[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 146 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38165-38166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17996]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Superior National Forest, Laurentian Ranger District; Minnesota; 
Tracks Project Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Tracks Project. The 
proposed activities would manage forest vegetation composition, age 
class, and spatial patterns. Proposed activities also address the 
transportation system associated with vegetation activities and long-
term Federal and non-federal access needs.
    The project area encompasses nearly 78,000 acres of National Forest 
System land.
    The proposed action would create young forest through timber 
harvest; improve stand structure and within-stand diversity with 
harvests such as thinning; and restore stand conditions without 
harvest. Managing the minimum road system needed for long-term 
vegetation management would involve adding and decommissioning miles of 
road. The proposed project is located on the Laurentian Ranger 
District, Aurora, Minnesota.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by August 31, 2009. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected in late 2009 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected in spring 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Stephen J. Kuennen, Laurentian 
District Ranger, Tracks Project, 318 Forestry Road, Aurora, MN 55705. 
Send electronic comments to [email protected]. Comments may also be sent via facsimile to (218) 
229-8821.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such a way 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

[[Page 38166]]

and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in 
subsequent administrative review or judicial review.
    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 participate in subsequent 
administrative review or judicial review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Duffy, Tracks Project 
Coordinator at 1393 Hy 169, Ely, MN 55731, telephone (218) 365-2097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action

    The primary purpose of the Tracks Project is to maintain and 
promote native vegetation communities that are diverse, productive, 
healthy, and resilient by moving the vegetation towards the desired 
vegetation and landscape ecosystem conditions described in the Superior 
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). Forest 
Plan direction for the transportation system is also part of the 
project's purpose.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action would manage forest vegetation composition, age 
class, and spatial patterns and the transportation system associated 
with these activities. Proposed activities include: creating young 
forest on approximately 5,166 acres, improving stand structure and 
within-stand diversity on approximately 1,345 acres, and restoring 
stand conditions through a variety of non-harvest activities such as 
planting, biomass removal, and conducting prescribed burns to reduce 
risk of wildfire on approximately 352 acres. Managing the minimum road 
system needed for long-term vegetation management would involve adding 
5.2 miles of system road and decommissioning 11.4 miles of road.

Responsible Official

    Stephen J. Kuennen, Laurentian District Ranger, 318 Forestry Road, 
Aurora, MN 55705.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    An environmental analysis for the Tracks Project will evaluate 
site-specific issues, consider management alternatives, and analyze the 
potential effects of the proposed action and alternatives. The scope of 
the project is limited to decisions concerning activities within the 
Tracks Project Area that meet the purpose and need, as well as desired 
conditions. An environmental impact statement will provide the 
Responsible Official, Stephen J. Kuennen, with the information needed 
to decide which actions, if any, to approve.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Easement or permission to cross non-federal property may be needed 
to access some treatment units to implement Forest Service activities.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Written comments 
will be solicited through a notice that will be sent to the landowners 
within the Tracks Project area and other interested individuals and 
organizations.
    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 environmental impact statement. 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: July 20, 2009.
Stephen J. Kuennen,
Laurentian District Ranger.
[FR Doc. E9-17996 Filed 7-30-09; 8:45 am]
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