[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 126 (Thursday, June 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38349-38352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15557]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Plan Revision for Colville, and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National 
Forests, Washington (Collectively Called the Northeast Washington Zone 
Forest Plan Revision)

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) and revised land management plan using the provisions of the 
National Forest System land and resource management planning rule in 
effect prior to November 9, 2000 for the Colville, and Okanogan-
Wenatchee National Forests, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan, 
Chelan, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties in Washington.

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SUMMARY: As directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the

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USDA Forest Service is preparing the Colville, and Okanogan-Wenatchee 
National Forests revised land management plans and will also prepare an 
EIS for these revised plans. A Notice of Intent to revise the Colville, 
Okanogan, and Wenatchee forest plans was published in the Federal 
Register on March 9, 2004. That Notice also stated our intent to later 
publish a Notice to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. This 
notice briefly describes the purpose and need, the proposed action, the 
scoping process for the plan revisions (including any scoping 
meetings), information concerning public participation, estimated dates 
for filing the EIS and provides the names and addresses of the 
responsible agency official and the individuals who can provide 
additional information. This notice also briefly describes the 
applicable planning rule.
    The revised land management plans will replace the land management 
plans previously approved by the Regional Forester. The Colville 
National Forest land management plan was signed on December 29, 1989, 
and has been amended 39 times. The Okanogan National Forest land 
management plan was signed on December 29, 1989, and has been amended 
51 times. The Wenatchee National Forest land management plan was signed 
on March 2 1990, and has been amended 27 times. Most forest plan 
amendments are project-specific amendments and apply to that project 
only. Some amendments incorporated new management direction for 
specific resource areas, such as invasive weeds. Five amendments were 
incorporated into all the forest plans by the Regional Forester. The 
land management plans for the Okanogan National Forest and the 
Wenatchee National Forest were amended by the 1994 Northwest Forest 
Plan to incorporate standards and guidelines for management of habitat 
for late-successional and old-growth associated species within the 
range of the northern spotted owl and an aquatic conservation strategy 
to maintain and restore the ecological health of watersheds and aquatic 
ecosystems. These amendments included direction for managing streams 
and riparian areas, old growth forests, and treatment of invasive 
species. These amended plans will remain in effect until the revision 
takes effect. The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests were 
administratively combined in 2000; they will have a single forest plan.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of this analysis must be received 
by August 29, 2011. The agency expects to complete the draft proposed 
plans and a draft environmental impact statement by June 2012 and the 
final plans and a final environmental impact statement by June 2013.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for public involvement 
meeting dates.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Forest Plan Revision, Okanogan 
Valley Office, 1240 Second Avenue South, Okanogan, WA 98840. Comments 
may also be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Hartzell, Revision Team 
Leader, or Deborah Kelly, Revision Public Affairs Officer, Okanogan 
Valley Office, 1240 Second Avenue South, Okanogan, WA 98840, 509-826-
3275. Information is also available at the plan revision Web site: 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan. 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

