[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 118 (Monday, June 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29467-29468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14537]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Coronado National Forest; Arizona; Revised Land and Resource 
Management Plan

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of initiation to revise the Coronado National Forest's 
Land and Resource Management Plan.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is revising the Coronado National Forest's 
Land and Resource Management Plan (hereafter referred to as the Forest 
Plan). This notice describes the documents available for review and how 
to obtain them; summarizes the need to change the Forest Plan; provides 
information concerning public participation and collaboration, 
including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated 
schedule for the planning process, including the time available for 
comments; and includes names and addresses for agency officials who can 
provide additional information.

DATES: Revision formally begins with the publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. To be most beneficial to the planning process, 
your comments on the need for change should be submitted by August 31, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Coronado National Forest, 
Attention: Forest Plan Revision Team, 300 W Congress, Tucson, Arizona 
85701. E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Ruyle at (520) 388-8300 or e-
mail the plan revision team at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Documents Available for Review

    The Comprehensive Evaluation Report, the Ecological Sustainability 
Report, and the Social and Economic Sustainability Report are the 
Forest Plan revision analysis documents that provide evaluations of 
social, economic, and ecological conditions and trends in and around 
the Coronado National Forest. The information outlined in the 
Comprehensive Evaluation Report identifies the need to change or revise 
the 1986 Forest Plan. These documents are available for review and are 
located on the Forest's Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/plan-revision/plan-revision-documents.shtml or by request.

Need for Change

    The need for change has been organized into five revision topics: 
1. Ecosystem Restoration, 2. Safety and Information, 3. Public Access 
and Travel Patterns, 4. Preservation of Open Space, and 5. 
Collaboration and Partnerships. For each of the revision topics, there 
is a need for the revised Forest Plan to make changes in plan 
components and management approaches, as described below:
    1. Ecosystem Restoration
    Needed changes in plan components:
     Desired condition statements and objectives need to be 
developed that provide adequate guidance for sustaining and restoring 
ecosystems.
     Plan components should be changed to reflect new 
scientific knowledge and updated language.
     The Forest Plan components for ecological attributes 
should be integrative, where possible, to reflect the 
interconnectedness between physical and biological resources.
     The Forest Plan needs to be changed to include objectives 
and guidelines that reflect systematic observation and analysis of 
treatment results, and adaptation of treatment methods based on those 
results.
     As Forest Plan components are developed, they will need to 
reflect the uncertainties associated with changing climate.
     Plan components for reducing the threat of invasive 
species and for conserving native species will need to be developed.
     Plan components will need to be developed for sustaining 
aquatic habitats that are at risk.
     Place-based geographic area plan components should be 
developed where it makes sense to do so. This will help to facilitate 
understanding of the management needs for each mountain range.
    2. Safety and Information
    Needed changes in plan components:
     The Forest Plan needs to be changed to identify new 
strategies for sustaining the forest resources and experiences in the 
face of changes in population, behavior, and increased development.
     Place-based geographic area plan components should be 
developed where it makes sense to do so.

[[Page 29468]]

    3. Public Access and Travel Patterns
    Needed changes in plan components:
     The Forest Plan needs to be changed to include desired 
conditions and objectives that emphasize and prioritize Forest-wide 
public and administrative access needs.
    Needed changes in management approaches:
    Management approaches should be identified that facilitate 
comprehensive, coordinated and flexible collaborative solutions for 
resolving public access needs.
    4. Preservation of Open Space
    Needed changes in plan components:
     Desired condition statements should be developed that 
reflect the role of the Coronado National Forest in preserving open 
space.
     Guidelines, based on the Scenery Management System, should 
be developed to protect scenic natural landscapes.
    Needed changes in management approaches:
     Management approaches for the Coronado National Forest 
will need to be developed for participating in county and community 
land use planning efforts.
    5. Collaboration and Partnerships
    Needed changes in plan components:
     The Forest Plan should include desired conditions that 
reflect, where possible, outcomes that are based on collaborative 
processes.
    Needed changes in management approaches:
     Management approaches that emphasize collaboration should 
be described.
     The plan needs to be changed to reflect an integrated 
approach to management of traditional uses and cultural resources.
    (Reference: Comprehensive Evaluation Report.)

Public Participation and Opportunity To Comment

    The revision process is designed to provide continued opportunities 
for public collaboration and open participation in the development of 
the revised Forest Plan. Additional information on the process, the 
documents being produced, and public participation opportunities can be 
found on the Coronado National Forest's plan revision Web site at: 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/plan-revision/index.shtml. The Forest 
Service is seeking public comments on the need for change identified in 
the comprehensive Evaluation Report. Substantive comments received by 
August 31, 2009 will be of the most value in evaluating public response 
to the adequacy of the need for change topics outlined in the report.
    It is important to participate in the plan revision process as only 
those parties who participate following the publication of this notice 
through the submission of written comments can submit an objection 
later in the proposed plan development process pursuant to 36 CFR 
219.13(a).
    Comments received during the planning process, including the names 
and addresses of those who commented will be part of the public record 
available for public inspection. The Responsible Official shall accept 
and consider comments submitted anonymously. Submit written comments to 
the address noted above.

Estimated Planning Process Schedule

    The revision process for the Coronado National Forest officially 
begins with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. A 
draft proposed Forest Plan is currently scheduled to be issued for pre-
decisional review in May 2010 and final plan approval in December 2010.

Responsible Official

    The Forest Supervisor, Coronado National Forest, is the Responsible 
Official (36 CFR 219.2(b)(1)). (Authority: 36 CFR 219.9(b)(2)(i), 73 FR 
21509, April 21, 2008).

    Dated: June 11, 2009.
Jeanine Derby,
Forest Supervisor, Coronado National Forest.
[FR Doc. E9-14537 Filed 6-19-09; 8:45 am]
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