[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 232 (Friday, December 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75236-75237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30584]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Helena National Forest Travel Plan, Helena National Forest, 
Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, Meagher and Powell Counties, Montana

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement on a proposal to update travel management and approximately 
390,000 acres of National Forest lands on the Townsend, Helena and 
Lincoln Ranger Districts. These 390,000 acres are the remaining lands 
that have not been subject to recent motorized travel management 
decisions or have decisions pending. The project covers three separate 
areas in the Blackfoot, Divide/Little Blackfoot and the South Belts 
areas. Motorized travel activities in these areas are presently subject 
to the June 30, 1994 Helena National Forest Travel Plan.

DATES: Comments concerning the proposal and scope of the analysis

[[Page 75237]]

should be received in writing by January 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to USDA Forest Service, Helena 
National Forest, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT 59601.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Hester, Team Leader, (406) 
362-4265.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current Travel Management Plan for the 
Helena National Forest was approved in June 1994. Since then, site-
specific travel management has been completed or is nearing completion 
on approximately 500,000 acres. These recent efforts have generally 
prohibited cross-country motorized travel by restricting motorized 
vehicles, except snowmobiles, to designated routes. These areas are not 
affected by this proposal.
    The remaining areas that do not have recent decisions or decisions 
pending are the focus of this proposal. The proposal retains current 
area and route closures and restrictions except where specific changes 
are identified. The major change proposed is to limit motorized 
vehicles, except snowmobiles, to designated Forest Development Road and 
Forest Developmental trails. Designations will specify the classes of 
vehicles permitted and the authorized period of use.
    Motorized use has increased substantially over most areas in the 
past 10-15 years as off-highway vehicles have become more stable, 
maneuverable and powerful and riders have become more skilled. This 
increased use has resulted in the creation of networks of user-created 
routes often resulting in undesirable impacts to soils, watersheds, 
vegetation and wildlife resources. Conflicts between motorized and non-
motorized users have also become more common and intense. The intent of 
this proposal is to provide opportunities for motorized activities 
without duly impacting other forest resources or uses.
    The Forest Service is seeking information and scoping comments from 
Federal, State and local agencies as well as individuals and 
organizations that may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed 
action. The Forest Service invites written comments and suggestions 
related to the proposal. Information received will be used in 
preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. For the most 
effective use, comments should be submitted to the Forest Service 
within 30 days from the date of publication of the Notice in the 
Federal Register.
    The Forest Service expects to release a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement in August 2001. A Final Environmental Impact Statement and 
Record of Decision are expected in April 2002.
    The comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement will 
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes 
the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
    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. (Wisconsin Heritage, Inc. v. 
Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (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.).
    The responsible official is Thomas J. Clifford, Forest Supervisor, 
Helena National Forest, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT 59601.

Thomas J. Clifford,
Helena Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 00-30584 Filed 11-30-00; 8:45 am]
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