[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69686-69691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32296]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the National 
Forests in Mississippi

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Regional Forester for the Southern Region gives notice of 
the agency's intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for revision of the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest 
Plan) for the National Forests in Mississippi. According to 36 CFR 
219.10(g), Forest Plans are ordinarily revised on a 10-15 year cycle. 
The existing Forest Plan for Mississippi was approved on September 16, 
1985.
    The agency invites written comments within the scope of the 
analysis described below. In addition, the agency gives notice that an 
open and full environmental analysis and decision making process 
(collaborative planning effort) will occur so that interested and 
affected citizens may participate and assist in identifying and 
developing recommendations on the management of the National Forests in 
Mississippi.
    This Notice of Intent covers the following Mississippi counties 
which contain National Forest System lands: Adams, Amite, Benton, 
Chickasaw, Choctaw, Copiah, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, 
Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, Lafayette, Lincoln, 
Marshall, Newton, Oktibbeha, Pearl River, Perry, Pontotoc, Scott, 
Sharkey, Smith, Stone, Tippah, Union, Wayne, Wilkinson, Winston, and 
Yalobusha.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
on or before February 14, 2000. The agency expects to file the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) with the Environmental Protection 
Agency and make it available for public comment in September, 2001. The 
agency expects to file the final EIS in September, 2002. See 
Supplementary Information (Section VI. Involving the Public) for 
meeting dates.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Forest Supervisor, National 
Forests in Mississippi, 100 W. Capitol St., Suite 1141, Jackson, MS 
39269.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Long, Land Management Planning 
Revision Team Leader, (601) 965-4391.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: The Regional Forester for the Southern Region 
located at 1720 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30367.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The National Forests in Mississippi Forest Plan covers the six 
proclaimed National Forests in Mississippi: Bienville, DeSoto, Delta, 
Holly Springs, Homochitto and Tombigbee. Pursuant to 36 CFR 219.10(g), 
the Forest Supervisor is required to review the conditions on the land 
covered by the Forest Plan at least every five years to determine 
whether conditions and/or demands of the public have changed 
significantly. This regulation further states that the Forest Plan may 
be revised whenever the Forest Supervisor determines that significant 
changes have occurred. In 1991, staff of the National Forests in 
Mississippi conducted a five-year review of the Forest Plan. The Forest 
Service completed a ten-year review in 1996 and annual reviews for 
fiscal years 1997 and 1998.
    Concurrent with the ten-year review, the Forest's interdisciplinary 
Land Management Planing Team updated resource inventories, estimated 
supply capabilities and resource demands, and determined initial needs 
to change management direction. Together with the reviews and public 
comments solicited on its findings, this work forms the basis for the 
preliminary issues identified in this Notice of Intent. These 
preliminary issues along with any additional issues raised during 
public scoping activities, to begin in January 2000, will be examined 
during the plan revision process.
    In the past, a ``Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement'' marked the very beginning of the planning process. 
For this plan revision, however, an effort was made to define the 
current situation and to present detailed proposed actions as part of 
this notice. We trust this will lead to improved ``scoping'' and 
provide more concise and specific public comments. These, in turn, will 
make it possible to develop more responsive alternatives for analysis 
in the Environmental Impact Statement. Our desired results are improve 
public participation opportunities facilitated by open decision making 
process throughout the Forest Plan revision process.
Two Stage Decision Making Process
    National Forest System resource allocation and management decisions 
are made in two decision stages or steps. Programmatic (strategic) 
management decisions occur in the first stage and are documented in the 
Forest Plan. Programmatic decisions in the Forest Plan are implemented 
by authorization of site-specific activities. This project level 
decision-making is the second stage.
    The first decision stage establishes programmatic management 
direction spanning a ten to fifteen year time span. A Forest Plan is 
analogous to a county or city zoning plan. Decisions made in the Forest 
Plan identify actions that may take place but do not represent a 
commitment by the agency to implement site-specific projects. Forest 
Plans do not compel the agency to undertake particular site-specific 
projects; rather, they establish overall goals and objectives (or 
desired resource conditions) that an individual National Forest will 
strive to achieve in order to maintain or assure ecological 
sustainability and to contribute to economic and social sustainability 
of local communities affected by national forest management activities. 
Forest Plan decisions do not normally make any irreversible or 
irretrievable commitment of resources. Forest Plans also establish 
limitations on what actions may be authorized, and what conditions must 
be met during project decision-making.
    The following decisions are made in a Forest Plan:
    (1) Establishment of the forest-wide multiple-use goals and 
objectives (36 CFR 21911(b)).
    (2) Establishment of forest-wide management requirements (36 CFR 
219.13 to 219.27).
    (3) Establishment of multiple-use prescriptions and associated 
standards and guidelines for each management area (36 CFR 219.11(c)).
    (4) Determination of land that is suitable for the production of 
timber (16 U.S.C. 1604(k) and 36 CFR 219.14).
    (5) Establishment of allowable sale quantity for timber within a 
time frame specified in the plan (36 CFR 219.16).
    (6) Establishment of monitoring and evaluation requirements (36 CFR 
219.11(d)).
    (7) Recommendation of roadless areas as potential wilderness areas 
(36 CFR 219.17).
    (8) Where applicable, designation of those lands administratively 
available for oil and gas leasing; and when appropriate, authorizing 
the Bureau of Land Management to offer specific lands for leasing (36 
CFR 228.102 (d) and (e)).

