[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 246 (Thursday, December 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68416-68417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30566]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 246 / Thursday, December 24, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 68416]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Umatilla National Forest, Walla Walla Ranger District, OR; North 
End Sheep Allotment EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service proposes to continue to permit livestock 
(sheep) grazing on approximately 98,000 acres within the North End 
Allotment. This action will comply with the Rescission Act of 1995 
requiring NEPA analysis for all grazing allotments.
    The North End Allotment is approximately 132,000 acres in size and 
is located in Umatilla, Wallowa, and Union Counties, Oregon. The large 
size makes for a diverse allotment of mountain uplands and plateaus 
dissected by large canyons. Approximately 75% of the allotment is 
forested vegetation with the remaining lands consisting of grasslands. 
Most of the allotment has been grazed by domestic sheep since the late 
1800's and records show that the Forest Service has issued permits 
since the 1920's for the allotment. Since the current AMP was approved 
in 1986, it does not incorporate the changes that have occurred since 
the signing of the Forest Plan (1990), as amended. Also, the Rescission 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-19, Section 504) requires the Forest Service 
to identify all allotments requiring NEPA analysis, and to prepare and 
adhere to a schedule for conducting such analysis. However, the Annual 
Operating Instructions (AOI) \1\ for the allotment has been adjusted 
yearly to respond to these changes in management direction. The Forest 
Service proposes to continue to permit livestock grazing (sheep) on 
approximately 98,000 acres within the North End Allotment.
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    \1\ A long term operating plan which is the implementing 
document for the decision made through the National Policy Act 
process that promotes progress toward desired future conditions.
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    Development and implementation of these actions will be conducted 
in accordance with the National Forest Management Act, National 
Environmental Policy Act, Council on Environmental Quality regulations, 
Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and with the 
Umatilla National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and 
scientific recommendations of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem 
Management Project.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by January 25, 2010. The Draft EIS is expected to be filed with the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and be available to the public 
for review by June 2010. The Final EIS is scheduled to be completed by 
September 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mike Rassbach, District Ranger, 
Walla Walla Ranger District,1415 W. Rose, Walla Walla, WA. Comments may 
also be sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to 509-522-6000.
    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.
    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 appeal or judicial review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimpton Cooper, Environmental 
Coordinator, Walla Walla Ranger District, 1415 W. Rose, Walla Walla, WA 
99362. He can be reached by phone at (509) 522-6290 or by e-mail at 
[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 purpose and need is to comply with the Rescission Act of 1995 
requiring NEPA analysis on the North End Allotment. Also, part of the 
allotment is near occupied Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep range. There is 
a potential risk of physical contact occurring between the domestic 
sheep and bighorn sheep. Contact between domestic sheep and bighorn 
sheep would likely be detrimental to the health of the bighorn sheep 
herd resulting in substantial population declines. There is a need to 
manage livestock stocking and distribution to reduce the likelihood of 
contact between domestic and bighorn sheep.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service proposes to continue to permit livestock grazing 
(sheep) on approximately 98,000 acres within the North End Allotment. 
Approximately 34,000 acres of the current allotment would be closed as 
part of this proposal. A maximum of 3,962 ewe/lamb pairs would be 
authorized within the normal grazing season from June 1 to October 9.

Possible Alternatives

    Alternatives will include the proposed action, no action, and 
additional alternatives that respond to issues generated during the 
scoping process. The agency will give notice of the full environmental 
analysis and decision-making process so interested and affected people 
may participate and contribute to the final decision.

Responsible Official

    Walla Walla District Ranger.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The responsible official will decide:
    (1) Whether livestock grazing should occur, and if so, how much, 
when and where.
    (2) What monitoring and mitigation measures should be taken or are 
needed.

[[Page 68417]]

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues identified include the potential effects of the 
proposed action on disease transmission to Wenaha bighorn sheep herd, 
First foods, a potential South Fork Walla Walla River Bighorn Sheep 
release site, and livestock management.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement.
    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.

     Dated: December 16, 2009.
Michael Rassbach,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. E9-30566 Filed 12-23-09; 8:45 am]
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