[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19313-19314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8270]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin, Lakewood 
Southeast Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental 
impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding 
alternatives within the Lakewood Southeast Project. The purpose of the 
Lakewood Southeast Project is to implement land management activities 
that are consistent with direction in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National 
Forest 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan and respond to the 
specific needs identified in the project area. The project-specific 
needs include: Reintroduction of natural regimes, wildlife habitat and 
stream bank improvement, forest age, forest composition, and stocking.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 9, 2011 in order to be useful in preparation of the draft 
statement. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in May 
2011 and the final environmental impact statement is expected August 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning this proposal to Marilee 
Houtler, Attn: Lakewood Southeast Project, Lakewood-Laona Ranger 
District, 15085 State Road 32, Lakewood, WI 54138. Comments may also be 
sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to 715-276-3594. 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 Agency with the 
ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental 
documents.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilee Houtler, NEPA Coordinator at 
the above address or by phone at 715-276-6333.
    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: The information presented in this notice is 
included to help the reviewer determine if they are interested in or 
potentially affected by the proposed land management activities. The 
information presented in this notice is summarized. Those who wish to 
provide comments, or are otherwise interested in or affected by the 
project, are encouraged to obtain additional information from the 
contact listed above.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The current conditions of many forest stands in the project area 
vary from desired conditions in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 
2004 Land and Resource Management Plan (forest plan). Our information 
shows some of the more notable gaps between the existing and desired 
future conditions by management area. Of primary importance is the need 
for change in: (1) Loss of natural regimes (2) wildlife habitat (3) 
stream improvement (4) species age structure (5) species composition 
and (6) stocking densities. The dominant habitat in the Lakewood 
Southeast Project area is upland conifer forests mixed with other 
forest communities.
    Preliminary analysis of the project area indicates that there are 
certain conditions that warrant action to accomplish the direction and 
desired conditions identified in the forest plan.

Proposed Action

    Projected project implementation would be spring of 2012. Lakewood 
Southeast Project is located on National Forest System lands, 
administered by the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, east of Mountain, 
WI. The legal description of the project is Township 31-32 North, Range 
17 East. The Forest Service proposes to reintroduce natural regimes in 
the Northern dry forests and Pine Barrens (mainly fire), improve 
wildlife habitat (manage openings, improve habitat for Regional 
Forester Sensitive Species) and stream corridors (adding long lived 
species), and use timber harvest (selection, clearcut, shelterwood, and 
thinning) to move toward desired conditions in the forest plan.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for this project is Lakewood-Laona 
District Ranger, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

[[Page 19314]]

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Decision making will be limited to specific activities relating to 
the proposed actions. The primary decision to be made will be whether 
or not to implement the proposed action, no action, another action 
alternative, or parts of alternatives that respond to the project's 
purpose and need. This decision would be documented in a record of 
decision.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. The 45-day comment period will start after 
the publication in the Federal Register of the Notice of Availability 
for the Lakewood Southeast Project Draft EIS. 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 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 and specific comments can affect a reviewer's 
ability to participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial 
review.

    March 21, 2011.
Paul I.V. Strong,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-8270 Filed 4-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P