[[Page 69687]]

    This Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
for revision of the National Forests in Mississippi Land and Resource 
Management Plan focuses on the strategic management decisions occurring 
in the first decision stage described above.

II. Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose for this revision rests primarily in the requirements 
of the National Forest Management Act. The law's implementing 
regulations at 36 CFR 219.10(g) require that Forest Plans be revised at 
least every 15 years. The current resource management plan for the 
National Forests in Mississippi was initiated in September 1985.
    A need to revise the plan exists due to: changes in policy or law 
and changed physical, biological, and social conditions occurring on 
the forest.
Changes in Policy or Law
    A substantial body of case law has developed, since the original 
Forest Plan was written. This case law more clearly defines the roles 
and requirements of a Forest Plan. One resulting example is the concise 
listing of eight forest-plan decisions listed in the previous section.
    Similarly, the science and policy of national forest management 
have continued to evolve. Key examples include: service-wide adoption 
of Ecosystem Management in 1992, the ``Course to the Future'' strategy 
in 1994, the Southern Region's revised strategy for management of the 
Red-cockaded Woodpecker in 1995, and Forest Service Natural Resource 
Agenda in 1998. These policy statements represent a fundamental change 
in management philosophy and, as such, are built from an extensive set 
of concepts and principles. These concepts include a focus on desired 
conditions, thinking and acting at multiple scales, working within the 
ecological potential of sites and landscapes, and an increasing 
emphasis on ecological sustainability.
Changed Physical, Biological, and Social Conditions
    Hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, and Southern Pine Beetle 
outbreaks have made changes to the forest beyond those contemplated in 
the current plan. Beaver impoundments and the success of exotics such 
as kudzu and Cogongrass have made, or threaten, additional changes. In 
many areas, our neighbors and customers have changed significantly. 
Near the Mississippi Gulf Coast, private lands in and around the 
National Forests have become more densely populated. Adjacent landowner 
expectations and values have shifted from a rural to a more urban 
perspective introducing a new set of issues and concerns to be 
addressed during Forest Plan revision. This urban interface phenomenon 
is occurring in varying degrees on all National Forests within the 
state.

III. Preliminary Issues

    The following preliminary issues offered here were developed from: 
(1) The 10-year review of the current plan; (2) subsequent annual 
monitoring reports; (3) public and internal response to their findings; 
(4) from public comments received on project level proposals. Public 
comments in response to this notice will help us to determine 
additional issues and scope of the analysis to be considered.

