[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38633-38635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14014]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Health and RCW Initiative, National Forests in Alabama, 
Talladega National Forest, Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger Districts, 
Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, and Talladega Counties, AL

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement on a proposal to emphasize forest health initiatives across 
the Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger Districts in a systematic five-
year program involving:
    1. Removal of offsite, high-risk stands, on approximately 9,136 
acres of declining loblolly and Virginia pine. This includes 500 acres 
of non-commercial treatments in longleaf stands that need restoration 
activities. This forest health treatment will restore the areas to 
longleaf pine and will include both artificial and natural 
regeneration. Treatments will range from complete removal of all 
species except favored hardwoods and longleaf pine, to intense thinning 
with enough longleaf pine left to naturally reestablish itself. Favored 
hardwoods species will include a variety of oak and hickory species.
    The site preparation methods associated with these treatments will 
range from, or include a combination of prescribe burning, mechanical, 
and chemical treatment of competing vegetation. Chemical treatment of 
restoration stands will include directed folair spray of a 3% solution 
of Garlon 4, \1/2\% Arsonal, and \1/2\% Sidekick. For injection, a 50% 
solution of Garlon 3a will be used.
    2. Intermediate thinning on approximately 3,047 acres of red-
cockaded woodpecker (RCW) habitat inside the RCW Habitat Management 
Area (HMA).
    3. Intermediate thinning of approximately 6,534 acres of 20-45 year 
old loblolly pine stands to increase vigor and growth, reduce short-
term risk of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) infestation, and begin the 
restoration process of longleaf pine. Site specific information is 
available at the Talladega

[[Page 38634]]

Ranger District Office in Talladega, AL. and the Shoal Creek Ranger 
office in Heflin, AL.

DATES: Comments concerning this analysis should be received in writing 
by July 10, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: EIS Team Leader, Talladega Ranger 
District, 1001 North Street, Talladega, AL 35160.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Tooke, Talladega District Ranger, 
Earl Stewart, Shoal Creek District Ranger, Jeff Seefeldt, EIS Team 
Leader, Telephone number: (256) 362-2909, FAX number: (256) 362-0823.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. The Proposal

    The Forest Service proposes to implement a five-year schedule of 
work to address declining forest health and improve red-cockaded 
woodpecker (RCW) habitat. The goal is to create and restore natural 
conditions that historically withstand SPB and premature die-off or 
decline.
    Additionally, the restoration and forest health initiative will 
enhance habitat for a viable RCW recovery population on the Talladega 
National Forest located in Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, and 
Talladega Counties, Alabama.
    The proposed action will focus on (1) Areas that are currently 
occupied by loblolly pine between the ages of 20-45 years old, (2) 
areas within the RCW HMA, and (3) areas of offsite, high risk stands of 
loblolly/Virginia pine.
    The actions will include intermediate thinning in loblolly pine 
forests, intermediate thinning in RCW HMA's for habitat improvement, 
and restoration treatments (restoration cuts, thinning, etc.) to 
restore longleaf pine through artificial and natural regeneration.
    Actions proposed include:
    (1) Intermediate thinning of approximately 6,534 acres of 20-45 
year old loblolly pine stands to increase vigor and growth, reduce 
short-term risk of SPB infestation, and as the first step towards 
longleaf restoration.
    (2) Intermediate thinning of approximately 3,047 acres of red-
cockaded woodpecker (RCW) habitat inside the RCW Habitat Management 
Area (HMA).
    (3) Removal of offsite, high-risk stands on approximately 9,136 
acres of declining loblolly and Virginia pine. This includes 500 acres 
of non-commercial treatments. This forest health treatment will restore 
the areas to longleaf and will include both include artificial and 
natural regeneration. Treatments will range from complete removal of 
all species except favored hardwoods and longleaf; to intense thinning 
with enough longleaf left to naturally reestablish itself. The site 
preparation associated with these treatments will include prescribe 
burning and/or chemical treatment of competing vegetation as stated on 
page 2. Site-specific information is available at the Talladega Ranger 
office in Talladega, AL. and the Shoal Creek Ranger office in Heflin, 
AL.

