[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78234-78235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32200]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National 
Grassland, Campbell County, WY; Mackey Road Relocation

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service proposes to authorize Peabody Powder River 
Mining, LLC to vacate and relocate portions of Campbell County Road 69, 
Mackey Road, onto National Forest System (NFS) land on Thunder Basin 
National Grassland. The proposal comprises new construction of 
approximately 6.56 miles on NFS lands in portions of Sections 6-8, 17, 
and 21-22 of T. 42 N., R. 69 W. and Sections 29-31 of T. 43 N., R. 69 
W., 6th Principal Meridian, Campbell County, Wyoming.

DATES: Comments concerning the project or the scope of the planned 
environmental analysis must be received by January 17, 2012. The draft 
environmental impact statement (DEIS) is expected to be available by 
January 2012, and the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) is 
expected to be completed by April 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Richard A. Cooksey, Deputy Forest 
Supervisor, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin 
National Grassland, 2250 East Richards Street, Douglas, Wyoming 82633, 
or email comments to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Rose, Solid Minerals Project 
Manager, Douglas Ranger District, 2250 East Richards St, Douglas, WY 
82633, (307) 358-4690.
    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: Federal coal lessee (WYW-179011, WYW-
0321779, WYW-172413, WYW172414, and WYW151134), Peabody Powder River 
Mining, LLC (PPRM), filed with

[[Page 78235]]

the USDA Forest Service a request for authorization to vacate and 
relocate portions of Mackey (CR 69) and temporary Reno (CR 83) county 
roads onto NFS lands on March 22, 2011. Vacated road segments will be 
mined through and subsequently reclaimed.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of this action is to relocate the affected segments of 
Mackey and Reno roads outside of the mining area so that the underlying 
coal can be mined and to prevent interrupted road services.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service proposes to authorize PPRM to construct 6.56 
miles of new road on NFS lands. Of the 6.56 miles, 1.25 miles coincides 
with an existing Forest Service Road--School Creek Road--that will be 
reconstructed. The environmental analysis will include approximately 
250 acres of NFS lands. Road specifications will conform to or exceed 
current county road standards. Upon completion of the road 
construction, the final easement would be acquired by Campbell County, 
and this road will be maintained and operated as part of the county 
road system. PPRM has initiated formal discussion with Campbell County 
regarding the relocation, and public hearings were held by the County 
in November 2010.

Responsible Official

    Richard Cooksey, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow-Routt 
National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, 2468 Jackson 
Street, Laramie, Wyoming 82070 is the Official responsible for making 
the decision on this action.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will consider the results of the analysis 
and then document the final decision in a Record of Decision (ROD). The 
decision will include a determination on whether or not to authorize 
the Mackey Road Relocation to occur in the above described lands as 
proposed by the applicant (PPRM), or to allow an alternative to the 
proposed action.

Preliminary Issues

    The Forest Service has identified the following preliminary issues 
related to the proposed action: (1) Potential impacts to wildlife in 
the proposed project area; (2) potential impacts to the watershed; (3) 
potential impacts to cultural and paleontological resources; (4) 
potential impacts to adjacent private lands; and (5) potential impacts 
to livestock grazing permits on the National Grassland.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates this phase of the scoping process, 
which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. 
Prior to this notice, the Forest Service published a Legal Notice in 
the Laramie Boomerang on May 1, 2011 initiating a 30-day formal comment 
period. Scoping notices were also mailed to Federal, state, and local 
government agencies, conservation groups, and individuals who could be 
impacted by the project.
    A draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will be prepared for 
comment. The comment period on the DEIS will be 45 days from the date 
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of 
availability in the Federal Register. This notice is to inform the 
public of the proposed action and invite the public to participate by 
providing any comments or information they may have concerning the 
proposal. This information will be used to identify important issues 
and determine the extent of the analysis necessary to make an informed 
decision on the proposal. Such issues will assist in the formulation of 
additional alternatives and the development of mitigation measures 
necessary to reduce impacts.
    In addition to this notice, the scoping process included the 
distribution of letters to interested parties requesting comments on 
the proposed action, and a public notice was published in area media.
    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: December 9, 2011.
Misty A. Hays,
Deputy District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2011-32200 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
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