[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47171-47173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16004]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Olympia National Forest, Jefferson County, Oregon Dosewallips 
Road Washout Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) in accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of the National

[[Page 47172]]

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) to document the 
analysis and disclose the environmental effects of the proposed action 
to reestablish road access provided by Forest Service Road (FSR) 2610 
and Park Service Dosewallips Road to National Forest and National Park 
recreational facilities. The proposed action is to rebuild FSR 2610 
through a washout area using a low-water crossing design and to repair 
damage to the Park's Dosewallips Road, including the portion of road in 
the vicinity of the Dosewallips River Falls.

DATES: Written comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be 
postmarked within 30 days following publication of this notice. The 
draft environmental impact statement is expected in February 2006 and 
the final environmental impact statement is expected in November 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Responsible Official, Dale Hom, 
Forest Supervisor, Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW., 
Suite A, Olympia, WA, 98512. Send electronic comments to [email protected]. Send National Park Service specific 
comments to William G. Laitner, Park Superintendent, Olympic National 
Park, 600 East Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA, 98362; or [email protected].
    All comments received will become part of the public record and 
copies of comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, 
may be released for public inspection. Individual respondents may 
request that their home addresses be withheld from the public record, 
which will be honored to the extent allowable by law. Request to 
withhold names and/or addresses must be stated prominently at the 
beginning of the comments. Anonymous comments will not be considered. 
Submissions from organizations or businesses, 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: Tim Davis, Project Team Leader, 
Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd, SW., Suite A, Olympia, 
WA, 98512; phone (360) 956-2375; or e-mail [email protected]. For 
information on the National Park Service component of the project, 
contact Nancy Hendricks, Environmental Protection Specialist, 600 East 
Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA, 98362; phone (360) 565-3008; or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During a storm in January 2002 approximately 
300 feet of FSR 2610 washed out, cutting off road access to 
approximately 5 miles of road beyond the washout. This road had 
provided access to the Forest's Elkhorn Campground, and along with the 
Park's Dosewallips Road had provided access to the Olympic National 
Park Dosewallips Ranger Station and Campground, and several trailheads. 
Subsequent to the FSR 2610 washout, road damage occurred on the Park's 
Dosewallips Road including damage in the vicinity of the Dosewallips 
Falls. In response to the washout on FSR 2610 the Forest Service 
prepared an environmental assessment (EA) in May 2002, and based on the 
need for additional information revised the EA in February 2003. A 
decision to reestablish road access via an upslope reroute was made in 
March 2004, and it was subsequently decided to withdraw the decision 
and complete a more detailed analysis.
    Although previous NEPA analyses were completed in EAs, a recent 
preliminary effects analysis indicated that there may be significant 
effects on the environment (related to threatened and endangered 
species and habitat) which requires the completion of an EIS.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Olympic National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 
(Forest Plan) established certain management area prescriptions and 
corresponding goals and desired conditions for National Forest System 
Land along FSR 2610 in and beyond the washout area. Two of these 
management area prescriptions [Undeveloped Recreation (Motorized) and 
Developed Recreation Sites and Administrative Sites] are dependent on 
the road access provided by FSR 2610. Additionally, road access to 
Forest Service Elkhorn Campground provided by FSR 2610 helps achieve 
two Forest level recreation goals and objectives. These are Forest 
Management Goal for recreation (number 5), ``Provide safe and well-
maintained facilities at developed recreation sites that offer a range 
of opportunities and experiences. Assure that facilities are readily 
accessible to a diverse public, including the physically impaired''; 
;and Forest Management Objective for recreation at developed sites 
(objective 4.a) as this is a site identified in the Forest Plan for 
reconstruction/expansion to meet the projected increase in demand for 
developed campgrounds.
    The Olympic National Park considers the road access provided by FSR 
2610 and Dosewallips Road an important part of its overall management 
strategy as they provide one of two motorized vehicle access points on 
the east side of the park. The roads provide access for a more 
primitive recreational experience for Olympic National Park visitors 
than those found at the more developed sites with road access within 
the park, and this assists the park in meeting its goal of providing a 
wide range of recreational opportunities. Based on the established 
need, the purpose of this project is to reestablish road access on FSR 
2610 at the washout site, and on the park's Dosewallips Road.
    Those familiar with the project's previous NEPA analyses will note 
the change in project purpose from a more generic restoration of access 
to the more focused road access. The views of some who commented during 
the previous NEPA analyses and expressed a desire to change the land 
use of the area to non-motorized were considered in making this change. 
However after further review of the importance of road access to the 
Park's Dosewallips recreation facilities and the existing Forest Plan 
direction for this area it was determined that restoring road access is 
the more appropriate purpose.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service is proposing to address the project's purpose 
and need related to FSR 2610 by rebuilding the road through the washout 
area using a low-water crossing design. This narrow, single-lane road 
would be approximately 600 feet long, be at a lower grade (about 8 
feet) than the existing road, and curve close to the washout bank. The 
road would be designed so that it would be overtopped by the river 
during moderately large flood events (Q20 or 20 year flood). This road 
would provide seasonal access for passenger cars, recreational 
vehicles, and vehicles pulling trailers. This proposed action also 
includes a proposal to amend the Forest Plan. The amendment would waive 
compliance with ACS (Aquatic Conservation Strategy) objectives at the 
watershed scale. The waiver of this requirement applies only to the 
Forest Service's part of the site-specific Dosewallips Road Washout 
Project.
    The Park Service is proposing to address the purpose and need 
associated with the Dosewallips Road by reinforcing the road fill slope 
with rock filled gabions at the Dosewallips Falls area, and repairing 
the road surface to current road standards.