Forest Health/Sustainability

    Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management is a key component of the 
Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda. Watersheds are vital to 
ecosystem health. Healthy watersheds promote healthy forests and 
sustainable forest ecosystems. The revised Forest Plan will incorporate 
Forest Service policy to restore and maintain healthy watersheds for 
use by current and future generations.
    Forest Health and Sustainability issues include:
     Forest biological diversity.
     Native forest ecosystem restoration.
     Old growth.
     Forest health, especially protection from insects and 
diseases.
     Protection of riparian wetland areas.
     Streamside zone management.
     Control or eradication of noxious weeds occurring on 
National Forest lands.
     Management of special interest areas.

Vegetation Management

    The harvest and regeneration of timber producing trees has always 
been a central issue in National Forest planning in Mississippi. Over 
the life of the current Forest Plan, timber has generally ranked as the 
second most valuable agricultural crop in the state of Mississippi. 
This issue assumes additional significance because of the effects of 
timber harvest on other resources such as recreation and wildlife. Not 
surprisingly, forest regeneration and timber harvest were the subject 
of more review comments than any others. Public comments received on 
the 10-year Review of the Land and Resource Management Plan expressed 
support for timber harvests to continue at current or higher levels. 
Opposing views also have been expressed resulting in polarization of 
the issue. Individuals and organizations involved in the timber 
industry or local government have expressed concern about the decline 
of National Forest timber harvests on local economies, particularly on 
employment and the 25% returns to counties for roads and schools. The 
average actual timber volume sold on the National Forests in 
Mississippi were just over 80% of the amount planned for fiscal years 
1985 through 1995. Declines in harvest levels have occurred over the 
last several years generating concern about declining revenues.
    Vegetation Management issues include and will focus on:
     Allowable sale quantity (ASQ).
     Lands suitable for timber production.
     Relationship of timber harvest levels to local economies 
and jobs.
     Silvicultural systems and how they affect sustainability 
and forrest health.
     Uneven-aged silvicultural systems effect on timber and 
non-timber resources.
     Hardwood management within pine stands.
     Mixed pine management.
     Alternative forest products, such as pine straw raking and 
removal.
     Role of herbicide use in forest management.

Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and Sensitive Species Management

    Red-cockaded Woodpecker Decisions. The Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Management of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and its 
Habitat on National Forests in the Southern Region (RCW/EIS) was issued 
in June of 1995. The RCW/EIS contains direction to revise previous 
management practices, standards, and guidelines, and its Record of 
Decision (ROD) instructs affected Forests to incorporate the new 
direction into their Forest Plans, through revision or amendment.
    The revised Forest Plan must establish final HMA boundaries and 
population objectives. The RCW/EIS Record of Decision established 
tentative HMA's on 367,169 acres on the Bienville, De Soto, 
Chickasawhay, and Homochitto Ranger Districts. The accompanying 
tentative population goal is 1,595 active clusters. As of 1996, the 
Forest's total number of active clusters was 134. Additionally, Forest 
Plan revision must incorporate the management practices, standards, and 
guidelines in the RCW Record of Decision. The HMA's and population

[[Page 69688]]

objectives are subject to some modification. Any changes will require 
analysis beyond the RCW/EIS as well as a favorable opinion from the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during formal consultation.
    Other Threatened and Endangered Species. Management for other 
threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive species will also 
require consideration during plan revision. These species include: the 
gopher tortoise, and Louisiana quillwort occurring on the De Soto 
National Forest and the Pondberry on the Delta National Forest. 
Recovery plans for the affected species have been developed and their 
prescribed conservation and protection measures are incorporated in 
forest management activities. Forest Service will continue efforts to 
conserve and recover threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and 
their habitats.
    Threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive species management 
issues to be addressed during plan revision include:
    Develop management practices that promote viable populations of 
threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and their habitats 
occurring on National forest lands. Determine how much of the National 
Forests in Mississippi's land base will be allocated to red-cockaded 
woodpecker management (Habitat Management Areas) and what affect such 
allocation will have on other resource management opportunities.

