[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 145 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42797-42798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12115]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Aerial Application of Fire Retardant Environmental Assessment, in
Accordance With the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (47
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of proposed action to conduct an environmental analysis
and prepare an environmental assessment; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service proposes to conduct an environmental
analysis and prepare an environmental assessment on the continued
nationwide aerial application of fire retardant for fire suppression.
The responsible official for this action is Dale Bosworth, Chief of the
Forest Service. The Forest Service invites comments at this time on the
proposed action.
DATES: Comments must be received, in writing, on or before August 28,
2006.
ADDRESSES: The scoping letter and other information related to the
proposed action are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/retardant/index.html. Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed
to USFS Fire Retardant EA, c/o The Content Analysis Group, P.O. Box
2000, Bountiful, UT 84001-2000. Comments may also be sent
electronically to [email protected], or via facsimile to
801-397-2601. Please prepare electronic files in either rich text
format (.rft) or as a Microsoft Word document (.doc).
All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and
copying. The public may electronically inspect comments received and
should call 801-517-1037 to obtain Web site address and a password. The
public may also inspect comments hardcopy at the USDA Forest Service in
Salt Lake City, Utah. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 801-517-
1037 to facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Chris Wehrli,
interdisciplinary team leader, at 202-205-1332.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through
Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Forest Service will conduct an
environmental analysis and prepare an environmental assessment to
determine whether the continued nationwide aerial application of fire
retardant to fight fires would result in any significant environmental
impacts.
It is important that those interested in this proposed action
participate at this time. To be most helpful, comments should be as
specific as possible. Written comments provide a record of concerns and
will be considered to conduct an environmental analysis and prepare an
environmental assessment. The Forest Service is seeking information,
comments, and assistance from federal, state, and local agencies,
tribes, and other individuals or organizations that might be interested
in or affected by the proposal.
After completing a detailed environmental analysis and a review and
response to the public comments received on the proposed action, the
Forest Service will prepare an environmental assessment and a Decision
Notice that will be signed by the Chief of the Forest Service.
The Forest Service is working to restore fire-adapted ecosystems
through prescribed fire, other fuel treatments and wildland-fire use.
However, in some circumstances, fire must be suppressed. For example,
fires might need to be suppressed to protect and preserve natural
resources, critical habitat for threatened and endangered species, and
protect life and property. Fire retardant is one of the tools used to
suppress fires.
The Forest Service is taking two mitigation measures to lessen the
impact of fire retardant on the environment. First, after the 2006 fire
[[Page 42798]]
season, the Forest Service will no longer purchase or use fire
retardants that contain sodium ferrocyanide because, under certain
conditions, it poses greater toxicity to aquatic species and aquatic
environments than retardant solutions that do not contain this
ingredient. Second, the Forest Service prohibits the aerial application
of fire retardant within 300 feet of waterways visible to pilots, with
certain limited exceptions. See the Guidelines for Aerial Application
of Retardants and Foams in Aquatic Environments (April 20, 2000) at
http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/retardants/current/gen/appguide.htm for
more details.
The Forest Service proposes to analyze at a nationwide scale the
environmental effects of the continued aerial application of fire
retardants. In preparing an environmental assessment, the Forest
Service will determine whether there are significant effects on the
human environment. If there are significant effects, the Forest Service
will prepare an environmental impact statement. If the Forest Service
determines that there are no significant effects, the Forest Service
will issue a finding of no significant impact. The Forest Service seeks
comments at this time on this proposal.
The Forest Service has previously consulted with the Fish and
Wildlife Service and with the National Marine Fisheries Service in
developing the Guidelines for Aerial Application of Retardants and
Foams referenced above. The Forest Service will consult with the above
agencies when conducting the environmental analysis and preparing an
environmental assessment on the proposed action.
Dated: July 21, 2006,
Dale N. Bosworth,
Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. E6-12115 Filed 7-27-06; 8:45 am]
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