Possible Alternatives

    The following preliminary alternatives were developed either during 
the previous NEPA analysis or in

[[Page 47173]]

recent interdisciplinary team meetings. These alternatives are No 
Action, Rebuild the Road in Place, Single Land Bridge, Reroute (car, 
recreational vehicle, and trailer access) upslope with design to 
minimize construction costs, and Reroute (car, recreational vehicle, 
and trailer access) upslope with design to minimize resource impacts by 
reducing clearing limits. As in the case of the Proposed Action, the 
other action alternatives include proposals to amend the Forest Plan. 
These proposed amendments will be identified and analyzed in the EIS. 
Under all the action alternatives, the National Park Service proposes 
to reinforce the Dosewallips Road at the Dosewallips Falls site and 
repair the road to current road standards.

Lead and Cooperative Agencies

    The U.S. Forest Service, Olympic National Forest, will be the lead 
agency in preparation and completion of the EIS. The National Park 
Service, Olympic National Park will be a cooperating agency in the 
completion of the EIS.

Responsible Official

    Dale Horn, Forest Supervisor, Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black 
Lake Blvd, SW. Suite A, Olympia, WA, 98512 will be the Responsible 
Official for Forest Service decisions. The Responsible Official for the 
National Park Service is Jonathan B. Jarvis, Regional Director, Pacific 
West Region; subsequently, the implementing official for the National 
Park Service is Superintendent, Olympic National Park.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    How road access on FSR 2610 and the Park's Dosewallips Road will be 
restored, if at all; what if any Forest Plan amendments will be 
required; and what if any mitigation and monitoring requirements will 
apply.

Scoping Process

    This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process for the 
development of the environmental impact statement. Comments received 
during the scoping process for the previous National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessment analysis will be considered 
during this current analysis. Scoping will also include informational 
mailings and public meetings, which have not yet been scheduled. The 
Forest Service and Park Service will be seeking information, comments, 
and assistance from Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, and 
other individuals or organizations that may be interested in or 
affected by the proposal.

Preliminary Issues

    Issues identified during the previous NEPA analysis are the basis 
of these preliminary issues. They are access, wilderness, social, soil 
productivity, aquatic and terrestrial habitat conditions, and riparian 
function. In addition, the National Park Service must make an 
impairment determination for any actions proposed within Olympic 
National Park in accordance with the NPS Organic Act and NPS Management 
Policies (NPS 2001c, Section 1,4,5); this mandate does not apply to 
National Forest System Lands.
    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 60 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 60 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 Services Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21).
    Dated: August 3, 2005.
Virginia Grilley,
Acting Forest Supervisor, Olympic National Forest.
[FR Doc. 05-16004 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M