[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53261-53262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22434]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Fairfield Ranger District Sheep Allotment AMP EIS, Fairfield 
Ranger District, Elmore and Camas Counties, ID

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Supervisor of the Sawtooth National Forest gives 
notice of the agency's intent to prepare an environmental impact 
statement on a proposal to update the allotment management plans for 
twelve sheep allotments on the Fairfield Ranger District. This will be 
done to determine the appropriate livestock management and associated 
actions, or management changes, needed to provide for recovery of 
Threatened, Endangered or Sensitive species and meet the requirements 
established through the Endangered Species Act consultation process. 
Currently, these grazing allotments have been determined to be ``likely 
to adversely affect'' the threatened Bull Trout.
    The proposal includes the following sheep grazing allotments; North 
Fork Lime Creek, Kelley Creek, Beaver Creek, Boardman Creek, Salt/
Bowns, Shake Creek, Big Water, Jumbo Mountain, Skeleton Creek, Bridge 
Creek, Bear Creek and Ross Fork Allotments.
    The purpose and need for this proposal is a result of the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) determination that grazing activities on 
the Fairfield Ranger District were ``likely to adversely'' the 
threatened bull trout. Terms and conditions were issued by the USFWS in 
a biological opinion to mitigate these adverse effects. One of these 
required mitigation measures directs the Forest Service to analyze the 
scope of the effects of livestock grazing on the bull trout by the 
beginning of the 2001 grazing season.
    The Forest Service invites comments and suggestions on the scope of 
the analysis to be included in the draft environmental impact statement 
(DEIS). In addition, the Forest Service gives notice that it is 
beginning a full environmental analysis and decision-making process for 
this proposal so that interested or affected people may know how they 
can participate in the environmental analysis and contribute to the 
final decision. The first step in the analysis process is ``scoping''. 
A scoping paper is available by contacting the Fairfield Ranger 
District, Fairfield, Idaho 83327 (208) 764-3202. This paper

[[Page 53262]]

provides a map identifying the general area affected by this proposal, 
details regarding the analysis and decision-making process, primary 
issues identified to date, current Forest Plan management direction for 
this area, potential alternatives identified to date and general 
information about the area and current management. The Forest Service 
welcomes any public comments on this proposal.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of this analysis should be 
received in writing no later than October 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Gary Fullmer, District Ranger, 
Fairfield Ranger District, Fairfield, Idaho 83327.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Fletcher, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader, Sawtooth National Forest, 2647 Kimberly Road East, Twin Falls, 
ID 83301 (208) 737-3200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In June 1998, bull trout were listed as a 
``threatened species'' under the Endangered Species Act. In August 
1998, a Biological Assessment was completed for all grazing allotments 
on the District. The Biological Opinion (B.O.) issued by the U.S. Fish 
& Wildlife Service in March 1999 directed that grazing allotment plans 
be completed by the start of the 2001 grazing season. A primary 
requirement of the B.O. is that ``livestock shall not occupy the 
allotments, pastures or areas with confirmed bull trout spawning and 
juvenile rearing after August 15th. The preceding factors, and to 
insure compliance with Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, 
necessitate the development of this environmental impact statement.
    The decision to be made is the determination of the appropriate 
livestock management and associated actions or management changes 
needed on the twelve sheep allotments to provide for the recovery of 
threatened, endangered and sensitive species and meet the requirements 
established through the Endangered Species Act for consultation for 
bull trout.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: Bill LeVere, Forest Supervisor, Sawtooth National 
Forest, 2647 Kimberly Road East, Twin Falls, ID 83301.
    The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be 
published in March 2001. There will be a 45-day public review and 
comment on the draft. The 45-day public comment period on the DEIS will 
commence on the day the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a 
``Notice of Availability'' in the Federal Register. The final 
environmental impact statement and decision is expected to be completed 
in May 2001 in order that the obligations made in the biological 
opinion can be met.
    The Forest Service believes it is important to give reviewers 
notice at this early stage of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements must structure their 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may 
be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 
1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 
F. Supp. 1334 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is 
very important that those interested in this proposed action 
participate by the close of the 45-day comment period so that 
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 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.) Please note that comments 
you make on the draft environmental impact statement will be regarded 
as public information.

Bill Levere,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 00-22434 Filed 8-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M