[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 12637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5974]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


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

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent to prepare a final environmental 
impact statement for the authorization of livestock graving on the 
Sacramento Grazing Allotment.

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SUMMARY: In a previous Federal Register announcement (December 8, 2003, 
Vol 68, No. 235, page 68325) the Forest service provided notice it 
would prepare a final environmental impact statement on a proposal to 
authorize livestock graving activities on the Sacramento Grazing 
Allotment by January 2004. 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 plan specifies, 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 March 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: February 25, 2004.
Jose M. Martinez,
Forest Supervisor, Lincoln National Forest.
[FR Doc. 04-5974 Filed 3-16-04; 8:45 am]
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