[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 118 (Monday, June 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29466-29467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14417]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Plan Revision for the Kooentai National Forest, Montana and the 
Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Idaho

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of adjustment for resuming the land management plan 
revision process.

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SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service is resuming preparation of the 
Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests revised land management 
plans as directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA). The 
Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests comprise the Kootenai and 
Idaho Panhandle Planning Zone (KIPZ). Preparation of the revised plan 
was halted when the 2005 Forest Service planning rule was enjoined. A 
new planning rule (36 CFR part 219) took effect on April 21, 2008, 
allowing the planning process to be resumed. This notice marks the 
resumption of the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests plan 
revision process under the new planning rule.

ADDRESSES: Information on this revision is available at Kootenai and 
Idaho Panhandle National Forests revision Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/kipz.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Clark, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader, Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle Planning Zone (KIPZ), 83815 
Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815, (208) 765-7417 or 
[email protected]. 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: Notification of adjustment of plan revision 
process for the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests planning 
zone (KIPZ) land management plan was provided in the Federal Register, 
70 FR 28901, May 19, 2005. The plan revision was initiated under the 
planning procedures contained in the 2005 Forest Service planning rule 
(36 CFR part 219 (2005)). On March 30, 2007, the Federal district court 
for the Northern District of California enjoined the Department from 
implementing and using the 2005 planning rule until the Agency complied 
with the court's order regarding the National Environmental Policy Act, 
the Endangered Species Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act 
(Citizens for Better Forestry v. USDA,

[[Page 29467]]

481 F. Supp 2d 1059 (N.D. Cal. 2007)). Revision of the Kootenai and 
Idaho Panhandle National Forests land management plans under the (36 
CFR part 219 (2005)) rule was suspended in response to the injunction. 
On April 21, 2008, following a notice and comment opportunity, 
completion of an environmental impact statement and consultation under 
the Endangered Species Act, the Department of Agriculture promulgated a 
new planning rule (36 CFR part 219 (2008)). This new planning rule 
explicitly allows the resumption of plan revisions started under the 
2005 rule based on a finding that the revision process conforms to the 
new planning rule (36 CFR 219.14(b)(3)(ii)).
    In May 2006, the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests 
prepared and released a Proposed Land Management Plan with maps for a 
90-day comment period (extended to 120 days). Supporting documentation 
such as a draft Comprehensive Evaluation Report and Analysis of 
Management Situation were also made available to the public. The 
development and content of those documents and plan components are 
consistent with the 2008 planning rule. Beginning in May 2005, and 
prior to injunction of the 2005 planning rule, the Kootenai and Idaho 
Panhandle National Forests implemented four major phases of public 
involvement: (1) Scoping; (2) collaborative workgroup meetings to 
develop desired conditions and other components of the Plan; (3) 
collaborative workgroup meetings to discuss Starting Option maps; and 
(4) the release of the Proposed Plan maps. Since release of the 
Proposed Land Management Plan and the conclusion of the public comment 
period, the Analysis of Public Comment report was produced in March 
2007, and posted on the KIPZ Web site. This report is a synthesis and 
summary of the comments and concerns that were brought up during the 
comment period on the Proposed Land Management Plans. Results from 
collaboration will be used as the revision process resumes. The 
remainder of the revision process will be conducted in accordance with 
all Forest Service directives applicable to the 2008 planning rule.
    Based on the discussions above, we find that the planning actions 
taken prior to April 21, 2008, the effective date of the new planning 
rule, conform to the planning process of the 2008 planning rule and for 
that reason the plan revision process does not need to be restarted. 
Therefore, the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests are 
resuming their plan revision process where we left off in March 2007, 
by using information received during the public comment period and 
collaborative efforts on the Proposed Land Management Plan to develop 
our final plans.

    Dated: June 11, 2009.
Paul Bradford,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-14417 Filed 6-19-09; 8:45 am]
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