    The existing forest plans are 20 years old. Economic, social, and 
ecological conditions changed during the past two decades; new laws, 
regulations and policies are in place; and new information based on 
monitoring and scientific research is available. The Colville, and 
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests are revising their 1988, 1989, and 
1990 Forest Plans to meet the legal requirements of the National Forest 
Management Act of 1976; to address changed conditions and provide 
consistent management direction (as appropriate) across the two 
national forests; to incorporate changes in law, regulation, and 
policy; and to utilize new scientific information. In particular, the 
interdisciplinary planning team is addressing the following areas in 
the revised forest plans:
    1. Improve protection of terrestrial plant and animal species and 
their habitats. Two objectives in the Strategic Plan for the Forest 
Service are to ``provide ecological conditions to sustain viable 
populations of native and desired nonnative species and to achieve 
objectives for management indicator and focal species.'' The Columbia 
Basin Strategy (2000) identifies key elements to be addressed in 
planning efforts, such as source habitats, that are not addressed in 
the 1988, 1989, and 1990 forest plans. The structural arrangement of 
vegetation, both vertical and horizontal, and the size and arrangement 
of trees, grasses, and shrubs are important components of wildlife 
habitat. Many changes to forest stand structure have occurred due to 
disturbances such as uncharacteristic fire, timber harvest, and insects 
and disease. Old multistory, old single story, and stand initiation 
forest structures have declined with a corresponding increase in area 
and connectivity of dense, multilayered, intermediate forest 
structures. Forests are now dominated by shade-tolerant conifers, with 
elevated fuel loads, severe fire behavior, and increased incidence of 
certain defoliaters, bark beetles, and root diseases. All of these 
changes have led to reductions in habitat for some species and 
increases for others. The 1988, 1989, and 1990 forest plans need to be 
updated to reflect current science relating to plant and animal species 
and their habitats. The habitat goals and objectives of the Late 
Successional Reserve (LSR) system for the northern spotted owl and 
other terrestrial species would be met through a landscape management 
approach consistent with current science for the dry forest types. LSRs 
established through the Northwest Forest Plan amendment would no longer 
be specific management areas.
    2. To address management of fuels and fire risk. Several factors 
have contributed to an increased susceptibility to disturbances, such 
as uncharacteristically severe fires, and insects and disease 
outbreaks. These are the cumulative effects of a periodic and sometimes 
extended drought, climate change, increasing vegetative density, shifts 
in forest species composition, and modified landscape patterns. The dry 
and mesic forest types on the Forests are susceptible to insect and 
disease outbreaks and large-scale uncharacteristic wildfires. The 1988, 
1989, and 1990 forest plans' desired conditions, and standards and 
guidelines do not adequately address the multiple factors that have 
created the existing uncharacteristic conditions nor do they adequately 
address the varied nature of the landscape. Neither do they address the 
need for management strategies that recognize the unique qualities of 
various landscapes. An integrated strategy that recognizes multiple 
risk factors and addresses variability in conditions and site 
potentials is needed.
    3. To more adequately protect watersheds and aquatic habitats. The 
Columbia Basin Strategy (2000) emphasizes restoring the processes 
responsible for creating and maintaining aquatic and riparian habitats 
and

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restoring naturally functioning riparian ecosystems. It also outlines 
specific components to be included in revised forest plans. The 1988, 
1989, and 1990 forest plans include by amendment interim direction, 
i.e., the Inland Native Fish Strategy (INFISH, USDA Forest Service 
1994c and 1995) and the Decision Notice for the Continuation of Interim 
Management Direction Establishing Riparian, Ecosystem and Wildlife 
Standards for Timber Sales (Eastside Screens, 1994); and the Okanogan-
Wenatchee forest plans also include by amendment the Interim Strategies 
for Managing Anadromous Fish-Producing Watersheds in Eastern Oregon and 
Washington, Idaho, and portions of California (PACFISH, USDA and USDI 
1995), for management of threatened or endangered fish species. 
However, the 1988, 1989, and 1990 plan language was never changed to 
integrate this interim direction or resolve conflicts between the 
existing plan language and the interim direction language. The 1988, 
1989, and 1990 forest plans do not adequately provide integrated 
management strategies for maintenance and restoration of properly 
functioning watersheds that provide a range of benefits on and off the 
national forests. These include, but are not limited to, providing 
habitat for terrestrial, aquatic, and riparian-dependent species; 
maintaining water quality; providing channel stability; reducing 
erosion; moderating floods; and maintaining reliable stream flows for 
downstream users. The combination of interim direction (PACFISH/INFISH) 
and the Aquatic Conservation Strategy of the Northwest Forest Plan will 
be adjusted into one consistent aquatic and riparian conservation 
strategy across the Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests.
    4. To address climate change. The 1988, 1989, and 1990 forest plans 
do not consider climate change. Climate change is expected to affect 
plant species range and composition and alter competitive relationships 
between plant species. Changes in the composition and structure of 
plant communities will, in turn, alter the character and distribution 
of wildlife habitats. Future conditions may be more favorable to some 
undesired non-native plant and animal species. The full extent of 
changes in response to climate change on natural resources in the 
planning area is uncertain, but integrated management direction is 
needed to maintain or increase the resilience of the national forests 
in the face of these changes.
    5. To recognize the interdependency of social and economic 
components with national forest management. The revised forest plans 
will place more emphasis on the relationships among the people who 
live, work, and play on the national forests. National forests provide 
a variety of recreation opportunities, work opportunities, and 
opportunities to practice cultural and spiritual traditions. Local 
communities provide infrastructure that contributes to the capacity of 
the national forests to restore and maintain ecological systems. 
Recognizing the mutual benefits of the relationships between social and 
economic components and the national forests is important to providing 
integrated management direction. This forest plan revision will be 
coordinated with equivalent and related planning efforts of other 
Federal agencies, State and local governments, and Indian tribes.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action is a revision of the land management plans for 
the Colville, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests designed to meet 
the purpose and need. It includes revised goals/desired conditions, 
objectives, standards, guidelines, suitable uses and activities, 
management area designations including special areas, and monitoring 
items. The proposed action can be found at the forest plan revision Web 
site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan. Error! Hyperlink 
reference not valid.

