[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48856-48858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23731]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 185 / Monday, September 24, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 48856]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revised Land and Resources Management Plans for Angeles, 
Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests, CA

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in conjunction with the revision 
of the Land and Resources Management Plans (hereinafter referred to as 
Forest Plans) for the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San 
Bernardino National Forests.
    This notice describes the specific portions of the current Forest 
Plans to be revised, environmental topics to be considered in the 
revision, estimate dates for filing the environmental impact statement, 
information concerning public participation, and the names and 
addresses of the agency officials who can provide additional 
information.
    The Forest Service intends to update Forest Plans that will 
describe how the four southern California National Forests will be 
managed. This coordinated process will achieve consistent management 
direction in a consistent format across the four Forests. There is a 
great deal of commonality among the four Forests in terms of the 
ecosystem types and management challenges. One Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) will be prepared with one Record of Decision (ROD) 
signed by the responsible official, the Regional Forester, Brad Powell.

Background: In 1999, the Forest Supervisors determined that Forest Plan 
revisions were needed because significant changes had occurred in 
conditions and demands. For example, in 1989, there were seventeen 
species listed as threatened or endangered on the four southern 
California Forests. In 1999, there were fifty-nine listed species. At 
present, there are sixty-two listed species and one proposed for 
listing as threatened or endangered.
    Between 1995 and 1999, the four southern California Forests 
initiated a large scale analysis of ongoing activities and their 
effects on species and habitat. In 1999 a comprehensive habitat 
conservation assessment, the Southern California Mountains and 
Foothills Assessment (SCFMA) was published. An interdisciplinary team, 
drawn from the four southern California National Forests and the 
Pacific Southwest Research Station, used the SCMFA and other forest 
documents to review how well the Forest Plans met the needs of 
threatened, endangered and sensitive (TES) species. The team's 
analysis, called the Province Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation 
Report (M&E Report), identified a number of areas where existing Forest 
Plans do not adequately protect TES species or provide direction 
necessary to sustain particular ecological communities. The M&E Report 
recommends revision of the Forest Plans and identifies some of the 
specific portions of the Forest Plans that need to be revised.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Planning Regulations

    A USDA Forest Service review of the November 9, 2000, planning rule 
identified concerns with the implementability of several provisions of 
the 2000 rule. There are also currently several lawsuits challenging 
the 2000 rule that may affect its implementation.
    To address these problems, the Chief of the Forest Service started 
a process to revise the planning rule, with an anticipated schedule for 
the rule to be finalized in the spring of 2002. Meanwhile, an interim 
final rule was published in the Federal Register May 17, 2001. The May 
17, 2001 interim rule allows Forest Plan revisions or amendments 
initiated prior to May 9, 2002, to be completed under either the 1982 
rule or the 2000 rule. We will proceed under the 1982 rule.

Relationship to the Center for Biological Diversity Lawsuit 
Settlement

    In September of 1998, the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity 
(now the Center for Biological Diversity) filed a lawsuit seeking to 
prohibit a wide range of management activities on the southern 
California National Forests until the Forest Plans were brought into 
compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A settlement 
agreement was signed by the Court on March 1, 2000. Under the terms of 
the settlement, a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support 
revised Forest Plans is anticipated to be released in 2002.

DATES: Public collaboration regarding the Forest Plan revision analysis 
began in January 2001. Comments concerning the proposed action should 
be received in writing by December 31, 2001. Comments or suggestions 
regarding the development of alternatives should be received by 
February 15, 2002. Any comments received after February 15, 2002 will 
be accepted; but may not be reflected in the draft EIS. They may be 
reflected in the final EIS. The agency expects to file a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) with the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) and make it available for public, agency, and tribal 
government comment in the fall of 2002. A Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) is currently expected in the fall of 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Forest Planning Team, 10845 Rancho 
Bernardo Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92127-2107 or electronically to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Skippy Willis, Planning Team Public 
Affairs Officer, (858) 524-0140. Or call the Forest Plan update toll 
free recording at 1-866-252-8846 for information regarding time line, 
public workshops, and meetings and other pertinent information or the 
web site www.r5.fs.fed.us/sccs.
    Responsible Official: Brad Powell, Regional Forester, Pacific 
Southwest Region. 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592.
    Decision Made in a Forest Plan: Forest Plans describe the intended 
management of National Forests. The following types of decisions are 
made in Forest Plans:

[[Page 48857]]

