[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5639-5640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-975]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Hoosier National Forest, Indiana; German Ridge Restoration 
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability; FEIS available.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest has made a 
decision on a final environmental impact statement for German Ridge 
Restoration project. The Acting Forest Supervisor has selected 
Alternative A for implementation. The DEIS discloses the environmental 
consequences of replacing nonnative pine plantations in the German 
Ridge area of Perry County, Indiana with native hardwood communities.
    The DEIS was available for comment during two comment periods. A 
previous decision was withdrawn so that a second comment period could 
be provided in case someone had not been aware of the original 
opportunity to comment. No additional substantive comments were 
received during the additional comment period.

DATES: The Forest Supervisor signed the Record of Decision on January 
24, 2006.
    Copies: To receive a CD or a hard copy of the FEIS or the Record of 
Decision, request it from Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator; Hoosier National 
Forest; 811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, IN 47421. To request a CD 
electronically, send a message with your request to [email protected].
    Appeal Opportunities: Only those who submitted substantive comments 
during one of the two comments periods are eligible to appeal this 
decision.

ADDRESSES: Send any appeal to the Appeal Deciding Officer: Regional 
Forester Randy Moore, 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202; 
fax: 414-944-3963. Send electronic appeals to: [email protected]. When submitting electronic comments, please 
reference the German Ridge Restoration Project on the subject line. In 
addition, include your name and mailing address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator, Hoosier 
National Forest, USDA Forest Service; telephone: 812 275-5987. See 
address above under Copies (under SUMMARY). Another means of obtaining 
information on the project is to visit the Forest Web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier--click on ``Forest Projects,'' then ``Scoping 
Packages,'' and then ``German Ridge Restoration.''

Selected Alternative

    The selected alternative is to implement the proposed action, which 
would fulfill the goals and objectives of the Forest Plan involving the 
restoration of native communities; replace pine plantations with native 
hardwood communities that include a strong component of oaks, 
hickories, and other fire-adapted plants; and restore natural 
vegetative conditions to a set of barrens within the project area. To 
accomplish those goals, the Forest would during the next six or seven 
years; (1) Apply prescribed fire on approximately 2,170 acres, (2) thin 
approximately 215 acres, (3) implement pine removal on approximately 
355 acres, and (4) complete shelterwood harvest on approximately 120 
acres. Additional activities would also be pursued.

Responsible Official

    James L. Lowe, Acting Forest Supervisor; Hoosier National Forest; 
811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, Indiana 47421.

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


[[Page 5640]]


    Dated: January 24, 2006.
James L. Lowe,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 06-975 Filed 2-1-06; 8:45 am]
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