[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35620-35622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15092]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Coconino and Tonto National Forests, AZ; Fossil Creek Area 
Planning EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Coconino and Tonto National Forests are developing an EIS 
to analyze the effects of proposed management changes within the Fossil 
Creek area. This EIS and planning process would result in the 
development and implementation of new management areas, standards, and 
guidelines within both forests' management plans.
    The Fossil Creek planning area lies within the administrative 
boundaries of the Coconino and Tonto National Forests (NFs) in 
Coconino, Gila, and Yavapai Counties in central Arizona. On the 
Coconino NF, the planning area includes the Fossil Springs Wilderness, 
Fossil Creek Botanical area and portions of the Hackberry and Boulder 
Canyon Inventoried Roadless Areas. The Tonto NF portion contains the 
proposed Fossil Creek State Natural area and a segment of the Mazatzal 
Wilderness.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by July 8, 2003. The Forest Service expects to complete the draft 
environmental impact statement by late summer 2003, and the final 
environmental impact statement by February 2004.

ADDRESSES: To provide comments or to obtain further information please 
contact: Judy Adams, Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 300, Sedona, AZ 
86339, or e-mail comments to [email protected]. Comments or 
information requests can also be made by fax at 928.203.7539. 
Information on this project may be obtained on the Coconino National 
Forest Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Adams, Coconino National Forest 
(see contact information above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fossil Creek is one of Arizona's rare 
perennial streams, flowing from Fossil Springs southwest to the Verde 
River. The neighboring landscape is rich in unique resources, including 
native fish and wildlife, cultural resources, designated wilderness 
areas, abundant riparian vegetation, and crystal clear spring waters. 
With the anticipated decommissioning of the Childs/Irving power plants 
and the restoration of full flows to Fossil Creek, travertine mineral 
deposits are expected to recreate a unique system of pools and 
waterfalls, resulting in new and varied fish and wildlife habitat, more 
diverse vegetation and increased scenic quality. These travertine 
forming mineral deposits occur in only two other locations in Arizona, 
making this a rare and important resource.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of this planning effort is to initiate management 
changes within the Fossil Creek area. These changes will be designed to 
address several issues, including the need for additional protection of 
Fossil Creek's uncommon resources, an increasing public demand for high 
quality water based recreation and the anticipated decommissioning of 
the Childs/Irving power plant facilities. The decommissioning of the 
power plants will return full, natural flows to the entire length of 
Fossil Creek.
    Recent Forest Service inventories of conditions along Fossil Creek 
show high recreation pressures affecting streamside soils, plants, and 
archaeological resources. An important purpose of management changes is 
to restore and protect these sensitive and unique areas, while 
continuing to offer access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
    The Coconino and Tonto National Forest Land and Resource Management 
Plans (Forest Plans) provide general goals, objectives, standards, and 
guidelines for various management areas, land allocations, and 
activities designated in the planning area. This planning effort is 
expected to result in an amendment to both Forest Plans, creating 
congruity in management direction and incorporating appropriate new 
direction.

Proposed Action

    The action proposed by the Coconino and Tonto National Forests 
consists of making management changes within the Fossil Creek area. 
These changes would result in amendments to both Forest Plans, and 
would establish new standards and guidelines and new and/or modified 
management areas. Meeting these goals would facilitate the recovery and 
protection of riparian vegetation, stream channel characteristics, 
wildlife and fish habitat, soils, and cultural values, while still 
providing a variety of recreational experiences.

Possible Alternatives

    The following are preliminary management alternatives that have 
been developed in response to preliminary significant issues derived 
from both the public and the agency. These preliminary alternatives 
will be further refined as the analysis process progresses. Additional 
alternatives may be developed if necessary to respond to new 
information.
    Several management actions are similar for all alternatives, 
excluding the no action alternative. In all instances, the majority of 
Forest Road (FR) 708 would remain open to public vehicle

[[Page 35621]]

