[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30417-30418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11722]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ID-420-2824-JT-FM01, DEG080005]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Whiskey South II Vegetation Management Project, Cottonwood Field 
Office, Idaho County, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management Cottonwood Field Office will 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) consistent with the 
regulations pertaining to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
and address key components of the National Fire Plan. Under the 
provisions of Section 102(2)(c) of the NEPA, the BLM announces its 
intentions to prepare an EIS and solicit public comments regarding 
issues and resource information for this project. The purpose of the 
Whiskey South II project is to reduce existing and potential fuel loads 
to reduce the potential of high-intensity large-scale wildfire, improve 
the safety and effectiveness of firefighters in fire suppression 
activities, contribute to the economic and social well being of 
residents and visitors within proximity to the project area, maintain 
and improve water quality and fish habitat, and improve wildlife 
habitat and forage opportunities.

DATES: The public scoping period for the Whiskey South II project will 
begin with publication of this notice. The purpose of the public 
scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the 
scope of the environmental analysis and EIS alternatives. The BLM will 
notify the public of any other opportunities for involvement for this 
proposal at least 15 days prior to the event. Meeting dates, locations 
and times will be announced by news release to the media including 
local newspapers and radio stations, individual mailings, and postings 
on the following BLM Web site: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/cottonwood.html. To be most helpful, you should submit formal scoping 
comments within 30 days after this NOI is published. The draft EIS is 
expected to be distributed for public review and comment in the spring 
of 2009. The final environmental impact statement is expected to be 
ready four to six months later.

ADDRESSES: More detailed information about this project, including a 
map, is available at the Cottonwood Field Office, 1 Butte Drive, 
Cottonwood, Idaho 83522. Please submit written comments to the 
Cottonwood Field Office, Attn: Stephanie Connolly, at the above 
address. Fax comments to (208) 962-3275, or e-mail them to [email protected]. Please indicate Whiskey South II in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Weston, Project Leader, (208) 
769-5114 or e-mail: [email protected]; Robbin Boyce, Assistant 
Cottonwood Field Office Manager, (208) 962-3793 or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 24, 2005, a scoping letter for the 
Whiskey South II proposal was mailed to known interested groups and 
individuals. Based on the comments that were received and from the 
interdisciplinary team's knowledge of the issues and other projects in 
this area, it has been determined that further analysis is warranted 
and an EIS will be prepared.
    The Cottonwood Field Office is seeking information, comments, and 
assistance from other agencies, organizations, Tribes, and individuals 
who may be interested in or affected by the Proposed Action. The 
Cottonwood Field Office will issue local press releases notifying the 
public of additional opportunities to meet with staff and to discuss 
the project in more detail. Issues previously identified during public 
scoping for this project as well as comments received as a result of 
this Notice will be used to prepare the EIS.
    The proposed action would implement key components of the National 
Fire Plan as addressed in the 10-Year Cohesive Strategy by reducing 
hazardous fuels conditions; reduce the risk of high intensity wildland 
fire to life, property and natural resources in the Elk City wildland-
urban interface; and maintain low intensity fire conditions where they 
exist. The proposed action implements recommendations from the Idaho 
County Wildland Fire and Mitigation Plan (2003). The proposed action 
would also maintain and improve water quality, fish and wildlife 
habitat and improve wildlife forage opportunities.
    The proposed action includes vegetation management on about 710 
acres using cable, tractor and helicopter yarding methods. Slash 
disposal will be accomplished through piling, burning, or utilization. 
Pre-commercial thinning (no timber harvest), followed by prescribed 
burning, would be conducted on about 10 acres. Riparian habitat 
conservation areas (RHCAs) adjacent to the South Fork Clearwater River 
and Crooked River would be treated only by burning, about 65 acres; no 
timber harvest or pre-commercial thinning would occur. The project 
would include temporary and new road construction. The new road would 
be behind a locked gate, and public motorized use would be restricted. 
Restoration activities are centered on transportation modifications. 
Approximately 5.1 miles of existing roads would be decommissioned, and 
another 3.5 miles would be closed to yearlong travel. Road upgrades, 
graveling and improving drainage would occur on 4.2 miles of existing 
road.
    This project would remove dead and dying trees; manage forest 
stands to meet desired conditions of size, class and species 
distributions by removing dead and live trees; reduce ladder fuels; 
maintain existing fire resistant tree species in areas where understory 
trees are encroaching due to fire exclusion; improve quantity and 
quality of elk winter range by reducing conifer encroachment and 
stimulating browse species through use of prescribed fire; and improve 
aquatic resource conditions through various restoration activities such 
as placing rock on roads adjacent to live water crossings and road 
decommissioning.
    Issues previously identified during public scoping for this project 
include the following:
     Road construction, sediment and water quality
     Fuel reduction methods and retention of old growth timber
     Treatments in landslide prone areas
     Community preparedness, economics and timber values
     Invasive species, snowmobile access, wild and scenic 
rivers, and air quality
     Fisheries (resident, anadromous, and listed species) 
habitat
     Wildlife habitat, including big game hiding, security, 
thermal cover and travel corridors/connectivity; snag and old growth 
habitat retention
     Cumulative impacts of past and likely future activities in 
the Elk City area
    If you have specific issues or other concerns that BLM should 
consider in the NEPA process, please identify them in writing. You may 
send comments to the BLM by mail, facsimile, or electronic mail. 
Comments may also be hand-delivered to the Cottonwood Field Office. 
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other 
personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware 
that

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your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--
may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in 
your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from 
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: May 20, 2008.
Gary D. Cooper,
District Manager.
 [FR Doc. E8-11722 Filed 5-23-08; 8:45 am]
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