[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57460-57462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16051]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 189 / Friday, September 29, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 57460]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska & South Dakota; Supplement to 
the FEIS for the Nebraska National Forest Revised Land and Resource 
Management Plan (2002) for Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys 
ludovicianus) Management on the Nebraska National Forest and Associated 
Units

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to supplement.

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

SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare a Supplement to the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (Supplement) for the 2002 Nebraska 
National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (as amended) 
(LRMP) for black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) management 
on the Nebraska National Forest and associated units (NNF). The NNF 
includes the Buffalo Gap and Fort Pierre National Grasslands in South 
Dakota and the Oglala National Grassland, Samuel R. McKelvie National 
Forest, and Nebraska National Forest in Nebraska. The proposed action 
is to amend current management direction in the LRMP to meet various 
multiple use objectives by: (1) Specifying the desired range of acres 
of prairie dog colonies that will be provided on the NFF; and (2) 
allowing use of toxicants if the acreage exceeds the desired range and 
or multiple use objectives.

DATES: Written comments must be received within 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. The draft Supplement is expected 
in May, 2007, followed by a 45-day comment period. The final Supplement 
and Record of Decision is expected by October, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the proposed action must be sent to 
Donald J. Bright. Forest Supervisor, USDA Forest Service, 125 North 
Main, Chadron, Nebraska 69337. Comments can also be electronically 
submitted to: [email protected], Subject line: 
Prairie Dog Supplement to Nebraska LRMP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike McNeill, Team Leader, USDA Forest 
Service, at 1801 Hwy 18 Truck Bypass PO Box 732, Hot Springs, South 
Dakota 57747, or call (605) 745-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    The Record of Decision for the Revised LRMP for the Nebraska 
National Forest and Associated Units was approved in July, 2002. The 
current Nebraska LRMP (amended in 2005) and original LRMP Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/ngp/. The LRMP provides general guidance and direction 
for managing the various natural resources on National Forest System 
lands. The LRMP identified the importance of prairie dogs as an element 
of biological diversity, and provided for increasing populations of 
black-tailed prairie dogs over time, particularly in Management Area 
3.63, Black-footed ferret Reintroduction Habitat. The LRMP identified 
prairie dogs as a Management Indicator Species for several of the 
Geographic Areas, with guidance addressing vegetation management, 
livestock grazing, landownership adjustments, recreational shooting of 
prairie dogs, and use of rodenticides. Estimates of the anticipated 
acreage of prairie dog colonies were presented in the FEIS, but the 
LRMP did not set specific acreage objectives by unit, geographic area, 
or management area. Initially, the LRMP limited the use of rodenticides 
to control prairie dog populations to only those situations involving 
human health and safety risks or damage to infrastructure. In response 
to the issue that prairie dogs were moving from the national grasslands 
onto adjoining lands, in 2005 the Forest Service amended the LRMP to 
allow use of lethal control in boundary management zones up to one-half 
mile wide on the Buffalo Gap and Oglala National Grasslands and up to 
one-quarter mile wide on the Fort Pierre National Grassland, during the 
October 1 through January 31 period.
    The spatial extent and density of prairie dog colonies fluctuate 
over time. Historically, prairie dog populations were likely influenced 
by natural disturbances such as bison grazing, fires, and drought. 
Prairie dogs prefer short vegetation (less than 6 or 7 inches tall) in 
order to detect potential predators, and therefore are more likely to 
expand their colonies in areas that are heavily grazed or recently 
burned, and during drought periods. During extended droughts, prairie 
dog colonies may spread outwards, although this may not reflect an 
actual increase in population size, since prairie dog density (number 
of prairie dogs per acre) may be lower as compared to years having 
greater precipitation (and more forage production).
    The black-footed ferret, listed as endangered under the Endangered 
Species Act, relies exclusively upon prairie dogs as prey and their 
burrows for shelter. Once widely distributed throughout the Great 
Plains, black-footed ferret populations declined drastically during the 
20th century. In 1987, the last 18 remaining black-footed ferrets were 
captured, and became the nucleus of a successful captive breeding 
program. Reintroductions of captive-reared ferrets began in 1991. The 
most successful of the nine sites where reintroductions have been 
attempted so far is Conata Basin/Badlands. Conata Basin is located on 
the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Black-footed ferrets were 
reintroduced in Conata Basin beginning in 1996. This area now contains 
the largest free-ranging population of ferrets in the world. This 
population is considered to be self-sustaining, and in the past few 
years has even been sufficiently robust to provide some wild-born kits 
for reintroduction to other sites.
    The western parts of both South Dakota and Nebraska have 
experienced nearly seven years of severe drought. During this extended 
drought, prairie dog colony acreages on the national grasslands have 
increased much faster than projected in the EIS for the LRMP. Conata 
Basin was designated as Management Area 3.63, Black-footed Ferret 
Reintroduction Habitat, in the 2002 LRMP, and in this Management Area, 
continued development and expansion of prairie dog colonies has been 
allowed.