Transportation and Access

    Management of our forest transportation system attracts public 
scrutiny. Almost all users of the national forests use forest roads. 
Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda identifies forest roads as one 
of its key agenda items. Development of a national roads policy is 
underway. Once finalized revised Forest Plan will incorporate the 
national roads policy, as appropriate.
    An extensive system of roads and trails allows access to nearly 
every part of the Forest. In addition, and by the direction of the 
current Forest Plan, the National Forests in Mississippi are 
``generally open to ORV's'' (off-road vehicles), now more often 
referred to as OHV's (off-highway vehicles). Exceptions are 
individually identified areas of potential resource damage or conflict 
with other uses.
    Motorized use can reduce the habitat quality for some wildlife 
species and cause damage to soils on sensitive sites. Use of motorized 
vehicles can also conflict with users who are seeking more solitude or 
can create safety concerns for non-motorized users such as hikers or 
horseback riders. Motorized vehicle use, particularly that of all-
terrain vehicles (ATV's), has increased dramatically over the last ten 
years. Furthermore, the current plan's assumption that cross-country 
travel by OHV's would be ``limited by heavy undergrowth'' has proven 
inaccurate. As a result, instances of resource damage and user 
conflicts have become increasingly common.
    Transportation and access issues to be addressed during plan 
revision include:
    Transportation management and access needs. The Forest's road 
system will be managed to meet resource needs and provide adequate 
public access.
    Density of local roads required to provide permanent, effective 
access to National Forest lands for all resource management needs.
    Off road vehicles (ORV's) management to provide recreational 
opportunities and protect other resources.

Recreation

    National Forests in Mississippi offer a host of outdoor recreation 
opportunities. Recreation demand, both dispersed and developed, is 
expected to continue to increase over the next plan cycle. Increases in 
recreation use often create resource management conflicts. Different 
user groups compete for use of the same area, each having different 
expectations.

Prescribed Fire

    Prescribed fire is an important management tool on the National 
Forests in Mississippi. Historically, fire played a significant role in 
shaping the native plant and animal communities in Mississippi. The 
Forest consistently ranks first or second in the nation in the amount 
of acreage on which it is applied. Beginning in the 1960's, prescribed 
burning has normally been conducted on upland pine sites, with site 
preparation burns occurring in late summer and understory burns during 
the dormant season. Prior to European settlement, fires occurred 
throughout the year on a variety of sites, whenever conditions allowed 
anatual or aboriginal ignitions to spread. Studies indicate that fire 
can have an influence on the successful regeneration of oaks. One of 
the concepts underlying ecosystem management is that natural processes 
should be simulated to the greatest extend possible. This builds on the 
idea that the structure and function of native ecosystems is best 
maintained by the conditions under which they evolved. To the extent 
that these conditions can be recreated on the Forest, it will require 
changes to our traditional application of prescribed fire.
    Prescribed fire issues to be addressed during plan revision 
include:
    Determine role of prescribed fire in achieving forest ecosystem 
management goals and objectives.
    Identify and evaluate the extent, time of year (including summer 
growing season), and frequencies for prescribed fire use as an 
ecosystem management tool.
    Evaluate impacts associated with use of plow lines and establish 
appropriate standards and guidelines.
    Consider use of permanent fire lines, especially within wildland/
urban interface zones.

