[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 246 (Thursday, December 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80414-80416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32437]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Gold/Boulder/Sullivan; Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, 
Montana

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The USDA--Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Gold/Boulder/Sullivan Project to disclose the 
effects of vegetative management using timber harvest and prescribed 
fire, and road management including road reconstruction, temporary 
construction, and decommissioning. The Gold/Boulder/Sullivan Decision 
Area encompasses the Gold Creek, Boulder Creek, and Sullivan Creek 
drainages, approximately 12 miles southwest of Eureka, Montana.
    Wildfire suppression policies over the past 80 years have resulted 
in vegetative conditions in low elevation stands which include higher-
than-normal tree densities and fuels levels. These increase the risk of 
insect and disease infestations and stand replacement wildfire. Three 
wildfires occurred in the Decision Area during August 2000, resulting 
in significant tree mortality and contributing to increased fuel loads.
    The proposed activities are considered together because they 
represent either connected or cumulative actions as defined by the 
Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.23). The purpose and need 
for action is to achieve desirable and sustainable conditions in forest 
stands, reduce fuels, improve big game winter range conditions, 
contribute to natural recovery processes to reduce impacts to soil and 
water resources, maintain and enhance scenic quality, and provide goods 
and services.
    The EIS will tier to the Kootenai National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan, as amended, and the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement and Record of Decision of September 1987, which provides 
overall guidance for forest management of the area.

DATES: Written comments and suggestions should be received on or before 
January 22, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The Responsible Official is Bob Castenada, the Kootenai 
National Forest Supervisor, 1101 U.S. Highway 2 West, Libby, MT 59923. 
Written comments and suggestions concerning the scope of the analysis 
should be sent to Glen M. McNitt, District Ranger, Rexford Ranger 
District, 1299 U.S. Highway 93 N, Eureka, MT 59917.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Ron Komac, Acting NEPA 
Coordinator, Rexford Ranger District, Phone: (406) 296-2536.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Decision Area contains approximately 
40,100 acres, and has a favorable climate and good site conditions for 
forest vegetation. Proposed activities within the Decision Area include 
portions of the following areas: T34-36N; R28-30W.
    Average annual precipitation ranges from 14 to 100 inches. At 
higher elevations, most precipitation falls as snow. The Decision Area 
contains a combination of open-grown ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir in 
the lower elevations, adjacent to Lake Koocanusa. Upland areas contain 
multistoried western larch/Douglas-fir intermixed with lodgepole pine, 
as well as uniform lodgepole pine stands.
    Wildfire historically played a role in interrupting forest 
succession and creating much of the vegetative diversity that is 
apparent on the landscape today. Since the early 1900's, a policy of 
wildfire suppression has been in place on National Forest lands, 
interrupting the natural vegetation cycle. Stands of tress in the lower 
elevations of the Decision Area have a higher stocking level than 
occurred naturally, and are dominated by Douglas-fir, which is 
susceptible to bark beetles and root disease when stressed. Lodgepole 
pine stands in the upper elevations have experienced a high level of 
mortality due to mountain pine beetles, and are not contributing toward 
a desired condition of forest health.
    A portion of the Decision Area is highly visible from the Tobacco 
Valley as well as the Scenic Byways (State Highway 37 and Forest 
Development Road #228). A portion of the Mount Henry Inventoried 
Roadless Area is included within the Decision Area. There are no 
treatments proposed for this area.
    The Kootenai National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 
provides overall management objectives in individually delineated 
management areas (MAs). Most of the proposed timber harvest activities 
encompass five MAs: 11, 12, 15, 16, and 17. Briefly described, MA 11 is 
managed to maintain or enhance the winter range habitat effectiveness 
for big game species and produce a programmed yield of timber. MA 12 is 
managed to maintain or enhance the summer range habitat effectiveness 
for big game species and produce a programmed yield of timber. MA 15 
focuses upon timber production using various silvicultural practices 
while providing for other resource values. MA 16 is managed to produce 
timber while providing for a pleasing view. MA 17 is managed to 
maintain or enhance a natural appearing landscape and produce a 
programmed yield of timber. Minor amounts of timber harvest and/or 
other proposed activities such as prescribed burning are found in other 
MAs including 2 (semi-primitive non-motorized recreation); 5 (viewing 
areas); 10 (big game winter range); 13 (old growth), and 21 (research 
natural area).
    Purpose and Need: The purpose and need for the project is to: (1) 
Achieve desirable and sustainable conditions in forest stands by 
reducing stand densities, maintaining and enhancing