[[Page 57461]]

    Currently, the LRMP does not provide for limiting the number of 
acres of prairie dog colonies and does not provide for the use of 
lethal control methods for keeping the colonies within the desired 
range of acres. There is a concern that, if no limits are placed on 
prairie dog acreage, the desired balance of resource conditions, 
services and outputs will not be achieved, especially during drought 
conditions. The Forest has the ability to adjust livestock grazing 
through the current LRMP direction or project-level allotment planning 
and permit administration. It is desirable to have the option of 
managing the desired range of acres of prairie dog colonies based on 
rainfall and drought conditions on the grasslands, and to have a range 
of tools including the use of toxicants available for prairie dog 
management if the acreage substantially falls below or exceeds the 
desired range and or multiple use objectives.
    The LRMP identifies a general purpose of revision to provide 
direction that would:
    (1) Provide goods and services to people,
    (2) Involve people and communities, and
    (3) Sustain ecosystem functions.
    The LRMP purpose and need can be found on pages 1-6 through 1-8 of 
the LRMP FEIS.

Purpose and Need for Action

    We conducted an interdiscinplinary review of new information and 
changed circumstances from the original LRMP FEIS including prolongued 
drought conditions, changes in praire dog numbers and distribution, and 
related concerns about resulting vegetation and soil conditions. The 
Supplement will disclose the environmental effects of the proposed 
action while still providing: (1) Sufficient habitat to support a self-
sustaining population of black-footed ferrets that contributes to the 
overall recovery of the species; and (2) sufficient habitat to maintain 
a well-distributed population of black-tailed prairie dogs and other 
associated species across the national grasslands.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to amend current management direction in the 
LRMP to meet various multiple use objectives by: (1) Specifying the 
desired range of acres of prairie dog colonies that will be provided on 
the NNF; and (2) allowing use of toxicants if the acreage exceeds the 
desired range and for multiple use objectives. This includes amending 
Chapter 1, Section H, Standard 1 which identifies a limited 
use of rodenticides.

Responsible Official

    Donald J. Bright, Forest Supervisor, USDA Forest Service, 125 North 
Main Street, Chadron, Nebraska 69337.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    After reviewing public comments on the proposed action and the 
draft Supplement, the Forest Service will decide whether or not to 
amend current management direction in the LRMP to meet various multiple 
use objectives by: (1) Specifying the desired range of acres of prairie 
dog colonies that will be provided on the NNF; and (2) allowing use of 
toxicants if the acreage exceeds the desired range and for multiple use 
objectives. This includes amending Chapter 1, Section H, Standard 
1 which identifies a limited use of rodenticides.

Scoping Process

    The Forest Service will be consulting with Federal, State, local 
agencies, tribes, and other individuals or organizations that may be 
interested in or affected by the proposal through various methods. 
Other Federal and State agencies will be offered cooperating agency 
status.

Preliminary Issues

    The Forest Service has considerable experience in conserving and 
managing natural resources, including prairie dogs, black-footed 
ferrets, and other native wildlife in grassland ecosystems. 
Furthermore, the Forest Service conducted extensive public involvement 
through the process of establishing, revising and amending the LRMP. As 
a minimum, the following preliminary issues are anticipated:
     Effects on black-tailed prairie dogs;
     Effects on recovery of the endangered black-footed ferret;
     Effects on other wildlife species associated with prairie 
dogs;
     Effects on livestock grazing permittees;
     Effects on vegetation cover, topsoil, and undesirable 
plant species;
     Costs and effectiveness of management strategies.
    The Supplement will examine these issues if not already addressed 
in the existing FEIS.

Comment Requested

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides 
the Supplement. Comments should focus on the nature of the action 
proposed and should be relevant to the decision under consideration. 
Comments received from the public will be considered in determining the 
potential effects of the proposed action and informing the decision.

Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review

    A draft Supplement will be prepared for comment. The comment period 
on the draft Supplement will be 45 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, the reviewers 
of the draft Supplement 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 Supplement 
stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final 
Supplement 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 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 supplemental environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft Supplement 
should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer 
to specific pages or chapters of the draft Supplement. 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 regarding the specificity of comments.
    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 Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21)


[[Page 57462]]


    Dated: September 25, 2006.
Richard P. Kramer,
Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor.
 [FR Doc. E6-16051 Filed 9-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P