Roadless Areas

    The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Roadless Area 
Review and Evaluation II (RARE II) of 1979 inventoried three roadless 
areas on National Forest lands in Mississippi. Two areas, Black Creek 
and Leaf, were recommended for wilderness designation. The third, Sandy 
Creek, was listed for further study. In 1984, the Mississippi National 
Forest Wilderness Act created the Black Creek Wilderness and the Leaf 
Wilderness. Included in the act was ``release'' language which directed 
that inventoried areas not designated as wilderness be managed for 
multiple use; however, the act also directed that the ``wilderness 
option'' be reviewed for such areas when the Forest Plan was revised. 
For the National Forests in Mississippi, the Sandy Creek area on the 
Homochitto National Forest is the only area in this category.
    On October 13, President Clinton directed the USDA Forest Service 
to develop a proposal potentially affecting over 40 million acres on 
inventoried roadless areas on national forests and grasslands. The 
2,375 acre Sandy Creek RARE II Further Study Area is the only area in 
Mississippi meeting the President's initial criteria for review 
consideration. On October 25, 1999, forest Service Chief Dombeck issued 
a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement as the 
first step towards implementing President Clinton's direction to 
further protect remaining roadless areas within National Forest System 
lands. The Sandy Creek Further Study Area will be evaluated as part of 
the national roadless area review. A draft environmental impact 
statement on the roadless area is expected to be available for public 
review in the spring 2000. Recommendations specific to the Sandy Creek 
Further Study Area that may follow from the national review will be 
incorporated during plan revision.

[[Page 69689]]

IV. Proposed Action

    The Southern Regional Forester proposes to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for revising the Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the National Forests in Mississippi. 
The Forest Plan will prescribe resource management direction pursuant 
to the requirements of the National Forest Management Act for the six 
proclaimed National Forests in Mississippi; Bienville, Delta, DeSoto, 
Homochitto, Holly Springs and Tombigbee National Forests. The agency 
invites the public, state and local government officials and their 
representatives, other federal agencies, and any affected Indian tribes 
to participate in the forest plan revision process which will proceed 
over the next 24 to 26 months before a final revised Forest Plan is 
issued.
    The current Forest Plan for the National Forests in Mississippi 
requires revision to incorporate agency established ecosystem 
management principles. The Forest Service will identify ecological 
units through the LandType Association (LTA) level, according to the 
Forest Service National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units. 
Management direction in the revised Forest Plan would work toward 
maintaining the long-term ecological structure and function of affected 
ecosystems.
    The current Forest Plan contains limited descriptions of desired 
future conditions (FDCs). The current plan's DFCs need updating to 
accurately reflect evolving agency and public expectations regarding 
resource uses, products, values or services occurring on or generated 
from national forest administered lands. One of the more critical tasks 
to be accomplished during the forest plan revision process will be 
development of updated DFCs. An open, public, collaborative planning 
process will be followed during development of DFCs.
    Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) are descriptive statements 
expressing the collective vision of future landscape conditions and the 
uses, products, values, and services that will be provided. Desired 
future conditions and the outcomes associated with it will serve as the 
central reference point for planning and management of National Forest 
lands. DFC's will be developed in response to key issues identified 
during plan revision. Extensive public involvement (participation) will 
be sought as the forest identifies and develops DFC's during the plan 
revision process. Each DFC will utilize established ecological units as 
a criteria for defining their location and capabilities. Each DFC will 
emphasize the resource or condition which the issue addresses. Plan 
revision alternatives will be developed by allocating land areas to 
individual DFC's in varying amounts. Notwithstanding the issue to which 
it responds, each DFC will consider all resource elements (incorporate 
multiple-use resource management principals). The allocation of the 
DFC's in each alternative will be distinctly mappable.
    The following proposals specifically address the preliminary issues 
listed previously. Based on current information, they represent the 
Forest Service's initial choice of action for addressing these 
preliminary issues. The following proposed actions are identified at 
this time in an effort to provide focus for public review and comment 
and do not represent a final decision regarding the preliminary issues 
identified. All actions are subject to change as a result of scoping, 
developing alternatives, and conducting a more detailed analysis of 
effects.

