[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24176-24177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9725]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Bridger-Teton National Forest; Wyoming; Long Term Special Use 
Authorization for Wyoming Game and Fish Commission To Use National 
Forest System Land for Their Winter Elk Management Programs

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Bridger-Teton National Forest received a request from the 
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (WGFC) to continue to use facilities 
at Alkali Creek Feedground to conduct their winter elk feeding and 
related management programs. An environmental impact statement (EIS) 
studying this request was prepared in 2008; however a decision was not 
made on this feedground. The agency intends to supplement the EIS with 
information concerning changed circumstances. The proposed action is to 
issue the WGFC a Special Use Authorization (SUA) for the requested uses 
of Alkali Creek Feedground for up to twenty years.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 23, 2012. Public comments will also be solicited upon release of 
the draft supplement to the EIS, expected in July 2012. The final 
supplement and a Record of Decision are expected in November 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Forest Supervisor Jacqueline 
Buchanan, Bridger-Teton National Forest, P.O. Box 1888, Jackson, WY 
83001. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Bode, Resources Staff Officer, at

[[Page 24177]]

[email protected], 307-739-5513, or at Bridger-Teton National Forest, 
P.O. Box 1888, Jackson, WY 83001. 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: On July 15, 2008, Carole `Kniffy' Hamilton, 
Forest Supervisor of the Bridger-Teton National Forest issued an EIS 
and signed a Record of Decision (ROD) concerning a Long Term Special 
Use Authorization for WGFC to use National Forest System Land for their 
Winter Elk Management Activities. The EIS included analysis of Alkali 
Creek and five other existing feedgrounds. In the ROD, Forest 
Supervisor Hamilton approved use at the five other feedgrounds and 
postponed the decision concerning Alkali Creek Feedground. This 
decision was postponed because more information was needed concerning 
the location of the Gros Ventre Wilderness boundary and vegetation 
effects adjacent to the feedground inside the Wilderness.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose and need for action is to respond to the WGFC request 
for a long term Special Use Permit authorizing intermittent occupancy 
and use of Alkali Creek Feedground for activities associated with the 
WGFC winter elk management program.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to authorize the continued use of National 
Forest System (NFS) lands at Alkali Creek Feedground by the WGFC for 
corrals, sheds, one hay stack-yard containing two haysheds, a water 
facility and feeding grounds associated with their ongoing winter elk 
management program.

Possible Alternatives

    Three alternatives were identified and studied in the 2008 FEIS: 
(1) The no action alternative--no special use authorization would be 
issued, (2) the proposed action--issuance of authorization to the WGFC, 
and (3) authorization of the proposed use with modifications.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The Forest Service is the Lead Agency. WGFC is a Cooperating 
Agency.

Responsible Official

    The responsible Forest officer for this proposed action is Forest 
Supervisor Jacqueline Buchanan, Bridger-Teton National Forest, P.O. Box 
1888, Jackson, WY 83001.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decision to be made is whether or not to authorize WGFC use of 
NFS lands at Alkali Creek Feedground for corrals, sheds, one hay stack-
yard containing two haysheds, a water facility and feeding grounds 
associated with their ongoing elk feeding and management programs.

Preliminary Issues

    After review of the 2008 EIS by an interdisciplinary team of Forest 
Service specialists, Forest Supervisor Buchanan determined that 
information concerning changed circumstances should be documented in a 
supplement and presented for consideration before a decision is made. 
The preliminary list of topics that may be considered for this 
supplement includes: Changes in species listed as Threatened, 
Endangered, or Sensitive, designation of Wild and Scenic Rivers, 
impacts to the Gros Ventre Wilderness, compliance with the Pronghorn 
Forest Plan amendment, effects related to recent fire activity, current 
information concerning wildlife diseases, and effects of changes in 
WGFC regulations. The public is encouraged to assist the Agency by 
contributing opinions and information about these or other changed 
circumstances since issuance of the 2008 EIS.

Permits or Licenses Required

    If the decision is to authorize WGFC to continue to occupy and use 
NFS lands, it will be done through issuance of a Special Use 
Authorization with a term of up to 20 years. (36 CFR part 251 subpart 
B.)

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the Supplement to the EIS. Scoping letters will be 
sent to a mailing list of known interested parties and to parties who 
commented on the 2008 Draft EIS. Public meetings are not planned; 
however, interested parties are encouraged to contact Agency personnel 
if questions arise. The scoping process will assist the Agency in 
determining what changed information should be included in the 
supplement. Ongoing information related to this analysis will be posted 
on the Bridger-Teton National Forest Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/btnf/projects.
    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 supplement to the 2008 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 also be 
accepted and considered.

    Dated: April 13, 2012.
Jose V. Castro,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2012-9725 Filed 4-20-12; 8:45 am]
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