[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62755-62756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25698]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon; Cooper Spur-Government Camp 
Land Exchange

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The proposed action includes the conveyance of approximately 
two parcels totaling 120 acres of National Forest System (NFS) land 
adjacent to Government Camp in exchange for the acquisition of 
approximately 770 acres of land owned by Mt. Hood Meadows Oreg., LLC, 
in Hood River County, Oregon.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by November 29, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected January, 2012 and the final

[[Page 62756]]

environmental impact statement is expected June, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mt. Hood National Forest, 16400 
Champion Way, Sandy, OR 97055. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to 
[email protected], or via facsimile to (503) 
668-1413.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Boscheinen, Forest Planner, Mt. 
Hood National Forest, at (503) 668-1645 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 of the proposed land exchange between the Mt. Hood 
National Forest and Mt. Hood Meadows Oreg., LLC is to comply with the 
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of March 30, 2009 (123 Stat. 991, 
Pub. L. 111-11), which provides direction for this land exchange.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action includes the conveyance of approximately two 
parcels totaling 120 acres of National Forest System (NFS) land 
adjacent to Government Camp in exchange for the acquisition of 
approximately 770 acres of land owned by Mt. Hood Meadows Oreg., LLC, 
in Hood River County, Oregon.
    The Omnibus legislation states that a conservation easement shall 
be placed on a portion of the Government Camp parcels in order to 
protect an existing wetland, and that the easement shall allow 
``equivalent mitigation measures to compensate for minor wetland 
encroachments necessary for the orderly development of the Federal 
land.'' (Pub. L. 111-11, 129 Stat. 1019) The legislation also states 
that a trail easement be used at the Government Camp parcels to allow 
nonmotorized public access to existing trails, to allow roads, 
utilities, and infrastructure facilities to cross the trails, and to 
allow for the improvement or relocation of the trails to accommodate 
development of the federal land.
    The Omnibus legislation also directed that the majority of the 
acquired lands be placed into a new management unit called the 
``Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is the Regional Forester, USDA Forest 
Service Pacific Northwest Region.

Preliminary Issues

    A preliminary analysis of potential effects to resource areas 
including wildlife, fisheries, water quality, wetlands and floodplains, 
and cultural/historic sites revealed the following preliminary issues:
    (1) Camp Creek and an intermittent tributary of Camp Creek run 
through the Federal parcels. Neither reach of the stream is fish 
bearing. Camp Creek is not 303(d)-listed, but it does have water 
quality problems associated with Government Camp (such as sewage and 
runoff from the roads). Depending on the type and quality of 
development that might occur on the parcels after the exchange, the 
water quality could further decrease. However, the impacts of 
development should be lessened by the Congressionally-mandated 
conservation easement on the wetland, through which the streams flow. 
Detailed information is not available regarding fisheries or water 
quality on the non-Federal parcel.
    Surveys for wetlands and floodplains on both parcels have been 
completed and are being reviewed. Wetlands are present on the Federal 
parcels, and narrow, stream-associated wetlands exist on the non-
Federal parcel. It appears that the Forest Service will be conveying 
more wetlands than would be acquired.
    Executive Order 11990 requires no net loss of wetlands. The Forest 
Hydrologist will be involved to consider possible mitigation measures.
    In the Omnibus bill (a)(G)(i), Congress mandated that a 
conservation easement, as identified by the Oregon Department of State 
Lands, would be placed upon the wetlands at Government Camp. The 
easement would protect the wetland and allow for equivalent wetland 
mitigation measures necessary for the orderly development of the 
conveyed land. The acquisition of the wetlands at Cooper Spur and the 
easement on the wetlands at Government Camp may result in no net loss 
of wetlands.
    Cultural and Heritage resource surveys were conducted on the 
Federal parcel. The survey revealed the potential for an adverse effect 
to a site of archaeological/cultural interest. Mitigation measures will 
be developed with Tribal and State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) 
consultation.
    Trails 755, 755A, and 755B cross the Federal parcels. A trail 
easement has been congressionally mandated, so that non-motorized users 
would continue to be able to use the trails to get to Federal land, so 
that roads, utilities, and infrastructure facilities could be built 
across the trails, and to allow for improvement or relocation of the 
trails so that development of the conveyed parcels could occur. While 
the trails (or relocated trails) would still exist, the recreation 
experience could be negatively impacted by new development (such as 
buildings and parking lots) or the presence of new infrastructure.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. A public scoping 
meeting will be held in or near Portland, Oregon, on October 26th, 
2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. The location is to be determined. When the 
location is determined, the public will be notified via the Mt. Hood 
National Forest's Web site and a news release.
    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.
    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.

    Dated: October 6, 2010.
 Kathryn J. Silverman,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-25698 Filed 10-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P