[[Page 80415]]

desirable species composition, structure, and size, and reducing the 
risk of insect and disease epidemics; (2) reduce natural fuel 
accumulations in lower-to-mid elevation stands, and expected fuel loads 
in stands impacted by the wildfires of 2000, to contribute to increased 
firefighter safety and help protect forest users and forest resources; 
(3) improve big game winter range conditions by rejuvenating forage 
species; (4) contribute to natural recovery processes in order to 
reduce impacts to soil and water resources; (5) maintain and enhance 
visual quality by reducing line and form and emulating naturally 
appearing patterns on the landscape; and (6) respond to the social and 
economic desires of the surrounding communities by providing a range of 
products while maintaining a resilient, sustainable forest environment 
over time.
    Proposed Activities: The Forest Service proposes to harvest 
approximately 70,700 CCF (hundred cubic feet), equivalent to 
approximately 28.9 MMBF (million board feet) of timber through the 
application of a variety of harvest methods on approximately 4,465 
acres of forestland. Silvicultural systems include regeneration harvest 
(approximately 2,000 acres), improvement harvest (approximately 1,760 
acres), salvage harvest (approximately 215 acres), removal of small 
diameter material (approximately 160 acres), and roadside salvage 
(approximately 330 acres). Some treatments would feather or thin stands 
adjacent to existing units with abrupt edges to improve the visual 
setting for outdoor recreation and viewing.
    Removal of trees would be accomplished by a variety of methods 
including tractor, helicopter, and line skidding operations. 
Approximately 1 mile of temporary roads would be needed to access some 
units to be harvested with ground-based systems. These roads would be 
obliterated after timber sale activities are accomplished.
    The proposed action would result in approximately seventeen 
additional openings over 40 acres, ranging from 46 to 203 acres. The 
sizes of approximately nine other large openings would be increased, 
ranging from 55 to 464 acres. A 60-day public review period, and 
approval of the Regional Forester for exceeding the 40 acre limitation 
for regeneration harvest, would be required prior to the signing of the 
Record of Decision. This 60-day period is initiated with this Notice of 
Intent.
    The proposal also includes approximately 4,465 acres of prescribed 
burning in association with commercial timber harvest, and 
approximately 1,930 acres of prescribed burning without commercial 
timber harvest. Prescribed burning without timber harvest is proposed 
within MA 13 (designated old growth).
    The proposal includes reconstructing approximately 120 miles of 
road in order to meet Best Management Practices requirements, and 
decommissioning approximately 21 miles of closed roads to restore 
natural drainage patterns.
    Implementation of this proposal would require opening several miles 
of road currently restricted to public access. It is expected that 
public access would be allowed on a portion of these roads while 
management activities are occurring. Restrictions for motorized access 
would be restored following the conclusion of the management 
activities.
    The proposed action includes precommercial thinning of sapling-
sized trees on approximately 600 acres within managed plantations and 
natural stands that have regenerated after wildfire. Precommercial 
thinning would not occur in lynx habitat.
    Forest Plan Amendments: The proposed action includes several 
project-specific Forest Plan amendments and a programmatic Forest Plan 
amendment necessary to meet the project's objectives:
    A project-specific amendment to allow timber harvest in MA 2. A 
Forest Plan amendment would be needed to suspend Timber Standard #2 for 
this area. The standard states that timber harvest will not occur. 
Timber harvest would be used to reduce the visual effects of the fire 
by blending the affected area with the surrounding vegetation to 
achieve a more naturally appearing landscape.
    A project-specific amendment to allow harvest adjacent to existing 
openings in up to 6 big game movement corridors in MA 12. A Forest Plan 
amendment would be needed to suspend Wildlife and Fish Standard #7 and 
Timber Standard #2 for this area. These standards state that movement 
corridors and adjacent hiding cover be retained. In this situation, 
high levels of mountain pine beetle activity have precluded alternative 
treatments. These opening sizes more closely correlate to natural 
disturbance patterns. Snags and down woody material would be left to 
provide wildlife habitat and maintain soil productivity.
    A project-specific amendment to allow vegetation management in MA 
21. A Forest Plan amendment would be needed to suspend Timber Standard 
#2 for the Big Creek area. The standard states that timber harvest will 
not occur. The Cliff Point fire burned through the area in August 2000. 
Some light salvage would be needed for fuel reduction purposes. Any 
management proposals would be conducted with the full involvement of 
Forest Service Research.
    A programmatic amendment to allow long-term MA 12 open road density 
to be managed at 1.1 miles/square mile, which exceeds the Facilities 
standard of 0.75 miles/square mile. The roads currently open access 
high-use recreation facilities or are important access routes for 
forest users and have been managed as open roads for several decades. 
There is a social need to maintain these roads as open to motorized 
access.
    Range of Alternatives: The Forest Service will consider a range of 
alternatives. One of these will be the ``no action'' alternative, in 
which none of the proposed activities will be implemented. Additional 
alternatives will be considered to achieve the project's purpose and 
need for action, and to respond to specific resource issues and public 
concerns.
    Preliminary Issues: Several issues of concern have been identified. 
These are briefly described below:
    Transportation Systems: The Proposed Action includes approximately 
21 miles of roads to be decommissioned. A portion of these roads may be 
permanently removed from the landscape, which may affect the public's 
ability to use traditional routes. All of these roads are currently 
restricted to motorized access.
    Visual Resources: Implementation of the proposed action may alter 
the existing scenic resource within the Decision Area. Although the 
proposed action is designed to maintain and enhance the visuals of past 
harvest activities and recent wildfires, some members of the public may 
feel that it will have additional scenic impacts.
    Wildlife: The proposed action could potentially reduce cavity 
habitat in snags and suitable hiding cover for wildlife security.
    Management activities in a Research Natural Area (RNA): Typically, 
timber harvest is not permitted within a RNA. In this particular case, 
salvage is necessary to reduce fuels loads to aid in moving the area 
towards open grown stands of large ponderosa pine and western larch.
    Decisions To Be Made: The Kootenai Forest Supervisor will decide 
the following:
     Whether or not to harvest timber and, if so, identify the 
selection of, and site-specific location of, appropriate timber 
management practices (silvicultural prescription, logging

