[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 63117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28817]



[[Page 63117]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Los Padres National Forest; California; Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Continued Operation of the Winchester Canyon Gun Club

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest, gives 
notice of intent to conduct an analysis and to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for reissue of a 20-year special use permit for 
the Winchester Canyon Gun Club. This notice announces the beginning of 
scoping, describes the proposed action, describes the decision to be 
made, and estimates the dates for filing the draft and final EIS. This 
notice also provides information concerning public participation, and 
the names and addresses of the Agency officials who can provide 
information.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by January 19, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected May 2010, and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected October 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Los Padres National Forest, 6755 
Hollister Avenue, Suite 150, Goleta, CA 93117, attention: Jeff Bensen. 
Comments may also be sent via e-mail to: [email protected], or via facsimile to (805) 561-5729.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
may be directed to Project Team Leader, Jeff Bensen, Los Padres 
National Forest, 6755 Hollister Avenue, Suite 150, Goleta, CA 93117; or 
by telephone: (805) 961-5744. E-mail: [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: 

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Winchester Canyon Gun Club has been authorized to operate on 
the Los Padres National Forest by special use permit since the late 
1960s. The last term permit expired in 1995 and from that time on, the 
WCGC has been authorized by annual special use permits. In 2007, an 
environmental assessment was completed for issuing a 20-year special 
use permit and a Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact was 
issued. The decision was appealed and the R5 Regional Forester sent the 
decision back to the Los Padres National Forest for further analysis. 
The purpose of this action is to reinitiate the proposed action in an 
environmental impact statement.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to reissue a 20-year special use permit to 
the Winchester Canyon Gun Club (WCGC). The proposed action requires 
changes to the historic activities and a reduction of the number of 
shooting facilities, as well as a reduction in the number of acres 
under special use permit from what has been previously authorized. A 
200, 300, and 600-yard range and associated shooting contaminants will 
be removed from the San Jose basin area, and the site will be restored. 
The removal of these facilities physically removes the WCGC shooting 
activities from areas of significant cultural resources in the San Jose 
basin. The other existing facilities will remain and the permit 
boundary will be adjusted to include all areas impacted by shooting 
activities to be administered under Forest Service target range policy.

Possible Alternatives

    A full range of alternatives will be considered: Non-renewal of the 
permit, renewal of the permit, and renewal of the permit with 
modifications. In addition, alternatives responding to issues generated 
during the scoping process will be considered. All alternatives would 
comply with the Los Padres National Forest Land Management Plan.

Responsible Official

    Peggy Hernandez, Forest Supervisor, Los Padres National Forest, 
Goleta, California, is the responsible official for this EIS and its 
Record of Decision. As the Responsible Official, the Forest Supervisor 
will document the decision and reason for the decision in the Record of 
Decision. The decision will be subject to Forest Service Appeals 
Regulations (36 CFR Part 215).

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will make a decision considering the 
following:
    1. Whether the proposed action will proceed as proposed, with 
modifications, or not at all.
    2. What associated mitigation measures and monitoring requirements 
will be required.

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues identified during the earlier public involvement 
include the following:
    1. Potential impacts of lead and other shooting contaminants on-
site:
    a. At impacted areas of San Jose basin from long bore ranges.
    b. From continued operation of existing facilities, which are 
proposed to remain.
    2. Potential for offsite migration of lead and other shooting 
contaminants.
    3. Impacts to cultural sites in the San Jose basin area.
    4. Target range safety.
    5. Target range potential for starting wildfire.
    6. Need for a controlled regulated shooting facility.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest 
Supervisor is seeking public and agency comment on the proposed action 
to identify issues that arise from the proposed action. These issues 
may lead to other alternatives, or additional mitigation measures and 
monitoring requirements. In addition to this notice, public scoping 
letters will be mailed to interested parties and a project scoping open 
house will be held on December 9, 2009, from 5-7 p.m. at the Los Padres 
Supervisor's Office at 6755 Hollister Avenue, Suite 150, Goleta, CA 
93117.
    It is important reviewers provide their comments at such times and 
in such a way 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: November 17, 2009.
Peggy Hernandez,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-28817 Filed 12-1-09; 8:45 am]
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