[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 156 (Friday, August 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50168-50170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20496]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona, Four-Forest
Restoration Initiative
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement;
Correction.
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SUMMARY: On January 25, 2011, the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) was published in the Federal
Register (76 FR 4279-4281). From January, 2011 to June, 2011, six
public meetings and workshops were held for the purposes of receiving
comments and recommendations that would inform the development of a
refined proposed action. As a result, the Forest Service is revising
the NOI document, Federal Register of January 25, 2011 (76 FR 4279-
4281) to read as follows:
Revision: The Forest Service is preparing an environmental impact
statement (EIS) that proposes to conduct restoration activities on
approximately 600,000 acres on the Coconino NF and Kaibab NF. Of this
total, approximately 361,379 acres would be treated on the Coconino NF
and 233,991 acres would be treated on the Kaibab NF. Restoration
actions would be focused on the Flagstaff district with fewer acres
included on the Mogollon Rim and Red Rock districts of the Coconino NF.
On the Kaibab NF, activities would occur on the Williams and Tusayan
districts. The objective of the project is to re-establish forest
structure, pattern and composition, which will lead to increased forest
resiliency and function. Resiliency increases the ability of the
ponderosa pine forest to survive natural disturbances such as insect
and disease, fire and climate change (FSM 2020.5). This project is
expected to put the project area on a trajectory towards comprehensive,
landscape-scale restoration with benefits that include improved
vegetation biodiversity, wildlife habitat, soil productivity, and
watershed function.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by August 26, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is
expected by January of 2012 and the final environmental impact
statement is expected in the summer of 2012.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Coconino National Forest,
Attention: 4FRI, 1824 S. Thompson Street, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001.
Comments may also be sent via e-mail to [email protected], or
via facsimile to (928) 527-3620.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry Provencio, 4 FRI Team Leader at
(928) 226-4684 or via 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:
Background
Extensive research has demonstrated that current ponderosa pine
forests of the Southwest are greatly altered in terms of forest
structure, density, and ecological function. Most pine forests in the
Southwest are at much higher risk of high intensity and severe fire
than they were prior to European settlement (Covington 1993, Moore et
al. 1999). A century ago the pine forests had widely-spaced large trees
with a more open, herbaceous forest floor (Cooper 1960). These
conditions were maintained by fairly frequent low-severity surface
fires that did not kill the large trees (Fiedler et al. 1996). These
fires occurred every 2 to 21 years and maintained an open canopy
structure (Moir et al. 1997). Fire suppression, cattle grazing, timber
production, and general human habitation in and near the forests over
the last 100 years interrupted fire's natural role in these fire-
adapted ponderosa pine forests. As a result, the forests have shifted
from naturally open conditions to high densities of small diameter
trees (Covington and Moore 1994) dramatically increasing the size and
severity of wildland fires (Swetnam and Betancourt 1998). The forests
have become less resilient to natural disturbances and are vulnerable
to large-scale disturbances such as changing climatic conditions
(drought), fire, insect, and disease.
Purpose and Need for Action
In contrast to having a ponderosa pine ecosystem consisting of
groups of trees with an open tree canopy density mixed with
interspaces, approximately 75 percent of the ponderosa pine forest type
within the project area has a moderately closed to closed tree canopy
density. An open tree canopy mixed with interspaces which mimic
historical spatial patterns and provide for tree regeneration and the
development of grass and forbs are lacking. There is a need to use
management strategies that promote tree regeneration and understory
vegetation. There is a need to move towards the historic range of
variability for tree canopy density and patterns of tree groups and
interspaces. Forest resiliency and diversity is dependent on the
distribution of age and size classes. Currently, over 50 percent of the
project area lacks age and size class diversity and is in an even-aged
structure. The desired condition is to have a forest structure that
represents all age classes necessary for a sustainable balance of
regeneration, growth, mortality and all age classes necessary for a
sustainable balance of regeneration, growth, mortality and
decomposition. There is a need to implement un-even aged management
strategies where appropriate. In goshawk habitat, habitat components
such as an intermix of vegetation structural stages are lacking or
limited in most stands.There is a need to manage for a balanced
interspersion of age classes in goshawk foraging and PFA/nest stand
habitat. Forest structure in Mexican spotted owl (MSO) habitat has an
excess of the smaller size classes (12'' to 18-) and is deficit in
trees 18'' to 24'' dbh in restricted habitat and in target/threshold, a
component of restricted habitat. There is a need to implement uneven-
aged management strategies and manage for high-density, relatively
uneven-aged stands in MSO restricted habitat, including target/
threshold habitats.
