[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 114 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35423-35424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14285]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-931-6320 HAG3-0055]


Notice of Availability of Draft Integrated Pest Management 
Program Environmental Impact Statement for the Horning Seed Orchard

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Integrated Pest Management 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Horning Seed Orchard.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 202 of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, a Draft Integrated Pest Management EIS has been 
prepared for the Bureau of Land Management's Horning Seed Orchard in 
the Bureau's Salem District. The Draft EIS describes and analyzes 
options for integrated pest management to control the insect, weed, 
animal, and disease problems at the orchard and to maintain healthy, 
vigorous crop trees for the production of seed and other vegetative 
materials used for reforestation and a variety of land management 
actions. Preparation of this EIS precedes a final decision regarding 
the selection of an integrated pest management alternative at Horning 
Seed Orchard

DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted for 60 days 
following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register Written comments may 
also be presented at a public meeting/open house, which will be 
announced at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media 
news releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the document should be addressed to: Mr. 
Greg Tyler, Manager Horning Seed Orchard at 27004 Sheckly Road, Colton, 
OR 97017, or by fax at 503-630-6888, or by e-mail to 
[email protected]. Copies will be available at all 13 city and 
county public libraries located in Clackamas County, OR, and on the BLM 
Salem District Web site at http://www.or.blm.gov/salem/html/planning/horning_ipm.htm. Copies will also be available from the Salem District 
Office, 1717 Fabry Road, SE, Salem, OR 97306; 503-375-5626. Public 
reading copies will be available for review at the following BLM 
locations: BLM Oregon State Office, Portland, OR; and BLM Office of 
Public Affairs, Washington, DC. Background information and maps used in 
developing the EIS are available at the Salem District Office and the 
Oregon State Office in Portland.
    Pursuant to 7 CFR part 1, subpart B, Sec.  1.27, all written and 
electronic submissions in response to this notice, public scoping 
letters, and draft and final Environmental Impact Statements will be 
made available for public inspection at the Salem District office (1717 
Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR) during regular hours (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays) 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 organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Greg Tyler, Manager Horning Seed 
Orchard at 27004 Sheckley Road, Colton, OR 97017, 503-630-8406, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EIS analyzes four action 
alternatives and the No Action alternative to manage pests at Horning 
Seed Orchard. The alternatives can be summarized as follows:

[[Page 35424]]

    Alternative A--Maximum Production Integrated Pest Management. Pests 
would be managed using all identified biological, chemical, prescribed 
fire, cultural and other pest control methods, including aerial 
application of esfenvalerate by helicopter.
    Alternative B--Integrated Pest Management with Environmental 
Protection Emphasis. Pests would be managed using all of the methods in 
Alternative A, with special restrictions to protect workers' health and 
safety and the environment. The restrictions are based on the results 
of the human health and ecological risk assessment, scoping comments, 
and anticipated consultation issues with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service under the Endangered Species Act.
    Alternative C--Ground-Based Integrated Pest Management. This 
alternative is identical to Alternative B except for the exclusion of 
helicopter application.
    Alternative D--Non-Chemical Pest Management. Pests would be managed 
using only the biological, prescribed fire, cultural, and other non-
chemical pesticide methods listed under Alternative A. No chemical 
methods would be permitted.
    Alternative E--No Action: Continuation of Current Management 
Approach. The current management system uses all non-chemical pest 
control practices at the seed orchard, as well as the use of limited 
chemicals on a specific case-by-case basis. All biological, prescribed 
fire, cultural, and other non-chemical pesticide methods would be 
available for use. When a specific need is identified for a chemical 
pesticide, the action would be reviewed to determine whether it is 
encompassed by an existing NEPA document, or whether an environmental 
assessment or EIS is required.
    The preferred alternative is Alternative B.
    Public participation has occurred throughout the NEPA process. Two 
Notices of Intent were filed in the Federal Register (FR) on March 26, 
1999 (64 FR 14747) and March 29, 2001 (66 FR 17192). An open house, 
mail-outs, and a site visit also have been conducted to solicit 
comments and ideas. All comments presented throughout the process have 
been considered in developing the Draft EIS.

Denis Williamson,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 03-14285 Filed 6-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6320-HL-P