[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 8962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3469]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska & South Dakota Black-Tailed 
Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Management on the Nebraska National 
Forest and Associated Units

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service published a Notice of Intent in the 
Federal Register of September 29, 2006, in FR Volume 71, No. 189, on 
pages 57460-57461, concerning request for comments on a Supplement to 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 2002 Nebraska National 
Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for black-tailed 
prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) management on the Nebraska National 
Forest and associated units. Instead of supplementing the Final 
Enviromental Impact Statement for the 2002 Nebraska National Forest 
Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, the Agency will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for black-tailed prairie dog 
(Cynomys ludovicianus) management on the Nebraska National Forest and 
associated units. This EIS will tier to and not supplement the Final 
EIS for the 2002 Revised Nebraska National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan.
    The proposed action is to amend current management direction in the 
Nebraska National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to meet 
various multiple use objectives by: (1) Specifing the desired range of 
acres of prairie dog colonies that would be provided on the Nebraska 
National Forest and associated units; and (2) to be able to use 
toxicants if the acreage exceeds the desired range and for multiple use 
objectives. The proposed action would amend Chapter 1, Section H, 
Standard 1 in the Nebraska National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan, which allows for limited use of rodenticdes in the 
interior of the Forest. The proposed action would also authorize the 
site-specific control of prairie dogs forest-wide, including the use of 
rodenticides, when management thresholds are exceeded for geographic 
areas. Future prairie dog control would occur based on management 
thresholds without further NEPA analysis.

Public Comments

    Public comment was received in response to the September 29, 2006 
Notice of Intent. The comments have been analyzed and distilled into a 
comprehensive set of analysis issues. Since the proposed action and 
purpose and need for the project have not changed, those who have 
already commented do not need to resubmit their comments. However, 
comments will continue to be accepted, but will be most useful if 
received by March 16, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike McNeill, Team Leader (605) 745-
4107.

    Dated: February 20, 2007.
Donald J. Bright,
Forest Supervisor, Nebraska National Forest.
 [FR Doc. E7-3469 Filed 2-27-07; 8:45 am]
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