In both gohsawk and MSO habitat, stand conditions are on a
trajectory
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towards density-related mortality. The desired condition is to improve
forest health by reducing the potential for density-related mortality
and move towards forest plan desired conditions for snags and course
woody debris. There is a need to reduce stand densities in all habitats
except MSO restricted and target threshold.
Approximately 25 percent to 35 percent of the project area has some
level of infection ranging from light to extreme. The desired condition
is to have a varied level of mistletoe across the landscape that is
comparable with historic reference conditions. There is a need to use
management strategies that would reduce stand densities in order to
reduce (but not eliminate) the level of dwarf mistletoe infection.
Vegetation diversity throughout the project area has declined (USDA
2009). A lack of fire, which ultimately allowed for increased stand
densities, has allowed Gambel oak to become overtopped by fast growing
ponderosa pine. The desired condition is to develop and maintain a
variety of oak size classes and forms, where they occur, that range
from shrubby thickets and pole-sized clumps to large trees across the
landscape. There is a need to use management strategies that stimulate
new growth and maintain growth in large diameter trees.
There are approximately 7,700 acres of aspen in the project area.
Aspen is dying or rapidly declining on both forests due to the combined
effects of conifer encroachment, browsing, insect, disease, severe
weather events, and lack of fire disturbance (USDA 2008 2009). The
desired condition is to maintain and/or regenerate aspen. Where
possible, there is a need to stimulate growth and increase individual
recruitment of aspen. On the Coconino NF, grasslands have decreased
from approximately 8 percent to percent since historic conditions
(generally pre-1900). On the Kaibab NF, grasslands have decreased from
approximately 15 to 7 percent (USDA 2008) (USDA 2009). The desired
condition is to move towards the historic range of variability of tree
canopy cover that ranges from 0 to 9 percent. Fire should function as a
natural disturbance across the landscape without causing loss to
ecosystem function or to human safety, lives, and values. There is a
need to reduce (and in some cases remove) tree encroachment which has
reduced the size and function of landscapes that were historically
grasslands. Big sage and ponderosa pine co-occur on approximately 6,094
acres of the Tusayan district portion of the project area. The desired
condition for the pine/sage understory community is a shifting mosaic
of sagebrush with a mix of age classes averaging from 3 to 5 percent
cover. With other shrub canopies combined, the percent cover would
average around 9 to 14 percent under a 25 to 30 percent canopy of
ponderosa pine. The mosaic pattern would be largely regulated by low
intensity fires. On approximately 40 percent of the pine-sage cover
type, there is a need to retain vegetation age class diversity in big
sage and promote a shifting mosaic of shrub cover.
Approximately 41 percent of the project area has the potential to
sustain crown fire and about 58 percent has the potential for surface
fire. Dense forest conditions (numerous trees with interlocking crowns)
are common within the project area and would support active crown fire.
Even without crown fire, a high intensity surface fire burning though
this area could scorch the canopy sufficiently to cause widespread
mortality.The current fire return interval is approximately 43 years,
about four times longer than the desired fire return interval which is
between 2 and 21 years. The desired condition is to have fire, as a
disturbance process, maintain a mosaic of diverse native plant
communities. No more than 10 percent of the analysis area should be
prone to crown fire. When crown fire does occur, it would be mostly
passive crown fire, occurring in single trees, groups, or clumps, or
areas where there had been mortality (wind throw, insects, etc.). There
is a need to reduce the potential for crown and high intensity surface
fire.
Across the entire analysis area, 75 percent is currently rated as
condition class 3 which indicates the fire regime is significantly
departed from historical ranges. In a condition class 3, the risk of
losing key ecosystem components is high. Fire frequencies have departed
from historical frequencies by multiple return intervals resulting in
dramatic alterations to fire size, intensity, severity, landscape
patterns, and/or vegetation attributes. The desired condition is to
have 99 percent of the analysis area in FRCC 1. There is a need to
reduce the percent of area in FRCC 3 and move the fire regimes towards
FRCC 1.