access at the current level of maintenance. FR's 9206W and 9248C would 
be closed and restored (decommissioned). Camping and campfires would be 
permitted downstream of the existing Irving power plant facility in 
locations consistent with resource needs. Sanitation facilities would 
be installed in the Middle Fossil and/or Irving areas. Most 
alternatives would include creation of a creek side trail linking the 
Middle Fossil area with the FR 708 bridge. The Recreation Opportunity 
Spectrum (ROS) would attempt to preserve a semi-primitive character 
along Fossil Creek, with as few signs of development and management 
presence as possible. In the Middle Fossil Creek area, the ROS would 
allow for developments such as vault toilets, information signs, 
trails, and traffic barriers, with frequent management presence.
    The following preliminary alternatives are currently under 
consideration:
    1. Alternative A (Proposed Action)--Alternative A would attempt to 
strike a balance between recreational needs and resource protection. A 
road access system would be created in the Middle Fossil Creek area to 
help facilitate parking and creek access in some locations. The Flume 
Road and trail would be closed, and the footbridge removed. Camping and 
campfires would be prohibited from Fossil Springs to Irving. A portion 
of Management Area (MA) 11 (Verde Valley) on the Coconino NF would be 
identified as MA 12 (Riparian).
    2. Alternative B--Under this alternative, management within the 
Fossil Creek area would continue under existing direction and 
regulation. No new actions would be taken, and no changes to existing 
Forest Plan direction would be made.
    3. Alternative C--Alternative C would emphasize the needs and 
desires of camping and recreation. The Flume trail would be maintained, 
with the footbridge removed. Dispersed camping and campfires would be 
permitted in the Middle Fossil area. Designated dispersed camping would 
be permitted at Irving, along the Flume trail and at Fossil Springs, 
although no campfires would be allowed. Management area changes would 
be as in the Proposed Action (Alternative A).
    4. Alternative D--Management direction in Alternative D would be 
more restrictive than other alternatives in terms of access for 
recreation. FR 708 would not remain open in its entirety--the portion 
of the road between the Deadmans Mesa Road and the parking area just 
north of Irving (Flume trail parking area) would be closed. This 
stretch (approximately 3 miles) would be converted to a non-motorized 
trail. A creekside trail linking the Middle Fossil area with the FR 708 
bridge would not be created. The Flume Road and trail would be closed 
and revegetated (decommissioned). No camping or campfires would be 
permitted from Fossil Springs down to and including Irving. Camping and 
campfires would be allowed in designated areas downstreams of Irving, 
with parking limited to along FR 708. A special closure area would be 
established between Irving and the Fossil Springs dam for wildlife and 
riparian protection. A new Fossil Creek Conservation MA would be 
created, and a recommendation made to Congress for a minor expansion of 
the Fossil Springs Wilderness.
    5. Alternative E--Management directives in this alternative would 
emphasize day use of the Fossil Creek area. FR 502E would be narrowed 
and converted to a motorized trail. The Flume Road and trail would 
remain in use. The footbridge would remain. Camping and campfires would 
not be allowed from and including Fossil Springs, downstream to and 
including the Irving housing area. A new Fossil Creek Conservation MA 
would be created, incorporating the Fossil Springs Botanical area 
(Coconino NF) and the proposed State Natural Area (Tonto NF).

Responsible Official

    The Coconino and Tonto National Forest Supervisors will be the 
officials responsible for making management decisions, non-significant 
Forest Plan Amendments, and recommendations to Congress via the Forest 
Plan Amendments for special designations if needed.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Within this analysis and planning process, programmatic decisions 
will be made for the Fossil Creek Planning Area. The scope of these 
decisions includes the development of Forest Plan desired conditions, 
standards and guidelines that would provide for the protection and 
enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, riparian values, scenic 
values, and historic and cultural values. These conditions, standards, 
and guidelines will also determine the character, type, and location of 
recreation opportunities, roads, trails, and facilities. Site-specific 
decisions will be made concerning road and trail management.
    There will be one environmental analysis documented in an EIS. 
These amendments are considered to be non-significant Forest Plan 
Amendments, affecting only a minor portion of either involved national 
forest.

Scoping Process

    In October 2002, the Forest Service sent out a scoping letter and a 
description of the proposed action for the Fossil Creek planning 
process. This letter was followed by a public open house in Pine, 
Arizona in December 2002, and a question and answer session with 
interested groups in Phoenix, Arizona in January 2003. News releases 
and articles requesting comments have been published as well. In 
response to these efforts and the information provided, the Forest 
Service has thus far received approximately 57 letters and over 330 
substantive comments concerning this analysis.

Preliminary Issues

    The issues and concerns voiced in comment letters and other 
communications, along with those expressed at public meetings, have 
been taken into consideration in the identification of significant 
issues and in the development of the preliminary alternatives described 
above.

Primary Issue

    Despite the considerable amount of agreement regarding protection 
of the natural and cultural values associated with Fossil Creek, there 
remains disagreement as to the amount, type, and location of recreation 
access and restrictions needed. Some believe that current levels and 
locations of access should be left unchanged, including all roads and 
trails, and that there should be no camping or campfire restrictions. 
Others believe that access should be substantially reduced to best meet 
resource protection goals, specifically suggesting a reduction in 
access along the riparian corridor.

Sub-Issues

    [sbull] Proposed camping and campfire restrictions and trail/road 
closures limit the public's use of the area more than necessary to 
protect resources.
    [sbull] Camping, trails, and vehicle access could result in impacts 
to soil, water, cultural resources, wildlife, vegetation, and 
travertine.
    [sbull] Location of access and use, including roads and trails, 
could impact natural and cultural values and recreation opportunities.

Comments Requested

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process that guides the 
development of the environmental impact statement. Please provide

[[Page 35622]]

additional comment on the proposed action or any of the possible 
alternatives so that any revisions or additions to these alternatives 
may be considered.

Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review

    A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for 
comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement 
will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency 
publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
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 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may 
be waived or dismissed by the courts. 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). 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 final environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. 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.
    Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who 
comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal, 
and will be available for public inspection.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, section 21)

    Dated: June 10, 2003.
Nora B. Rasure,
Forest Supervisor, Coconino National Forest.
[FR Doc. 03-15092 Filed 6-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M