[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 56 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13740-13741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1372]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Proposed Land Management Plan Availability and 90-Day Comment 
Period Commencement

AGENCY: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Rocky 
Mountain Region, Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the proposed Land Management Plan for 
the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests and 
Commencement of the 90-Day Comment Period (per 36 CFR 219.9(b)(3)(ii).

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DATES: The comment period will run 90 days from publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register or newspaper of record The Daily 
Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado) whichever occurs later. We 
currently estimate the period to end on or about June 20, 2007. Check 
the GMUG Web site for the actual date.
SUMMARY: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests 
(GMUG) has made its proposed Land Management Plan and associated 
documents available for review. Interested parties are invited to 
review and comment on the proposed Plan and supporting documents, which 
include:
    1. The proposed Land Management Plan, including maps and appendices 
(approximately 300 pages).
    2. The proposed Land Management Plan Newsletter including Key 
Changes from current plan (16 pages).
    3. The Comprehensive Evaluation Report summary of social, economic, 
and ecological conditions, trends, and management implications 
(approximately 280 pages).
    The Comprehensive Assessments of conditions and trends which 
include volumes on terrestrial resources, watershed and aquatic 
resources, geologic and mineral resources, and human uses of the forest 
(4 volumes totaling approximately 2,500 pages).
    The proposed Forest Plan, and Comprehensive Evaluation Report can 
be accessed, viewed, and downloaded from our planning Web site at 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/policy/plan_rev/, or by obtaining a CD 
from forest headquarters. The Comprehensive Assessments will be 
available on CD only and sent to those who request it. Paper copies of 
the proposed Forest Plan newsletter and readers guide are available. 
Additionally, Geographic Information System (GIS) data used in the 
development of the proposed Plan can be viewed, and maps can be 
produced, on the Internet using ArcIMS. With this option you can view 
single date layers or overlay different layers. You can view the data 
forest-wide or zoom to your area of interest. To use this option, 
navigate to http://maps.fs.fed.us and scroll to the Grand Mesa, 
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) project.
    Public Involvement: Current information and details of upcoming 
public participation opportunities are posted on our Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/policy/plan_rev/ rev/. Contact Anne Janik (970) 874-
6637, or e-mail [email protected] to be placed on our mailing list.

ADDRESSES: Physical location: GMUG Forest Planning, 2250 Highway 50, 
Delta CO, 81416; or by e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Shellhorn, Analysis Team Leader, 
GMUG National Forest, (970) 874-6666 or e-mail [email protected] or 
view our Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/policy/plan_rev/.

Responsible Official

    Charles S. Richmond, Forest Supervisor, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, 
and Gunnison National Forests, 2250 Highway 50, Delta, CO 81416.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison 
National Forests (GMUG) are managed as a single administrative unit. 
The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires that all forest land 
management plans (Plans) be revised every 10-15 years. The current GMUG 
Plan was completed in 1983, and subsequently amended numerous times. 
The Plan needs to be updated to address changes that have occurred in 
and around the GMUG during the past two decades. There have been 
substantial changes in social, economic, and ecological conditions. 
Some of these include major population growth, dramatic increases in 
OHV use, the spread of invasive species, and the encroachment of 
development into the wildland interface. In addition, there are new 
laws, policies, and regulations and scientific research and technical 
developments that need to be incorporated into the Plan. Once 
finalized, the Plan will guide future programs and projects on the 
Forest.

[[Page 13741]]

During project development, there will be public involvement and NEPA 
compliance prior to project decisions being made.
    This has been an open planning process with numerous opportunities 
for the public to obtain information, provide comment, or participate 
in collaborative stakeholder activities. We have been using public 
comments to develop the proposed Plan through an iterative process of 
public participation, review, and adjustment. Review and comment on the 
proposed Plan during the 90-day comment period is the next step in an 
ongoing public process. Options for the public include: (1) Reviewing 
and commenting on the proposed Plan or supporting documents, (2) 
attending open house meetings, or (3) requesting planning team 
presentations to specific groups. We have scheduled five open house 
meetings (Montrose, Gunnison, Grand Junction, Hotchkiss and Norwood) 
where the public can obtain documents and discuss the proposed Plan 
with the District and planning team personnel.

Open house Meetings

    1. April 12, 2007 (Thursday), 5:30-8:30 pm, Hotchkiss, Hotchkiss 
Public Library, First and Main.
    2. April 17, 2007 (Tuesday), 5:30-8:30 pm, Norwood, Community 
Center, 1670 Naturita.
    3. April 19, 2007 (Thursday), 5:30-8:30 p.m., Montrose, Montrose 
Pavilion, Pavilion Way.
    4. April 25, 2007 (Wednesday), 5:30-8:30 p.m., Grand Junction, 
Country Inn of America--718 Horizon Drive.
    5. April 26, 2007 (Thursday), 5:30-8:30 p.m., Gunnison, Gunnison 
County Fairgrounds-Multi-Purpose Room, 275 South Spruce.
    The GMUG transition its forest planning process to the 2005 
Planning Rule in May 2005 (36 CFR 219, FR Vol. 70, No. 3./January 5, 
2005, 1023). This rule provides for a formal 90-day comment period on 
proposed Plans. If you have not already submitted written comments 
during the GMUG Plan revision process, commenting during this 90-day 
period will be your last opportunity to do so in a manner that will 
provide standing for the 30-day pre-decisional objection period. 
Comments will be most helpful if they:
    1. State that the comment is filed in response to the comment 
period of the GMUG Proposed Forest Plan.
    2. Identify the title of the document that your comment is 
addressing (Proposed Plan, Comprehensive Evaluation Report, 
Comprehensive Assessments).
    3. Address specific Plan components (desired conditions, 
objectives, suitability for uses, guidelines, and special areas) and 
Forest locations where the concern applies.
    Please note that all comments, names, and addresses become part of 
the public record and are subject to FOIA, except for propriety 
documents and information.
    Consider the following questions in developing your comments:
    1. Where specifically do you disagree with desired conditions, or 
suitability for specific uses or activities? What specifically would 
you change and why?
    2. Do you recommend changes to desired conditions for a resource or 
program, or to boundaries for management areas or suitable uses? Why?
    3. Do you have additional recommendations for objectives that could 
help maintain or achieve desired conditions for an area?
    4. Which desired conditions will be most important to monitor and 
what monitoring measures do you recommend?
    5. Do you have suggestions for changes in or additions to 
guidelines for specific management activities or resource programs?
    Comments must be postmarked no later than 90 days after publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register or Daily Sentinel (Grand 
Junction, Colorado) whichever occurs later. The actual postmark date 
will be on the GMUG Web site. Please send your comments to: GMUG Forest 
Plan Revision, 2250 Highway 50, Delta, Co 81416-2485; or e-mail them to 
[email protected].

    Dated: March 15, 2007.
Charles S. Richmond,
Forest Supervisor, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National 
Forests.
[FR Doc. 07-1372 Filed 3-22-07; 8:45 am]
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