B. Needs for the Proposal

    1. Begin the process of improving forest health and vigor by 
thinning loblolly pine stands as the first step toward restoring a 
longleaf pine ecosystem and reducing short-term risk of SPB infestation 
and other risks associated with insect/disease infestations.
    2. Reduce tree spacing to create, maintain, and improve RCW 
habitat.
    3. Restore longleaf pine ecosystem to areas occupied by loblolly 
and Virginia pine that are of poor health, offsite, and have a high 
risk of insect/disease infestation and to improve existing longleaf 
stands through non-commercial treatments.

C. Nature and Scope of the Decision To Be Made

    Whether to, and to what extent, implement a 5 year schedule of work 
that will improve forest health by thinning overstocked pine stands 
impacted by decline, disease and SPB; remove trees in over-crowded RCW 
area's to create and maintain, or improve suitable habitat; and use of 
restoration cuts to restore longleaf pine on historic longleaf pine 
sites. There are forest health issues that are common to the Talladega 
and Shoal Creek Ranger Districts. These issues, as with most forest 
health issues, are the end results of the following history of events:
    Pre-settlement forests, prior to 1830, were predominantly longleaf 
pine and fire adapted species of oaks and hickories. The bottom were 
predominantly hardwood communities. A mix of hardwoods, loblolly pine, 
shortleaf pine, and some longleaf pine were in transition zones between 
the uplands and bottoms.
    Natural fires (along with the influences of fuels, climate and 
moisture) maintained this ecosystem and species composition through 
time. Wildlife species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, that 
depended on this natural ecosystem were widespread.
    The fire dependent longleaf pine ecosystem was the most prevalent 
forest type in the south during pre-settlement times. Forests were 
cleared for farming and charcoal production to furnish the iron 
industry. Based on early journals, the original ecosystem was 
maintained with frequent natural fires. The natural, upland forest 
community was primarily longleaf pine with associated shrubs and fire 
tolerant hardwoods. From 1908-1929 there was large-scale removal of 
longleaf pine for lumber and to fuel the iron industry.
    Federal acquisition, relocation of farm families and establishment 
of National Forests took place from 1935-1940. During this time period 
there were large-scale soil stabilization projects completed through 
reforestation efforts. The primary species planted was loblolly pine 
due to availability of seed and early success establishing stands of 
loblolly. From 1940-1950 there was intensive fire suppression along 
with continued reforestation efforts and loss of natural shortleaf pine 
stands due to littleleaf disease. During the 1960's the first signs of 
loblolly decline were reported and research results from the 1990's 
show littleleaf disease as one pathogen causing loblolly decline.
    Over the past decade, the Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger 
District's has been experiencing Southern Pine Beetle infestations at 
epidemic levels, primarily in loblolly pine and Virginia pine stands. 
The epidemic peaked in the summer of 2000 and continued at very high 
levels through through 2001. These infestations have contributed to the 
immediate need for intermediate thinning to reduce the risk of SPB 
attack (Final Environmental Impact Statement For the Suppression of the 
Southern Pine Bettle).
    Continued loss of imperiled longleaf pine communities, declining 
forest health, and the loss of red-cockaded woodpeaker habitat due to 
over stocking are our primary concerns or reason for initiating this 
project.
    As a result of initial field examinations we propose to thin, as 
the first phase of longleaf restoration and to also improve stand 
health, 6,534 acres of loblolly/Virginia pine, thin 3,047 acres of RCW 
habitat, and convert 9,136 acres back to longleaf.

D. Proposed Scoping Process

    The scoping period associated with this Notice of Intent (NOI) will 
be thirty (30) days in length, beginning the day after publication. 
Preliminary scoping for this proposal began in February, 2002, when 
information was shared with the public on the proposal and plans to 
document the analysis in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A 
public meeting at the Talladega Ranger District office will be held on

[[Page 38635]]

June 13, and June 15, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to discuss the proposal and 
visit some selected areas that may be treated.
    The Talladega National Forest, Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger 
Districts, is seeking additional information, comments, and assistance 
from Federal, State, and local agencies and other individuals or 
organizations that may be interested in or affected by the proposed 
action. This input will be used in preparation of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The scoping process includes:
    1. Identifying potential issues.
    2. Identify issues to be analyzed in depth.
    3. Eliminating insignificant issues or those, which have been 
covered by a relevant previous environmental analysis.
    4. Exploring additional alternatives.
    5. Identifying potential environmental effects of the proposed 
action and alternatives.