Forest Health/Sustainability

    Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management is a key component of the 
Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda. Throughout the plan revision 
process the Forest Service will encourage all parties interested in 
resource management to collaborate in describing and defining 
sustainable forest management. During plan revision, focus will be 
placed on forest ecosystem health, agency accountability, and community 
partnerships to achieve Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda goals 
for sustainable forest ecosystem management. Management for health 
watersheds will be included as a key component in the development of 
Desired Future Condition statements. The revised plan will incorporate 
the Natural Resource Agenda goals and objectives for watershed 
protection and restoration. Management emphasis will be placed on 
watershed restoration and maintenance. During plan revision the Forest 
Service will: (1) Study the relationship between land uses, watersheds, 
and ecosystem health; (2) complete an ecosystem analyses at the 
watershed level to determine existing conditions and potential 
landscape capability; (3) use results from sound scientific analyses to 
make land use allocations and guide project-level decisions and set 
priorities for watershed restoration; (4) ensure that land management 
decisions meet watershed and ecosystem management objectives; (5) 
collaborate with all interested parties and stakeholders to achieve 
health watersheds and ecosystems for current and future generations.

Vegetation Management

    Vegetation management objectives will be developed as one of the 
DFC's for allocation. The Forest will employ both even-aged forest 
management, including clearcutting, and uneven-aged management as tools 
for achieving desired future conditions in appropriate ecological units 
and communities. Area regulation will be utilized for all even-aged 
management. Uneven-aged management will be regulated by diameter 
distribution with intermediate practices for developing uneven-aged 
structure in currently even-aged stands.
    Old Growth. Management for old growth attributes will be included 
as one of the DFC's for allocation. The revised plan will consider old 
growth representation across the range of native forest communities.
    Natural Disturbances. As much as practical, historical levels of 
disturbance will be incorporated into the revised plan's output 
predictions. General control and/or recovery guidelines will also be 
developed, both Forest-wide and for each management area.
    Exotic Species. Mitigation measures and management practices 
designed to limit the spread of Cogongrass as well as kudzu control 
will be developed during plan revision. The revised plan will reflect 
the natural Resource Agenda emphases placed on control of exotic 
species to restore and enhance ecosystems.

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species Management

    Management emphasis will be placed on the conservation and recovery 
of threatened, endangered, and (federally listed) sensitive species and 
their habitats that occur on National Forest administered lands.
    Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Decisions. The tentative Habitat Management 
Area (HMA) delineations from the Final RCW/EIS will be adopted, with 
only minor changes, on the Bienville, Chickasawhay, and Homochitto 
Ranger Districts. On the De Soto Ranger District, the boundaries for 
the Biloxi HMA will be adopted from the Final, but the two areas of the 
Black Creek HMA will be combined and moved to the Leaf River Wildlife 
Management Area. Revised population objectives will be developed for 
each of the above HMA's consistent with the proposed direction in 
Appendix ``A'' of the RCW/EIS Record of Decision (ROD). The

[[Page 69690]]

resulting forest-wide population objective is expected to total 
approximately 1,480 clusters. The revised Forest Plan will incorporate 
the standards and guidelines from the ROD, except that both the 
Chicasawhay and Bienville HMA's will be managed under the sub-HMA 
strategy. This is consistent with RCW/EIS direction for the 
Chickasawhay but represents a departure for the Bienville. Proposed 
changes in the sub-HMA strategy will require analysis beyond the RCW/
EIS as well as a favorable opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service reached through formal consultation. The Forest Plan will adopt 
the southern pine beetle high hazard rotation lengths where applicable.

