[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6762-6763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3164]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-116-6310-PB; HAG03-0031]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Development of the Timber Mountain/John's Peak Off-Highway Vehicle 
Management Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) for the development of the Timber Mountain/John's Peak Off-
Highway Vehicle (OHV) Management Plan, and initiation of public 
scoping.

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

SUMMARY: The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is 
developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the management 
of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in the Timber Mountain/John's Peak OHV 
area. The BLM designated the Timber Mountain/John's Peak area 
``specifically to provide for OHV use'' in the 1995 Medford District 
Resource Management Plan (RMP). The RMP directs the agency to, ``Manage 
off-highway vehicle use on BLM-administered land to protect natural 
resources, provide visitor safety, and minimize conflicts among various 
users.'' The development of the Timber Mountain/John's Peak OHV 
Management Plan will provide site-specific guidance for managing OHV 
use in accordance with the Medford District RMP direction. 
Approximately 13,865 acres of public land in Oregon are being 
considered in this planning effort. The public scoping process will be 
used to identify interested and affected individuals and groups, and to 
identify issues associated with the management of OHV use in the Timber 
Mountain/John's Peak area. Issues identified through the scoping 
process will be used to explore a range of possible alternatives for 
managing OHV use in this area.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing 30 days from publication of this notice, to ensure timely 
consideration. Public scoping meetings and/or field tours will be held 
to provide the public with information on the planning process and to 
provide for opportunities for the public to share their concerns and 
ideas with the BLM. Meeting dates and locations will be announced 
through mailings, the local news media, and on the BLM Web site (http://www.or.blm.gov).

[[Page 6763]]


ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Richard J. Drehobl, Ashland Field 
Manager, Medford District Bureau of Land Management, 3040 Biddle Road, 
Medford Oregon, 97504.
    Pursuant to 7 CFR Part 1, Subpart B, Sec.  1.27, all written 
submissions in response to this notice, public scoping letters, and 
draft and final Environmental Impact Statements will be made available 
for public inspection including the submitter's name and address, 
unless the submitter specifically requests confidentiality. If you wish 
to withhold your name or address from public review or from disclosure 
under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently 
at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored 
to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses, submitted on official letterheads, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organization 
or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their 
entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Mastrofini at (541) 618-2384 or 
Don Ferguson at (541) 618-2292. Fax or E-mail can be sent to the 
attention of Kristi Mastrofini or Don Ferguson at (541) 618-2400, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OHV enthusiasts have recreated in the Timber 
Mountain/John's Peak area for 40 to 50 years. The 1995 Medford District 
Resource Management Plan (RMP) designated public lands in the Timber 
Mountain/John's Peak area as an OHV use area. The area is comprised of 
a checkerboard of BLM administered lands mixed with private lands 
(including lands owned by the City of Jacksonville, Motorcycle Riders 
Association, and Boise Corporation), increasing the complexity of 
managing trails and public access in the area. Off-highway vehicle use 
has increased tremendously in recent years, leading to the 
proliferation of new unauthorized trails on both public and private 
lands. Many existing trails are in good condition, while other trails 
are experiencing erosion that is leading to resource degradation. Due 
to the close proximity to the City of Jacksonville and adjacent 
wildland urban interface areas, and the checkerboard pattern of land 
ownership, there is also a high level of unauthorized access across 
private lands and vandalism (e.g. illegal dumping, sign shooting, etc). 
The Timber Mountain/John's Peak OHV Management Plan is needed to 
provide for OHV use in accordance with the Medford District RMP.
    Preliminary public scoping for the Timber Mountain/John's Peak 
Management Plan began in 1998; however, due to limited funding, work on 
this project was temporarily deferred. The following issues were 
identified to be associated with OHV use in the Timber Mountain/John's 
Peak OHV area: Effects to water quality and riparian conditions; 
effects on sensitive soils; effects to Threatened or Endangered plants, 
fish, and wildlife; and impacts to private land owners associated with 
the incidence of trespass on private lands. Through additional public 
scoping and specialist review, this list of issues will be refined. 
Issues determined to be significant to the planning process will be 
used to develop a range of alternatives for managing OHV use in the 
Timber Mountain/John's Peak OHV area.
    The National Environmental Policy Act encourages the use of 
cooperative relationships with Federal, State, and local agencies to 
capture opportunities where the decision-making authorities or special 
expertise of other agencies can enhance the planning process. The 
Medford District BLM, as the Lead Agency for this EIS, has identified 
opportunities to work cooperatively with Jackson County, the City of 
Jacksonville, the State of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 
Boise Cascade, and the Motorcycle Riders Association. The Medford 
District BLM will seek cooperative relationships with these local 
agencies and affected landowners to enhance this planning effort.
    As public scoping progresses, other opportunities for cooperative 
relationships may become apparent.

    Dated: November 15, 2002.
Richard J. Drehobl,
Field Manager, Ashland Resource Area.
Ron Wenker,
District Manager, Medford District BLM.
[FR Doc. 03-3164 Filed 2-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AR-U