[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 40845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15873]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Status of Travel Management Planning and Providing Access for 
Subsistence Purposes Within the USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice to inform.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, is notifying the 
public of the process for making travel management decisions on 
National Forest System (NFS) lands in Alaska, consistent with both 
Subpart B of the Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212) and the Alaska 
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) Title VIII, Sections 
810 and 811. The Tongass National Forest initiated travel management 
analyses, and will be completing National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and producing Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) over the next 18 
months, pursuant to 36 CFR 212 Subpart B. The analysis and associated 
NEPA will evaluate the effects on subsistence uses (Section 810 of 
ANILCA) and subsistence access (Section 811 of ANILCA); the public 
involvement requirements of ANILCA 810 and 811 will run concurrent with 
the NEPA public comment period, including notice and hearings; the NEPA 
documentation (for example, environmental assessment) and decision 
document (for example, Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant 
Impact) will be prepared to document the travel management route and 
area designation decisions. The prohibition on motor vehicle use off 
the designated system (36 CFR 261.13) and the closures or restrictions 
to access for subsistence purposes (Section 811(b) of ANILCA) will go 
into effect and are enforceable when each MVUM is completed, published, 
and made available to the public.
    The Chugach National Forest and Sitka Ranger District, Tongass 
National Forest, completed their NEPA process and associated MVUM's 
pursuant 36 CFR 212 Subpart B. The Wrangell Ranger District, Tongass 
National Forest, completed their travel management NEPA, and is 
scheduled to publish their MVUM in 2009. The prohibition on motor 
vehicle use off the designated system (36 CFR 261.13) and closures or 
restrictions to access for subsistence purposes (Section 811(b) of 
ANILCA) go into effect and are enforceable when the MVUMs are published 
and made available to the public.

DATES: The Alaska Region is scheduled to complete all MVUMs by December 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Chugach National Forest, Supervisor's Office, 3301 C Street, 
Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503-3993: Tongass National Forest, 
Supervisor's Office, Federal Building, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions and to obtain 
information on the completed MVUM for the Chugach National Forest, 
contact Steve Hennig (907) 743-9509 or visit the Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/recreation/mvum.html. For questions and to 
obtain information on the schedule for completing travel management and 
MVUMs for the Tongass National Forest, contact Hans von Rekowsi (907) 
747-4217, or visit the Web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/projects/projects.shtml.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In November 2005, the Forest Service 
published a rule at 36 CFR 212 (Travel Management Rule). Subpart B of 
the rule addresses designation of roads, trails, and areas for motor 
vehicle use. The rule requires responsible officials on each 
administrative unit or ranger district to designate those roads, 
trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use. Designated routes and 
areas will be identified on a MVUM. Once the MVUM is published, motor 
vehicle use that is inconsistent with the designations will be 
prohibited. If any routes are identified for closure, they will not be 
closed until after completion of the NEPA planning process and 
publishing of the MVUM. The following are exempted from designations: 
Fire, military, emergency and law enforcement vehicles for emergency 
purposes, limited administrative use by the Forest Service, and use 
authorized under written authorization from the Forest Service.
    Motor vehicle access for subsistence purposes will be identified 
through travel management NEPA analysis being conducted on each ranger 
district. NEPA documents will clearly display and analyze subsistence 
uses and access, and the effects of route and area designations (and 
associated closures if applicable) on these uses and access. ANILCA 
811(a) requires the Forest Service to ensure rural residents reasonable 
access to subsistence resources on NFS lands. ANILCA 811(b) requires 
the Forest Service to permit on NFS lands in Alaska the appropriate use 
for subsistence purposes of snowmobiles, motorboats, and other means of 
surface transportation traditionally employed for such purposes by 
local residents, subject to reasonable regulation. Decisions about 
closures and restrictions will be made by the responsible official.

    Dated: June 30, 2008.
Paul K. Brewster,
Deputy Regional Forester, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. E8-15873 Filed 7-15-08; 8:45 am]
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