[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21730-21731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10500]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Availabilty of Environmental Assessment To Amend the Hiawatha 
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Environmental Assement.

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SUMMARY: On May 1, 2001, Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor, Clyde N. 
Thompson (Responsible Official) announced the preferred alternative and 
availability of the Rock River Canyon Wilderness Environmental 
Assessment for a 30-day comment and review period. The preferred 
alternative would amend the Hiawatha National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan (Forest Plan) to revise the standards and guidelines 
for management of the Rock River Canyon Wilderness. This notice is 
pursuant to National Forest System Land and Resource Management 
Planning regulations (36 CFR 219.35(b), 65 FR 67579, November 9, 2000). 
Copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA) are available upon request.

DATES: On May 1, 2001, Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor, Clyde N. 
Thompson announced the preferred alternative and availability of the 
Rock River Canyon Wilderness Environmental Assessment for public review 
and comment. Comments on the EA must be received no later than May 31, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments or requests for documents to: Forest 
Supervisor, Hiawatha National Forest, 2727 North Lincoln Road, 
Escanaba, MI 49829 or email comments to mailroom r9 [email protected], 
with the subject line: ``Rock River Canyon Wilderness EA.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janel Crooks, Project Coordinator, at 
906-387-2512. TDD 906-387-3371. Or access the forest web page at 
www.fs.fed.us/r9/hiawatha.
    Responsible Official: Clyde N. Thompson, Forest Supervisor, 2727 
North Lincoln Rd., Escanaba, Michigan 49829.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Forest Plan Amendment No. 22 
describes programmatic standards and guidelines that allow for existing 
recreation use while reducing resource impacts to the Wilderness and 
wilderness values. These standards and guidelines address trails, 
camping and other management concerns. The preferred alternative 
designates existing

[[Page 21731]]

trails, prohibits new trails, and institutes voluntary registration for 
overnight and day use. This is a non-significant amendment. Public 
involvement has been an important part of the decision making process 
for this proposal. Public comments were gathered in 1992 through a 
survey of users. In April 1993, a public scoping letter was sent to 
over 400 interested parties and a notice was published in the local 
newspaper. On December 17, 1999, a second public scoping letter was 
mailed to over 400 interested parties and a legal notice was published 
in the Escanaba Daily Press, Escanaba, MI. On May 1, 2001, legal notice 
was published in the Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, notifying the public of 
the availability of the EA for review. A 30-day comment period follows 
release of the EA on May 1, 2001. Comments on the EA must be received 
no later than May 21, 2001. A final decision is expected by November 
2001. this decision will be subject to appeal pursuant to USDA Forest 
Service regulations 36 CFR 217.3.

    Dated: April 16, 2001.
Clyde N. Thompson,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 01-10500 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
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