[[Page 80416]]

system, fuels treatment, and reforestation), and road construction 
necessary to provide access and to achieve other resource objectives, 
and appropriate mitigation measures.
     Whether or not soil and water resource improvement 
projects (including road reconstruction and decommissioning) should be 
implemented and, if so, to what extent.
     Whether or not wildlife enhancement projects (including 
prescribed burning) should be implemented and, if so, to what extent.
     Whether road access restrictions or other actions are 
necessary to meet big game wildlife security needs.
     Whether or not programmatic and project-specific Forest 
Plan amendments are necessary to meet the specific purpose and need of 
this project, and whether those amendments are significant under the 
National Forest Management Act.
     What, if any, specific-project monitoring requirements 
would be needed to assure mitigation measures are implemented and 
effective.
    Public Involvement and Scoping: In November 2000, preliminary 
efforts were made to involve the public in looking at management 
opportunities within the Gold/Boulder/Sullivan Decision Area. Comments 
received prior to this notice will be included in the documentation for 
the EIS. The public is encouraged to take part in the process and is 
encouraged to visit with Forest Service officials at any time during 
the analysis, and prior to the decision. The Forest Service will be 
seeking information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State and 
local agencies, Indian tribes, individuals, and organizations that may 
be interested in, or affected by, the proposed action. This input will 
be used in preparation of the draft and final EIS'. The scoping process 
will assist in identifying potential issues, identifying major issues 
to be analyzed in depth, identifying alternatives to the proposed 
action, and identifying potential environmental effects of this project 
and alternatives (i.e., direct, indirect, and cumulative effects and 
connected actions).
    Estimated Dates for Filing: While public participation in this 
analysis is welcome at any time, comments received within 30 days of 
the publication of this notice will be especially useful in the 
preparation of the Draft EIS. It is expected to be filed with the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public 
review by May 2001. At that time EPA will publish a Notice of 
Availability of the draft EIS in the Federal Register. The comment 
period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date the EPA publishes 
the Notice Availability in the Federal Register. It is very important 
that those interested in the management of this area participate at 
that time.
    The final EIS is scheduled to be completed by August 2001. In the 
final EIS, the Forest Service is required to respond to comments and 
responses received during the comment period that pertain to the 
environmental consequences discussed in the draft EIS, and applicable 
laws, regulations, and policies considered in making a decision 
regarding the proposal.
    Reviewer's Obligations: The Forest Service believes, at this early 
stage, it is important to give reviewers notice 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 may 
be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803, F2d 
1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, 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 30 day comment period so that 
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest 
Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider and respond to them 
in the final EIS.
    To be most helpful, comments on the draft EIS should be as specific 
as possible, and may address the adequacy of the statement or the merit 
of the alternatives discussed. Reviewers may wish to refer to the 
Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1503.3) for 
implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental 
Policy Act.
    Responsible Official: As the Forest Supervisor of the Kootenai 
National Forest, 1101 U.S. Highway 2 West, Libby, MT 59923, I am the 
Responsible Official. As the Responsible Official, I will decide if the 
proposed project will be implemented. I will document the decision and 
reasons for the decision in the Record of Decision. I have delegated 
the responsibility for preparing the draft and final EIS' to Glen M. 
McNitt, District Ranger, Rexford Ranger District.

    Dated: December 8, 2000.
Bob Castaneda,
Forest Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest.
[FR Doc. 00-32437 Filed 12-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M