Supervisor Lawrence A. Timchak.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Conard, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader, Dillon Ranger District, or phone: (406) 683-3900.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: About 80% of the Douglas-fir thinning would 
be done using slashing and prescribed fire, and 20% using wood product 
removal and prescribed fire. Aspen restoration would be done by 
slashing or removing conifers, some stands would be burned after 
slashing. Mountain mahogany restoration would be done by slashing and 
piling, then burning the piles. Shrub/grass restoration would be done 
using slashing and prescribed fire. Riparian shrub communities would be 
released using harvest, felling and/or slashing. Some slash may be 
piled and burned. Low standard temporary roads may be built to reach 
some treatment areas.
    The project area lies in that portion of the East Pioneer Mountains 
between Rock Creek and Black Mountain in Townships 3, 4, and 5 South, 
Range 10 West; Township 5 South, Range 11 West; and Township 6 South, 
Range 10 and 11 West. The scope of this proposal is limited to specific 
prescribed burning, timber harvest, and associated temporary road 
building, slashing, lopping, or otherwise disposing of debris within 
the affected area.
    Public participation is important to this analysis. Part of the 
goal of public involvement is to identify additional issues and to 
refine the general, tentative issues. A scoping notice describing the 
project was mailed to those who requested information on timber harvest 
and burning activities on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. 
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has been involved in the development 
of this proposal and will be consulted throughout the analysis and 
decision making process. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
will be consulted concerning effects to threatened and endangered 
species.
    Preliminary issues identified by the Forest Service include effects 
to vegetation, wildlife habitats, and maintaining the existing 
character of inventoried roadless areas. Slashing and prescribed fire 
are proposed in Inventoried Roadless Areas 1-800D and 1-009. No road 
building is proposed in inventoried roadless area. The analysis will 
consider all reasonably foreseeable activities, including proposed 
actions on adjacent BLM lands.
    People may visit with Forest Service officials at any time during 
the analysis and prior to the decision. Two periods are specifically 
designated for comments on the analysis: (1) During the scoping process 
and (2) during the draft EIS period.
    During the scoping process, the Forest Service is seeking 
additional information and comments from individuals or organization 
who may be interested in or affected by the proposed action, Federal, 
State and local agencies. The Forest Service invites written comments 
and suggestions on this action, particularly in terms of identification 
of issues and alternative development.
    The draft EIS should be available for review in February 2000. The 
final EIS is scheduled for completion in July, 2000.
    The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date 
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of 
availability in the Federal Register.
    It is very important those interested in this proposed action 
participate by the close of the 45 day comment period so 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 
final environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. 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 
CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
    The responsible official will make the decision on this proposal 
after considering comments and responses, environmental consequences 
discussed in the final EIS, applicable laws, regulations, and policies. 
The decision and reasons for the decision will be documented in a 
Record of Decision.

    Dated: September 7, 1999.
Jack de Golia,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 99-24826 Filed 9-23-99; 8:45 am]
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