[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 106 (Friday, June 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32565-32566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11088]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-140-1610-DS]


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Rock Creek Integrated Management Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA, and Bureau of Land Management, USDI.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, National Forest Management Act of 1976, and Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, a Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for the Rock Creek Integrated 
Management Project and is available for a 60-day public review and 
comment period. The planning area lies in Routt County, Colorado. This 
project is an ``authorized project'' under Title I of the Healthy 
Forest Restoration Act (HFRA).

DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted for 60 days 
following the date EPA publishes their NOA in the FR. Future public 
meetings and any other public involvement activities will be announced 
at least 15 days in advance through public notices, local media 
releases in Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, and the project Web 
site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/project under Environmental 
Analysis and Forest Health.
    When submitting comments please include your full name and address. 
Submit comments in Microsoft Word 2000 file format or as an ASCII file, 
avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/projects under Environmental 
Analysis and Forest Health. Follow the instructions for submitting 
comments on the Web site.
    E-mail: [email protected]. 
Include ``Rock Creek'' in the subject line of the e-mail message.
    Fax: (970) 870-2284.
    Mail or Hand Delivery: Joanne Sanfilippo, Environmental 
Coordinator, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, 925 Weiss Drive, 
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487.
    Written comments, including names and addresses of recipients, will 
be

[[Page 32566]]

available for public review at the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest 
Office, 925 Weiss Drive, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487, during 
normal working hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanne Sanfilippo (970-870-2210) or 
Andy Cadenhead (970-870-2220), Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, 925 
Weiss Drive, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487 or Karl Mendonca (970-
947-2811), Bureau of Land Management, Glenwood Springs Field Office, 
50629 Highway 6 & 24, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Between 2002 and 2003, Mountain Pine Beetle 
(MPB) activity in the drought-stressed Gore Pass Geographic Area 
increased 20-fold. A multidisciplinary, focused assessment was 
completed that identified the probability of a large-scale, high 
intensity beetle epidemic and fires that will threaten hydrologic 
flows, timber, wildlife habitats, developed recreation sites, 
administrative sites, the transportation system, heritage sites, off-
site urban development, and other values. The interdisciplinary team 
identified potential management actions using prevention, suppression, 
and salvage strategies to reduce the beetle infestations and minimize 
adverse effects to resources.
    Insect epidemics are one of the natural processes in forested 
landscapes. Some uses of the forest are compromised by tree mortality 
resulting from insect attacks. Recreation, wood product production, 
scenery, wildlife habitats and water resources are all adversely 
affected by large scale insect epidemics and the subsequent increased 
risk of these areas to large high intensity wildfires.
    The purpose of the Proposed Action is to reduce the size and 
intensity of an existing and imminent mountain pine beetle epidemic, 
and to reduce the future risk of large-scale high intensity wildfires 
within the Rock Creek Analysis Area.
    The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests is the lead agency. The 
Glenwood Springs Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management is the 
joint lead agency for the Rock Creek Integrated Management Project.
    To assist the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in 
identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, 
comments on the draft EIS 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 EIS 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.
    Healthy Forests Restoration Act Predecisional Review (Objection) 
Process HFRA [Section 105(a)] replaces the USDA Forest Service's and 
Bureau of Land Management's administrative appeals process with an 
objection process that occurs before the decision approving authorized 
fuel-reduction projects under the act. Participation in the 
predecisional review process is limited to individuals and 
organizations who have submitted specific written comments related to 
the proposed authorized hazardous fuel reduction project during the 
opportunity for public comment provided when an environmental (EA) or 
EIS is being prepared for the project [Section 105(a)(3), 36 CFR 
218.6].
    Written objections, including any attachments, must be filed with 
the reviewing officer within 30 days after the publication date of the 
legal notice of the EA or final EIS in the newspaper of record [Section 
218.4(b)]. It is the responsibility of the objectors to ensure that 
their objection is received in a timely manner.

    Dated: April 8, 2005.
Oscar P. Martinez,
District Ranger, Yampa Ranger District, Medicine Bow-Routt National 
Forests, USDA Forest Service.

    Dated: April 8, 2005.
Jamie Connell,
Area Manager, Glenwood Springs Field Office, USDI Bureau of Land 
Management.
[FR Doc. 05-11088 Filed 6-2-05; 8:45 am]
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