Public Involvement

    The Colville, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests began this 
forest plan revision process in 2003. Public participation began in 
2004 with community workshops. Workshops were held in Yakima, Cle Elum, 
North Bend, Wenatchee, Winthrop, Okanogan, Tonasket, Republic, 
Colville, Ione, Newport, and Spokane, Washington. Workshops were also 
held from 2005 to 2008. Meetings with representatives of the counties 
where the forests are located began in 2004 and are continuing. 
Government-to-government consultation with tribal nations and staff-to-
staff consultation with their resource specialists began early in the 
process and will continue.
    Public meeting dates are yet to be determined. At this time 
meetings are expected to be in the following locations: Yakima, Cle 
Elum, Seattle area, Wenatchee, Winthrop, Okanogan, Tonasket, Republic, 
Colville, Ione, and Spokane. Formal consultation with the governments 
of American Indian tribes is ongoing.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The Forest Service, USDA, is the lead agency. Cooperating agencies: 
State of Washington and its agencies, the Department of Natural 
Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Department of Ecology.

Name and Address of the Responsible Official

    Kent Connaughton, Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest Region, 333 
SW. 1st Street, PO Box 3623, Portland, Oregon 97208.

Nature of the Decision To Be Made

    The Colville, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests are preparing 
an EIS to revise the current forest plans. The EIS process is meant to 
inform the Regional Forester so that he can decide which alternative 
best meets the need to achieve quality land management under the 
sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs 
of people while protecting the forests' resources, as required by the 
National Forest Management Act and the Multiple Use Sustained Yield 
Act.
    The revised forest plans provide guidance for all resource 
management activities on the Colville, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National 
Forests. Approval of the revised forest plans will result in the 
following plan components to guide management for the next 10 to 15 
years:
     Goals/desired conditions;
     Objectives;
     Forest-wide standards and guidelines;
     Management area desired conditions, standards, and 
guidelines;
     Suitability of lands for uses and activities;
     Monitoring and evaluation requirements; and
     Recommendations may be made for special areas, such as 
Research Natural Areas, or areas that can only be designated by 
statute, such as Wilderness.
    Goals/desired conditions provide a description of desired outcomes 
of forest management. Objectives provide projections of measurable 
outcomes intended to promote achievement of forest plan goals/desired 
conditions. Forest-wide standards and guidelines provide management 
direction and guidance that is applicable across the each national 
forest. Management Area desired conditions, standards, and guidelines 
provide direction that applies to specific geographic areas within the 
national forest. Identification of characteristics of lands for 
specific

