[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 10662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3971]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 10662]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Lolo National Forest Big Game Winter Range and Burned Area Weed 
Management Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised Notice: intent to prepare an environment impact 
statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: This is a revision of a Notice of Intent originally published 
in the Federal Register on July 30, 1998. The original notice stated 
the Forest Service would prepare an environmental impact statement to 
address noxious weeds and big game winter range habitat degradation of 
21 critical, low elevation, winter ranges covering approximately 20,120 
acres on the Lolo National Forest. Within these 20,120 acres we are 
considering treating weeds on a maximum of 14,010 acres. This revision 
proposes analyzing weed management options on an additional 67,300 
acres of Lolo National Forest lands that burned in the wildfires of 
2000. Within these 67,300 acres, we are considering treating weeds on a 
maximum of 7,650 acres. The reason we are expanding this EIS is because 
of the anticipated increase in invasive weeds due to loss of canopy and 
competitive vegetation and increased ground disturbance from the 
wildfires of 2000. The issues identified in the July 30, 1998 Federal 
Register notice have been amended as follows:
    1. Recognizing that invasive weeds are spreading rapidly in Western 
Montana, what effect will invasive weeds have on elk, deer and bighorn 
sheep big game winter ranges, other wildlife, native grasses and 
wildflower communities and threatened, endangered or sensitive species?
    2. How would actions taken to control invasive weeds, including the 
use of herbicides, biological agents, prevention measures, and 
mechanical treatments affect elk, deer and bighorn sheep big game 
winter ranges, other wildlife, native grasses and wildflower 
communities, threatened, endangered or sensitive plants, fish and water 
quality?
    3. What are the potential effects of herbicides used to control 
invasive weeds on human health?
    4. Fire suppression has changed forest communities. How would 
prescribed fire affect elk, deer and bighorn sheep big game winter 
ranges, other wildlife, native grasses and wildflowers, threatened, 
endangered or sensitive species and other resources?
    5. What are the fire escape, air quality, and human health risks 
associated with prescribed fire?
    6. As a result of the wildfires of 2000, burned areas have 
increased bare soil, reduced overstory shade and less competitive 
vegetation. How have these changes affected the vulnerability of the 
burned areas to invasive weeds?
    7. How can we mitigate invasive weed spread in the burned areas and 
how urgent is such mitigation?
    8. What are the comparative costs of implementing different 
restoration activities?

DATES: Comments concerning this revision should be received on or 
before March 19, 2001. Person who have already commented on the 
original winter range project in the July 30, 1998 Notice of Intent do 
not need to resubmit those comments.

ADDRESSES: The responsible official is Deborah L. R. Austin, Forest 
Supervisor, Lolo National Forest, Supervisor's Office, Building 24A 
Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT. 59804. Phone (406) 329-3797.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Kulla, Resource Assistant, 
Missoula Ranger District, at (406) 329-3962. Please direct written 
comments to Andy Kulla at the Missoula Ranger District; Building 24A, 
Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT 59804.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Further information about the proposal can 
be found in the original Notice of Intent. Another formal opportunity 
to comment will be provided following completion of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS will be available for 
public review by spring or summer of 2001. The Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) will be filed by the summer or fall of 2001. 
The responsible official will make a decision on this proposal after 
considering comments and responses, environmental consequences 
discussed in the FEIS and applicable laws, regulations and policies. 
The decision and reasons for the decision will be documented in a 
Record of Decision.

    Dated: February 17, 2001.
Deborah L. R. Austin,
Forest Supervisor, Lolo National Forest.
[FR Doc. 01-3971 Filed 2-15-01; 8:45 am]
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