E. Preliminary Issues Identified to Date Include

    1. Protection of soil and water resources.
    2. Impacts of the proposed treatments on Federally listed species 
of plants and wildlife, which are defined by the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 as amended, Forest Service Regional Forester's Sensitive 
Species list, and upon locally rare species.
    3. Protection of cultural resources.
    4. Potential effects to management indicator species.

F. Possible Alternatives Identified to Date Include

    1. No Action: This alternative will serve as a baseline for 
comparison of alternatives. Present management activities will continue 
but the proposed project will not be done. This alternative will be 
fully developed and analyzed.
    2. Proposed Action: Intermediate thinning of approximately 6,534 
acres of 20-45 year old loblolly pine stands will be an initial step to 
improving forest health, reducing short-term SPB infestation risks, and 
restoring these areas to a longleaf pine ecosystem. Thinning will take 
place in stands that are over crowded, and it is proposed to allow the 
remaining trees more room to grow and increase tree vigor and health. 
It is anticipated that approximately 70 square feet of basal area per 
acre will remain in thinned areas.
    This proposal also includes thinning of 3,047 acres to enhance and/
or create existing or potential RCW habitat. Current areas providing 
RCW habitat are overstocked. Thinning these areas will create optimal 
conditions for RCW recruitment/replacement stands and foraging habitat.
    The restoration treatments in the proposed action will encompass 
9,136 acres. The types of tree removal, site preparation, and 
regeneration will vary according to site conditions and whether 
longleaf is present to provide a seed source. Restoration cuts will 
include complete removal of off-site species (excluding longleaf and 
favored hardwoods such as oaks and hickories), and thinning of existing 
off-site species. Site preparation methods associated with these 
treatments will range from or include a combination of prescribed 
burning, mechanical, and chemical treatment of competing vegetation. 
Chemical treatment of restoration stands will include directed foliar 
spray of a 3% solution of Garlon 4, \1/2\% Arsonal, and \1/2\% 
Sidekick. For injection, a 50% solution of Garlon 3 will be used. 
Regeneration of longleaf pine will depend on residual longleaf in the 
areas to be restored. Planted containerized longleaf, natural 
regeneration, or a combination of both will be the options for the 
restoration proposal.
    3. Modified Proposed Action: This alternative would include a five-
year program of thinning and restoration cuts. Site preparation would 
be done using mechanized equipment. Release of seedlings would be with 
hand tools. No herbicides would be used.

G. Special Permit Needs

    There are no special permits required from any State or Federal 
agencies in order to implement this project.

H. Lead Agency

    The USDA Forest Service is the lead agency for this project.
    The Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger Districts requests that 
comments be as specific as possible for this proposal and be sent to: 
EIS Team Leader Jeff Seefeldt, USDA Forest Service, 101 North Street, 
Talladega, AL 35160.
    It is estimated that the draft EIS (DEIS) will be available for 
public comment by July 31, 2003. It is very important that those 
interested in this proposed action participate at this time.
    To be helpful, comments on the DEIS should be as specific as 
possible and may address the adequacy of the statement of the merits of 
the alternative discussed (see the Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National 
Environmental Policy Act at 4 CFR 1503.3).
    In addition, Federal court decisions have established that 
reviewers of DEIS's must structure their participation in the 
environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and 
alerts the agency to the reviewers' position and contentions: Vermon 
Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NROC, 435 U.S. 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 FEIS). 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). 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 and 
respond to them in the FEIS.

I. Estimated Date for FEIS

    After the comment period ends on the DEIS, the comments will be 
analyzed, considered, and responded to by the Forest Service in 
preparing the final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS is 
scheduled to be completed by November 17, 2003. The responsible 
officials will consider the comments, responses, environmental 
consequences discussed in the final supplement, applicable laws, 
regulations, and policies in making a decision regarding this proposal. 
The responsible officials will document the decision and reasons for 
the decision in the Record of Decision. That decision will be subject 
to appeal under 3 CFR, part 215.
    The responsible officials for this project will be Tony Tooke, 
District Ranger for the Talladega Ranger District, National Forests in 
Alabama at: 1001 North Street, Talladega, AL 35160 and Earl Stewart, 
District Ranger, Shoal Creek Ranger District, National Forests in 
Alabama at : 2390 Hwy. 46, Heflin, AL 36264.

    Dated: May 28, 2002.
Tony Tooke,
District Ranger.
    Dated: May 30, 2002.
Earl Stewart,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 02-14014 Filed 6-04-02; 8:45 am]
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