[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 54749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27211]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Tonto, Prescott, and Coconino National Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to developing a Comprehensive River Management 
Plan for the Verde Wild and Scenic River.

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SUMMARY: The Tonto, Prescott, and Coconino National Forests are 
initiating the development of a Comprehensive River Management Plan for 
the Verde Wild and Scenic River. A portion of the Verde River was 
adopted into the Wild and Scenic River System by act of Congress in the 
Arizona Wilderness Act (Pub. L. 98-406) on August 28, 1984.
    The Verde Wild and Scenic River is a 40.4 mile section (14.5 miles 
Scenic--upper section and 25.9 miles Wild--lower section) of the Verde 
River beginning near an area known as Beasley Flat (T.13N., R.5E., 
S.26) and ending at the mouth of Red Creek (T.11N., R.6E., S. 11 Gila 
and Salt River Base Meridian). The land area comprising the river 
includes reserved public domain inside a one-quarter mile wide corridor 
on both sides of the centerline of the Verde River between the end 
points above.

DATES: Comments in response to this Notice of Intent concerning the 
scope of the analysis should be received in writing by December 28, 
2001, at the address listed below.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to USDA Forest Service, Tonto National 
Forest, ATTN: Carl Taylor, 2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona 
85006.
    Responsible Official: The Forest Supervisors for the Coconino, 
Prescott, and Tonto National Forests will be the responsible officials 
and will decide on the elements of a Comprehensive River Management 
Plan for the Verde Wild and Scenic River.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Taylor, Tonto National Forest, 
2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85006, (602) 225-5230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Verde Wild and Scenic River is part of a 
much larger complex watershed. The Wild and Scenic River segment itself 
is in the lower portions of the watershed and can be characterized as a 
rich riparian and aquatic zone surrounded by Upper Sonoran and Sonoran 
desert vegetation--desert shrub featuring pinyon and juniper 
interspersed with a few grasslands. I has many tributaries exhibiting 
very diverse characteristics and creating many broadly diverse 
habitats.
    The outstandingly remarkable values for the Verde Wild and Scenic 
River are scenic, fish and wildlife, and historic and cultural. 
Additionally, although not classified as outstandingly remarkable 
values, the river also has geologic and recreational values. The 
Comprehensive River Management Plan will focus on protecting the 
river's free-flowing conditions and water quality in addition to its 
outstanding remarkable values.
    The planning process involves a number of steps over the next 30 
months:
    A. Publish Proposed Action for public review by the end of January 
2002.
    B. Release Draft Comprehensive River Management Plan and 
environmental document for public review by the end of June 2003.
    C. Publish Final Comprehensive River Management Plan by March 2004. 
In addition to these planning steps, the Forest Service will also be 
providing 6-month progress reports to all who express an interest in 
being kept informed.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the 
public record on this proposed action and will be available for public 
inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and 
considered. Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may 
request the agency to withhold a submission from the public record by 
showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such 
confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be 
aware that, under FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very 
limited circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets.
    The Forest Service will inform the requester of the agency's 
decision regarding the request for confidentiality, and where the 
request is denied, the agency will return the submission and notify the 
requester that the comments may be resubmitted with or without name and 
address.

    Dated: October 24, 2001.
Eleanor S. Towns,
Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 01-27211 Filed 10-29-01; 8:45 am]
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