[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16032-16033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7129]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Southwestern Region, Arizona, Coconino County, Coconino National 
Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The coconino National Forest is planning to prepare an 
environmental impact statement on a proposal to manage livestock 
grazing use on the Windmill Range Allotment during the next 10 years.

DATES: Comments in response to this Notice of Intent concerning the 
scope of the analysis should be received in writing by on or before 
April 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to USDA Forest Service, Coconino 
National Forest, Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 
86004. Electronic mail may be sent to [email protected].
    Responsible Official: The Forest Supervisor of the Coconino 
National Forest, Supervisor's Office 2323 Greenlaw Lane, Flagstaff, AZ 
86004, will decide what actions are most appropriate for managing the 
Windmill Allotment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Hannemann, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader, Peaks Ranger District, (520) 526-0866.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposal has a Forest Service permit of 
up to 1,097 cattle year-round on the 248,792 acres Windmill Allotment. 
This is the same number of cattle as currently permitted. An additional 
Arizona State Land Department permit of 160 head in

[[Page 16033]]

the summer and 155 head in the winter is also included. To meet 
objectives, approximately $71,450 will be spent on structural 
improvements. The Forest Service will spend approximately $31,565 
primarily for materials and the permittee will spend approximately 
$39,885 primarily for construction of the improvements. These 
improvements are designed to reduce cattle impacts in large pastures by 
improving cattle distribution, reducing graze periods and increasing 
rest periods. A reduction in pasture size will also improve overall 
management by reducing time needed to gather cattle from these large 
and rough pastures. Annual Operating Plans will adjust cattle numbers 
and/or grazing rotations so cattle use is consistent with current 
productivity (as in drought condtions) and so plant, soil and watershed 
condtions can be maintained or improved while range structures are 
built over time.
    The Proposed Action was mailed to over 30 individuals, 
organizations and cooperating resource agencies for review and comment 
on July 5, 2000. From comments received, the Team will develop 
statements to capture the substantive issues and developed alternatives 
other than the proposed action. If you would like a copy of the 
proposed action please contact our office. Your comments will be 
included in our environmental analysis.
    It is anticipated that environmental analysis and preparation of 
the draft and final environmental impact statements will take about 
four months. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement can be expected 
June of 2001 and the Final EIS in late summer. The comment period on 
the draft environmental impact statement extends 45 days from the date 
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of 
availability in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court ruling related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. To be the most 
helpful, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be 
as specific as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement 
or the merits of the alternatives discussed (see Council of 
Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3).
    In addition, Federal court decisions have established that 
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 reviewers' position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC 435 US 519, 553 
(1978). Environmental objections that could have been raised at the 
draft stage may be waived if not raised until after completion of the 
final environmental impact statement. City of Angoon v. Hodel 9th 
Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). The reason for this is to ensure that 
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest 
Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider 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 of Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.

    Dated: March 12, 2001.
Jim Golden,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 01-7129 Filed 3-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M