[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 71406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32980]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Bark Beetle Analysis Environmental Impact Statement Medicine Bow-
Routt National Forests, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt 
County, CO

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and 
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will assess and disclose the 
environmental effects of an imminent bark beetle analysis. The area of 
the analysis is the Hahns Peak/Bears Ranger District and the portion of 
the Parks Ranger District East of the Continental Divide to the 
boundary of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.
    Over the next few months the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests 
will be developing a proposed action and making decisions on how to 
respond to a bark beetle epidemic. The public is strongly encouraged to 
participate in this process.
    An epidemic will cause significant changes to the forest landscape, 
recreation experience, watershed conditions, and wildlife habitat--
changes that many people will not consider positive. Spruce and pine 
trees on private lands throughout Routt, Moffatt, and Grand counties 
will be at risk, including trees in urban areas.
    The Forest Service has been working since late spring to define the 
problems an epidemic will present. Along with key members of the 
community, Forest Service officials visited the Dixie National Forest 
in Utah to see how they were managing their current bark beetle 
epidemic. A community task force was developing that continues to meet 
regulatory. Field surveys have been conducted on National Forest System 
lands to estimate the potential effects of bark beetles on various 
resources. Extensive beetle population surveys have also been 
completed.
    The U.S. Forest Service has a responsibility to manage National 
Forests for the public good. Various laws, regulations and policies 
frame the purpose of National Forests and provide reasons for the 
Forest Service to manage a bark beetle epidemic. The guiding legal 
framework compels the Forest Service to:
     Prevent an epidemic from spreading to adjacent lands where 
possible,
     Maintain healthy and aesthetically pleasing stands of 
trees in the ski area,
     Restrict insect outbreaks in timber management, 
recreation, and scenic areas,
     Sustain the growing stock of timber,
     Protect the wildlife and plant species that depend on 
mature spruce forest, and
     Maintain watershed health.

DATES: Public Scoping began with a mailing to people who expressed an 
interest in the Routt Divide Blowdown. South Fork Salvage Analysis, and 
Upper Elk River Access Analyses, land owners within the Forest Service 
boundaries adjacent to the analysis area, and State, County, and local 
officials. There will be a 45-day public comment period following the 
publication of this notice.

    On January 6, 1999, Forest Service specialists will host an open 
house for the public to discuss the Bark Beetle Analysis from 4:00 pm 
until 7:00 pm at the Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Dr., Steamboat 
Springs, CO 80487.
    A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be prepared and 
available after the scoping comment period. After a 45-day comment 
period from the date of this notice, a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) will be prepared and available for the Bark Beetle 
Analysis.

ADDRESSES: Mail comment letters to and request further information 
from: Andy Cadenhead, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Medicine Bow-Routt 
National Forest, 925 Weiss Dr., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, (970) 870-
2220.
    Responsible official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine 
Bow-Routt National Forests, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070.
Jerry Schmidt,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 99-32980 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]
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