[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8499-8500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3992]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin; Honey Creek-Padus 
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental 
impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding 
alternatives within the Honey Creek-Padus Project. The purpose of the 
Honey Creek-Padus Project is to implement land management activities 
that are consistent with direction in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National 
Forest 2004 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan and respond to 
the specific needs identified in the project area.
    Honey Creek-Padus Project is located on National Forest System 
lands, administered by the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, north of 
Wabeno, WI. The legal description of the project is Township 35 North, 
Range 14 and 15 East.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 13, 2009. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
in September 2009 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected February 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning this project to Marilee 
Houtler, Attn: Honey Creek-Padus, Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, 15085 
State Road 32, Lakewood, WI 54138. Comments may also be sent via e-mail 
to [email protected], or via 
facsimile to 715-276-3594.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide 
the respondent with standing to appeal the subsequent decision.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilee Houtler, NEPA Coordinator (see 
address above), phone 715-276-6333.
    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 Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information presented in this notice is 
included to help the reviewer determine if they are interested in or 
potentially affected by the proposed land management activities. The 
information presented in this notice is summarized. Those who wish to 
provide comments, or are otherwise interested in or affected by the 
project, are encouraged to obtain additional information from the 
contact listed above.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose and need for action by the agency is to address notable 
gaps between the existing vegetation and access conditions in the Honey 
Creek-Padus landscape and the desired conditions to be provided under 
the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 2004 Land and Resource 
Management Plan. Of primary importance are needs for change in: (1) 
Uneven-aged northern hardwood age structure and density; (2) 
composition of aspen and hardwoods; and (3) species age class 
distribution. These are the dominant habitats in the Honey Creek-Padus 
Project area. Preliminary analysis of the project area indicates that 
there are certain conditions that warrant action to accomplish the 
direction and desired conditions identified in the forest plan.

Proposed Action

    Based on the opportunities and needs outlined in the Purpose and 
Need section, the Forest Service proposes the following actions in the 
Honey Creek-Padus Project area: 6,703 acres of timber harvest to manage 
species age diversity, species composition, improve growing conditions, 
stand tending and reforestation, and access management. Implementation 
is planned for 2010.

[[Page 8500]]

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for this project is Jeff Seefeldt, 
Lakewood-Laona District Ranger, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Decision making will be limited to specific activities relating to 
the proposed actions. The primary decision to be made will be whether 
or not to implement the proposed action, another action alternative, or 
parts of alternatives that respond to the project's purpose and need. 
This decision would be documented in a record of decision.

Preliminary Issues

    Comments from American Indian tribes, the public, and other 
agencies will be considered in identifying preliminary issues.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. The 45 day comment period will start after 
the publication in the Federal Register of the Notice of Availability 
for the Honey Creek-Padus Project Draft EIS.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of 
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's 
concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific 
comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent 
administrative appeal or judicial review.

    Dated: February 19, 2009.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Forest Supervisor.
 [FR Doc. E9-3992 Filed 2-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P