    1. Establishment of forest-wide objectives, with a description of 
the desired condition;
    2. Establishment of forest-wide management standards;
    3. Establishment of management areas and management prescriptions;
    4. Establishment of lands suitable for the production of timber;
    5. Establishment of monitoring and evaluation requirements; and
    6. Recommendations to Congress of areas eligible for wilderness or 
wild and scenic river designation.
    Forest Plans do not make any decisions regarding site-specific 
project proposals for implementing the plan. Project level 
environmental analysis would still need to be completed and the project 
must be consistent with the Forest Plan.
    The Need for Change: This revision focuses on the most compelling 
needs for change in Forest Plan management direction. The USDA Forest 
Service expects this revision to include updated management direction 
for species and habitat protection; roads, trails, and access; 
recreational conflict resolution; special areas (Wild and Scenic 
Rivers, Research Natural Areas, and Special Interest Areas); roadless 
areas and potential wilderness recommendations; rangeland suitability; 
wildfire and prescribed fire management; suitable timber lands; 
recreation residences, and additional new direction regarding shooting; 
land ownership adjustments; communication sites; and possible other 
resource concerns identified through the scoping process.
    Purpose and Need: The purpose and need of this proposed action is:
    a. To establish new or revised management direction for all 
activities and uses of these forests based on the most current science 
and the findings of the Southern California Mountains and Foothills 
Assessment, the Province Forest wide Monitoring and Evaluation Report, 
and recent consultations with the Department of Interior Fish and 
Wildlife Service and Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries 
Service;
    b. To address conditions that have changed since original plans for 
these four Forest were approved (1986-89) and to provide consistent 
management direction (as appropriate) across the four Forests;
    c. To meet the National Forest Management Act requirement for all 
Forests to revise their Forest Plans every 10-15 years;
    d. To bring management direction up-to-date with increased 
population, increased demand for recreation, and corresponding resource 
and recreational use conflicts;
    e. To more adequately protect plant and animal species and their 
habitat;
    f. To more clearly emphasize and direct the use of prescribed fire 
to restore ecosystem function and integrate the National Fire Plan 
Direction; and
    g. To incorporate other new scientific information that has been 
recently become available into current management direction and revise 
and update the monitoring plans.
    Public Participation: In February 2000, the USDA Forest Service 
published the Southern California Mountains and Foothills Assessment, 
and sponsored a symposium for over 300 scientists and members of the 
public. Since then, the Forest Service has conducted numerous meetings 
with tribal governments, and those meetings are currently ongoing on 
each Forest.
    From January through March, 2001, the USDA Forest Service held 
public workshops across southern California to develop a list of values 
and visions for the National Forests in southern California.
    On March 15, 2001, public notice was given regarding beginning the 
Forest Plan revision process in the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union 
Tribune, Sacramento Bee, and Santa Barbara New Press. On March 16, 
2001, public notice was given regarding beginning the revision process 
in the San Bernardino Sun.
    During the period of March 15, 2001-May 7, 2001, the agency made 
available for public review the following information: preliminary 
issues, the Southern California Mountains and Foothills Assessment, an 
evaluation of effectiveness of current Plans in complying with the 
Endangered Species Act, proposals for special areas such as key or core 
habitat areas, potential Wild and Scenic Rivers, watersheds in need of 
protection or restoration, lands classified as unsuitable for timber 
production, evaluations of inventoried roadless and unroaded areas, and 
estimated outcomes of continued management under current Forest Plans. 
Al of the information was available on the website through July 15, 
2001. Comments received after May 7th were accepted.
    Preliminary concerns surfaced during these initial, informal stages 
of public involvement can be summarized as follows: conflicts between 
different types of recreation, desire for continued or improved access, 
desire for additional special area designations, concerns regarding 
species and habitat protection and others.
    The next phase of public involvement for this proposed Forest Plan 
revision will consist of workshops and public meetings to be announced 
during the scoping period for this proposal. Currently scheduled 
meetings are as follows:

