[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8036-8037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3327]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, Humboldt-Toiyabe National 
Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a 
proposal to authorize continued livestock grazing

[[Page 8037]]

within the Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area. The analysis will 
determine if a change in management direction for livestock grazing is 
needed to move existing resource conditions within the Monitor-Hot 
Creek Rangeland Project area towards desired conditions. The project 
area comprises approximately 952,234 acres and is located on the 
Monitor and Hot Creek Mountain Ranges in Eureka, Nye and Lander 
Counties, Nevada.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 25, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
November, 2010 and the final environnental impact statement is expected 
April, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah 
Ranger Districts, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310. Comments may also be 
sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to (775) 964-1451.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, mail 
correspondence to or contact Vernon Keller, Project Coordinator, at 
1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. The telephone number is 775-
355-5356. E-mail address is [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 for the proposed Federal action is to provide 
livestock grazing opportunities to perinittees in a way that sustains 
the health of the land and protects essential ecosystem functions and 
values.

Proposed Action

    The Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts propose to authorize continued 
domestic livestock grazing on approximately 816,433 acres within the 
Monitor-Hot Creek Rangeland Project area under a specific management 
regimen designed to sustain and improve the overall ecological 
condition of the project area. Under this proposal, we would 
incorporate updated direction in new grazing permits and allotment 
management plans to guide grazing management within the project area 
during the coming decade, or until amendments are warranted, based on 
changed condition or monitoring.
    The Kelly Creek/North Monitor, White Rock, South Monitor, Table 
Mountain and Monitor Valley East allotments are currently vacant. 
Livestock grazing would be authorized in these allotments and they 
would be used to reduce conflicts on allotments that are currently 
grazed or as forage reserve allotments. These allotments comprise 
approximately 259,232 acres.
    Monitor Winter, Horse Heaven, North Monitor Winter, Hicks Station, 
Wagon Johnnie, Little Fish Lake, Monitor Complex, Saulsbury and Stone 
Cabin allotments have active term grazing permits and would continue to 
have authorized grazing. These allotments comprise approximately 
557,201 acres.
    Morey, Hot Creek and McKinney allotments are currently vacant and 
would be closed. These allotments comprise approximately 135,801 acres.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, we have tentatively identified 
two additional alternatives that will be analyzed in the EIS.
    (1) Current Management Alternative: This alternative would be a 
continuation of the current grazing management.
    (2) No Livestock Grazing (No Action) Alternative: This alternative 
would eliminate grazing on all allotments in the project area. All 
livestock would be removed from the project area and existing permits 
would be cancelled.

Responsible Official

    Steven Williams, District Ranger, Austin/Tonopah Ranger Districts, 
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, P.O. Box 130, Austin, NV 89310.

Nature of Decision to be Made

    Based on the environmental analysis on the EIS, the Austin/Tonopah 
District Ranger will decide whether or not to authorize grazing on the 
allotments within the Monitor-Hot Creek Project area in accordance with 
the standards in the proposed action or as modified by additional 
mitigation measures and monitoring requirements.

Preliminary Issues

    The following are some potential issues identified through internal 
Forest Service scoping based on our experience with similar projects. 
The list is not considered all inclusive, but should be viewed as a 
starting point. We are asking you to help us further refine the issues 
and identify other issues or concerns relevant to the proposed project.
     Continued livestock grazing has to potential to affect 
soil quality within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to adversely 
affect water quality within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
fisheries habitat within the project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
vegetation, which may result in a decline in the long-term productivity 
of the land base.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
wildlife habitat, particularly for elk and sage grouse, within the 
project area.
     Continued livestock grazing has the potential to affect 
heritage resources within the project area.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guide 
the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest 
Service will use a mailing of information to interested parties. Public 
involvement will be ongoing throughout the analysis process and at 
certain times public input will be specifically requested. There are 
currently no scoping meetings planned.
    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.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21.

    Dated: February 5, 2010.
Steven Williams,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2010-3327 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am]
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