[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72637-72638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30879]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Frenchtown Face Ecosystem Restoration Project; Ninemile Range 
District, Lolo National Forest, Missoula County, MT

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of timber harvest, prescribed 
burning, road management changes, weed spraying, and stream channel 
restoration in a 44,000 acre project area approximately 25 miles 
northwest of Missoula, Montana.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing no later than 30 days following publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Deborah L. R. Austin, Forest 
Supervisor, Lolo National Forest, Building 24, Fort Missoula, Missoula, 
MT 59804.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Riggers, EIS Team Leader, 
Building 24, Fort Missoula, Montana 59804, (406) 329-3793, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lolo National Forest proposes to harvest 
trees on approximately 4,300 acres of low elevation benchlands within 
the project area. Most of these acres would be underburned following 
harvest, and an additional 6,500 acres of prescribed burning to reduce 
fuel levels would occur in areas not harvested (a total of about 10,400 
acres of burning overall). Approximately 79 miles of road management 
changes are proposed. Most (48 miles) of these involve removing 
drainage structures and restoring vegetation on previously closed 
roads, but approximately 31 additional mile of low use or grown in 
roads would also be formally closed. Finally, weeds would be treated 
within about 6,000 acres where they currently occur. Approximately 
1,200 acres would be aerially sprayed.
    Lands affected are within the Mill, Roman, Houle, Sixmile, and 
lower Ninemile Creek (including Butler, Kennedy, and McCormick Creeks) 
watersheds. The project area is bounded by the Clark Fork River and 
Ninemile Creek to the southwest, and the Ninemile/Flathead Reservation 
divide to the northeast.
    The purpose of the proposal is to carry out the goals and direction 
stated in the Lolo National Forest Plan using ecosystem management 
principles. The objectives are to:
    (1) Reduce the potential for high severity fires within the low 
elevation ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests, while also improving 
fire protection on private property with all ownerships.
    (2) Maintain/improve forest health and reduce the risk of damage 
from insects and disease while maintaining a natural appearing 
landscape.
    (3) Reduce the expansion of new or less extensive weed species, and 
control exsisting weeds, under a comprehensive block planning effort.
    (4) Reduce roads while maintaining reasonable access for 
recreation, but limiting further recreational development.
    (5) Maintain/improve water quality and fish habitat throughout the 
landscape.
    (6) Maintain/improve wildlife security and habitat.
    (7) Protect and interpret historic sites.
    Public involvement was conducted in 2002 through public meetings, 
letters,

[[Page 72638]]

and phone conversations. Values and desires that people have for the 
management of this landscape were identified. these were used to 
collaboratively develop purpose and need statements, which this 
proposed action is based upon. Issues and comments identified during 
this earlier scoping that were not specific components of the proposed 
action will be carried forward and addressed through alternative 
development. During this process the Forest Service is seeking written 
comment, particularly addressing possible issues or alternatives. A 
scoping document has been prepared and mailed to parties known to be 
interested in the proposed action.
    The effects of the proposed action on vegetation, fire, wildlife, 
fisheries, recreation, historic interpretation, and the scenic 
character of the landscape have been identified as preliminary key 
issues. These issues will be used to develop a range of alternatives 
(including a no action alternative where none of the activities in the 
proposed action would be implemented) and assess environmental 
consequences.
    Public participation is an important part of the development and 
analysis of this project. In addition to the initial collaboration, the 
public may visit Forest Service officials at any time during the 
analysis and prior to the decision. The Forest Service will be seeking 
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. There will be additional 
public meetings throughout this process. If you are interested in 
obtaining dates or information on these, please contact Brian Riggers 
at the location listed above.
    The Federal Forest Service is the lead agency for preparing this 
EIS. They will consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service. The responsible official who will make the decision is Deborah 
L. R. Austin, Forest Supervisor. She will make a decision between 
alternatives after considering comments, responses, environmental 
consequences, applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The decision 
and rational will be documented in a Record of Decision.
    The draft EIS is expected to be filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) and available for public review in April 2003. 
At that time, the EPA will publish a Notice of Availability of the 
Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The comment period on the Draft EIS 
will be 45 days from the date of the EPA's notice of availability. It 
is very important that those interested in management of the Frenchtown 
Face project area participate at that time. Completion of the final EIS 
is scheduled for July 2003.
    The Forest Service believes it is important at this early stage to 
give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, 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 reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
DEIS stage but that are not raised until after completion of the FEIS 
(Final Environmental Impact Statement) may be waived or dismissed by 
the courts. 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 by 
the close of the 45-day comment period 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 in the FEIS.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the DEIS should be as 
specific as possible. 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.

    Dated: November 15, 2002.
Deborah L.R. Austin,
Forest Supervisor, Lolo National Forest.
[FR Doc. 02-30879 Filed 12-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 32110-11-M