[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23658-23659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8842]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2012 / 
Notices  

[[Page 23658]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Six Rivers National Forest, Gasquet Ranger District, California, 
The Smith River National Recreation Area Restoration and Motorized 
Travel Management Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Six Rivers National Forest proposes to make limited 
changes to the National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) on the 
Gasquet Ranger District in order to: provide motorized access to 
dispersed recreation opportunities; provide a diversity of motorized 
recreation opportunities; to provide for administrative needs, and; to 
reduce ecological and cultural resource risk and maintenance costs. In 
addition, inventoried unauthorized routes (UAR) that pose a risk to 
ecological resources will be restored to reduce risk to resources.
    This project responds to the Travel Management Rule, Subpart B (36 
CFR 212.52), which requires the public be allowed to participate in the 
revision of designations, and 36 CFR 212.54, which requires the Forest 
to coordinate with other government organizations in the revision of 
designation of the NFTS. Changes to the NFTS resulting from this 
project will be reflected in an updated Motor Vehicle Use Map.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 4, 2012. The draft 
environmental impact statement is expected in October 2012 and the 
final environmental impact statement is expected in March 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Six Rivers National Forest, 
Supervisor's Office, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501. Comments may 
also be sent via facsimile to 707-441-3502, or via email to [email protected]. Please insure that ``Smith River 
NRA Restoration and Motorized Travel Management'' occurs in the subject 
line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christy Prescott, Team Leader. Phone: 
707-442-1721, 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 the project is to make limited changes to the NFTS 
that enhance motorized recreation opportunities, dispersed recreation 
opportunities, and administrative access, while minimizing ecological 
and cultural resource risk. In addition, this project restores 
terrestrial and aquatic habitats impacted by unauthorized routes.

Proposed Action

    The Six Rivers National Forest proposes to make limited changes to 
the National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) in order to: provide 
motorized access to dispersed recreation opportunities (camping, 
hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, etc.); provide a diversity 
of motorized recreation opportunities; to provide for administrative 
needs, and; to reduce ecological and cultural resource risk and 
maintenance costs. In addition, inventoried unauthorized routes (UAR) 
that pose a risk to ecological resources will be restored to reduce 
risk to resources.
    The Six Rivers National Forest (SRNF) proposes the following 
actions: 1)The addition of 28 unauthorized routes as roads, totaling 16 
miles, to the current National Forest Transportation System (NFTS); 2) 
The addition of 45 unauthorized routes as motorized trails to the NFTS, 
totaling 44 miles; 3) The seasonal gate closure on 2 roads and 5 
motorized trails, totaling 13 miles; 4) The mixed-use of 1 road 
(17N49), totaling 4 miles; 5) The decommissioning of 118 NFTS roads, 
totaling 57 miles, and; 6) The restoration of 173 UARs totaling 80 
miles.
    The project encompasses the Smith River NRA and Gasquet Ranger 
District, exclusive of lands within congressionally designated 
Wilderness Areas, and is referred to collectively as the Smith River 
NRA. This decision will result in an update to the Motor Vehicle Use 
Map.
    State, County, and Smith River NRA OML 3, 4, and 5 roads are all 
main access roads on the NRA that accommodate passenger cars, and are 
not being considered in this analysis, with the exception of 17N49 
which is an OML 3 road that is being proposed for mixed-use. Also not 
considered in this analysis are roads that were closed under previous 
NEPA decisions. No new construction would occur under this proposal, 
meaning lands previously undisturbed will not be considered for 
additions to the NFTS as roads or motorized trails.

Responsible Official

    The Forest Supervisor of the Six Rivers National Forest is the 
Responsible Official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will decide whether to adopt and implement 
the proposed action, an alternative to the proposed action, or take no 
action.

Preliminary Issues

    There are five areas of concern that have been identified through a 
previous public scoping effort. The public has expressed concern in how 
the project will affect motorized recreation, dispersed recreation, and 
economic values associated with travel management. Designation of 
unauthorized routes in Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRA) has also been 
identified as an issue of public interest on this project. There is 
public concern over how the project will affect the spread of Port 
Orford-cedar root disease. There is public concern over the potential 
health risks regarding the designation of new roads and motorized 
trails that overlay lands that may contain Naturally Occuring Asbestos. 
There is public concern regarding the projects potential effects on 
Federally listed endangered plant species and Forest Service Sensitive 
plant species.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Prior to implementation of the decision, the Forest will require a 
waiver from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. The

[[Page 23659]]

California Highway Patrol must approve all mixed-use designations.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. A public meeting 
will be held in Crescent City on May 9, 2012 to discuss the proposed 
action, and answer any questions the public may have regarding the 
project. 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.

    Dated: April 2, 2012.
Tyrone Kelley,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2012-8842 Filed 4-19-12; 8:45 am]
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