[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68531-68532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9388]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Ely Westside Rangeland Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Ely Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to 
authorize continued livestock grazing within the Ely Westside Rangeland 
Project area. The analysis will determine if a change in management 
direction for livestock grazing is needed to move existing resource 
conditions within the Ely Westside Rangeland Project area towards 
desired conditions. Allotments within the project area are Big Creek, 
Black Rock, Cherry Creek, Currant Creek, Ellison Basin, Hooper Canyon, 
Irwin Canyon, Illipah, Pine/Quinn Creek, Tom Plain, Treasure Hill, and 
Troy Mountain. The Black Rock, Cherry Creek, Currant Creek, Ellison 
Basin, Illipah, Pine/Quinn Creek, Tom Plain, and Treasure Hill, are 
currently permitted for grazing; Big Creek, Hooper Canyon, and Irwin 
Canyon allotments are currently vacant; and the Troy Mountain Allotment 
is currently closed. These allotments are in Lincoln, Nye, and White 
Pine Counties, Nevada.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis are due by January 
15, 2007. The draft environmental impact statement is expected May 2007 
and the final environmental impact statement is expected September 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Ely Ranger 
District, 825 Ave. E, Ely, Nevada 89301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, mail 
correspondence to or contact David Palmer, Project Coordinator, at the 
Ely Ranger District, 825 Ave. E, Ely Nevada 89301. The telephone number 
is 775-289-5116. E-mail address is [email protected].

Purpose and Need for Action

    There is a need to maintain or improve the condition of riparian 
resources and maintain or improve the overall health of the rangeland 
in the Ely Westside Rangeland Project area. The purpose of this project 
is to determine the management direction for livestock grazing needed 
to move existing resource conditions within the project area towards 
desired conditions.

Proposed Action

    The Ely Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, is 
proposing to authorize continued domestic livestock grazing on 
approximately 569,000 acres within the Ely Westside Rangeland Project 
area under updated grazing management direction in order to move 
existing rangeland resource conditions within the project area toward 
desired condition. The updated direction will be incorporated in 
attendant grazing permits and allotment management plans to guide 
grazing management within the project area during the coming decade, or 
until amendments are warranted, based on changed condition or 
monitoring. The Black Rock, Cherry Creek, Currant Creek, Ellison Basin, 
Illipah, Pine/Quinn Creek, Tom Plain, and Treasure Hill, allotments 
would continue to have authorized grazing. A portion of the Troy 
Mountain Allotment, which is currently closed, would be re-opened to 
livestock grazing; the rest of the allotment would remain closed. Big 
Creek, Hooper Canyon, and Irwin Canyon allotments are currently vacant 
and would be recommended for closure.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, we have tentatively identified 
two additional alternatives that will be analyzed in the EIS.
    (1.) No Action/No Grazing: This is not issuing new grazing permits 
when existing permits expire.
    (2.) Current Management: This is continuation of current grazing 
management.

Responsible Official

    Patricia N. Irwin, District Ranger, Ely Ranger District, 825 Ave. 
E, Ely, Nevada 89301

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Based on the environmental analysis in the EIS the Forest 
Supervisor will decide whether to continue grazing on the allotments 
within the Ely Westside Rangeland Project area, in accordance with the 
strategies in the proposed action or as modified by additional 
mitigation measures and monitoring requirements.

Scoping Process

    The Forest Service will use a mailing of information to interested 
parties. Public involvement will be ongoing throughout the analysis 
process and at certain times, public input will be specifically 
requested. There are currently no scoping meetings planned.

Preliminary Issues

    The following are some potential issues identified through internal 
Forest Service scoping based on our experience with similar projects. 
The list is not considered all-inclusive, but should be viewed as a 
starting point. We are asking you to help us further refine the issues 
and identify other issues or concerns relevant to the proposed project.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
water quality within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
heritage resources within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
soil quality within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
upland and riparian vegetation within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
the health of some aspen stands within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
wildlife habitat, particularly for elk and sage grouse, within the 
project area.

[[Page 68532]]

     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
fisheries habitat within the project area.
    Comment Requested: This notice of intent initiates the scoping 
process, which guides the development of the environmental impact 
statement. Submit comments stating your concerns and issues that are 
relevant to the proposed project. Comments will be used to help 
establish the scope or studies and analysis for the environmental 
impact statement.
    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 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, reviewers of 
draft 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). In 
addition, 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 45-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 Service Handbook 1909.15, 
Section 21).

    Dated: November 9, 2006.
Patricia N. Irwin,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 06-9388 Filed 11-24-06; 8:45 am]
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