[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22363-22364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9656]



[[Page 22363]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Kaibab National Forest, Williams Ranger District; Arizona; Bill 
Williams Mountain Restoration Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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

SUMMARY: The purpose of the proposed action is to improve the health 
and sustainability of forested conditions on and surrounding Bill 
Williams Mountain by reducing hazardous fuels and moving vegetative 
conditions in the project area toward the future desired conditions. 
The project area is located approximately 4 miles south-southwest of 
the city of Williams, Arizona. The Proposed Action includes a 
combination of commercial timber harvest treatments and non-commercial 
mechanical treatments on approximately 15,200 acres. Treatments would 
thin stands with mechanized equipment to meet or move toward the 
desired conditions, and in some stands, non-commercial treatments may 
be the only treatments feasible/necessary to achieve resource 
objectives. Prescribed fire is also proposed to be used on 
approximately 15,200 acres of the project area. In some areas, 
prescribed fire would be used in conjunction with mechanical treatments 
to achieve restoration and fuel treatment objectives. In other areas 
where operability is limited and more costly, only prescribed burning 
may be used to meet resource objectives.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 23, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
September 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
December 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Tom Mutz, Team Leader, Kaibab 
National Forest, Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, 
Williams, AZ 86046. Comments may also be sent via e-mail (with subject, 
Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project Scoping Comment) to 
[email protected] or via facsimile to 
(928) 635.5680. A public meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday May 
11, 2011 at 6 p.m. at the Williams Ranger District Office, 742 South 
Clover Road, Williams, AZ.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Mutz at (928) 635.5661.
    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 action is to improve the health and 
sustainability of forested conditions on and surrounding Bill Williams 
Mountain by reducing hazardous fuels and moving vegetative conditions 
in the project area toward the future desired conditions. This work is 
needed to directly and indirectly improve the watershed conditions 
feeding the City of Williams water supply.

Proposed Action

    To meet the purpose and need for action, the Kaibab National Forest 
proposes to treat stands surrounding Bill Williams Mountain with 
mechanized equipment and prescribed fire. A combination of commercial 
timber harvest treatments and non-commercial mechanical treatments is 
proposed on approximately 15,200 acres. Mechanized treatments include 
hand felling, ground-based logging systems, cable-logging systems and 
helicopter logging. Treatments would thin stands to meet or move toward 
the desired conditions and in some stands, non-commercial treatments 
may be the only treatments feasible/necessary to achieve resource 
objectives. Prescribed fire is also proposed to be used on 
approximately 15,200 acres of the project area. In some areas, 
prescribed fire would be used in conjunction with mechanical treatments 
to achieve restoration and fuel treatment objectives. In other areas 
where operability is limited and more costly, only prescribed burning 
may be used to meet resource objectives.

Responsible Official

    Kaibab Forest Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Based on the purpose and need for action, the findings in the 
Environmental Impact Statement and supporting project record, and the 
consideration of the best available science, the Forest Supervisor will 
decide:
     Whether to select the proposed action or one of the 
alternatives;
     What mitigation and/or monitoring measures will be 
required during implementation of the proposed action or any 
alternative selected;
     What language and content changes are needed to the Kaibab 
National Forest Land Management Plan.

Preliminary Issues

    Early in the development of the proposed action for this project 
the Williams Ranger District hosted six ``brainstorming'' sessions. 
Many comments received during these sessions were incorporated into the 
purpose and need for action and desired conditions for the project 
area. Other comments have helped to identify preliminary issues that 
need to be considered in the development of the environmental impact 
statement, such as:
     The consequences and risks of a wildfire on the mountain;
     The protection of the watershed and treatment of steep 
slopes;
     The safety and protection of life and property on and 
within the vicinity of Bill Williams Mountain;
     The potential effects to Mexican Spotted Owl habitat;
     And, the potential effects to natural and cultural 
resources, including the protection of a Traditional Cultural Property.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which will 
guide the development of an environmental impact statement for this 
project. The Kaibab National Forest invites public comment and 
participation regarding this project and subsequent EIS through scoping 
efforts in the form of this notice in the Federal Register; the 
Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA); and letters sent to potentially 
interested persons, tribal governments, and State and other Federal 
agencies. A scoping meeting will also be hosted at the Williams Ranger 
District on Wednesday May 11, 2011 at 6 p.m. to discuss the proposed 
action and accept comments. The ranger station is located at 742 South 
Clover Road, Williams, AZ 86046. Information will be posted on the 
Kaibab National Forest Web site as the project progresses. Comments 
received during these scoping efforts will be used to determine the 
scope and significant issues to be analyzed in depth in 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.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will

[[Page 22364]]

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.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1508.22 and 36 CFR 220.5(b).

    Dated: April 14, 2011.
Martie Schramm,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2011-9656 Filed 4-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P