[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 22075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9555]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 20, 2011 / 
Notices  

[[Page 22075]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Divide Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest; CO; Black 
Mesa Vegetation Management Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Divide Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest, 
proposes to salvage timber stands killed or infested by spruce beetles; 
reduce fuel loading, particularly adjacent to private lands; cut 
potential hazard trees along private property, roads, and other 
infrastructure; and regenerate forested acres, as needed, to move 
toward the long-term desired conditions described in the Forest Plan.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 20, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
in March 2012 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
in July 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Diana McGinn, Team Leader, San Luis 
Valley Public Land Center, 1803 W. Hwy. 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144. 
Comments may also be sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to 719-852-6250, with subject 
Black Mesa Vegetation Management Project Public Comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana McGinn at 719-852-6241 or visit 
the Forest Web site http://www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande under ``Land & 
Resource Management'', then ``Projects'' on the left side of the Web 
page.
    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 Black Mesa Vegetation Management 
Project is move toward achieving long-term desired conditions described 
in the Forest Plan for this area following extensive tree mortality 
caused by epidemic levels of spruce beetles. Actions taken to meet 
these goals would include: (1) Harvesting dead and dying trees to 
provide wood products, while reducing the continuous extent of large 
fuels, particularly around private lands; and (2) removing trees that 
create a potential safety hazard in areas of concentrated public use or 
that have the potential to damage public or private property as they 
fall.

Proposed Action

    The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to harvest and regenerate 
timber stands killed by or infested with spruce beetles in an area 
located approximately 15 miles west of Creede, Colorado. The project 
would use the existing transportation system except for the 
construction of approximately 3.6 miles of new temporary road. All new 
roads or other roads currently closed would be rehabilitated and closed 
following use. Tree planting would follow harvest operations in areas 
with inadequate existing regeneration or where aspen sprouting is 
unlikely, in order to maintain diverse forest cover over the long-term.

Responsible Official

    Divide District Ranger/Field Office Manager at 13308 W. Hwy. 160, 
Del Norte, CO, 81132.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    An environmental impact statement (EIS) that discloses the 
environmental consequences of implementing the proposed action and 
alternatives to the proposed action, including No Action, will be 
prepared. A separate Record of Decision (ROD) will explain the 
Responsible Official's decision regarding whether or not to implement 
some level of timber harvest and other proposed activities on all, 
part, or none of the area analyzed, given the consideration of 
multiple-use goals and objectives.

Preliminary Issues

    The effect of proposed activities on habitat structural needs of 
the local population of Canada Lynx, a Threatened species, and their 
primary prey, the snowshoe hare.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. The Forest 
invites public comment and participation for this project by 
publication of this notice. Comments are also invited by: publication 
in the quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA); public notice 
regarding this project in the newspaper of record, the Valley Courier; 
letters to potentially interested individuals, Tribal governments, 
elected officials, and State and other Federal Agencies. One or more 
scoping meetings with adjacent landowners and other interested 
individuals or agencies will be scheduled individually and/or announced 
in the Valley Courier. Information will also be posted on the Rio 
Grande National Forest Web site as this project progresses. Comments 
received during these scoping efforts will be considered in this 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 environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the scoping 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, and 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.

    Dated: April 13, 2011.
Thomas Malecek,
District Ranger/Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 2011-9555 Filed 4-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P