[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]
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