Angeles National Forest
    October 25, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm, Glendora Public Library, 140 S. 
Glendora Avenue, Glendora, CA.
    November 13, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm, Pasadena Conference Center, 300 E. 
Green Street, Pasadena, CA.
    November 19, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm, Lake View Terrace Recreation 
Center, 11075 Foothill Boulevard, Lake View Terrace, CA.
    November 27, 2001, 7:30-9:30 pm, Wrightwood Community Center, 1275 
Highway 2, Wrightwood, CA.
    December 4, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm, California State University, Los 
Angeles, Student Union, 5154 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA.
Cleveland National Forest
    October 24, 2001, 6:00 pm, Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine 
Blvd., Alpine CA
    November 3, 2001, 9:30 am, Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza, San 
Juan Capistrano, CA
    November 7, 2001, 6:00 pm, East Valley Community Center, 2245 East 
Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA
    November 10, 2001, 9:30 am, Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane, 
Ramona
    November 17, 2001, 12:30 pm, Chula Vista Library, Literacy Team 
Center, 389 Orange Ave., Chula Vista, CA
Los Padres National Forest
    October 25, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm South County Regional Center, 800 
West Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA.
    October 30, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 
Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA.
    November 1, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm Salinas Community Center, Santa 
Lucia Meeting, 940 N. Main Street, Salinas, CA.
    November 7, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm Rancho del Ray Conference Center, 
655f Burnham Road, Oak View, CA.
    November 8, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm Community Hall, 300 Park Drive, 
Frazier Park, CA.
San Bernardino National Forest
    October 30, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm Houston Senior Community Center, 
2929 Running Springs School Road, Running Springs, CA
    November 1, 2001, 6:30-9:30 pm Bonnie Oehl Elementary School, 2525 
Palm Avenue, Highland, CA.
    November 8, 2001, 6:00-9:00 pm

[[Page 48858]]

Garner Valley Commons, 61600 Devil's Ladder Road, Garner Valley, CA

    Additional meetings may be scheduled and notices will be available 
through the local Forest website or Forest contact, the Forest Plan 
website, toll-free telephone number, or mailings. During the scoping 
period, the agency will seek information, comments, and assistance from 
Federal, State, and local agencies and other individuals or 
organizations interested in or affected by the proposed action. This 
input will be used to prepare the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. 
The scoping process includes:
    1. Determining the scope and the potential significant issues to be 
analyzed in depth in the environmental impact statement.
    2. Identifying and eliminating from detailed study the issues which 
are not significant or which have been covered by prior environmental 
review, narrowing the discussion of these issues in the statement to a 
brief presentation of why they will not have a significant effect on 
the human environment or providing a reference to their coverage 
elsewhere.
    3. Exploring alternatives that address one or more significant 
issues while meeting the purpose and need for this proposal.
    4. Verifying and updating scenery management data for use in the 
revision process.
    Related Environment Analyses: Additional public environmental 
assessments and other environmental impact statements which are being 
or will be prepared that are related to but are not part of the scope 
of the impact statement include: the Oil and Gas EIS on the Los Padres 
National Forest, the joint Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service 
Santa Rosa/San Jacinto National Monument Management Plan EIS, the 
Bureau of Land Management Off-shore Monument EIS, and the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency Monteray Bay Marine Sanctuary EIS.
    The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, and the 
Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, will be 
invited to participate as cooperating agencies to evaluate potential 
impacts on threatened and endangered species habitat.
    Alternatives: A range of alternatives for revising these four 
Forest Plans and providing programmatic direction over the next 10-15 
years will be developed in response to significant issues identified 
during scoping. One of these alternatives is the purposed action, which 
is the current Forest Plan direction as modified by the recent 
consultations with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine 
Fisheries Service and additional direction as recommended by an 
internal agency review and early public input regarding changes that 
are needed in the existing Forest Plans. The additional direction 
specifically addresses shooting, recreation residences, land adjustment 
plans, communication sites, and fire management. The details of this 
proposal can be viewed on the website listed above.
    Release and Review of the EIS; The Forest Service anticipates 
filing a Draft EIS with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and 
making that DEIS available for comment in fall 2002. At that time, EPA 
will publish a notice of availability (NOA) for the DEIS in the Federal 
Register. The comment period on the DEIS will be 90 days from the date 
the EPA publishes the NOA in the Federal Register.
    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 
the DEIS 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, 533 (1978). Also, environmental objections that 
could be raised at the DEIS stage but are not raised until after 
completion of the Final EIS may be waived or dismissed by the courts; 
City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F. 2d 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 throughout the process, 
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.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments should be as specific as 
possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or 
chapters of the proposed action. 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.
    After the comment period ends on the DEIS, the agency will analyze, 
consider, and respond to comments in preparing the Final EIS. The FEIS 
is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2003. The responsible 
official will consider the comments, responses, environmental 
consequences discussed in the FEIS, and applicable laws, regulations, 
and policies in making decisions regarding these revisions. The 
responsible official will document the decision for each of the four 
Forests and reasons for each decision in one Record of Decision.
    The decision will be subject to appeal in accordance with 36 CFR 
217.

    Dated: September 14, 2001.
Bernard Weingardt,
Deputy Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 01-23731 Filed 9-21-01; 8:45 am]
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