Transportation and Access

    Local road and OHV management will be included as an element of 
DFC's. For each desired future condition, OHV travel may be allowed 
area-wide, confined to designated areas, trails, or seasons, or 
prohibited entirely. Forest-wide, all areas will be closed to OHVs 
except those identified for their use.
    A National Roads Policy is currently under development. When the 
roads policy is issued, agency direction will be incorporated during 
plan revision as appropriate.
Recreation
    Recreation management is a priority item of the Forest Service 
natural Resource Agenda. Forest Service will seek to provide a diverse 
spectrum of recreation opportunities in response to changing demands.
    The revised plan will incorporate the new recreation agenda of the 
Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda. The new recreation agenda 
concentrates on five key areas: (1) Improving the settings for outdoor 
recreation and enhancing visitor experiences, (2) guaranteeing visitor 
satisfaction with our services and facilities, (3) reaching out to 
rural and urban communities to capitalize on the social and economic 
opportunities associated with recreation on national forests, (4) 
strengthening our relationships with those who cooperate with us to 
improve outdoor recreation for all Americans, and (5) ensuring that 
recreation use does not impair the land's health.
Prescribed Fire
    Fire return interval will be included as an element of Desired 
Future Conditions, and both dormant and growing season fire will be 
utilized. The use of prescribed fire for silvicultural objectives will 
be employed on hardwood sites where appropriate and consistent with the 
Southern Region's Vegetation Management EIS, including the Delta 
National Forest.
Roadless Areas
    The Sandy Creek Further Study Area will be evaluated as part of the 
national roadless area review. A draft environmental impact statement 
on the roadless area is expected to be available for public review in 
the spring 2000. Recommendations specific to the Sandy Creek Further 
study Area that may follow from the national review will be 
incorporated during plan revision. No other recommendations to the 
roadless area inventory are currently proposed. The revised plan will 
continue the management direction and practices adopted in the 1993 
``Limits of Acceptable Change'' process for the Black Creek and Leaf 
Wildernesses and the Black Creek scenic corridor.

V. Development of Alternatives

    The alternatives presented in the Forest's DEIS will portray a full 
range of responses to key issues. The range of alternatives will 
include one that continues current management direction, as well as 
others that address the range of issues developed during the scoping 
process. The DEIS will examine the effects of implementing strategies 
to achieve different overall desired future conditions for the Forest, 
including possible management practices and objectives that move the 
Forest toward desired conditions. A preferred alternative will be 
identified in the DEIS.

VI. Involving the Public

    The objective for public involvement in this process is to create 
an atmosphere of openness where all members of the public feel free to 
share information with the Forest Service and its employees on a 
regular basis. We seek to establish two-way communication with the 
public to gather ideas and concerns and to determine public attitudes. 
We seek to encourage public involvement in a planning process that 
fully integrates the needs and values of all segments of the public, 
including low-income, minority, and historically underserved 
communities.
    The Forest Service is seeking information, comments,and assistance 
from Federal, State, and local agencies, Indian tribes, and other 
individuals or organizations who may be interested in or affected by 
the land management decisions under consideration during the plan 
revision process. This input will be used in the preparation of the 
DEIS. The range of alternatives to be considered in the DEIS will be 
based on the identification of key public issues, management concerns, 
resource management opportunities, and plan decisions specific to the 
National Forests in Mississippi. Public participation will be solicited 
by notifying in person and/or by mail, interested publics. News 
releases will be used to give the public general notice, and public 
scoping meetings will be conducted on each Ranger District.
    Public participation, facilitated by open decision making process, 
will be sought throughout the plan revision process and will be 
especially important at several points along the way. The first 
opportunity to comment will be during the scoping process (40 CFR 
1501.7). Scoping includes: (1) Identifying additional potential issues 
(other than those previously described), (2) from these, identifying 
key issues or those which have been covered by prior environmental 
review, (3) exploring additional alternatives, and (4) identifying 
potential environmental effects of the proposed action and alternatives 
(i.e., direct, indirect, and cumulative effects).
    As part of the first step in scoping, a series of public meetings 
are scheduled to explain the public's role in the planning process and 
provide an opportunity for public input. These meetings are planned as 
follows:

Bienville National Forest

January 18, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Forest Center in Forest, MS
January 20, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Raleigh Multi-Purpose 
Building In Raleigh, MS
January 22, 2000 from 10 am to 8 pm at the Benita Lakes Mall in 
Meridian, MS (Co-hosted with the Chickasawhay Ranger District)
January 25, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Morton City Auditorium in 
Morton, MS