Springs and seeps play an important role on the landscape for
hydrological function of watersheds and they are very important for
wildlife and plant diversity. Fifty-one developed springs on the
Coconino NF are not functioning at or near potential and 27 springs on
the Kaibab NF have reduced function. The desired condition is to have
the necessary soil, water, and vegetation attributes to be healthy and
functioning at or near potential. Ephemeral streams are important for
hydrological function of watersheds and provide important seasonal
habitat for a variety of wildlife, in particular, migratory birds and
dispersing amphibians. On the Coconino NF, approximately 36 miles of
channels are heavily eroded with excessive bare ground, denuded
vegetation, and head cuts. Of the total miles, approximately 6 miles
are riparian streams and 30 miles are non-riparian streams. The Kaibab
NF has approximately 7 miles of channels in this condition and all are
non-riparian reaches. The desired condition is to restore the
functionality of both springs and ephemeral streams. On all springs and
streams and channels, there is a need to return fire, a natural
disturbance processes, to the system.
Both forests have identified the needed road system for public and
administrative motorized use through the Travel Management Rule (TMR)
process. As a precursor to the TMR process, the Coconino NF identified
roads that should be closed to public travel, decommissioned, or
considered for other uses because they were no longer needed to meet
resource management objectives (USDA 2010). A review of 2010 data
indicates there is a need to decommission approximately 941 miles of
existing system and unauthorized roads on the Coconino NF. Similar to
the Coconino process, the Kaibab NF identified resource risks and
access benefits associated with all roads. A review of Kaibab NF data
indicates approximately 170 miles of unauthorized roads are recommended
for decommissioning. The desired condition is to have soils in
satisfactory condition so that the soil can resist erosion, recycle
nutrients and absorb water. There is a need to decommission the roads
that have been identified.
In addition to the need for decommissioning roads, there is a need
to have adequate access to the project area for implementation. There
is a need to upgrade road segments which have resource or health and
human safety concerns, construct temporary roads that could be used for
access, and temporarily open existing closed roads. Once the project is
completed, there is a need to decommission the temporary roads and
closed roads.
Proposed Action
In response to the purpose and need, the Coconino and Kaibab
National Forests propose to conduct approximately 595,370 acres of
restoration activities (within the 988,764 acre project area) over
approximately 10
[[Page 50170]]
years or until objectives are met. Approximately 20,000 to 30,000 acres
of vegetation would be treated annually and up to 60,000 acres
prescribed burned annually across the two forests. Restoration
activities would: (1) Mechanically cut trees and prescribe burn on
approximately 389,993 aces, (2) cut trees by hand and prescribe burn on
slopes greater than 40 percent on approximately 99 acres, (3) prescribe
burn only on approximately 205,278 acres, (4) decommission 941 miles of
roads designated ``closed'', (5) decommission 170 miles of unauthorized
roads, (6) construct 46 miles of temporary roads for haul access and
obliterate when treatments are finished, (7) reconstruct 27 miles of
existing open roads for natural resource, health and human safety
concerns, (8) open 183 miles of existing closed roads in order to
conduct treatments and close and rehabilitate as needed when treatments
are finished, (9) restore 78 springs, (10) restore 43 miles of
ephemeral channels, and (11) construct 82 miles of protective (aspen
and springs) fencing.
An old tree and large tree implementation strategy, that are
integral to the proposed action, are included as appendices B and C in
the proposed action document. Forest plan amendments are integral to
the proposed action. Three non-significant forest plan amendments would
be required on the Coconino NF to implement the proposed action. One
non-significant forest plan amendment would be required on the Kaibab
NF. The proposed amendments are located at appendix F in the proposed
action document.
Possible Alternatives
A full range of alternatives to the proposed action, including a
no-action alternative, will be considered. The no-action alternative
represents no change and serves as the baseline for the comparison
among the action alternatives.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Officials are the Coconino Forest Supervisor and
Kaibab Forest Supervisor.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Given the purpose and need of the project, the forest supervisors
will review the proposed action, other alternatives and the
environmental consequences in order to make the following decisions
including determining: (1) Whether to select the proposed action or
another alternative; (2) the location, design, and scheduling of
proposed restoration activities; (3) the estimated products, if any, to
be made available from the project; (4) mitigation measures, monitoring
requirements and adaptive management actions; and (5) whether forest
plan amendments are needed.
Scoping Process
This corrected notice of intent initiates the scoping process,
which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. Two
open houses are planned during the comment period. The first open house
will be held on August 18, 2011 at the Williams Ranger District, 742
South Clover Road, Williams, Arizona, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The
second open house will be held on August 20, 2011 at the Coconino
National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1824 S. Thompson Street,
Flagstaff, AZ 86101, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please contact Paula Cote
at (928) 226-4686 for additional information.
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: August 5, 2011.
M. Earl Stewart,
Forest Supervisor, Coconino National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2011-20496 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am]
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