[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 23 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5264-5265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-475]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revised Land and Resource Management Plan; Lake Tahoe Basin 
Management Unit, South Lake Tahoe, CA

ACTION: Notice of initiation to revise the Lake Tahoe Basin Management 
Unit Land and Resource Management Plan.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will revise the Lake Tahoe Basin Management 
Plan (hereafter referred to as the Forest Plan). This notice describes 
the documents available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes 
the need to change the Forest Plan and the initial scope of revision 
based upon management review and determination; provides information 
concerning public participation and collaboration; and includes the 
names and addresses of agency officials who can provide additional 
information.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Forest Plan Revision--LTBMU, 35 
College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Todd Chaponot at (530) 543-2742 or 
Robert King at (530) 543-2619; or e-mail the revision team at : 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Documents Available for Review

    The Comprehensive Evaluation Report is the Forest Plan revision 
analysis document that provides an evaluation of current ecological, 
economic, and social conditions and trends; these contribute to 
sustainability within the Forest Service lands managed by the Lake 
Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). Publication and review of the 
Comprehensive Evaluation Report (CER) formally launches LTBMU's Forest 
Plan Revision process. The information detailed in the CER analysis, 
and further distilled within the forest supervisor's management review 
and revision theme areas are provided for public and agency review and 
comment. This document is now available for review (see Public 
Participation and Collaboration subtopic).

Components of the Forest Plan

    As required under the National Forest Management Act, Terri 
Marceron, Forest Supervisor, LTBMU has made a determination that 
conditions exist that warrant a revision of the existing 1988 Forest 
Plan (see Forest Supervisor's Determination--Preliminary Need for 
Change Topics). The Management Review is the preamble to the 
Comprehensive Evaluation Report document; it describes the scope of the 
plan revision, rationale, and formal determination to proceed with 
revision of the LTBMU Forest Plan. The information contained in the 
CER, in concert with information acquired from substantive comments, 
will be used to structure a revised plan. The revised Forest Plan will 
include the following components: Desired conditions, objectives, 
guidelines, suitability of areas and special areas (Reference: CFR 
219.7).

Forest Supervisor's Determination--Preliminary Need for Change Topics

    Much of the direction contained in the 1988 Forest Plan is still 
valid. The parts of the plan that are working well will be carried 
forward into the revised Plan, limiting the revision to areas where new 
regulations and policy, new science, resource information, and changing 
social, economic, and ecologic conditions and trends have created a 
need for updated guidance. Through the public participation and 
collaboration process the Forest Supervisor has determined that the 
Forest Plan Revision will focus on four preliminary themes:
     Ecosystem restoration,
     Recreation management,
     Land use,
     Planning and adaptive management.

(Reference: CER Management Review; and CER Chapter 2)

Comment Requested

    The Forest Service is seeking public comments about the 
appropriateness of the specific preliminary Need for Change topics 
identified in the CER document. Public comments should fall within two 
specific areas: (1) Whether the scope and appropriate representation of 
the four major theme areas identified in the CER is addressed 
adequately, and with the appropriate science; and (2) Specific issue 
areas of importance to the public that were not addressed adequately in 
the information presented in the full CER document. Substantive 
comments received by 19 March 2007 will be of the most value in 
evaluating public response to the adequacy of the need for change 
themes outlined in the Comprehensive Evaluation Report.

Planning Process Schedule

    The revision process for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 
officially begins in January 2007 with the publication of this Notice 
of Initiation in the Federal Register. The final revised Forest Plan is 
scheduled to be issued for pre-decisional review in July 2008. Final 
approval of the revised LTBMU Forest Plan is scheduled to occur October 
2008. As of the publication date of this notice, it is the intent of 
the Forest Supervisor, Terri Marceron, consistent with national Forest 
Service policy, that the revised forest plan will be published as a 
Categorical Exclusion (Reference: Forest Service Handbook FSH 1909.12, 
Ch. 30, Jan. 31, 2006).

Responsible Official

    Terri Marceron, Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 
at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.

Public Participation and Collaboration

    The revision process is designed to provide continued opportunities 
for public collaboration in the management of public land in the Lake 
Tahoe Basin and provide open participation in the development of the 
revised Forest Plan. Pursuant to 36 CFR 219.13(a), only parties that 
participate in the planning process through the submission of written 
comments can submit an objection upon publication of the revised Forest 
Plan decision (see Planning Process Schedule). For additional 
information on the Forest Plan revision processes, access the Lake 
Tahoe Basin Management Web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects/. Likewise, interested members of the public can request to 
receive LTBMU Forest Plan revision information updates via U.S. Mail 
delivery, by mailing a request to: Forest Plan Revision--LTBMU, 35 
College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, e-mailing:

[[Page 5265]]

[email protected], or phoning the Lake Tahoe 
Basin Management Unit: (530) 543-2600.

    Dated: January 29, 2007.
Terri Marceron,
Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
[FR Doc. 07-475 Filed 2-2-07; 8:45 am]
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