[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6534-6535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2825]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Malheur National Forest; Oregon; Summit Logan Grazing 
Authorization Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to disclose environmental effects to authorize 
livestock grazing on all or portions of the Lake Creek, Logan Valley, 
McCoy Creek and Summit Prairie allotments. These allotments are within 
the Upper Malheur River and Upper North Fork Malheur River watersheds. 
The Summit Logan Grazing Authorization Project area is located south 
and west of Prairie City, Oregon and encompasses approximately 40,272 
acres of National Forest System Lands administered by the Prairie City 
Ranger District, Malheur National Forest.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 9, 2012. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
June 2012 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
September 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Randall Gould, District Ranger, 
Prairie City Ranger District, 327 SW Front Street, P.O. Box 337, 
Prairie City, OR 97869. Comments may also be sent via email to 
[email protected], or via 
facsimile to (541) 820-4844.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Falk, Environmental Coordinator, 
Malheur National Forest, 327 Front Street, P.O. Box 337, Prairie City, 
Oregon 97869. Telephone: (541) 820-3890, email: [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:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of this project is to authorize livestock grazing on 
the Lake Creek, Logan Valley, McCoy Creek and Summit Prairie 
allotments, meeting the requirements of the Rescission Act, and to 
improve resource conditions for aquatic habitat.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action allows grazing in the Lake Creek, Logan Valley, 
McCoy Creek and Summit Prairie Allotments while allowing recovery of 
vegetation and hardwoods in riparian areas.
    Allotment boundaries and pastures would be adjusted to facilitate 
more efficient allotment management requiring new fence construction,

[[Page 6535]]

existing fence removal and water source developments. Portions of the 
currently vacant Lake Creek allotment would be added to the Logan 
Valley, Summit Prairie and Dollar Basin allotments. Areas within the 
Lake Creek allotment that contain occupied bull trout habitat would 
remain vacant. Existing AUMs in the Logan Valley, McCoy Creek, and 
Summit Prairie allotments would not change.
    The proposed action includes adaptive management strategies to meet 
or move toward Forest Plan and site-specific desired conditions.

Possible Alternatives

    Two additional alternatives have been identified to date: (1) Term 
grazing permits would be cancelled (No Grazing); and (2) implementation 
of management actions from the current management plan as adapted over 
recent years.

Responsible Official

    Teresa Raaf, Malheur National Forest Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will decide if and to what management 
parameters livestock grazing will continue in the project area.

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues identified include the potential effects of 
livestock on riparian vegetation, aquatic habitat, and water quality.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Previous scoping 
for this project occurred in October, 2008.
    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: January 31, 2012.
Randall J. Gould,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2012-2825 Filed 2-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P