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uses and activities provides integration between particular uses and 
desired conditions and objectives for areas on the national forest. 
Monitoring and evaluation indicates whether areas are trending toward 
goals/desired conditions so that needed adjustments can be made in the 
future. Special areas are places or areas within the National Forest 
System designated because of their unique or special characteristics. 
Some can be designated by the responsible official, such as a Botanical 
Area. Others, such as Wilderness or Wild and Scenic River designations, 
are recommended for designation by the responsible official, but 
Congressional act designates.
    As important as the decisions to be made is the identification of 
the types of decisions that will not be made within the revised forest 
plan. The authorization of project-level activities on the forests is 
not a decision made in the forest plan but occurs through subsequent 
project specific decision-making. The designation of routes, trails, 
and areas for motorized vehicle travel are not considered during plan 
revision. Some issues (e.g., hunting regulations), although important, 
are beyond the authority or control of the national forests and will 
not be considered. In addition, some tasks, such as Wild and Scenic 
river suitability determinations, may not be undertaken at this time, 
but addressed later as a future forest plan amendment. Some process 
requirements of the Northwest Forest Plan would no longer be forest 
plan direction. Some of these requirements would be retained through 
administrative direction outside of forest plan revision.

Applicable Planning Rule

    On December 18, 2009 the Department reinstated the previous 
planning rule, commonly known as the 2000 planning rule in the Federal 
Register (Federal Register, Volume 74, No. 242, Friday, December 18, 
2009, pages 67059 thru 67075). The transition provisions of the 
reinstated rule (36 CFR 219.35 and appendices A and B) allow use of the 
provisions of the National Forest System land and resource management 
planning rule in effect prior to the effective date of the 2000 Rule 
(November 9, 2000), commonly called the 1982 planning rule, to amend or 
revise plans. The Colville, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests 
have elected to use the provisions of the 1982 planning rule including 
the requirement to prepare an EIS, to complete plan revisions.
    Although the 2008 planning rule is no longer in effect, information 
gathered prior to the court's injunction is useful for completing the 
plan revisions using the provisions of the 1982 planning rule. The 
revision team has concluded that the analyses begun or developed during 
the revision process to date are appropriate for continued use in the 
revision process.

Roadless Area Management Direction

    The proposed action includes management direction for all national 
forest lands within the planning area, including lands identified as 
inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) in the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR). There is 
currently a legal dispute regarding the status of the RACR, with one 
Federal Court (Wyoming District Federal Court, Judge Brimmer) finding 
the rule to be in conflict with law and enjoining its implementation 
and a different Federal Court (Northern California District Federal 
Court, Judge Laporte) reinstating that rule and prohibiting the Forest 
Service from taking any action that would have been prohibited under 
the RACR. The Forest Service is hopeful that current legal proceedings 
will resolve these conflicting court rulings.
    The proposed action includes plan direction that retains the 
undeveloped character of Colville, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National 
Forests by including management areas that restrict road construction 
and timber harvest. This is based on analysis of the resources and 
management situation that the Forest Service has done in developing the 
proposed action and on extensive public involvement.
    Comments received in the scoping process will help the agency 
determine the scope of issues related to roadless area management and 
guide the development of alternatives and analysis of environmental 
effects. The decision for the final plan will be consistent with the 
legal status of the RACR at the time the plan is signed.

Description of the Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the draft EIS. In scoping, the agency, with the 
assistance of the public, determines the scope of the issues to be 
addressed and identifies the significant issues related to the proposed 
action (see 40 CFR 1501.7).
    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 revised plan and the draft EIS. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewers' 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.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including the 
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.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1600-1614; 36 CFR 219.35 (74 FR 67073-
67074).

    Dated: June 8, 2011.
Kent P. Connaughton,
Regional Forester, Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-15557 Filed 6-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P