[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 15693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4547]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Gold Camp Road Final Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, 
Supplemental Information Report and Record of Decision 2

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and decision.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the 
Pike National Forest of the Rocky Mountain Region of the Forest Service 
announces availability of the Final Plan and Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (Final Plan/EIS), Supplemental Information Report (SIR) and 
Record of Decision 2 (ROD 2) for the Gold Camp Road. 
The Forest Service is also announcing the agency's decision to restore 
and open a collapsed railroad tunnel and reopen a closed section of 
Gold Camp Road to one-way traffic, with a third party partner to 
operate the 8.5-mile segment of road (Modified Alternative E). The 
objective of the management plan for the road is to best accommodate 
public use and access to National Forest System lands and nearby 
private in-holdings while maintaining public safety and the historic 
character of the road. The affected road segment has been closed since 
1988 for safety reasons.
    On December 6, 2005, the Forest Service withdrew the original ROD. 
During this initial appeal process, five appeals were received. The 
Forest Service contacted each appellant and notified them that a ROD 
2 would be issued and a new appeal process will be started.
    No changes were made to the Final Plan/EIS, however, a Supplemental 
Information Report (SIR) is incorporated into the Final Plan/EIS. The 
SIR does not introduce new information, rather provides a greater 
detailed understanding of contents within the Final Plan/EIS and the 
intended effects they have on the Modified Alternative E.

DATES: The appeal period for the decision will be 45 days from the date 
of publication in the Pueblo Chieftain Newspaper on April 2, 2006. The 
appeal period will be 45 consecutive calendar days and closing at 
midnight on May 17, 2006.
    Document Availability: The Final Plan/EIS, SIR and ROD 2 
are available on the Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/projects/gold_camp/. Copies of the Final Plan/EIS, SIR and ROD 
2 may be obtained by contacting the Pikes Peak Ranger 
District, 601 S. Weber St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Phone number is 
719-636-1602.
    Appeal Process: Must be postmarked, delivered or electronic mail 
received before midnight on May 17, 2006. Notice of Appeal may be sent 
by U.S Mail to: USDA-Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Attn: 
Appeals Deciding Officer, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, Colorado 80225. 
Notice of Appeal sent by other than U.S. Mail or dropped off in person 
to: Attn: Appeals Deciding Officer, U.S.D.A. Forest Service--Rocky 
Mountain Region, 740 Simms Street, Lakewood CO. 80401. Electronic 
Appeals may be sent to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Landis, Supervisory Outdoor 
Recreation Planner, Pikes Peak Ranger District, at the address listed 
above or by telephone at 719-477-4203.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final Plan/EIS, SIR and ROD 2 
are also available for inspection at the following public libraries in 
Colorado:

Penrose Public Library--20 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 
East Library--5550 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918

    The Forest Service announced in the Federal Register (69 FR 39401, 
June 30, 2004) that the agency intended to prepare an EIS addressing 
the possible Federal action of preparing a plan for the Gold Camp Road 
and inviting comments on the scope of the EIS. Comments were received 
from April 12 through August 17, 2004 and were considered in the Draft 
Plan/EIS.
    Notices of availability were published in the Federal Register for 
the Gold Camp Road Draft Plan/EIS by the Forest Service (70 FR 2605, 
January 14, 2005) and the EPA (70 FR 4119, January 28, 2005). Comments 
were accepted on the Draft Plan/EIS through March 29, 2005. Comments 
were considered and the Final Plan/EIS was prepared based on agency and 
public input. The Final Plan/EIS contains a new preferred alternative 
that incorporates elements of three of the other action alternatives.
    A ROD 2 accompanies the Final Plan/EIS and SIR. The ROD 
2 accompanying the Final Plan/EIS and SIR are subject to 
appeal pursuant to 36 CFR part 215.
    Reviewers are obligated to structure their participation in the 
National Environmental Policy Act process so that it is meaningful and 
alerts the agency to the reviewer's position and contentions, [Vermont 
Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDS. 435 U.S. 519, 553, (1978)]. 
Environmental objections that could have been raised at the draft stage 
may be waived if not raised until after completing the Final EIS [City 
of Angoon v. Hodel (9th Circuit 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages Inc. v. 
Harris 490 F. Suppl. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980)].
    This notice is provided pursuant to federal regulations 
implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6).

    Dated: March 17, 2006.
Robert J. Leaverton,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E6-4547 Filed 3-28-06; 8:45 am]
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