Chickasawhay Ranger District

January 20, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Library of Hattiesburg, 329 
Hardy Street, in Hattiesburg, MS (Co-hosted with the DeSoto Ranger 
District)
January 22, 2000 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Benita Lakes Mall in 
Meridian, MS (Co-hosted with the Bienville Ranger District)
January 24, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Chickasawhay Ranger District 
Office, 968 Highway 15 South, in Laurel, MS
January 27, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Waynesboro City Auditorium in 
Waynesboro, MS

[[Page 69691]]

Delta National Forest

January 18, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Community Center in Rolling 
Fork, MS
January 25, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Greenville Library in 
Greenville, MS
January 31, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Vicksburg Library in 
Vicksburg, MS

DeSoto Ranger District

January 20, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Library of Hattiesburg, 329 
Hardy Street, in Hattiesburg, MS (Co-Hosted by the Chickasawhay Ranger 
District)
January 21, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Orange Grove Community Center 
on Highway 49, North in Gulfport, MS
January 25, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the DeSoto Ranger District 
Office, 654 W. Frontage Road, in Wiggins, MS

Holly Springs National Forest

January 10, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Holly Springs District 
Office, 1000 Front Street, Oxford, MS
January 18, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Marshall County Industrial 
Development Authority, 520 Access Road, Holly Springs, MS
January 24, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Corps of Engineers Building, 
Scenic Route 333, Grenada Dam Road, Grenda, MS

Homochitto National Forest

January 20, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Agriculture Building, at 
Alcorn State University, in Lorman, MS
January 25, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Homochitto District Office in 
Gloster, MS
January 27, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Meadville Public Library in 
Meadville, MS

Tombigbee National Forest

January 11, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm Tombigbee District Office in 
Ackerman, MS
January 12, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Thompson Hall on the campus 
of Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
January 18, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Fire Department in Houston, 
MS
January 25, 2000 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Lake Tiak O'Kata in 
Louisville, MS

National Forests in Mississippi (Forest-wide emphasis)

January 11, 2000 from 10 am to 8 pm at the McCoy Federal Building, 100 
West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS

    Additional public meetings will be scheduled throughout the plan 
revision process. Their location and frequency of occurrence will vary 
depending upon specific objectives. The primary objective for the 
initial meetings listed above are for information sharing and initial 
identification of additional public issues and concerns. Subsequent 
public meetings may focus on specific key issues to seek clarification 
and understanding prior to development of alternatives and evaluation 
of effects. Public notice will be provided through publication in the 
newspaper, the Clariton-Ledger, published daily in Jackson, 
Mississippi. Notice will also be served through direct mailings to 
interested and affected parties identified during the plan revision 
process. The Forest Service will seek to identify other methods to 
effectively accomplish outreach and invite and encourage broad public 
involvement throughout the Forest Plan revision process.
    The DEIS is expected to be filed with the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) and to be available for public review by September, 2001. 
At that time, EPA will publish a notice of availability of the draft 
supplement in the Federal Register. The comment period for the DEIS 
will be 3 months from the date the EPA's notice of availability appears 
in the Federal Register.
    After the comment period ends on the DEIS, the comments will be 
analyzed, considered, and responded to by the Forest Service in 
preparing the FEIS. The Forest Service will continue to open decision 
making (collaborative efforts) during the evaluation of comments 
received on the DEIS. The FEIS is scheduled to be completed by 
September, 2001. The responsible official will consider the comments, 
responses, environmental consequences discussed in the final 
environmental impact statement, and applicable laws, regulations, and 
policies in making a decision regarding this proposal. The responsible 
official will document the decision and reasons for the decision in a 
Record of Decision. The decision will be subject to appeal in 
accordance with 36 CFR part 217.
    The responsible official is Elizabeth Estill, Regional Forester, 
Southern Region, 1720 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30367.

    Dated: December 8, 1999.
David G. Holland,
Deputy Regional Forester for Natural Resources.
[FR Doc. 99-32296 Filed 12-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M