[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 68325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30347]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Southwest Region; Authorization of Livestock Grazing Activities 
on the Sacramento Grazing Allotment, Sacramento Ranger District, 
Lincoln National Forest, Otero County, NM

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent to Prepare a Final Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Authorization of Livestock Grazing on the 
Sacramento Grazing Allotment.

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SUMMARY: In a previous Federal Register announcement (July 5, 2002, Vol 
67, No. 129, page 44805) the Forest service provided notice it would 
prepare a final environmental impact statement on a proposal to 
authorize livestock grazing activities on the Sacramento Grazing 
Allotment by October 2000. The project area encompasses approximately 
115,000 acres of National Forest lands on the Sacramento Ranger 
District of the Lincoln National Forest. The Sacramento Grazing 
allotment comprises approximately 25% of the ranger district. The 
project has generated controversy on three main points; effects to 
threatened and endangered animal and plant species, concern for 
degraded riparian areas, and forage competition between wildlife and 
livestock. This notice is to advise interested parties that a final 
environmental impact statement (FEIS) will be available for public 
review in January 2004.
    Responsible Official: The District Ranger will decide whether or 
not to authorize domestic livestock grazing on the Sacramento Allotment 
which will include appropriate forest plan standards and guidelines in 
part 3 of the existing grazing permit. If grazing is authorized, the 
District Ranger will decide on the permitted number of animals and 
season of use, range facilities to be constructed, allowable 
utilization standards, required monitoring, and mitigation measures 
(best management practices, BMPs).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed project 
and scope of analysis should be directed to Rick Newmon or Mark 
Cadwallader at (505 682-2551).

    Dated: November 7, 2003.
Jose M. Martinez,
Forest Supervisor, Lincoln National Forest.
[FR Doc. 03-30347 Filed 12-5-03; 8:45 am]
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